EP 611 - Orthez - 27 February 1814
RiverWanderer (Allies) 14 banners 43 blocks lost
Nemo2333 (French) 4 banners 55 blocks lost
A very long game of careful positioning on both sides, which we played across two sessions.
The first part saw French artillery positioned to dominate the field, the British running for cover whilst probing from the flanks. Throughout, the French impeded British progress towards the objectives whilst the British held on grimly under French attacks, coming out slightly ahead by dint of timely cards and good fortune.
With the French falling back to consolidate on the hills, the British started attacks in earnest, advancing between the central woods and gradually forcing the river crossing. The French redeployed to mount robust defences against both. After doing some damage, the British had to concede the centre but Grand Manoeuvre ensured escape from the worst of potential French revenge. Meanwhile around Orthez, the British were proving harder to dislodge and the French once again switched focus to deal with the situation. Even so, British two-block infantry units and horse artillery survived and hit back well above expectations, buying valuable time.
Finally, the British had made enough gains to risk a bid for the banner objectives. A surge on Orthez and the hills beyond put the onus on the French to take back at least three of the objectives. Straightaway it looked like the British had walked into a trap, the French play setting up an ideal formation for re-taking the town and snagging two British units in the process. But the British had one more "fight first" Tactician Card to unleash, the dice remained loyal and destroyed the main French attack into the town, taking a banner with it. The game was now settled; a final French attack remained with a banner at stake but 3 dice each had to make a hit and only one obliged.
Thanks to Nemo for an "epic" match. I had a exceptional run of cards and some lucky dice during the game but the constant challenge and ever changing puzzle was what made it memorable.
First Session:
I have noticed a corruption at the end of this log, whereby a destroyed French Line remains on the board. The starting position of the second session was correct, however.
Second Session:
Note - apologies to the group but we forgot to re-start a log until several turns into the second part. I have updated the log with a summary of the intervening action. Of course, you will need to play the log as a fresh session or it will not make sense.
