MM08 - Assaye, 23 September 1803

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9 years 5 months ago - 9 years 5 months ago #1981 by Mark-McG
MM08 - Assaye, 23 September 1803



Historical Background
Pohlmann deployed his infantry battalions in a line facing southwards behind the steep banks of the Kailna with his cannon arrayed directly in front. The great mass of Maratha cavalry was kept on the right flank and Berar's irregular infantry garrisoned Assaye to the rear. The only observable crossing point over the river was a small ford directly ahead of the Maratha position. Pohlmann's strategy was to funnel the British and Madras troops across the ford into the mouth of his cannon, and then on to the massed infantry and cavalry behind.

Wellesley had noticed two unguarded villages, Peepulgaon and Waroor, one on each bank of the Kaitna beyond the Maratha left. On the assumption that a ford must exist between the two villages, Wellesley ordered the area to be further reconnoitred, and there was indeed a ford at that spot. Thus Wellesley led his army east to the crossing in an attempt to launch an attack on Pohlmann's left flank.

Pohlmann soon recognised Wellesley’s intentions and swung his infantry and guns through 90 degrees to establish a new line spread approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) across the isthmus with their right flank on the Kaitna and the left on Assaye. Although the new position secured the Maratha flanks, it restricted Pohlmann from bringing his superior numbers into action. The Maratha redeployment was swifter and more efficient than Wellesley had
anticipated and he immediately reacted by extending his front to deny Pohlmann the opportunity to outflank him. The Maratha cannonade intensified as the British redeployed. Although British artillery was brought forward to counter, it was ineffective against the mass firepower of the Maratha guns and quickly disabled through the weight of shot directed against it.

The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

Battle Notes

British Army
Commander: Wellesley
6 Command Cards

Maratha Army
Commander: Pohlmann
4 Command Cards
Move first

Victory
6 Banners

Special Rules
1. The Rivers are unfordable except at the ford.
2. The Maratha army use Russian units and are treated as Russian in all respects with the following exceptions
2.1 The Maratha Line cannot ignore 1 flag as Russian line can
2.2 The Maratha Line Infantry cannot form squares.
2.3 The Maratha Line round down for firing when moving.
2.4 Mother Russia rules do not apply
3. The Madras army use Portuguese units and are treated as Portuguese for all purposes.


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Last edit: 9 years 5 months ago by Mark-McG.
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9 years 5 months ago #1982 by Mark-McG
I'm hoping to get some opinions of this scenario. Rather tough battle for the British, though Wellington always regarded it as his closest (and best) battle.

The Maratha artillery should perhaps use the Horse Artillery table, since they were less efficient than European artillery (though the canon well well forged).

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9 years 4 months ago - 9 years 4 months ago #2002 by Mark-McG
turns out the Maratha were quite weak, so beefed them up a bit, and reduced the British cavalry.

3 strength Russians just don't hold up




revised VASSAL file


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9 years 4 months ago #2119 by Mark-McG
Switched to the purple guys..




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9 years 3 months ago #2219 by Freeloading-Phill
Having just finished reading Sharpe's Triumph I was keen to give this a go due to the vivid description of the battle. (From the book I would have expected the Grenadiers to be on the British left flank though)

I played it each way against my solitaire "robot" opponent.

As the British my right flank cavalry smashed through the 3 block units: 6-3

And then I saw the update to 4 blocks and less cavalry. :blush:

So I was full of confidence as the Maratha. However the British cavalry revelled in the lack of square forming and smashed me again, thanks to Counter-Attacking a Cavalry Charge of mine and playing 2 of their own! 6-2

Phill

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9 years 3 months ago - 9 years 3 months ago #2221 by Mark-McG
I used a few sources
Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Assaye
and
British Battles www.britishbattles.com/second-mahratta/assaye.htm

The British Regiments were 78th on the Left, and the 74th and a Battalion of pickets on the right. Both the 74th & 78th were Highland Regts, which typically had a more combative character.

So technically I guess they should be 2 Line and 1 Light units, and if the British are winning easily, then that could be a change.

Been a long time since I read Sharpe's Triumph. I should do so again. I recently read and enjoyed Cornwell's "The Fort" which was a novelised account of the Penobscot Expedition from the American War of Independence. Amongst other things, it was the first military experience for Sir John Moore, who died at Corunna in 1809.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penobscot_Expedition

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Last edit: 9 years 3 months ago by Mark-McG.

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8 years 8 months ago #2916 by Mark-McG
V3 setup


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