I've done several tests live with this scenario and it seems pretty close and plays well. So far games have come down to French VERY CLOSE wins. Wanting to see if the Russians can win one.
Schöngrabern, Russian rear guard action
16 Nov, 1805
The Battle of Schöngrabern (also known as the Battle of Hollabrunn) was an engagement
in the Napoleonic Wars during the War of the Third Coalition, fought on 16 November 1805
near Hollabrunn in Lower Austria, four weeks after the Battle of Ulm and two weeks before
the Battle of Austerlitz (Slavkov, Moravia - now Czech Republic).
The Russian army of Kutuzov was retiring north of the Danube before the French army of
Napoleon. On 13 November 1805 Marshals Murat and Lannes, commanding the French
advance guard, had captured a bridge over the Danube at Vienna by falsely claiming that
an armistice had been signed, and then rushing the bridge while the guards were
distracted. Kutuzov needed to gain time in order to make contact near Brno (Brünn)
with reinforcements led by Buxhowden. He ordered his rearguard under Major-General
Prince Pyotr Bagration to delay the French.
Murat and Lannes commanded the 4th and 5th Corps and the Reserve Cavalry.
Bagration took up a position about 6 km north of Hollabrunn, on the hill above the
small town of Schöngrabern (today part of Grabern). Murat believed that the whole
of the Russian army was before him, and hesitated to attack. Bagration then suggested
to Murat that negotiations for an armistice should be opened. Murat agreed, and did not
attack.
Murat sent an aide to Napoleon to notify of the cease-fire and invited Wintzingerode,
Bagration and other Russian officers to his headquarters for wine and polite
conversation. Lannes never believed Wintzingerode for a minute, regarding the
cease fire. Instead, he had a pretty good idea where Kutuzov was, and thought
Bagration on his own, and knew Napoleon meant to fight the Russians, not to
negotiate with them. Already annoyed that his corps was at half strength and Murat
was telling him what to do, he stood on the edge of the gathering, holding a glass
of wine and glaring at friends and enemies alike. he spoke only to Bagration, whom
he recognized as a professional soldier, not a buffoon like some in the present
company. "If I was onmy own and didn't have to put up with Murat's orders," he told
the Russian general, "we'd be fighting, not standing around drinking and talking
about the goddamned weather."
When Napoleon was informed of this he was furious and wrote to Murat:
“ I cannot find words to express my displeasure. You only command my vanguard and
have no right to agree to an armistice without my orders. You will cost me the fruits of a
campaign. End the armistice at once, and attack the enemy. Inform him that the general
who has signed this has no power to make it, that only the Russian Emperor has the
right, and that when the Russian Emperor ratifies this agreement, I will also ratify it.
But it is only a ruse. March, destroy the Russian army. You are in a position to take
his baggage and artillery.”
Bagration's troops had built some hasty earthworks north of Schongrabern and
deployed behind them when the French attacked the afternoon of 16 November.
Russian artillery covered the road from Hollabrunn, raking the advancing grenadiers
and infantry as the cavalry attacked them on both flanks. The artillery pounded the
French and Schongrabern - most of the village went up in flames. Murat repulsed the
Russian cavalry but Bagration inflicted heavy casualties among the grenadiers and
infantry. Though the French suffered, they overwhelmed the Russians by their
superior numbers. The fighting continued until after midnight when the Russians
finally withdrew, leaving 2400 casualties behind. Lannes escaped injury during the
battle but Oudinot was not so fortunate; he was sent to the hospital in Vienna along
with many other senior officers.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command.
Can you change history?
French: Joachim Murat, Jean Lannes
5 cards
move first
Russian: Petr Bagration
5 cards
Mother Russia rule is in effect
6 Banners
The allied player starts the scenario with 1 victory banner. This banner is
lost if the French player occupies three hill hexes with units at their turn start.
