309 Rohr (20 April 1809)

Evert and I continue to work through the Austrian scenarios. I take the Austrians in our first game and tried to get my troops into better defensive positions. Evert tore into my left flank with a "Cavalry Charge" card. The French cavalry under General Jacquinot destroyed the (only!) Austrian artillery, the Line infantry alongside forming Battalion Mass to hold off the cavalry. A good throw of the dice and the score's 0:1 to Evert.

My response ("Forward") let me fling the Austrian cavalry against the French horsemen with support from the Grenzers sheltering in Rohr town. It was my turn to get the luck of the dice. The Grenzers softened up the French Cuirassiers, who were then eliminated by my Light (!) cavalry, Gen Jacquinot falling with his men. The Austrian Heavy cavalry wiped out one French Light cavalry unit and damaged the other, forcing them back into the woods. That's 3:1 and I'm very happy.

After this setback, the French were cautious, moving their infantry forward in left half of the board and gradually forcing the Austrian infantry back.

Then the Austrian cavalry returned to the action (I finally had some cards for my left flank), forcing French infantry in the centre into square and then finishing off the Light cavalry that had retreated into the centre. That's 4:1.

I pushed General Schustekh forward with his infantry in the centre, but concerted volleys from the French removed the soldiers (the General retiring quickly) and pushed my cavalry back (Evert played a "Fire and Hold" to good effect): 4:2.

The Austrian Heavy cavalry attacked again, with Line infantry and Gen Thiery in support. The French Line under Gen La Sablonniere formed square against the cavalry and drove them off, but the Austrian muskets finished the job for a famous victory: 5:2.

29 turns and nearly 90 minutes is what we expect a game to take -especially with Evert on the back foot after the first few turns. It definitely felt like a win against the grain, fuelled by the early success of the Austrian cavalry. The return match could be very different.

I’ve also posted this report on my BGG blog (with pictures!): boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/165090

Can Evert get revenge and win as the Austrians in this re-match? My turn with the French, but the Austrians move first in this one - not that it makes much difference as we manoeuvre for position in the first few turns. Exchanges of fire in the centre caused a few casualties on both sides, the more damaged units retiring.

Then Evert flung his (two) cavalry units (led by General Thiery) at the (three) French horsemen on (my) right flank. And knocked off one of the French Light cavalry. That's not supposed to happen! But the dice say otherwise and the score's 0:1 to the Austrians.

The French cavalry chased the Austrians back across the hills and the French Light finished off the Austrian Heavies: 1:1.

More musket fire in the centre removed a French Line infantry before the French Cuirassiers finally took care of the Austrian Light cavalry, Gen Thiery escaping to the rear: 2:2.

The French musketry in the centre now began to take its toll, eliminating one Line infantry and forcing others back. 3:2 and there's the beginnings of a hole in the Austrian centre.

Evert then played our favourite (?) card, "La Grande Manoeuvre", using it to re-organise while putting Grenzers into the woods on the right of the French centre. A rash move as they were promptly disposed of by the French Line units next to them. 4:2 - one more banner needed.

Fighting shifted to the town centre-left with first the Austrians removing a French Line from the town (4:3) and occupying it. And then the French eliminating Gen Schustekh's Line infantry in the town to win 5:3. That was my turn to be lucky with the dice (helped by a "Leadership" card that gave an extra die).

That was 32 turns in 90 minutes, so not as quick as I originally expected. It was noticeable that neither of us got anywhere near exiting any units. And I win the scenario on aggregate: 10:5.

I have also posted this report on my BGG blog (with pictures!): boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/165408