FIRST BATTLE:
Riverwanderer (Russians): 11 victory banners, 50 blocks.
Stanislav (French): 10 victory banners, 45 blocks.
In summary; Bosenitz proved key and was strongly contested from beginning to end. Blasowitz was relatively quiet, the French maintained a skirmishing threat there but did not attempt to force the town. Cavalry ranged across the field and was at the centre of much of the action but by the end, infantry too was almost all commited. A tense battle narrowing down to the closest of finishes; with at least four "match point" die rolls occurring in the last 3 or 4 turns, and decided by the very last die roll. Thanks to Stanislav for an epic game.
Full(er) Description:
Battle opened around Bosenitz with the French putting up a vigorous defence. The action soon extended to the centre as cavalry on both sides jostled for an edge. Meanwhile, around Blasowitz, cossacks surged forward to screen the town from an evolving attack by French Light Infantry. As the dust settled, the battle was more or less evenly balanced at 5:4 to the French; the two sides stood back and re-grouped.
Now, the Russians manoeuvred under fire from the French artillery. A possible Cavalry Charge in preparation? Russian Guard Light Infantry conducted a successful skirmish to dent the French artillery; a lucky strike that eased pressure on the Russian centre. Shortly after came the expected Russian Cavalry Charge. It was partly successful but, a robust French response restored their lead (7:5), despite Battlefield Smoke protecting the Russians from a nine-dice combined arms.
Infantry on both sides advanced towards the centre. The Russians were soon in trouble; as Line Infantry were swept aside and a Horse Artillery unit was disadvantaged by a French Infantry Combat First. An exchange followed bringing the score to 9:7 to the French. Things were looking bad for the Russians especially with a key artillery unit Short Supplied, but once again, the two armies were stood back from each other across the field.
The French now advanced from Bosenitz, as if getting ready to launch an attack on the weakened Russian right flank. Some good ranged fire and a timely bayonet charge could spell the end for Russian hopes. The Russians though had been considering a Grand Manoeuvre to transform their attack on Bosenitz and now was the time; from the crest of the ridge emerged Russian batteries led by General Kamensky and supported by line infantry. Desperate French action to reduce the threat was betrayed by bad luck. Critically, a French line unit was reduced by battle-back and forced to retreat. Now the Russians could unleash "Fire and Hold" upon the town, just managing to remove the French Light there; +1 banner for the Russians and more importantly, -1 banner for the French, bringing the score to 8-all.
Now the French renewed their attack towards Blasowitz; could they get revenge for Bosenitz and reverse the Russian advantage? The Russians were now in a race to close on victory and pressed home attacks across the field. As the dust settled, two weakened French units had been destroyed. The Russians were now ahead on 10:8 but risks had been taken and the French response re-stabilised their position and brought the score to 10:9. A desperate fight to the finish now ensued. At Bosenitz, the Russians pressed home their advantage, prompting a valiant attempt to re-gain the town by French Light Cavalry. On the French right, their heavy cavalry charged into the woods, at last running down the retreating Russian light cavalry, to bring the banner count to 10:10.
The battle now entered the nerve-wracking final moments. The Russians had to force the French out of Bosenitz or lose the battle. The French had a difficult retire and reform decision to make but did so and the Russians took Bosenitz, putting victory in sight and transferring the same pressure to the French. The French lacked either the strength or orders to force the Russians out of one of the key towns, so took their chances in another cavalry assault on the woods near Blasowitz. They had to score 3 hits on a depleted Russian cavalry unit from a dual attack of 2 and 3 dice apiece. This became 2 hits needed from the final roll of 3 dice. The Russians could only breath a sigh of relief when the last dice roll came up with one hit only.
Thanks once more to Stanislav. Our second game follows shortly.
