319 Wagram - Macdonald’s Square (6 July 1809)

Initially my Austrians held firm in the face of the French advance, the Heavy cavalry on the left taking Breitenlee (the town on the left edge of the battlefield). Austrian muskets destroyed the Line infantry on the front left corner of MacDonald's square, General Broussier falling with his men. A "Fire and Hold" card makes the score 2:0.

Leaving the town, the French Heavy cavalry put some Austrian infantry into Battalion Mass. French infantry promptly took them out: 2:1. Gen Vudassovich escaped the attack, only to be chased off the battlefield by the French cavalry.

Despite the cavalry behind their lines, the Austrian infantry continued to attack MacDonald's square, the formation compressing as another Line infantry unit - and Gen Lamarque - bit the dust. That's 4:1.

French infantry moved forward on the right while the units in the square regrouped and Light cavalry moved into Breitenlee: 4:2.

The French advance on the right removed the Grenadiers outside Aderklaa (the town on the right) for 4:3.

The Austrian artillery then opened up (thanks to a "Bombard" card), the Foot eliminating French Line in the centre while the Horse finished off the French Heavy cavalry lurking behind Austrian lines on the left. That's 6:3 and I need one more banner.

MacDonald's command massed for an attack on Süssenbrunn, taking out an Austrian Line infantry, but vacating Breitenlee lost Evert a banner, so it's still 6:3.

The French cavalry retired into Breitenlee, but the coup de grâce came on the right as the Austrians around Süssenbrunn massed to remove another Line infantry. Final score: 7:3.

That was a brisk 16 turns in an hour's play and a pretty intense battle.

I’ve also posted this report (with pictures!) on my BGG blog: boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/179123

I pushed MacDonald's formation forward to attack and occupy Süssenbrunn (a "Force March" card helped). Meanwhile, the French cavalry kept the Austrian infantry on the left in Battalion Mass. But first blood went to the Austrians, taking out a Line infantry even as I gained the banner for holding the town. However, Evert was quick to re-take the town with Austian Grenadiers. The score's 0:1.

MacDonald's troops evened up the score by eliminating one of the Austrians in Battalion Mass (1:1). Then they took the lead by removing a Grenadier unit in the centre (2:1).

Evert promptly used our favourite card, "La Grande Manoeuvre", to shift artillery and infantry across from the right to confront MacDonald's force.

The French removed one of those infantry in the centre (3:1), but the now-bulky Austrian force retaliated by eliminating two French infantry and General Broussier. This makes the score 3:4.

The French took out an Austrian Grenadier; the Austrians got another French Line: 4:5. I retreated the battered remnants of MacDonald's Square - apart from the unit that was in square after some Austrian cavalry got to them. I sent some French cavalry against the Grenadiers threatening the square and then moved all my artillery into the attack, centre-right (using the movement option of a "Bombard" card).

The massed artillery removed the Austrian militia next to Aderklaa (the town on the right) - 5:5. However, Evert attacked across the board to eliminate that French infantry unit in square and take out another remnant of MacDonald's formation with a combination of Grenadiers and Horse artillery. 5:7 and a second Austrian victory.

This was slightly longer than our previous game - 20 turns in 75 minutes - but just as intense a battle. I did a bit better than Evert as the French, so the aggregate score is in my favour: 12:10.

I’ve also posted this report (with pictures!) on my BGG blog: boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/179262

Evert and I wanted to have another go at this scenario. This time, the French advanced slowly and the 'square' flattened out into a line, while the Austrians organised themselves into a defensive line. Then the French left flank launched an assault, cavalry hitting the end of the Austrian line while the infantry hit Süssenbrunn town, taking out the Grenadiers holding it. 0:1 to the French.

The Austrian muskets quickly exacted revenge, eliminating a French Line infantry. And General MacDonald. That's 2:1 to the Austrians. More intriguingly, that seems to destroy the 'square'. [Since infantry units are only part of it while contiguous with MacDonald, that clearly can't happen now, so bang goes the special rule.]

Fighting continued around Süssenbrunn for some time with both sides taking heavy losses. The Austrians lost two more Grenadiers and Line infantry, while removing two more French Line. That's 4:4 and the French cavalry on the left flank is behind the Austrian lines. The other cavalry then attacks centre-right, eliminating the Austrian Cuirassiers to make the score 4:5.

The Austrian horsemen responded by taking out the French Heavy cavalry (5:5). The French cavalry then finished off the Line infantry they'd been toying with (5:6). And General Vudassovich failed to escape through their ranks: 5:7 and a French win.

I think Evert made better use of the 'square' initially, but the loss of MacDonald early on meant that it didn't last long. That was a good fight that lasted 23 turns in all and took 90 minutes or so.

Swapping sides a week later saw an early success for Evert's Austrians, removing two units from the 'square' with the first exchange of fire (lucky dice from Evert).

I regrouped the 'square' as a compact group and continued pushing forward and left towards Süssenbrunn. The French infantry took out an Austrian Line infantry while cavalry occupied Breitenlee town on the left: 2:2. The Austrian Grenadiers promptly eliminated another French Line for 2:3.

The 'square' pushed on, taking Süssenbrunn only for General MacDonald to fall (again!) with his infantry. That's 3:5.

The score evened up when the French infantry continued to advance on the left and removed a Line infantry and Grenadiers. And destroying the rest of the Austrian right flank (left on the board) gave the French another win 7:5.

That was a faster game at 19 turns taking just over an hour. And we had two French wins, both 7:5, which means the aggregate score is 12:12 and a draw!

I’ve also posted this report on my BGG blog (with pictures!): boardgamegeek.com//blogpost/181776