Our re-match means it's Evert's turn to play the Austrians. For the first time in ages, I started with "La Grande Manoeuvre". I used it on my left to throw infantry into Fontanafredda village (top left) with artillery alongside and both Light cavalry coming up behind. (I had several left flank cards in hand, so was confident of being able to follow this up.)

Evert marshalled his right flank troops in response and battle was joined. His Grenzers formed square against my cavalry. Austrian Line infantry destroyed their French equivalents holding the village and occupied it. That's a lucky die roll for Evert taking the score to 0:2 in his favour (as he holds at least three villages).

I fought back with the artillery and Light infantry, only for both to retreat from the Austrian battle-backs. But not General Grenier, who paid the price of leading from the front: 0:3.

Evert then revealed his own "La Grande Manoeuvre", using it to move units from the centre to his right, now outnumbering my troops around Fontanafredda and Talponedo villages. I'd run out of left flank cards, so advanced a few units in the centre. And took out the Grenzers next to Talponedo, so that's 1:3.

Evert pummelled me with right flank cards and took out first one and then the other of my Light cavalry: 1:5. I finally got a left flank card to respond, only to lose the Line infantry under Gen Sahuc that went after his Grenzers outside Fontanafredda: 1:6. At least the General escaped.

My artillery was able to finish off the Grenzers to get one back: 2:6. Then General Kleinmayer and his Grenadiers eliminated my Light infantry holding Talponedo and occupied the village. 2:7 and it's almost over.

Evert threw his Light cavalry into the centre in an effort to get that last banner, but my infantry formed square and survived. My combined arms attack on Talponedo eliminated the Grenadiers and Gen Kleinmayer, taking the score to 4:7. Austrian Grenadiers then killed off my square for another Austrian win 4:8.

That was four turns less than the first game but another 90 minutes of playing time. And the aggregate score is 12:10 to me.

It's an interesting scenario. The French have a powerful force, but deploying it is hampered by the streams. Though I do wonder if this is partly psychological because of how big the streams look in the C&C set-up. However, they do have to get into the top half of the board to engage the Austrians and the stats show it's an Austrian win 70% of the time. I'm also intrigued that most of the fighting was on the left side of the map in both games. That's clearly because of the cards we had but I think another factor is that the French outnumber the Austrians on that flank.

I’ve also posted this report on my BGG blog (with pictures!): boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/164103

Playing French, my regular opponent, Evert, started by advancing a couple of infantry in the centre. My Grenzers opened up on them and a lucky die roll immediately eliminated a Line infantry. So the score's 2:0 to me (since I already have four of the villages).

After that bold start, things got a bit calmer, both sides moving forces forward, but staying out of musket range. Until General Knesevich led a Grenzer unit out of Fontanafredda (the town on the left side of the map) and, with artillery support, attacked General Grenier's infantry. They retaliated, only to fall to the Austrian battle-back. Grenier retired to the safety of a full-strength unit, but that's 3:0.

Evert advanced on his left with Gen Grenier's infantry and cavalry under Gen Sahuc, pushing back the Austrians. My Grenzers and artillery opened fire on them and took out another French Line and the General. More good dice rolls for me: that's 5:0 and I'm feeling confident.

Evert attacked Talponedo village (just left of centre) and threw out my infantry, but not before another French unit fell to the Austrian battle back! 6:0 and I'm really feeling lucky. Evert got a bit of it for himself, taking out the Austrian artillery with his cavalry on the left and the Grenzers in the centre with musket fire. 6:2

With French cavalry poised to run amok behind the Austrian right flank, I used a "Bayonet Charge" to cut off its retreat and demolish it - 7:2. The coup de grace came in the centre where my Grenadiers and Light cavalry (finally getting into the action) combined to finish off a Line infantry damaged earlier.

That took us 90 minutes to complete 26 turns in and a runaway victory for my Austrians - I was rather lucky though. Eyes down for the rematch.

I’ve also posted this on my BGG blog (with pictures!): boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/163974

Impressive battles! Your detailed account showcases the intense strategic decisions and the ebb and flow of the engagements. It's fascinating to see how the French and Austrian forces maneuvered and adapted. In the first battle, the French secured villages and repelled cavalry charges, leading to their victory. In the return game, the Austrians countered effectively, resulting in their own victory. The battles lasted over two hours each, allowing for immersive gameplay. Well done!

 

Played two hard-fought battles of this today. The first was an 8-5 French win. Musketry destroyed the Austrian artillery in the centre, allowing the French to occupy the villages of Palsa and Talponedo. An Austrian attack, spearheaded by three (that's right, three) cavalry charges nearly eliminated the French right flank, but they were saved by judicious use of the short supply tactician card on the Austrian heavy cavalry unit. Meanwhile, on the opposite flank a French cavalry charge swept all before it, and La Grande Manoeuvre brought up supporting forces, causing the Austrian position to collapse and the French to gain a victory banner through controlling three villages. The elimination of a further Austrian unit in the centre gave them victory.

In the return game, the French attacked down their left again, but this time they were held and would have been annihilated but for two consecutive plays of rally, recovering nine (yes, nine) blocks. On the Austrian left, the cavalry and artillery destroyed all four French units on this flank, including General Seras, and a couple of French lunges in the centre in desperation were fought off for an 8-3 Austrian victory.

Each game lasted over two hours. They were enjoyable and were long enough for each side to get their teeth into it. Reference has been made below to the restrictive nature of the terrain, making it difficult for either side to use forced marches or bayonet charges in the centre effectively. Hence, most of the actions was on both wings.

A great scenario!

The most exciting scenario thus far. Each side had opportunities to win and failed on the rolls or cards. By the end the French right ceased to exist, as did most of the Austrian Army. The French needed one more move to occupy Palse for the win, but Gyulai achieved victory first. Austrians win 8-7.

I should have added that the terrain really does slow any French development on forces. The Austrians can move reserves fairly freely by comparison. I would think this is a good scenario for a newbie to take the Austrian against a more experienced French player, but otherwise the imbalance is too great if the Austrian can use his advantages..

PLayed this last week. Lost 3-8 as the French. I did manage to gain a temporary victory point at one stage, but that was short-lived. Towards the end I should have nabbed another couple of concolation banners but the dice deserted me.
The Austrians do seem to be everywhere, but for me the killer arer the three cavalry units. My opponent brought them forward and then launched them into a cavalry charge which pinned three of my infantry units in square. Having seen the danger I did position the infantry so he'd get no dice in combat after I formed squares. But I was then down to two cards and the only cards in the centre and right were whisked away by the dquares. For the next few turns I only had two cards with orders for the left wing. I realised that his cavalry could waltz away, attack other infantry units, and they wouldn't be able to form square because my other squares couldn't form back for lack of cards. This is highly ahistorical! The regimental/battalion commanders would know to form back when the cavalry danger was passed. I've always felt this an imbalance in favour of marauding cavalry, but in this scenario it made me realise a well timed cavalry "feint" can paralyse the opposition and then the same cavalry units can begin to pick off other infantry units when they can't form square. Has anyone else found this in any of their C&CN experiences?
Fortunately for me, my opponent didn't realise the opportunity he had and eventually I was able to get back my cards (two only after those units were destroyed). Otherwise he played very well and deserved his victory, but man was it frustrating from my side?

First of all, one piece of errata. On the VASSAL edition, there is a French leader missing that should be attached to one of the two light cavalry units.

Thx, i will replace the scenario pic asap and the vassal setup with the next major update.

First of all, one piece of errata. On the VASSAL edition, there is a French leader missing that should be attached to one of the two light cavalry units.

As for the battle itself, I'm pleased to say that I won this game as the French yesterday in an 8-7 banner score and as the score suggests, it was an extremely tight affair and a stimulating game. Will have to see how I get on playing it as the Austrians next time round.

Michalxo wrote: Seems like a hard scenario for French to win.. too much of Austrian units everywhere...

Scenario stats support this view.

Just finished a very long game with "TheRailrodder". 8-5 for Austrian, French managed to kill one Leader in the heat of the battle, so 8-4 is more precise. Seems like a hard scenario for French to win.. too much of Austrian units everywhere...

Played this twice today against Master Chief. Both games went to the Austrians (8-5, 8-4). Austrians never lost their hold on the towns in both games. Each game played quite differently, the first becoming a drawn out affair that used at least 2/3rds of the deck before an Austrian play of the Elan card got the 8th banner. French had some luck with getting a banner or 2 with lucky rolls to wipe out Austrian units easily, while the Austrian kept rolling just 1 short of totally eliminating French units.

2nd game went much more quickly as aggressive French moves in the centre and right put them into the Austrian firing line early and they got hammered. Prudent use of the central Light cav by the Austrian also helped as it forced reduced French infantry into square then hit French artillery without support (heavily reduced or in square).

Finally getting the message that being aggressive in this game comes at a price - dead units!