Historical Background
The Battle of Fleurus, on 26 June 1794, was an engagement between the army of the first French Republic under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan and the Coalition Army commanded by Prince Josias of Coburg during the French Revolutionary Wars. Both sides had forces in the area of around 80,000 men but the French were able to concentrate their troops and defeat the First Coalition. The Allied defeat led to the permanent loss of the Austrian Netherlands and to the destruction of the Dutch Republic. The battle marked a turning point for the French army, which remained ascendant for the rest of the war of the First Coalition. The French use of the reconnaissance balloon was the first military use of an aircraft that influenced the result of a battle.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
Battle Notes
Allies Army
• Commanders: Princes of Coburg and Orange
• 5 Command Cards.
• Option 3 Tactician Cards.
*Use brown blocks for the Dutch units and the Portuguese National Unit References for those troops.
• Move First
French Army
• Commander: Generals Jourdan and Kleber
• 5 Command Cards.
• Option 3 Tactician Cards.
Victory
9 Banners
Special Rules
• If any building hex is not occupied by French troops, the Allies player gains one Victory Banner (Turn start). The Allies player starts with 1 Victory Banner.
• The French infantry is not yet very experienced and organized so the French Line Infantry do not get +1 die when battling in melee against enemy infantry.
• French balloon watching: At the start of any turn during which a scout card is played (Allied or French): The French player can watch the full opponent hand.
• The Sambre river is fordable.
