215 Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812)

Written by alecrespi on 26 February 2013. Posted in French invasion of Russia (1812)

 48 %

 52 %

Total plays 82 - Last reported by Ernst on 2020-06-03 23:45:30

Maloyaroslavets - 24 October 1812

Historical Background
Napoleon marched southwest out of Moscow on October 19th toward the fertile region around Kaluga where supplies could be obtained. Eugene commanded Napoleon’s advance guard and all was going as planned until reaching Maloyaroslavets. Kutusov had also directed Dokhturov to march for Maloyaroslavets and the Russian advance guard arrived first. A furious meeting engagement ensued as Eugene charged over the River Luzha bridge and into parts of the village. Both locations changed hands several times. At one point Dokhturov broke off the attack, but was reinforced by Raevski and renewed the fight. Eugene’s final effort drove back the Russians to the ridges that overlooked the village. Early in the afternoon Napoleon was near the village, but after a close encounter with a party of Cossacks, he decided not to renew the action and made the fatal decision to alter the route of retreat to Mojaisk, forcing the army to retreat through the regions devastated during the advance on Moscow.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

Set-Up Order 5 8 3 3 1 4 1

Battle Notes

Russian Army
• Commander: Dokhturov
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First

5	3	3	3	2	1	2	4

French Army
• Commander: Eugene
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards

6	3	1	1	2	3	5

Victory
10 Banners

Special Rules
• The five hexes of Maloyaroslavets form a Temporary Majority Victory Banner worth two banners for the side that occupies the absolute majority of these hexes at the start of its turn (Temporary Majority Victory Banner Turn Start)

• The Church is a Temporary Victory Banner worth one banner for the Russian player at the start of its turn (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)

• The Bridge is a Temporary Victory Banner worth one banner for the Russian player at the start of its turn (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)

• The Luzha River is impassable.

• Pre-Battle Mother Russia Roll rule is in effect. Saber rolls have no effect.

Tags: Expansion 2, Banners: 10, Army: French, Army: Russian, Special Rule: Mother Russia, Special Rule: Temporary VB (Turn Start), Special Rule: Temporary Majority VB (Turn Start)

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Posts in discussion: 215 Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812)

javore replied the topic: #5523 1 year 11 months ago

10-4 for the Russians. Very well played and good cards. An initial la Grande manoeuvre by the Russian brought the cavalry and the grenadiers to the front. After 4 squares (one with a hasty square card) the French were on the defensive the whole battle.

proyce replied the topic: #4868 3 years 1 month ago

Played this one yesterday. I had the French and won 10-6 and it wasn't really that close. Russians had bad dice. At one point, over the course of several turns, the Russians rolled a total of 30 dice in ranged fire against a French LT. They only scored 2 infantry hits, and no more than one flag on any roll, so the French unit held there for the entire game!

nekengren replied the topic: #1542 6 years 4 months ago

Command and Colors Napoleonics - HMGS Recon - Orlando, FL - April 25, 2014 - Tournament #5

I am posting the results of tournament play for this scenario.
We had 14 players for the best turnout yet.

French had 10 wins
Russians had 8 wins

This seems to be a pretty balanced scenario. I think the consensus was that some starting cards with ForceMarch/BayonetCharge for the Russian Grenadiers in the center greatly improved the Russian chances.

​#1 Richard Lightle wins the closest contest in Tournament history. Pat Kurivial and Richard both had 3 wins and lost 13 blocks. Richard took #1 by beating opponents having a slightly better record than Pats opponents.

​#1 Paul with 3 wins. Yes, the Russians had a fighting chance in this scenario.

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