215 Maloyaroslavets (24 October 1812)


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?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Russian Army
• Commander: Dokhturov
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First
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5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
French Army
• Commander: Eugene
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
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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)
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.