Sharp Practise: Road to Moscow 1812 Campaign

Map based campaign, based on "Dawns & Departures" by Too Fat Lardies 

For the longest time (since I purchased the awesome "Retreat from Moscow 1812" -range by Perry Miniatures) 

First moves

Our forces and campaign specs

Goals for the campaigning forces were as follows:

France: take Moscow in 5 turns, while maintaining supply AND not lose more than 1/3 of it's strenght

Russia: deny the French objective or at least destroy enough (more than 1/3) of enemy forces, while trying

We agreed, that would command a force totalling 400 points and Russian forces would be 300 points for this first part of the campaign. My forces were split into two 200p. columns or divisions.

We recruited Marko S. (aka Druperim in Instagram) to act as our Umpire. We'd message him our moves and actions and he would roll for initiative, see where armies move and whom intercepts whom, communicate contacts with the enemy, etc.

Our campaign turn would proceed as follows

0. Info from scouts at the end of the previous round

1. Both players send movement info (including where scouts head to) to Umpire

2. Umpire cross references and throws initiative

3. Umpire indicates where enemy contact is made

4. Players define what kind of battle shall be fought (force strengths and scenario)

5. Battle!

6. After battle sequence (casualties, retreat, ...)

7. Info from scouts

A border skirmish - prelude to war

This was our second practice game with SP2. Russians had captured a French scout, whom our vanguard was sent to rescue. 

Skirmishers probing

While our vanguard task force has located the prisoner's 

whereabouts

Salvo and a charge clears the Russian garrison, but

unfortunately assaulting a building breaks my formation!

Ney himself in command!

More French forces move in to the battle field, while Russian

reinforces are sighted in the woods near the town.

While Russians deploy to a firing line, French infantry is still trying to reorganise themselves 

after storming the building... luckily a squadron of Dragoons arrive to support

Soon the Russians find themselves caught in a crossfire!

My Lancers charge the Russian grenadiers into their rear, but to my surprise are repelled!

Finally, Russian cavalry arrives, late as seems to be their habit! French

infantry has finally gotten their ranks in order and have engaged the Russians

Russian Dragoons try to block the French Dragoons, whom are escorting the rescued French scout, 

but are beaten back!

Final blow is delivered as French Grenadiers get bored of

shooting and make a bayonet charge on the depleted Russian battle line 

Scattering the enemy and securing a decisive victory for the French!

Action right from the beginning

Russian positions at the start of Round 1.

French moved over river Niemen in two columns. Napolean lead his column forward in a dashing forced march (see map image in the beginning of this post), leaving the baggage train with the second column (with Ney), whom advanced to Vilna, where they surprisingly encountered a Russian force! There had been a break down in Russian communications (or understanding) and a detachment had been left behind! A fight erupted in the outskirts of the town. 

Battle was fought 7.10.2020

Outskirts of Vilna sighted!  

This was a more basic attacker - defender battle. Game would end either by one side's morale breaking or deployment point being captured.

Here's what I originally wrote in a FB posting (in Finnish):

"Syntyneessä taistelussa venäläisiä ei meinannut kuulua ja heidän epäiltiin jääneen kapakkaan... mutta sitten valtava määrä venäläistä jalkaväkeä rupsahti ulos KIRKOSTA! Ranskan joukot olivat kuitenkin päässeet jo etenemään ohi suojavarustuksista ja ratsuväkeä oli tunkeutunut syvälle. Alkoi tulitaistelu, jossa Venäjän ainoa tykki kylvi tuhoa. Sitten myös Ranskan tykistö sai tulen auki ja liian rohkeasti edennyt venäläinen husaarijoukko ammuttiin pakosalle. Vaikka Ranskan lancereiden rynnäkkö sortui raeammuspilveen, jyräsi kyrassiirien rynnäkkö läpi ja valloitti Venäjän aloituspisteen, päättäen taistelun."

Probing...

My cavalry and ARTILLERY (interesting tactics) deployed first and my Lancers cantered into the town, hoping to outflank the enemy. There were defensive works built on the outskirts, but no enemy in sight!

Soon my infantry also deployed and advanced over the built defences... still not a single enemy unit emerged...

Then finally Russian artillery deployed and opened fire and French artillery responded. 

Jaakko was studying the rules... I was doubtful if that could win this battle for him, as my forces had advanced so deep already... 

Battle is joined

I had doubted, that all Russians were in a tavern drinking, but to my surprise those pious serfs emerged from a Church!

Soon they opened fire and by skirmishers took several hits. But would it be too little too late?

Late, as always, Russian cavalry also appeared on to the battlefield, but they were badly positioned and a hail of grape shots tore them apart, and they broke!

Decisive charge

While my infantry and artillery were keeping the Russians busy, my steel fist aka Cuirassiers aligned 

themselves to a devastating flank charge,,, 

And through the white smoke of muskets they clashed into the enemy, that panicked and tried

to scamper away!!!

Breaking through they captured the main Russian deployment point, thus ending the game!

Unfortunately Russian artillery had had the wits to retreat before being captured by Curassiers.

Napoleon was very pleased with the performance of his troops - as the game ended French morale was almost intact, while Russians were almost at their breaking point.

Vilna falls into French hands!

Round 2.

Having secured Vilna and plenty of supplies it was time to push on towards Vitebsk, where the defeated Russians had fled towards to. Napoleon's column turned toward's it, wanting to avoid the possibly difficult crossing over Berezina river. Ney followed with the baggage train.

In the meanwhile scattered Russian forces started scampering towards our columns and 

again contact with the enemy was made near a town - Vitebsk this time.

As on the map the situation was: "Russians are retreating (almost fleeing) before the steam roller, that is Grande Armee", we agreed to play a Fighting Withdrawal scenario, with my French forces arriving from one of the short edges of the battlefield and Russian rearguard in positions on the outskirts of Vitebsk. 

Russians would score points both from destroying French units and from retreating off the battlefield, hence their deployment point was placed in the middle of the long battlefield. French goals were simply to destroy the enemy before they could retreat.  

French forces 100p.

Russian forces 70p.

Battle fought 4.11.2020

French deployment points placed

Approach

Soon the French infantry was marching towards Vitebsk, but then Russian Jägers launched their ambush and opened fire from the ruins. Some more Russian infantry forming a line was seen further away too...

Our immediate retaliation came in a form of grape shot, that raked 

enemy sharp shooters badly! Hah!

Soon the entire battle field was engulfed in smoke as several units fired salvos after salvos.

My brave Curassiers still bided their time...

Cavalry clashes

In the meanwhile my Lancers had outflanked the enemy, but just before they managed to charge

the enemy artillery, Russian Dragoons moved in to intercept!

My Dragoons then joined in with flank shots from their carabins.

With this the enemy Dragoons were too shocked and retreated almost stampeding into the rear of the

retreating Russian infantry. Curassiers charged the Russian cannon, but it's crew smartly evaded and ran into the nearby woods.

Another charge by Lancers almost finished the Ryssian Dragoons and 

to add insult to injury my infantry shot at the retreating Dragoons too and soon

a lone officer was galloping away... 

Artillery crew was also shot to pieces...

Pretty brutal battle...

Round 3. 

As it was crucial to allow Napoleon a free move forward, a detachment lead by Murat was sent to west towards Berezina river to screen any enemies, but before they could move very far, Russian Army Corp D was contacted and two battles ensued: 1. a screening battle were Murat was trying to stop Russians from breaking through to harass Napoleon and a City Fight in Vitebsk.

Break through

We designed a following VP scenario

France:

• 2 vp for destroyed & broken enemy units
• 1 vp for retreating enemy units 
• 1 vp for each remaining morale point

Russia

• 3 vp for Russian units exiting the battlefield from the French table edge (via the road) 
• 1 vp for destroyed & broken enemy units
• 1 vp for each remaining morale point

I think Russians had a slight advantage in numbers or the forces were evenly matched.

Secure the perimeter!

French infantry made it's deployment with the efficiency I've come to trust - they were already on the defences (I had bought with support points) before any Russian infantry was seen... just some Dragoons raised dust beyond the small village...

 

But soon rest of the forces deployed; my cavalry took my left flank, while my only cannon was man handled towards the battle line... Russian forces massed on the cross roads, looking quite unorganised...

Daring and dashing charges

As Russian cav was approaching en masse I decided to make a daring try to

charge them early on and stop them on their tracks... unfortunately that one shock on my

Lancers was all it took: my charge was 1 inch short! Lancers now faced a predicament and as a desperate measure I moved my dismounted dragoons forward from the security of the defences to send some shots to the enemy flank... unfortunately these shots made no impact whatsoever! 

This valorous act was punished by a charge from Cossacks, whom swept the Dragoons away (enemy was too close to even bother trying to evade). At least my Lancers were saved for a moment with the Tiffin card...

Cossacks make their escape

Road was now open for the cossacks to gallop off the field, but before they could do that, my cannon turned and sent a devastating salvo of grape shot to their flank! Cossacks took a bad hit, but just barely did not break and then speeded to safety scoring 3 VP.

In the meanwhile cavalry duel continued... my Lancers had been charged, but they sold their lives dearly and then my Dragoons could counter charge and wipe out a Russian Dragoon unit. Charges continued and the next Russian Dragoons unit charged in... at least my cavalry had managed to stem most of the enemy cavalry from following in the hooves steps of Cossacks!

That had also bought my infantry time to move in reinforcements from the main

battle line. As they got to range, couple of salvos drove the remaining Dragoons away from the road and the table edge. 

Overview

Staunch defenders 

While our cavalries were busy hacking at each other, my infantry and my cannon had proven to be stalwart defenders too. They had driven off couple of Russians Jäger units and totally held the rest of the enemy at bay - you shall not pass!

A Draw

Points wise the battle was more or less a draw, anyhow a band of raiding cossacks had broken through

and would certainly be harassing my supply lines! Luckily that was not enough to stop Napoleon from 

moving forward, hence I shall call it a defensive victory! 

City fight!

For this scenario we agreed the following scoring:

• 3 VP for each of the city quadrants controlled at the end of the game (agreed time)
• + Remaining morale points when the game ends

Once again French attacked with numerically superior forces, lead by Napoleon, but Russian deployment point was in the city...

As this is a campaign and a game for gentlemen, I served a toast of Napoleon brandy to my

mate and opponent Jaakko before the battle was started.

Besides using the brandy to disinfect we also wore masks

 

French columns marched straight towards the town, while some skirmishers and Voltigeurs in line formation, and a cannon, were directed to screen their advance from the Russian cavalry spotted behind the woods.

Seems like an empty town... or are them Russians hiding in a church again?

A shot from my cannon scores a few against the enemy cavalry

Skirmishers screening the flank of my columns

But just before my infantry could reach the town square Russian infantry 

poured to the field in great numbers!

...and formed a solid battleline. Luckily my already notorious Curassiers were out of their LOS 

While the infantry engaged in a fire fight, my brave Curassiers perormed another daring outflank, it was very close, that they would have been charged into the flank by Russian Grenadiers lurking in the building...

As the exchange of fire didn't seem to yield any telling results, my Old Guard

was commanded to make a bayonet charge... ousting Russian infantry from that quadrant could win me the game... 

...but against the odds my Guard lost the melee and had to shamefully retreat!

Curassiers again took the enemy deployment point and also conquered a rear quadrant,

but that was not enough to win me the battle. This time Russian stubbornness prevailed and victory was theirs! On the map I had overwhelming superiority, so on it, I conquered the location, but Jaakko seized the opportunity to win the initiative for the next round! 

Round 4. 

Napoleon was now closing Moscow. Our scouts had informed us, that Borodino was swarming with Russians, hence Napoleon decided to outflank them and try to reach Moscow in time...

Russians consolidated their forces and built defences in Borodino, while their

army corp D followed Ney and my baggage train, trying to harass them... but no actual contact with

the enemy was made and hence:

No battle was fought!

Round 5.

Moscow was now in sight and Napoleon directed his columns towards the Mother of Cities, while Ney was sent to make a distraction attack towards Borodino

Russians still stayed put in Borodino (major tactical mistake if you ask me), while only sending cavalry screens to protect their flanks...

Russian Army Corp D made contact with the French baggage, stopping it and Ney Attacked Borodino.

This was the battle we decided to fight. Even if Moscow would be taken anyhow!

French fighting as underdogs!

Once again my forces were faster in their deployment - I guess my daring distraction attack took the Russians in Borodino by surprise. My infantry deployed between some hills on my left flank, while once again cavalry took the other flank. I was a bit worried to deploy my cannon quite in the open as Russian cavalry was about to pour through the farmstead... then again early grape shots could be decisive.

Another Russian horde deployment - a second deployment point would certainly have helped!

In the meanwhile my cavalry has moved to flanking positions...

My elite light infantry Voltigeurs started skirmishing with their Russian counterparts 

Combined arms tactics

My artillery and heavy cavalry worked beautifully in concert - first the artillery softened up the enemy hussars and after that their charge was easily repelled by Curassiers  

...who's counter charge sent enemy cavalry fleeing in panic and threatened to flank Cossacks, whom had turned to face my Hussars...

This time Jaakko had brought refresments: so called "French beer" that after a scrutiny revealed to have been brewed in St. Petersburg! Good anyway!

Despite the chaos amongst Russian cavalry their stoic infantry marches forward...

But they are stranded alone as the fleeing cavalry makes a mess by fleeing trough their own lines! 

Escorted by what remains of my heroic cavalry

This disaster has reduced Russian morale to nothingness and a glorious victory is won by the bravest of brave - Marshal Ney!

Moscow is taken!

Conclusion

We adopted Dawns and Departures - campaign rules to this larger scale campaign. Partially it worked and partially not. We didn't manage a supply system, that would have reflected the challenges Grand Armee faced on it's way towards Moscow. Numerical superiority of the Grand Armee was quite well presented; in most battles French had a numerical superiority, but they could have turned either way. In one game Russians didn't stand a change, but that reflected well the situation on the map.

It was really good (a necessity) to have a third party Umpire to coordinate our map movements, scouting and initiative. On the map Russians (aka Jaakko) made their strategic mistakes, first by deploying their forces badly and then staying in Borodino and not moving into Moscow to defend it.

Next were taking a month's painting break and then the tables turn

as the bitter retreat from Moscow begins...

You can follow my painting progress of French Retreat from Moscow models in Instagram ( wanhaherrat ) and here.