AAR 4

From Frederick C. Hubig [frdhubig@concentric.net]
Marshal Bernadotte, I Corps:

Pre-Game Plan

I Corps was placed in Reserve. However, it was not long before the Emperor realized that he needed me to put out the fire for him, once again. At 0730 the Emperor placed me on alert to move out to the east towards the village of Blazowitz. Once there, my Corps was to make a wheel to the right and take the Stare Vinrady (high ground) being contested at the time by the Austro-Russian forces and Marshal Soult's rapidly tiring 2 Divisions. Elements of the Cavalry Reserve and the Imperial Guard were to reinforce both my Corps and that of Marshal Soult.

The Game

We were able to move towards our objective by 0745. By 0815, BG Werle's 1st Light Infantry Battalion had occupied part of Blazowitz and placed fire on a Russian Artillery battery in the streets that was preparing to unlimber and place flanking fire on my advancing units. The battery was forced to retire. At the same time, one of the other Lt. Inf. Bns. spotted what appeared to be Heavy Infantry moving west towards our position. It was deemed prudent to consolidate our position with Infantry and supporting Artillery in "l'order mixte" facing to the east. 2 Regiments of Cuirassiers arrived to provide additional support. They were successful in driving off enemy cavalry units to their front, as well. We received a bit of harassment from Russian Light Cavalry units, but were able to isolate them and drive them off.

I was, at first, dismayed by the way in which my Artillery became fatigued when ordered to limber and unlimber several times within a short period of time (they were not the "iron men" of most other rules). However, when rested after a few turns, I was delighted that they were in position to blast (in combination with my infantry), the Russian Imperial Guard's rather impetuous frontal assault. By this time, the Allied Morale and Fatigue level was extremely high and even their Guard was having a tough time maintaining a cohesive line (much less attack). As it became apparent that the Allies were in a retreat mode, the air was filled with rousing "Vive l'Emperor's" and general celebrations. Unfortunately, the quality of the local wine was sadly lacking and it was all we could do to quaff it down with ice water from the Sachsen Ponds.

Post Game

The game went extremely well and I was particularly pleased about the way players can handle a much larger force with the C & G system. If we had tried a manual system with the same number of players it would have been an impossible task. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience of devoting their entire effort towards the tactical nuances of the simulation rather than worrying about the mechanics which were ably handled by the computer program and, of course the very capable creator of the Carnage and Glory Computer Moderated System, Nigel Marsh.

All in all, a glorious day for the French! Well, maybe not as glorious as the historical, but we will take it, nevertheless.

-Fred

From: Pete Panzeri (peterpanzeri@yahoo.com)

My only response here is... yes, it's all true!

(Notice no mention that Stare Vinrady (high ground) never was taken ...and I BET we could have held it longer [and at greater French expense] than the Great Redoubt was held at BORODINO.)

-Pete