Scenario test: Pursuing the enemy rear guard

The defending army plan to move their camp from its current location to one offering a better defensive position. The move would be done under the cover of night and to gain a day’s march on the enemy, a rear guard must remain behind creating the illusion of an active camp. The rear guard would depart the late morning to rejoin the army. 

Having fulfilled their task, the rear guard set off to rejoin the army. Later that morning, scouts report the approach of pursuing cavalry, prompting a search for a suitable position for battle.

Terrain and size of forces

The defender casts a die to determines where the combat will take place, arable or forest. Both forces are of equal size, but slightly differ in composition.

 

Test one.

The first test posed a number of problems, the board size was set at 120cm x 80cm, in expectation of a decent rear-guard action. The Hanoverian rear guard managed to avoid any real contact by the French and secondly, the playing cards used for time control accelerated the approach of dusk, thus ending the game.  

During the course of the test, withdrawing troops became a problem as the rules limit formation changes to; column to line or the reverse and stepping back (allowed to elite and veteran infantry). Nearing the end of the test, the solution appeared allowing a unit of cavalry to retire, as seen to the right of the wood.

The test concluded after eight turns with Hanover holding the French advance guard at bay.

 

Test two.

The board, reduced to a standard 80cm x 80cm, brought both forces deployed for battle at 0900 hrs., as nightfall was 13 hours away, this was poised to be an interesting conflict.  

The additional formation change worked well, allowing Hanover to withdraw half their force while the remainder covered their retreat. This action was repeated for several turns allowing the rear guard to approach the board edge before nightfall.

Plagued with poor pip scores, the French cavalry made a last-minute charge to salvage the day and selected an isolated gun to attack. Gun crew survived later repulsing the French dragoons, elsewhere, a second dragoons fared no better, losing a few casualties for their effort.

Scenario test - Attacking a supply convoy

This scenario has similarities to the previous, “Intercepting Reinforcements”, yet, there are a few significant differences. The attacker need only destroy the supply wagons, though points can be accrued for casualties inflicted. In addition, a die cast will determine the number of wagons in the convoy and lastly, when the time when the attack takes place. 

In this test, the French find a modest size convoy escorted by two Hessian battalions. To overtake the convoy, the French have two units of light troops supported by dragoons entering the table as per the Collision Course variant. All troops are classed as trained.

 

Test one

French cavalry and skirmishers quickly form line and prepare to assault the supply convoy. Light troops, held off table, will head the convoy off and destroy the wagons. Both Hessian battalions deploy to line and meet the enemy. The convoy continue moving keeping out of harm’s way.

Catching the Hessian battalion making their formation change, the French cavalry charge downhill. The ensuing combat puts the Hessians on the back foot, but they do not break. Having failed to make an impression. Successive volleys persuade the French cavalry to retire out of effective range

French light troops finally enter the field in time to see the convoy disappear behind a cloud of dust.

Their objective having slipped their grasp, the French must extricate themselves from a sticky situation. Casualties are light, but the French score no points in this scenario.

 

Test two.

The French revise their plan of attack and send both units of light troops occupy the escorting infantry, leaving the dragoons to intercept and destroy the convoy. Seeing the approach of the French, Hessian infantry deploys in line formation.

French skirmishers engage the Hessian infantry; however, the arrival of the dragoons is too late to intercept the wagon train, nonetheless, a tempting alternative target presents itself.

French attack the exposed flank of the Hessians and French light troops join in the conflict. Despite being disordered, the Hessians stand their ground and repulse both attacks.

The second Hessian battalion have sent their opposition off and now march to assist their comrades. The French claim points for casualties inflicted, but fail their objective.

Observations

In both tests, the supply convoy were able to continue their move and evade contact. A number of adjustments came to mind that would this a grittier conflict.

Contractors for each wagon could dice to determine if they abandon their team, move off road away from the conflict or continue on their route.

Placing the road diagonally would lengthen the distance for the convoy to travel.

The distance between troops and wagons could be varied.

Attackers commanded by a bold general may catch the convoy encamped (dawn raid).

 

Scenario: Intercepting enemy reinforcements

Premise:

You have moved repositioned the army to shorten the supply chain and allow reinforcements to reach you sooner. The enemy advance guard shadows your movement and days later your spies have reported their main army have moved forward. Knowing enemy supplies and reinforcements will travel further, you have devised a plan to intercept an enemy column. A successful raid will set the enemy off balance and delay their campaign efforts.

The Forces:

A mobile brigade, consisting of two regiments of cavalry and two units of jaegers, are assigned the task to engage the column of reinforcements. Spies have reported one such column of brigade strength have departed and will reach the enemy camp in six days’ time.  

 

Test one.

Marching in column, four French battalions are stretched astride a road running the centre of the board. A die cast determines the distance between battalions and the position of the commanding officer.

Behind the wheat fields, Hanoverian cavalry has deployed in to line screened by a unit of jaegers. The movement has not gone unnoticed and two French battalions move off road to form a line.

Forming a line has taken longer than expected (raw troops) and they are overrun by the Breidenbach cavalry. Despite their lack of training, the French offer stiff resistance prompting Breidenbach to pass through and rally further back.

The second French battalion, occupied by the jaegers to their front, were not able to respond to the German cavalry bearing down on their flank.

The rapidity of the attack and loss of half the brigade stunned their commander to call for the remaining battalions to save themselves.

 

Test two.

New terrain was set up for test number two and to balance the game somewhat, the attacking force were reduced by a unit of jaegers.

The ensuing conflict developed in a similar pattern, but this time two French battalions were able to form line. Poor shooting and a subsequent mell put both battalions to rout. The French did inflict casualties.

Observations

Despite the reduction of the attacker’s force, the tests ended similarly. Three of the four battalions were raw troops escorted by one trained unit. Their placement at the rear of the column would serve as a deterrent against desertion (prevalent during the period), nonetheless, their placement in the middle or at the head of the column would certainly improve their situation.