Toy Soldiers for Old Gits!: Blucher

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Sunday, 21 April 2024

Blucher AAR Day One of the Battle of Kulm

Monday April 8 we played a Napoleonic game using Blucher rules, this is the first time we've used these rules in ages! There were three of us on the night so Dave took the Russian side, George took on the French and I would umpire!

The scenario is based on day one of the Battle of Kulm, day two becomes quite a one sided affair but day one poses an interesting situation. A quick summary of the situation; the Battle of Dresden had been won by Napoleon and the Allied Armies are retiring, a French Corps believing the main French Army was pursuing the Allies moved to cut off their retreat. So we have Marshall Vandamme's Corps deploying into battle against the Allied Army's Advanced Guard of Russians led by General Ostermann-Tolstoy.

In the game victory can be achieved by occupying Straden and Priesten after 20 Plyer Turns or breaking the enemy Army.

How the game unfolded;

Both sides initial moves are arrows outlined in black and their later moves are the arrows outlined in yellow...red 'blasts' are where close combat or volley duels ensued...

The Battle

The French advanced rapidly and planned to weaken the Russians with artillery and skirmish fire before closing in to defeat them with cold steel, the Russians decided to used the stream as a defence line and hold the required towns at all costs!

Unfortunately for the French there plan was scotched by the Dice Gods, they successfully closed to skirmish range and then proceeded to roll a lot of shite dice, at one point they had got a single 6 after rolling 54 dice! Meanwhile the Russian artillery was hitting the advancing French regularly and their Units advanced to the stream as planned.

With turns running out the French advanced to get in close and things started to get better for them. They captured Straden and finally got some 6's while using volley fire. Several Russian units were hit hard and the Russian 14th Division was virtually obliterated! The Russians then used Guardsmen to recapture Straden at bayonet point, pinned the French horsemen and pulled their right flank back away from the now rampaging French! It was looking dodgy for them but the French were out of time. The Russians had held on as required!

At the end of the 20th Player Turn the Russians occupied both the objectives but had lost 4 Units and had several teetering on destruction, the French dropping just short of breaking them!

A Russian victory!

Some Pictures...

The battlefield at the games start the Russians in the foreground, the Units are all concealed.

The French advance on Straden, the pre attack fire had worn the defenders down to a single fatigue Point!

On the French left they advanced rapidly and despite the Russian artillery raining death on the columns started pushing the Russian flank back.

In the centre of the battlefield the French (in background of picture) engaged the Russian 14th Division with Volley fire, one Brigade is destroyed and the second retired with a single Fatigue Point left!

The overall battlefield situation after 10 of the 20 Player turns the French are to the left, for the attacking French half the game was gone neither objective had been captured and no Russian Units had been destroyed at this point, not looking good!

The French after taking Straden were ejected by the Russian Guard, below the French assault Straden a second time but on this occasion the Russians hold on!

The Russian left flank during the second half of the game was in disorder, Units were everywhere, the artillery was running low on ammo and the French were closing in!

On the Russians right flank they hold Straden but their Units are not well placed, many have taken losses and the French are across the stream! At this point the French ran out of time, a Russian victory.

The original Blucher Dice Shako got a good workout on the night!

So a good night, the French suffered from very poor dice rolling and there game was pretty much consigned to the dustbin because of it! This is not an easy scenario for the French to win but it is definitely possible, in this game they inflicted a lot of casualties on the Russians so a good tactic would be to try to win by destroying Units threatening the objectives the Russians must hold onto.

We decided we would play Blucher again next fortnight!

Lastly we would like to thank Tim who runs a great blog called Tales from a Wargame Shed for sharing this scenario for everyone to use! He has a lot of scenarios for various rule sets on his site, here is a link...

Tales from a Wargame Shed Link

Sunday, 19 September 2021

Blucher Waterloo 2021 AAR - TSOG Does Napoleon’s Last Battle Again!

A delayed AAR this time for a game played in June!

Here we go again! TSOG again recreated the Battle of Waterloo using Blucher rules on June 19, the closest weekend day we could get to the actual battle date of the 18th! We used the same scenario as last year including historical army deployment and reserve arrival. Tactically players were free to act as they wanted EXCEPT there would be no Reserve Movement prior to the Noon turn due to the muddy ground and the French could not move east of Frischermont unless they captured Hougoumont, La Haye Saint & La Haye or moved their entire Army east of the Brussels Road, this was to stop them using the loop hole in Bluchers Reserve Movement Rule and delaying the whole Prussian Army getting into action with just two or three Brigades!

The Armies Deploy!

Before the action begins Napoleon's view of the Allied Army...

... meanwhile Wellington can see some French Batteries and the II Corps deploying toward Hougoumont!

The Plans!

The French plan was to run the II Infantry Corps and III Cavalry Corps around and deep behind the Allied Army’s right flank, if this turned out to be successful the thrust would be reinforced, if not the main axis of attack would swing to the Allied left. Hmmm same as last year!

The Allied Army's plan was to hold the Mont Saint Jean Ridge to the last man! Interestingly again the same as last year!

The Prussian plan of attack was to be aggressive and capture Planceoit with the II & IV Corps while assisting in the Allied Army with the I Corps. Ah much more considered than last years plan!

The AAR!

The opening moves saw the French following their plan to the letter. The II Infantry Corps and III Cavalry Corps advanced past Hougomont leaving a Brigade to mask it and then around the Allied Army’s right flank. The British hampered by very low command control (eg low MO rolls!) sent the Brunswickers from the reserves to face this threat while launching an attack! Yes Vandeleur's Cavalry impetuously advanced on the French right!

The opening moves unfold...

With Napoleon acting vigorously (read that as high MO rolls!) the French continued their move around the Allied Army's right flank while sending the IV Cavalry Corps forward to meet impudent Allied Cavalry attack developing near Papalotte. The cavalry clash on there proved to be brief and vicious the Heavy French Horseman drove Vandeleur's Light Cavalry back with considerable losses!

Milhaud's IV Cavalry Corps advances to meet the Allied Horse...

...and with weight of numbers and horse the French drove the Allies back!

Overall view of the the Battlefield as the opening moves play out.

Note the Brunswickers are already withdrawing before the French flank attack while Vandeleur retires.

Reille and Kellermann pushed their men hard driving the outnumbered Brunswickers back and exposing the flank of the Allied main line!

The Allied right flank was bent back by the French onrush but it did not break! Allied casualties were heavy though and Hougoumont was isolated! Wellington was having a bad day and was slow to react as the battle was hotting up.

A note here due to the special rules Wellington rolled his own MO dice (Intuitive Trait, the French were allowed to reroll one die of their choice) and was therefore able to view the total so could plan his MO use better...his problem was getting so few! On the other hand over those same few turns the French MO total was over twenty EVERY turn!

Kellermann's Cavalry avoid the Brunswicker's prepared positions leaving artillery to deal with them!

The overall view at this same time shows the difficulty the Allies were finding themselves in at this point!

Napoleon now assembled a Grand Battery before the Allied Army with the I and Guard Corps Artillery, not only was his left hook looking promising but Milhaud's IV Cavalry Corps had swept through Papelotte and was now threatening the left flank of the Allies' defence position! Wellington activated part of his Cavalry Reserve to bolster his right while rallying couple of retiring Brigades recovering some of their losses!

"Curses where are the Prussians!" a quote from the Allied Commander as he juggle his limited options, here some of the Allied Reserve Cavalry can be seen moving to block the French III Cavalry Corps.

On the Allied left an interesting situation was developing, the IV French Cavalry Corps had created an opportunity that turn out too good to be resisted by Napoleon...

Finally (well historically on time actually) Bulow's IV Prussian Corps arrived on the battlefield and with their Reserve Movement quickly pushed forward into the French flank. With his line of communications threatened Napoleon deployed the entire VI Corps with orders to occupy Frischermont. Due to excellent command control thanks tot the Imperial staff Officers he also pressed forward with the II Corps too and to top it all off the Grand Battery opened fire on the Allied Army on the ridge before them!

The race to Frischermont is on between the IV Prussian and VI French Corps!

Another view of the Prussian advance Planceoit can be seen in the top left of the picture.

Now Napoleon launched a major attack, while the Grand Battery bombarded the Allied Army the I Corps using Reserve Movement marched via Papalotte into a position to threaten rolling up the Allied Army which was still clinging onto the ridge behind La Haye Saint! Meanwhile on the French right flank the Prussians occupied Frischermont but the rest of their advance was hamstrung by the appearance of the Imperial Guards Heavy Cavalry, many infantry deploying into prepared positions and their weak cavalry retiring!

At this point of the battle the Allied Army was still suffering from low MO's while both the French and the Prussians seemed to have ample command opportunities both sides realising most of their MO requests! The Dice Gods were not on Wellington's side and it was telling!

The French right flank, the arrival of the French Guard cavalry stalled the Prussian advance and D'Elron's I Corps route march around the Allied Army's left can be seen...

The French Grand Battery at work firing on the Allied line, the troops in La Haye Saint were getting the worst of it!

Reille's II Corps continues to clear the ridge. Several of the French II Corps Units at this point were becoming quite brittle having been in action since the beginning of the game but with the assistance of the III Cavalry Corps they had battered the Allies before them.

As the afternoon wore on the fighting was now general along the whole of the line! The Prussian I and II Corps had arrived and unlike the brethren of the IV Corps they pushed ahead aggressively taking on the French and diverting two of the I Corps Divisions from their main axis of advance! The attack on Wellington's left flank by the balance of the French I Corps and Milhaud's Cavalry started successfully and sucked in the last of the Allied Army's reserves. At last Wellington hit his straps and was now very active (i.e. the Allied MO dice rolls were much better!) but he now commanded a much reduced force...DOH!

The battle was in the balance! The French were in a good position but at last the Prussians were making their presence felt and time was running out as the sun began to set!

D'Erlon and Milhaud begin to roll up the Allied Army! In the background two French Divisions of the French I Corps face off against the Prussians!

With the Allied Army stretched to the limit and the Prussians still being held at bay the French deployed the Guard! This was the first time Napoleon became involved and his limited Command 'bonus' was used (he had the Immobile Leader Trait). All the infantry of the Guard were deployed for a grand assault on the Allies still defending the ridge!

The Guard deploy, as can be seen the massed French grand battery had expended virtually all its ammunition and was now dispersed but importantly they had 'blown away' the defenders of La Haye Saint and the depleted Allied Army could not reinforce the position!

The Prussians meanwhile even though engaging the rear of D'Erlon's I Corps had become cautious and their advance on Planceoit had stalled, it was now up to the French to gird up their loins and take advantage of the opportunity presented!

Even though Wellington had 'pulled his finger out' at this stage of the action and was now very active it was too late the French Guard can be seen advancing past the shattered remains of La Haye Saint and nearing the Allied lines!

The Guard took a final volley from the Allied defenders and charged home!

Another view of the French 'last throw of throw dice' supported by Reille's II Corps!

Of note you can just see the labels of a couple of the French II Corps units and they were nearing the end of their endurance like the Brigades of the Allied army/

The final moments of the action as the destruction of one of Picton's Brigades pushes the Allied Army to its breaking point and shattered Wellington's men flee northward! The Prussians quickly disengage and retire in an orderly fashion east along their lines of communication ready to fight another day!

The Summary!

Well a French victory and with a couple Player Turns up their sleeve a most unexpected outcome! Not to take anything away from this great French achievement (especially as I commanded them) but this result was influenced by the fact that for almost the entire game the Allied Army suffered from very poor MO rolling! Up until their seventh player turn (so early to mid afternoon game time) they did not get more than 10 MOs while rolling four dice meanwhile the French had a plethora of MOs and were very aggressive using them! Unlike last years game where the Allied Army had suffered just as badly that time they had successfully 'retired' many of their weak units so they never got anywhere near their Breaking Point, so this year we had a small Allied Army teetering on defeat with a couple of Player Turns to go against last time having a small Allied Army but far from breaking an important difference! That situation coupled with the Prussian failure to press their attacks handed the game to Napoleon! As usual Blucher Rules played well and allowed us to manage a big game in a reasonable time, we started at about 11:00am and were done (including a pizza and wine break) by 4:00pm! Thanks to all those involved and we'll probably try this again next year!

Monday, 9 November 2020

The Battle of Teugen-Hausen - Blucher AAR

A catch up AAR here, we played this game using Sam Mustafa's Blucher rules 5 weeks ago! Once again we used a scenario was sourced from the oldmeldrumwargamsgroup;

Blucher Scenarios Battle of Teugen Hausen

Historically in 1809 in wooded terrain the outnumbered French III Corps led by Marshall Davout were successful albeit at quite a cost in defeating the Austrian III and IV Corps.

A battle map showing the town locations and army moves (blue French and white Austrian) to help when reading the AAR...

The AAR

Dave and George commanded the Austrians and Maurice and I girded up our lions and took over the leadership of the French. Victory would go to the side that occupied Teugen and Hausen at the end of the game or broke the opposition's army (both had an Army Morale of 7 requiring the destruction of that many units to achieve victory).

The main French force advanced historically quickly occupying Teugen and heading toward Hausen, light cavalry covering the important road between Dinzling and Paring. The Austrians meanwhile un-historically deployed defensively along a waterway to the north of Hausen which they garrisoned while their reinforcements approached from Paring.

The French pressed forward slowly through the woodlands toward Hausen their cavalry successfully feinting toward Paring drawing the best of the Austrian reinforcements away from the main engagement, the Austrian Grenadier Division.

Even though outnumbered and raked by the Austrian artillery the French took advantage of the delay of Austrian reserves and charged the waterway defensive line in an attempt to score a coup and take Hausen. The fighting around Hausen was fierce and the French eventually broke the Austrian line but in doing so they had taken such losses they were unable to take the town itself.

The French had shot their bolt and were now in a precarious position as the Austrian reserves were finally approaching the French III Corps left flank when the heavens opened up! A thunderous storm arrived on the battlefield and both sides broke off the engagement!

So a draw, no one controlled both the towns required to win and neither side had lost the 7 units that would see them break! in fact both sides lost 3 units destroyed and 1 withdrawn but the French were in decidedly the worse condition with several other units teetering on breaking whilst the Austrian still had some fresh infantry they could commit. Yet another good game thanks the the oldmeldrumwargamsgroup!

Some pictures...I didn't get many this time round too busy playing!

At the start of the battle the forces face off on the Paring Dinzling road, the Austrians IV Corps are on the left and Mountburn's light cavalry are deploying near the bridge on the right...

The Teugen (bottom right of picture) and Hausen (centre top of picture behind the bridge) area of the battle. In the foreground the 7th Legere Regiment leading the French II Corps forward. For those familiar with Blucher rules Davout being a vigorous leader allowed these 16 units to activate for just 8 'MOs'!

The Austrians view of the massed French regiments! Un-historically but very wisely the Austrian Commanders decided to let the outnumbered French try to capture Hausen!

The French attack III Corps the Austrian defences at Hausen!

The Dice Shako in use! A popular and useful Blucher accessory...

The French break the Austrian line around Hausen, below show the confusion as the French cross the stream only to see the Austrians too cross the stream trying to flank the attackers!

Marshall Davout is represented in this picture by the base with two mounted figures located by the bridge. Despite all this the Austrians have a firm hold on Hausen!

The next turn Marshall Davout joined his men across the stream!

With the battle coming to a close the Austrian reserve arrive in force through the woods threatening the French flank!

Overall views of the table at the end of game...

Thanks for looking!

Pity there is no official Blucher Discussion Forum to link this too...

Sunday, 21 June 2020

Blucher Waterloo AAR - TSOG Does Napoleon’s Last Battle!

With the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo last Thursday TSOG decided to ‘do’ Waterloo. We would to play our game with 6mm figures on 40mm x 20mm bases representing Brigades using Blucher Rules on an 1800mm x 1000mm playing field. I researched several existing Blucher Waterloo scenarios while creating ours taking bits from each and creating a few of my own 'special historical' rules. So, with around 1500 little soldiers and terrain set up we entered the fray!

Dave was to Command the Allied Army, George the Prussians and Marcus and I took up the cudgels to play the French Army of the North. We aimed to start at 11:30am but the first MO dice were cast in the ‘original’ Dice Shako at 11:45am!

The Initial Deployment (Historic)...

The Allies...

The French...

The Plans!

The French plan was to run the II Infantry Corps and III Cavalry Corps around and deep into the Allied Army’s right flank, if this turned out to be successful the thrust would be reinforced, if not the main axis of attack would swing to the Allied left.

The Allied Army's plan was to hold the Mont Saint Jean Ridge to the last man!

The Prussian plan of attack was something to do with Black Flags and destroying the French Army while advancing on a wide front.

The AAR

French on the move...

Wellington beside the Brussels road calming watching the battle unfold...

The French quickly flanked the ridge avoiding the Dutch/Belgian garrison at Braine L’Alleud...

The advance proceeded well and drew first the Brunswickers and then some the Allied Cavalry Reserve to it while it gained ground and inflicted losses...

At this point the Allies in a very bold move advanced cavalry to strike the French I Infantry Corps...the sheer impudence Napoleon thought, he dispatched the cavalry of Subervie and Domon with artillery support to stop the threat.

Vivians and Vandeleurs Horsemen advance, Mont Saint Jean Ridge and Papelotte/LaHaye are in the background and Frischemont is in the foreground...

Following up this Allied cavalry attack the men of Bijlandt’s Brigade fearlessly advanced on the French Grand Battery and drew intensive fire, many a brave soul paid for this reckless advance, it was suspected the Prince of Orange ordered the move. But it did make the French burn precious artillery ammunition! The battle was unfolding in a very interesting way!

General Drouot and the Grand Battery watch in admiration the men of Bijlandt's Brigade advance then they blasted them into history!

Napoleon near his headquarters at La Belle-Alliance directing the Army of the North...

The appearance of Prussians to the east of the battlefield led the French to deploy Milhaud’s VI Cavalry Corps toward Frischemont. No infantry was to be spared and they horsemen with Subervie and Domon troopers were ordered to delay the Prussians for as long as possible!

French Heavy Cavalry engage Von Bulow's Prussians (foreground) near Frischemont. They charged and were counter charged by enthusiastic Landwehr, no quarter was given by either side and despite heavy losses the Prussians wore down the French!

Meanwhile the French right hook with the personal intervention f Napoleon made further inroads into the Allied right flank bending it back behind Hugomont and the defenders on the ridge who were now hotly engaged. The French VI Infantry Corps 19th and 20th Divisions moved to support the right hook and D’Erlons I Infantry Corps advanced on the Allied left. Wellington moved his remaining reserve cavalry up to support General Picton’s brave Infantry.

Overall view of the battlefield at this juncture, toward the top the Prussians can be seen advancing and in the foreground the battle rages behind the ridge both side units becoming more and more entangled...

The French VI Infantry Corps advancing to assist the attack on the Allied Army's right...

D'Erlons Corps advances majestically toward the Mont Saint Jean Ridge! Jacquinot's Cavalry can be seen cresting the slope already!

While the battle around Wellington’s position heating up a series of French Cavalry charges and Prussian counter attacks occurred around Frischemont.

After the first Prussian wave retreats before Milhaud's Cavalry the second wave under the direct leadership of Blucher prepares to advance...

The Prussian II Corps advances behind Von Bulow's troops, Frischemont is in the top left of the picture...

The Brunswickers and Hill’s Corps fought well against French but were relentlessly pushed back both sides taking losses, it was at the height of these actions with the British Household Cavalry leading a counter charge that the heroic French General Kellermann fell leading his gallant Cuirassiers!

General Kellermann (square base in the lower left) can be seen just before joining Guiton's Brigade and engaging in a fateful action with the British Household Cavalry...

Pressure was mounting on Wellington with D’Erlons men of the I Infantry Corps cresting the Mont Saint Jean Ridge and taking the vital farmhouse of La Haye Saint! A furious charge by the Scots Greys near the farmhouse was repulsed by French Infantry with the support of the Grand Battery.

The Scots Greys about to charge down the front slope of the ridge to tackle Bourgeois's Infantry Brigade, they were wiped out but took many a 'Frenchie' with them!

La Haye Saint falls into French hands...

From the east as the battle raged hordes of Prussians moved forward but were slowed by the French horseman deployed against them albeit at a great cost. So far though no French Infantry had been diverted to this theatre and the whole of the French Imperial Guard was a menacing threat as it remained in a compact reserve.

The shadows were growing longer as confused fighting continued along the Mont Saint Jean ridge line. Many French we’re across the crest and a series of confused charges and firefights ensued. At this point the units from Prussian II Corps came into action against D’Erlons 4th Infantry Division on the extreme left of the French line.

The French attack on the Mont Saint Jean Ridge can be seen top right of this picture of the Prussian IV Corps in prepared positions facing the French IV Cavalry Corps...

Hugomont was now isolated as the Allied right drew back under fresh attacks from the French VI Infantry Corps. Wellington’s casualties were growing at an alarming rate many Brigades were out of the fight and several more units rendered hors de combat and reduced to a mere cadre were withdrawn from the front. For Napoleon with less than half an hour of daylight remaining there still remained a tantalising chance of victory!

Wellington's last stand, his left flank is in complete disarray and here he is commanding the last six active Allied Brigades from the I and II Corps. French from the I and VI Infantry Corps can be seen dominating the high ground.

Also a bit of a close up of my Dice Shako!

The Guard Infantry remained in reserve while the Guard Horse were deployed to face the Prussians as Milhaud’s horsemen were now totally spent!

Von Bulow's IV Corps finally cleared the French screening cavalry and advance on Plancenoit while the Imperial Guard Cavalry move to meet them...

In virtual darkness the men of the French I, II and VI Corps were urged forward for a final time by their Officers in an effort to break the Allied Army around the ridge but their efforts even through pressing Wellington’s Army to the limit and creating holes in the line were unsuccessful!

The battlefield as night fell the depleted armies positions can be made out, viewed from the west it can be seen the Allied army has been driven from the ridge. The remaining organised Brigades can be made out being pressed back by the French VI Infantry Corps. The Hugomont garrison is isolated. The 3rd Netherlands Division is in the lower left of the picture and the French Imperial Guard can be seen still in reserve behind La Belle-Alliance...

From the east the view of the Mont Saint Jean Ridge shows it has been cleared but Prussians can be seen approaching in force. The Allied garrison of Papelotte/La Haye is still in position...

Nightfall ended the 'battle of battles'!

The Outcome…

It was a big afternoon for all of us. But how did this engrossing game turn out?

The result a very close-run thing haha, tactically a draw I think, strategically an Allied victory depending what happened on the next day! At the close of play let’s see how the armies were positioned. The Allies had taken heavy losses, had lost control of the Mont Saint Jean Ridge and the Hugomont Garrison was negotiating their surrender while the Prussians even though they had driven in the French right flank had not broken through their lines and had only drawn off a small number of French units. The French at the end of the day commanded a central position the entire Guard Corps intact, the infantry of the VI Corps was still fresh and of course in the morning Grouchy’s men would be available having defeated Thielmann’s Prussians at Wavre...

The Casualties...

The Allies 10 units lost and 7 retired, with a Break level of 11!

The Prussians 1 unit lost and 1 retired, with a Break level of 11.

The French 9 units lost and 6 retired, with a Break level of 19.

After our debrief the consensus was we’ll be spending another weekend afternoon playing this scenario again!