On the last day of May, our group played some ESR in Russia. Nothing formal, it did give us a chance to play with the first version of the New Recruit data files.

Situation

Napoleon’s continued invasion of Russia and Russia is pushing back. At stake today is the main road to Moscow.

Opposing Forces

We used two fictional orders of battle, 2 Forces per side.

French Forces

French forces are under the command of Aide-de-Camp Caffarelli who personally commands the 3^rd Corps. Under his command is Maréchal d’Empire Murat with the 2^nd Light Cavalry Corps.

Russian Forces

Russian Group in Tormasov in overall command. Forces consist of the 4^th Infantry Corps commanded by Langeron and 3^rd Light Cavalry Corps commanded by Tormasov.

The Battle

Tormasov marched on the left flank using the south eastern road. His plan was to split the French forces, hold them with Langeron’s infantry and then exploit their rear with his cavalry. This placed Langeron’s infantry on the north eastern road. This was to have immediate consequences on Tormasov’s ability to manage the battle.

Caffarelli assembled his forces using the west and north-west roads. His intent to maintain contact delay with Murat’s cavalry while exploiting the middle of the battlefield with his infantry.

Turn 1 objectives were placed. These aligned with the expectations of each commander. Tormasov sending his cavalry to the southern woods and Langeron’s infantry to the northern villages. Caffarelli sent Murat’s cavalry to the northern village can set the middle of the battlefield for himself.

Turn 2 rolling for objectives. In most of our games lately Murat has not been enthusiastic. It has just been poor luck on our player’s parts, but he was delayed again today. Langeron completely ignored his objective from the non-Chistoi Russkoi, Tormasov, with a 5-turn delay in his objective.

Turn 2, 3^rd Light Cavalry Corps waiting to come on the table, with the Command roll, including distance, and Langeron’s negative modifier resulting in a 5-turn delay.

Turn 2, French infantry marching towards the middle of the table and Murat’s cavalry waiting on the upper right of the picture.

Turn 2, Langeron’s infantry arranged for the march.

By Turn 5, the Russian cavalry is well on its way to its objective. Realizing his colleague will not listen to him, Tormasov begins moving closer to Langeron to see if he can make his orders can be a bit more clear.

Meanwhile, on the western side of the board, Caffarelli is on the move. The infantry columns string out along the road, targeting the center of the battlefield and the middle section of the Moscow road.

Turn 5, Tormasov sends the Cossacks to capture the villages (following the roads to their objective) while the bulk of the cavalry secures the roads in the south.

Turn 5, Cossacks on a collision course with the first infantry division in Caffarelli’s 3^rd Corps.

Turn 5, Marut’s cavalry is on the move. Note the gap, Marut continues his terrible luck delaying the middle cavalry division from moving.

Turn 5, Langeron has one more turn to go. “I sure hope the boss wakes up soon…”

Turn 5, Meanwhile, French light cavalry secure a north-western village.

Turn 6, The Russian cavalry corps has nearly reached its objective. The dragoons shake out into line to advance on the wood line. The Cossacks briefly secured the village before the French infantry deployed and they were forced to defend. Caffarelli quickly deployed some guns to support his infantry which allowed the Cossacks to withdraw in front of the French. But not before taking on some significant fatigue. “We found the French, sir! Now we are riding for our lives!”

Turn 6, the Russian cavalry advances.

Turn 6, Cossacks find they are not prepared for that much infantry to meet them in their front.

Turn 6, back to the Russian right. Tormasov closes the distance between him and Langeron.

Turn 9, “He is not at Court! I know the meaning of the Czars orders! Who is this pipsqueak to give me orders!” Tormasov’s new objective for Langeron is delayed. Again. This time three turns. Tormasov begins the return journey to his Force. By this time, Caffarelli has continued his hard push on the Cossacks. As a game mechanic, the Cossacks have not Threatened the infantry Force, therefore they could stay on a move order and continue to move forward. They were not quite able to make contact. Caffarelli has Attack directives pending to send them forward, as soon as they are able. He also updates his objective to the southern-most village on the Moscow road.

In the northern part of the battlefield, Murat has deployed his cavalry to encircle Langeron’s first division. Langeron deployed his guns against the light cavalry on his left. This placed some Fatigue on the cavalry. When he had an opportunity to convert, Maruat led his cavalry forward. First one battle across the entire front of the Russian division. The light cavalry on the right and left were both thrown back. The creek on the right and the pounding of the guns on the left had telling effects on the status of both cavalry formations. Murat personally led a counter attack against the Russians causing significant casualties but not breaking them. Murat was forced to Withdraw.

Turn 9, Tormasov’s command roll to set a new objective for Langeron.

Turn 9, The Cossacks are not much of an impediment to the French corps. In the rear, more of Caffarelli’s infantry are marching to the center of the table.

Turn 9, Murat personally leading the counter charge against the Russians massing outside of the north-western village.

Turn 10, both Russian cavalry Formations in the south are Ployed and ready for maneuver. The Cossacks are barely holding on. Caffarelli is massing for his next push. In the north, Murat is reforming his cavalry and forcing Langeron to deploy his infantry against them.

Turn 10, Note that Tormasov still has not rejoined his Force.

Turn 10, Caffarelli is readying his forces for the final push on the Russian cavalry.

Turn 10, Note the Russian Jager in the top left. Langeron was trying to determine how far he could reach to keep pressure on the light cavalry.

This was game end and a French victory. Caffarelli’s forces had the most amount of road cleared by game end.  This was a fun game and the chaos in the Russian command structure leading to French victory as much as the Directives given.