AAR - Battle of Provins 4th February 1814

Last weekend, Postie hosted a monster fictional game set in the context of Napoleon's defence of France in 1814.

An army commanded by Marshall Victor was set the task of defending a line of hills against an Austro-Prussian-Russian force of superior numbers.

Surjit, Steve and I commanded the French.  The allies were led by Dan, Lee and Mark.

The French were deployed on the right. The allies on the left were poised to attack.

You will excuse me if most photos and comments refer to my command at my end of the table... and if my recollection is incomplete.

Dispositions at the start of turn 1.   The far flank had cavalry facing each other.

Allied infantry advanced all along the line. Slowly bringing them into artillery range. Whilst on the far flank, the cavalry jockeyed for position before the inevitable charges.

The situation at the end of turn 1.

Opposing cavalry face each other and seek to gain position for advantage in the charge.

My heavy battery opens up as the Russian infantry draw into effective range. At columns the effect is devastating causing a unit to recoil in disorder.

The advancing allies approach so that they can bring their numbers to bear as they prepare to assault the French positions on the hills.

The positions at the end of turn 2.

The cavalry now seem poised to hurl themselves at each other.

With the infantry closing up, close range musketry fire rippled up and down the line.

My division bring up columns to break up any Russian charges.

Meanwhile, the far flank resounds to the thunder of pounding hooves as sabre and flesh clash.

The red arrows indicate cavalry units in retreat or rout.  The black arrows represent pursuit or breakthrough charges.

As you can see from the images from the Boney-drome, honours were vaguely even.  Perhaps to the Austro-Prussian advantage.

However, after much standard winning and losing (honours definitely to the allies here) both sides' front line cavalry were somewhat depleted.  It always strikes me that in most games we play large cavalry actions rarely end up with anything except an indecisive conclusion.

Lots of empty space where now lie the remains of many troopers and their steeds.

Back on my flank, having gained the initiative I decided to take the fight to the Russians rather than await their assault.  So, off the hill my brave lads flew at the advancing columns. 

French success was more forthcoming as a number of the Tsar's columns were thrown into disorder and rout.

But all was not so gloomy for the French on the cavalry flank as Surjit's cuirassier brigades coming out of reserve appeared to shore up the flank and induce some nervous tension.

With the winter sun now setting, the fighting died down leaving both sides to reflect on the engagement.

The positions at the end of the game.

The French had kept control of the line of hills despite being outnumbered.  When Postie had finished totalling the victory points he gave the French the laurels.

Analysis.

This was a BIG game.  So, it was just as well that the two sides were set up to enable them to engage quickly and up and down the line.

The Austrians in the centre weren't quite able to get their grenadiers into the fray.  Possibly thanks to a spoiling action by a couple of Surjit's infantry units that were thrown forward.

Steve, in charge of the French horse, played for time sufficiently to charge with the best prospects and to allow the reserve cavalry to reach the flank.

I think the decision to take the fight to the Russians on my flank stalled and broke up their formations.  Plus, some deadly artillery and musketry helped.

With another one or two turns the Austrian centre may have caused some serious trouble.  However, their losses somewhat addressed their initial numerical advantage.

A very bloody, hard and entertaining game.  Well done Postie.