Sunday 20 May 2018 Napoleonic Kriegsspiel

Sunday’s game went well, we covered a full day of battle, and everyone appeared to enjoy it.

Overall, Blue's army was somewhat smaller, but it was of good quality and they had more troops on hand at first.  One disadvantage was to become apparent later in the day, as they were operating in Red territory and their strategic intelligence on Red numbers and locations was lacking.

Red were initially outnumbered, and needed to hold ground to the E of Metz, as the city was on the verge of revolt.  Blue attacked SW towards Metz in the morning.  They were held on the northern sector after a see-saw fight, but for a time it looked as if they might break through in the centre along the Noisseville Road.  The Red line here just held however, partly due to the commitment of one brigade of the elite Ducal Guard in mid afternoon.  This allowed Red to concentrate other newly-arrived troops for a major attack against Blue’s southern flank.  This complex operation involved elements of 3 divisions, and took the best part of 3 hours to organise.  But when it went in about an hour before dusk, it rolled-up Blue’s flank, and penetrated deep into their rear.

Red were therefore successful in defending Metz and repulsing the Blue army.  

Our next instalment of this war will take place on 20 May, and all are welcome.  The background story will take things on a few more weeks into the campaign, to provide interest and the context for the next battle.  

You do not need to have played in the first game, to play in this one however.  There are no set teams, and we are hoping that some players will have a turn at both playing and umpiring during this series of games.  Indeed a few may even end-up on a different team to the one they have played in previously!  If you are interested in coming, please complete the poll here https://xoyondo.com/dp/AaWFf3LABpLV0Cf

Attendee number’s for Sunday’s game were still moving on the day, which does not make life easy for those running it.  Given that, we are asking all those planning on coming to please complete the poll by Wednesday 2 May at the latest.  We can then finalise the scenario and get briefings out in good time to the two CinCs.

Martin (J)

We already have 11 signed-up. Splendid work brave kriegsspielers!

Still room for more though....

Martin (J)

13 now, with at least one more on the way I'm told.

This is excellent, as the next scenario will benefit from the increased player numbers.

We will go pat on Wednesday.

Martin (J)

Thanks to everyone who has signed-up for this one. We have 15 so far, which is a very healthy turn-out, and enough for what we have in mind.

We have now firmed up on the scenario and will allocate roles in the next couple of days. Specifically:

1. Steve will be in touch with our 2 prospective CinC’s, together with those who will be playing as corps commanders

2. I will contact the umpire team, with copies of the detailed briefings for each team, and any other material they need.

Hopefully you will all be able to make it on the 20th, but we nevertheless appreciate that real life happens. Please do let us know as early as you can if attendance is in doubt.

Martin (J)

Thanks to all who have registered for this game.  You should by now have received an email, advising you of your likely role.  Please shout if that is not the case!

For this game, we may introduce an additional role - the Chief of Staff.  We have used this before, several years ago, and it makes for an interesting and different challenge. Here is a brief guide as to what is involved.........

On your shoulders rests the smooth functioning of the army command structure.  You will base yourself at the army HQ, and be responsible for regular communication with the corps commanders.  All messages from them, or anywhere else, will come to you in the first instance, rather than to the CinC.

You are best placed to judge the overall progress of the battle, and will need to brief the CinC at frequent intervals to ensure he is basing decisions on the correct information.  

On those occasions when he has been away from HQ visiting a corps, correspondence may have accumulated.  You will need to decide what correspondence and other information is irrelevant, so that he is not overwhelmed with information.  On occasion you may need to act for the CinC in his absence, and you have the authority to do so.

Like your CinC, most of your briefing will effectively come from the corps commanders, rather than the umpires.

Martin (J)

Another enjoyable game on Sunday with 14 attendees.  Close to a record for our group.

This time Red was tasked with defeating the Blue army near Metz, and exiting at least a corps along one of the roads to Saarlouis before nightfall.  That fortress was about to fall, and in dire need of relief.

Red had a substantial numerical superiority, but suffered from shortage of time, and a limited number of roads, which were in poor condition after a week of rain.  Given this, it was probably inevitable that they would struggle to bring all of their combat power to bear.  In the north, churned-up roads slowed the arrival of Desnouettes' new corps, and in the centre, major traffic jams developed as Quincy's and Louvigny's corps jostled for road-space.  By dusk, Blue were nevertheless on the ropes.  Their line was thin, and half of their cavalry had been driven off.  But the line held, and so Red failed to meet their objective.

Many thanks to Steve H for the scenario and running the game.

The next instalment of this campaign will be on Sunday 24 June.  Please register your interest on the Xoyondo poll here https://xoyondo.com/dp/Ql8EHHjk410ACkS

Martin (J)