Impromptu Games

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST.  Friday's battle was a simple stand-up fight with battle lines already drawn. The Austrians broke the French line and won an overwhelming victory.  An amazing result given the fact that we managed to pull it off without the military genius of Pat to guide us.   Perhaps it was due to the fact that no strategy was required at all and the enemy was fixed in place?  In today's battle we will be the British attempting to get astride the French line of march.

Word arrived late last night that the French have crossed the border.  From the reports received, it has become
apparent that the enemy intends to move on Brussels.  Once his dance card obligations had been met, His Grace
ordered the concentration of the army.  1st Corps under the command of Prinz von Orange is nearest to the French
incursion and has been ordered to halt their advance until the rest of the army can arrive.

The Orange Prinz has decided to deploy his forces west of Mont St. Jean in the vicinity of Braine l'Alleud.
Being on the flank of the French route of march will ensure the French will halt and turn to face 1st Corps.

Intelligence:
Numerous reports have been received of the French I Corps under Général d'Erlon moving north along the Brussels
and Nevilles roads.  These forces will unite near Mont St. Jean.

Objective:
Occupy and hold the ground east and SE of Braine l'Alleud.  Attack the enemy to prevent him from moving north.


1st Corps: William Prinz von Orange (20605 Inf.  9533 Cav.  50 Guns))

 3e Nederlandse divisie: Luitenant-Generaal Baron David Hendrik Chassé (5600 Inf.  2519 Cav.  14 Guns)
   8th British Brigade: Major General Sir James Kempt (2512 Inf. 5 battalions  Avg. Exp. 6.
   1e Nederlandse Brigade: Kolonel Hendrik Detmers (3088 Inf. 6 battalions  Avg. Exp. 3.5)
   3e Brigade Lichte Cavalerie: Generaal-Majoor Baron Jean van Merlen (910 Cav. 2 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 5.0)
   1st (Household) Brigade: Major-General Lord Edward Somerset (1609 Cav. 4 heavy regiments  Avg.Exp. 7.6)
   Rettberg's Hannoveraner Fußartillerie: Captain Carl von Rettberg (6 Guns   Avg. Exp. 5.0)
   Braunschweig Fuß-Batterie: Major Johann Moll (8 Guns   Avg. Exp. 5.0)

 5th Anglo-Hanoverian Division: Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton (4848 Inf.  2472 Cav.  10 Guns)
   10th British Brigade: Major General Sir John Lambert (2761 Inf. 5 battalions  Avg. Exp. 6.3)
   1st British Brigade: Major General Peregrine Maitland (2087 Inf. 3 battalions  Avg. Exp. 7.0)
   6th Brigade: Major General Sir Richard Hussey Vivian (1332 Cav. 3 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 6.0)
   7th Brigade: Colonel Sir Friedrich von Arentsschildt (1140 Cav. 2 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 6.0)
   G Troop Royal Horse Art.: Captain Alexander Cavalié Mercer (6 Guns   Avg. Exp. 7.0)
   halve batterij rijdende artillerie: Kapitein Adrianus Rudolf Geij van Pittius (4 Guns   Avg. Exp. 6.0)

 2e Nederlandse divisie: Luitenant Generaal Baron Hendrikde Perponcher Sedlnitsky (5608 Inf.  1839 Cav.  12 Guns)
   2nd British Brigade: Major General Sir John Byng (2148 Inf. 3 battalions  Avg. Exp. 7.0)
   1e Nederlandse Brigade: Generaal Majoor Ferdinand d'Hauw (3460 Inf. 6 battalions  Avg. Exp. 3.5)
   Braunschweig Kavallerie: Maj von Cramm (751 Cav. 2 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 6.0)
   2e Brigade Lichte Cavalerie: Generaal-Majoor Baron Charles de Ghigny (1088 Cav. 2 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 5.0)
   F Troop Royal Horse Art.: Lieutenant Colonel James Webber Smith (6 Guns   Avg. Exp. 7.0)
   Unett's Battery Royal Foot Artillery: Captain George Unett (6 Guns   Avg. Exp. 6.0)

 3rd Anglo-Hanoverian Division: Maj Gen Count Carl von Alten (4549 Inf.  2703 Cav.  14 Guns)
   9th British Brigade: Major General Sir Dennis Pack (2308 Inf. 5 battalions  Avg. Exp. 6.6)
   5th British Brigade: Maj Gen Sir Colin Halkett (2241 Inf. 5 battalions  Avg. Exp. 5.
   5th Brigade: Major General Sir Colquhoun Grant (1348 Cav. 3 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 6.0)
   3rd Brigade: Major General Sir Wilhelm von Dörnberg (1355 Cav. 3 light regiments  Avg.Exp. 6.0)
   Sinclair's Battery Royal Foot Artillery: Captain James Sinclair (6 Guns   Avg. Exp. 6.0)
   Batterij rijdende artillerie: Kapitein Adriaan van Bijleveld (8 Guns   Avg. Exp. 5.0)

I will be there. Digby u can take one of my brigades if u so desire

Thanks Pat, though as I said, I will be late and it may not be convenient to halt to let me join. I'll drop by as soon as I can anyway.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST. Sunday's battle was a startling victory for the British as the previous try saw the Brits badly defeated. It could have been due to the flawless strategy of our new Wellington, aka Pat. Or maybe it was the fact that the British side was given an extra division and no one followed Pat's orders. Historians will be debating this for years to come, I'm sure. In the meantime, today's battle will be a wintery one between the Russians and the French.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST. Friday's battle saw the Russians humiliated and defeated. The French just had to appear on the field and a Russian division fled the field. Shameful. Perhaps today will be better. We'll be playing the French against the Austrians on the Kelheim map.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST.  In Friday's battle the French were able to overcome a solid Austrian defense and a clever, but late, counterattack.  Today's battle will pit the Prussians against the French on the Gettysburg map.  The sunflowers should be in full bloom.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST. Sunday's battle resulted in a French triumph over the Prussians. Even the hussar attack, led by Blucher himself, against our beloved Emperor, ended in failure. Today's battle will be in Portugal where we will try to halt Soult's corps.

Sorry fellas. Can't play tonight or Friday. Possibility Sunday but doubtful. Other commitments. Have good games

Today's battle will be in Portugal where we will try to halt Soult's corps.

Not with the Spanish I hope?

It's with your non-Spanish variation. The Brits may be ranked a little high. Did I do that?

If you're going for balance and the Brits are ranked high then we're probably facing Napoleon's Garde Imperiale.

watching

Is that THE Cal from GCM? Hi Cal!

In any event I am working a short day today - such an easy Wash DC commute the day after the 4th - and will be ready to take on a CinC role as required.

If anything I shall do it to demonstrate command presence and instill teamwork to those who are typically all out for themselves. Not to name any names but these sorts of people typically roll their eyes upon hearing battle plans and are the first to send snarky comments via courier. It’s the kind of behavior that prompts one to develop a “re-education camp” mod just to restore order and decorum. I am not directly referring to Kevin here. I am indirectly referring to him, which is more fun

Today is a great day for players to join who perhaps haven't jumped into these games yet. Just take a Brigade or battery. Stay as long as you wish and no hard feelings if you need to leave early

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST. Weds. battle was a disastrous defeat for the British. Afterwards, we had to make a run for the boats in the Coruna harbor. We were all certain that with a true leader at the helm, one in possession of strategic genius and tactical aplomb, we would have prevailed. So this is another scenario that goes into the 'Pat Get To Command' folder for another play. Today's battle will be on the Kelheim map where it should be a simple matter to defeat the Austrians.

I sense a tone of sarcasm here

:-)

Thanks again, Kevin, for obligingly handing over your Division on Wednesday. It was an experience that will stay with me for a long time, I'm sure.
I can only compare it the feeling one might get if you come out of Hyperspace slam in the middle of an Imperial fleet of Star Destroyers and a swarm of Tie Fighters are bearing down on you!

It's the little surprises in life that makes it worth living, Mike. And you're quite welcome.

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST. Friday's battle saw the French victorious, crossing the Danube and capturing Laumerstad. The Austrian offensive was halted. Soft cheeses and wine for all the participants! Even Pat.

Today's battle will be against the Russians. This one might be a little challenging, even for a master tactician like Pat.

I will make it today but need to leave in the 1530-1545 timeframe. So I am quite happy taking a brigade that Kevin is hoping will be crushed early.

Fridays time as CinC reminded me that it is worth it to take the time to scout before committing the Corps irretrievably. Scouting results changed my initial assumptions and I could re direct our line of march accordingly. And As always ya gotta ride the field as CinC to see things for yourself tho I still like to have a couple cavalry with me as escort.

Above all I learned - especially from Martin - the value of a pleasant battlefield picnic. I cannot think of a better commander if the Corps reserve. We had a lovely view and great food together. And I could wait until dessert before asking him to pitch into our threatened left.

Kudos to Ehay and GenThunder for their “let us at ‘em” spirit and aggressive attack to make up for incessant whining from my vanguard (see below). They took the prize for us. And I made sure the handful of troops who survived got an extra ration of soap. Three bars turned out to he plenty.

Once Phil showed up after his leisurely nap (apparently it is mandatory for his division to take a siesta in the late afternoon regardless of circumstances...the battle clock began at 1700 vice the normal 1500) he gave the Austrians a thing or two. Or three. Hard to tell since he never left the safety of the woods.

Meanwhile Kevin valiantly declined to lead the attack in the first place, citing various circumstances to include his infantry having to walk more than 200 yards on foot without an overnight rest break.

As for me I only lost my bearings twice and was generally successful telling friend from foe. It would be SO much nicer if one side wore Blue and the other butternut/gray. So many different colors and flags. Egad.

Actually my plans changed. I can stay and happy to CinC. Bring on those Russkies!

Victory is assured! Or not.

We will certainly talk much of victory

Attaining it is different story

I can play today at the usual time, 14:00 EST, 19:00 BST.
Friday's battle can be summed up in one word. Defeat. Impossible as it sounds, given Pat was the CinC and his battleplans are without flaw and perfection itself, it is true. Nevertheless, Napoleon's retreat from Russia just got easier as he has one less corps to worry about. Today's battle will pit the Prussians against the French on everyone's favorite, the Meckel map. We will even be defending.

I shall be there with a good supply of schnapps and sausage.

Thanks again fellas for a great game. Special thanks to Ehay and R59 for joining us and putting up a solid resistance on the right flank. lots of fun.

Nice win, Martin, who managed to extricate himself from his House Wine and Ploughman's lunch at the 'Slacker's Tavern' in Klein to Command with Vigour and Inspiration!

I do, however, suspect that the order for a General advance was somewhat influenced by his need to vacate Klein of its garrison whilst he visited Madam Fifi's German Cousin, Helga, uninterupted.

A memorable win, all the same, and an altogether Tutonic night of celebration, with Prussian regiments performing synchronised formations resembling Swastika's!

:-)

Ehey here, because sometimes one strange username just isn't enough. It was a good game, as I found several mistakes to learn from. The first really was not convincing R95 to take my bigger brigade. The next was a lesson in Prussian over-eagerness to display their historical symbology formations in the face of the enemy. Though it was clear they had been working very hard on these formations, I was a bit unimpressed in their choice of symbol as it was more than a few decades away from any relevance. I later saw a strange tall blue box that said "Police box" and I swear it just faded away right under my own eyes. All the men were discussing some strange 'intra network' after the battle, but I can't make heads or tails of it.

The Prussians are very proud of their ability to perform formation evolutions on command. One Prussian general said the army had a formation for every possible tactical situation. Obviously the swastika formation fulfills one of those needs. It's just that the human commander did not realize its utility. More training might help.