Borodino Project - The Refight: Turn 6 - Russian response. What's the plan?

Several options are available to the Russian player Turn 6 now that the French have declared their hand and begun their assaults upon both the fleches and the redoubt. After ruminating over how to respond, several plausible options are available:

• Option 1 : Sit tight, do little or nothing, and absorb the French assaults. Reinforce where needed in this turn phase. But do not counter-charge beyond the fortifications. Keep what committed front line forces not directly involved as reinforcements.
• Option 2 : Counter-attack in force from the defensive position. Utilise cavalry in support (Sievers) for this task. Either direct counter-attacks at the main attack points or commence flanking options (where possible) designed to draw away enemy forces from the main assault. Short-term immediate response is the aim. Some of Baggavout's and Osterman's corps units have already begun moving into the centre.
• Option 3 : Trust in the defensive line to deal with the present threat. Meanwhile, begin shifting units from the original right flank battle lines to the centre. At the same time create a secondary line of defence behind the front line with your ready reserve using Russian Imperial Guard (Lavrov/Constantine) and artillery reserve (Kutaisov) as the core of this defensive secondary.
• Option 4 : Reinforce Tuchkov's flank with cavalry (Duka) and grenadiers (Borozdin) if possible. Already started with Duka's 2nd Cuirassier division on the move south to assist Tuchkov.

Procedure: Roll 1d10. Add C-in-C's command factor (Kutusov is Skilled, so modifier is +2). If result is:

3-5      =   Option 1 

6-7      =   Option 2

8-9      =   Option 3

10-12  =   Option 4

Commentary and Discussion

This approach may appear randomly arbitrary to the spectator, and it is. There is no hierarchal order to the options given that randomizes the response. It also keeps me from interfering too much. 

The historical French plan was, as mentioned many times before, a simple up-the-guts, all-in assault with all-arms. There was no finesse whatsoever. It was a bludgeon of a battle. And therefore not much room for tactical flair or creativity. Yet. There still remains the what-ifs.

Anyway, I wanted to give the Russians, whose whole strategy mindset seemed to be one of defensive delay from the beginning, some leeway in how they might respond within the restrictions of that tactical mindset. I did not want too much divergence from actual historical recourse.

The Russian Situation at the start of their Turn

This is an update on the current status of the various Russian positions at the start of their Turn 6.

Situation on Table 2 (Far Left Flank)

For the Russians on this flank, the situation is not looking good at the moment. The unexpected success of the Polish light horse is causing mayhem and confusion among Tuchkov's grenadiers after they easily dealt to the brave Cossacks who chose to stand and fight instead of run like some others did.

Those infantry units busily engaged in the retake and defence of Utitsa appear solid and cohesive. And seemingly unaware of what's happening in their rear. However, the heavy cavalry of Latour-Maubourg's cavalry corps are approaching fast, and the valiant Russians are certainly aware of their presence. Hopefully the arrival of Duka's heavy will arrive in time. 

Further south though, beyond Utitsa and the Mound, Poniatowksi's forces are busily regrouping in preparation to move on both Utitsa and the Mound. The Polish commander is relieved to be aided by the heavy cavalry of Latour-Maubourg. There is hardly any Russian forces to oppose this new developing situation. Karpov's cavalry split up earlier with one half retreating east while the other half linking up with Tuchkov's and the infantry. It was the latter Cossack force which was beaten up by the Polish light cavalry brigade. The other units of Kaminski's Polish cavalry are closely monitoring the eastern retreating Cossack force and preventing them from linking up with Tuchkov. 

Apart from those already engaged in the fighting in and around Utitsa, the Polish infantry are reforming to both support and advance upon the Mound. This means their artillery are also moving up to provide better fire support. 

The lone Russian artillery battery on the Mound was quickly abandoned by the victorious Polish light cavalry. And it looks like it will be claimed by the Poles as there are no friendly Russian units within reach. It performance was pitiful anyway. The only other Russian artillery unit is now retiring with Karpov. 

Situation at the fleches (Left Centre)

The defenders here have managed to push back the first two attempts by the French units from Davoust's I Corps. They can also call upon the as-yet-uncommitted grenadiers of von Mecklenburg-Schwerin's division. The artillery stationed in and about the fortification have been heavily engaged and accounted for themselves very well forcing back the leading enemy assault units. The fleches also contained infantry defenders. 

The French divisions of Compans and Dessaix however are experienced troops and any setback they suffer are quickly overcome as they renew their advance. Their artillery too are moving forward to set up and bombard the defenders.  

The ruined village of Semenovskaya (Centre)

A brigade force holds this area. As yet unengaged apart from the sporadic ineffective artillery fire, the force is notable because it's where several of the major commanders (Bagration, Borozdin, Golitsyn) are located. Attention, as yet, has not yet spotlighted this defensive location because the main assaults are concentrating their focus upon the temporary fortifications. But that might soon change as reports are incoming of French cavalry heading their way.

The Grand Redoubt (Centre)

Here is where the main action seems to be focussed with units from Morand's and Gerard's divisions successfuly striking the forward trenches hard despite taking some early hits during their approach. The Russian defences, however, retaliate splendidly repelling the initial assaults. But the French persist and soon gain footholds in the trenches, forcing those defenders there to relinquish their position. Buoyed by this success, the French move on toward the main earthwork fortification.

The artillery stationed therein operate busily and contribute to forcing certain French units back during the advance. But they have been operating uncontested and will find out about the consequences as the French bring up their artillery guns. Lots of them. 

The New Post road bridge (Right Centre)

Dokhturov is now faced with an unblown bridge to his frontage with yelling blue coats crossing and heading for his position. Already his forward skirmishing line has folded under the relentless pressure of swarms of French and Allied troops eager to melee. But his main lines are strong and ready. And waiting. Eugene's infantry are seen massing to make the inevitable push. 

North of Gorki (Left Flank)

This part is not fully shown on the existing gaming table. What is shown is a thin strip along the far right table edge. Gorki represents that northern boundary. This slender gaming area is shared by both Dokhturov's corps with Platov's cavalry corps in support, and unplaced infantry elements from Osterman-Tolstoy's corps. Baggavout and his corps is further north (far right) and not shown on the gaming table at all. They only make their appearance during flank marches. 

Olsufiev's 11th division from his corps, however, has begun moving south with Baggavout among them. This is the original flanking movement permitted in Turn 5. Bahkmatyev's 11th division of Osterman's corp is also on the move south. 

The risk here, for me gaming this, has been moving both corps in their entirety would present the French with a golden opportunity to outflank the Russians. As the New Post road leads directly to Moscow, this is a real fear for Kutusov and his high command staff. Hence his original deployment. Even though Platov and Uvarov are still posted there, I doubt very much that the entire right wing will move en masse south going by speculation based on historical concerns. Which is why in the original flanking move, I only chose to relocate just two infantry divisions and one corps commander instead the entire four infantry (von Wurttemburg, Olsufiev, Bahkhmatyev I and Bakhmatyev III) and three cavalry corps (Uvarov, Platov, Korf). 

Solo gaming often throws up these concerns which is part of the fun.