1 March 2024 - New month, same-old, same-old
Going back to visual batrep style used previously. Convenient for me; saves me gasbagging for no reason.
Table 2
Situation pretty tough for Tuchkov who has lost most of his corps. Latour-Maubourg's arrival has sort of saved Poniatowski's bacon, so to speak. The Mound has been occupied for several turns now. Karpov's Cossacks are as wispy as they are willow, and look to be cut off from Tuchkov not that it bothers mobile light horsemen anyway.
Unfortunately Karpov ordering and the Cossacks reacting to that order (above) tends to contradict one another, often violently. And therefore it runs contrary to good discipline. So much so the Cossack choose to head west instead (below) and scout for likely enemy activity instead of heeding their leader!
This forces Karpov with his remaining Cossack unit to deal with the Westphalians atop The Mound on their own as Duka's cuirassiers won't be much help.
Duka seems confident that his heavy cavalry will make light work of the French heavy cavalry (proxy used so don't sweat it, okay).
As always, the French oblige the challenge and trot forward to meet their foe and fate.
With assaults declared and responded to, it's time to let rip with some muskets balls where possible. And the Tavrida & St. Petersburg grenadiers duly comply finding an easy target within range. Pew pew pew!!
The cavalry clash on the open ground behind Utitsa shown above at moment of contact. It is an awful spectacle so my imagination dictates. To no-one's surprise but myself, the Russians are not only held but beaten back so much so they depart the table. The French heavy cavalry also retreat but have plenty of space to retreat to so their situation isn't as dire.
In Utitsa itself, the ongoing scuffle between the Polish infantry and their Russian counterparts continue from previous turn. It does not end well though for the Russians who suddenly break and are thus lost to the game.
Tuchkov's situation has worsened by the end of their turn. Unless a miracle happens, he is likely to fold on this flank and leave the French an easy run to their rear. All that stands in their way are Russian militia many of whom are armed with pikes and whatever weapons they can scavenge from the battlefield in their role as stretcher bearers and back stops.
Main Table
Dealt with this situation because of its size by splitting the turn into two parts - the activites around the Fleches and the activities around the Grand Redoubt and its surrounds.
The Fleches
The French have managed to capture the southernmost fleche and pushing through as quickly as possible reinforcements. The French realise that delay can enable the Russians time to reinforce this area, which is exactly what happens as seen later on.
There are enough generals in the area to cover any emergencies. Hierarchy is as follows: Golitsyn, general without a command but controlling activities in this region; Borozdin, commander of the 8th Infantry corps and his division commanders - v. Mecklenburg (grenadiers), Voronstov (grenadiers), Neverovsky (infantry).
No assaults are declared in this sector, reason being the Russians are defending.
Firing dice allocated. Firing priorities shown as well. Ruling is closest range fire takes priority so it is what it is.
The Russians fare better in their round of shooting, forcing back two assaults around the northernmost fleche and causing other units to drop cohesion level.
Once firing is completed, Russian reinforcements arrive with part of the Russian Imperial Guard - two Guard infantry regiments, two Guard artillery batteries, one Guard cavalry brigade. All led by one of its commanders, Borozdin N.
As stated above, no combat takes place. Recovery is successful for one Russian unit (50th Jagers) but no one else. End of the turn around the fleches.
Russian Losses:
- Tuchkov IV's brigade - Orel and Murom Infantry regiment (Utitsa)
- Tolbuzin I's brigade - Glukov Cuirassiers, Malorossisk Cuirassiers, Novgorod Cuirassiers
Situation in and around the Grand Redoubt
Once command "pips" allocated, assault are declared. Only two take place, both cavalry, south of the redoubt.
Sievers orders his remaining two brigades - Vasilchikov's lights and Panchulidzev's dragoons to attack to their front. He has spotted the isolated artillery battery that was following the now-retreating musketeers. It's a gamble he hopes will pay off.
Ney's light cavalry are fresh to the engagement and are thus willing to take on their opponents. Meanwhile the 72nd line - target of the Russian dragoons - form square. As you do when faced with cavalry.
Firing dice allocated. As with fleches, firing priorities are also displayed. The results though are not as hoped for. Two French brigades are Disordered but that's all.
Behind the Russian front line, reinforcements under Baggavout continue on south to help out the beleaguered Tuchkov. Can they get there in time though.
Combat phase outcome results in poor showing for Sievers command. His light cavalry are forced back although they achieved the same result upon their French counterparts. Meanwhile the dragoons are repulsed by French musketry but cannot burst through the friendly unit (the limbered artillery) behind them so they pull up within musketry range of the French square.
With that outcome defining the overall success in this sector, recovery takes place. Two Wavering units (6th Jagers and Orel/N. Novgorod infantry) are now Disordered but other attempts fail.
Russian losses:
- None
End of Russian Turn 7.
Cheers.
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