Quote for today's gaming session: "...Feeling lucky, punk?! Well, do you?!..."
Russian Turn 9
I was so sure this game would end. How wrong was I?
Table 2
Situation is now becoming dire for Tuchkov. No reinforcement will be arriving now: the earliest they will hope to arrive is Turn 15. He only has three units left at his disposal from his original corps. He has no cavalry and no artillery. Given his options, Tuchkov chose the option least expected: Stand and fight. I rolled a d6 giving him the following options:
- 6 - Stand and fight (less chance this would happen)
- 4,5 - Withdraw in good order (hoping this option would win out)
- 1,2,3 - Flee (worst possible option available)
Tuchkov's choice set the tone for the rest of their turn as it turns out.
View of the Old Post Road from the woods. Foch's grenadiers are facing the threat of enemy cavalry lurking nearby on their own.
View south towards Utitsa, also from the woodlands. Shakhovsky's Jagers are in a shaky state while Mersheryakov's infantry are left to deal with the Poles at Utitsa also on their lonesome.
With this many enemy in the area, Tuchkov is probably hoping for a miracle. He is unable to prevent the enemy from moving up the Old Post road and begin to threaten the Russian rear, despite the presence of the militia posted on the road to prevent desertion and act as stretcher bearers. Situation is reminiscent of what Platov and Uvarov planned and enacted historically at the other flank.
Main Table - Fleches
For Borozdin, responsible for the defence of the fleches and up to Semenovskaya village, the arrival of elements of Russian Imperial Guard couldn't have been better timed. But, in the meanwhile, he still has to somehow recapture the fleches with the French assaults slowly but steadily pressing forward.
However he is distracted to his immediate left as von Mecklenburg's grenadiers are being pressed by Davoust's lead units. His efforts however don't start off well as his opening fire is ragged in outcome. Meanwhile the French better coordinate their return fire as shown above.
Thankfully, the effect causes little disruption and Borozdin orders a realignment of his new defensive line.
Meanwhile the Guard lifeguard cavalry instigate their own "line breaking" and declare a charge on a suitable target, the Westphalian light cavalry of Junot's VII Corps.
Of course, the brave Westphalians are up to the challenge, daunting as it is.
For it's a predictable outcome. Shock heavy cavalry versus light cavalry is always going to end up one way. The Westphalians are too shaken up as they beat the feet but fail to outrun the pursuing Guard cavalry. A second round of combat takes places. Much worse than the first as they are caught in the rear.
As the picture above states, the Westphalians are broken and removed from gameplay but not before raising the courage banner for nearby friendlies. But these are veterans and they manage to steel themselves. Combat ends and sees the Guard cavalry now holding their earned ground. But for however long? They're mounts are blown and they are now Spent (remove one base to indicate this).
Unexpected help arrives however with Uvarov's 1st Reserve Cavalry Corps showing up along with the remaining unit in the Guard cavalry division - Shevich's brigade. There is a collective sigh of relief (and release of bowels) by the senior commanders in this sector.
Lost: von Hammerstein's Westphalian cavalry: -2 points.
Main Table - Grand Redoubt
At the redoubt, twin assaults by the French and the struggling Russian defenders ramps up. This time round however the Russians prevail and the French are soon repulsed and they retire leaving the exhausted defenders victorious - albeit until the next assault.
The above photo shows how hampered the defenders were - two units ready to break and one feeling queasy. Yet they won out somehow. Now all they need are some reinforcements...any!
And they receive it as Raevsky asks Baggovout for help citing the dire consequences if it's not forthcoming. Baggovout immediately agrees and orders his relief column to change direction and issues a new directive - defend the redoubt at all cost!
In the same photo above, to the north, Korf's 2nd Reserve Cavalry Corps and Osterman-Tolstoy's 4th Infantry Corps show up to bolster the defensive line. Platov's Cossacks are still in the north (off-table) watching and guarding the now emptied Russian right flank.
Kreutz's dragoons now declare an assault on one of Almeras' brigades - the 35th Line. The French quickly form square to receive the charge. Firing might work but odds say play it safe and sure. So, square it is.
It does not fare well for the Russian dragoons as they are quickly sent running away.
At Gorki the Russian defenders finally win their third round of combat against St Aubin's brigade. Again, French experience wins out as the surrounding friendlies remain unaffected by the rout.
Lost: French St. Aubin's bde: -2 points
The Russians enjoy success rallying those troops in and around the redoubt. At least better than those at the fleches.
Summary
The Russians show their mettle and dig in despite the earlier mass losses. The region around the redoubt and Gorki still remains under their direct control. With the arrival of three new Corps and part of a fourth, they can now reset their defensive line with some degree of assurance and confidence. Question is: do the Russians abandon the redoubt when the fleches and Utitsa are lost and retire to form a second defensive further east? Turn 10 may provide some answers. Or more questions.
Cheers.
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