4 March 2024 - Borodino Refight: French Turn 8 continued

Spent all mid-morning finishing off the French turn centred on the activities in and around the Grand Redoubt.

Assault Phase

Several simultaneous attacks are declared.

Assault on redoubt itself (above) continues...

North of the redoubt (above & below), new attacks take place. Even Gorki is assaulted forcing a hasty withdrawal by Kutusov and his entourage...

Defensive Firing (in response to Declared Assaults)

Russians respond to the attacks with defensive fire from both artillery and muskets. At the redoubt (below)...

And north of the redoubt (below), the French bravely march to their doom...

At Gorki the defenders open fire on St. Aubin's men...

Defensive Fire Outcomes

At the redoubt the defenders withstand the pressure repelling the attempts (above)...

The Russian lights try valiantly but their earlier success is not repeated and they fail to halt the relentless push from the determined French (above)...

One of the Russian artillery batteries prove deadly however...

St Aubin is able to close with his opponent in spite of the defensive fire so combat will take place as intended...

Firing Phase

Nothing by the French which is surprising and reveals poor positioning by the French commander (me) while the Russians in this sector are already engaged in combat and/or have their line of sight blocked by other friendlies or terrain.

Movement Phase

The French push up in support of the assaults being made. Below shows the French pouring across the Kolocha.

Another view of French movements. Grouchy has sent forward his Bavarian light cavalry in advance of the rest of his corps which are watching due north.

In front of the redoubt, the second line presses forward in support of the first wave...

Combat Phase

The fight for Gorki ends in a stalemate even though the French were able to gain a foothold in the village. The fight will continue for certain during the Russian turn.

South of Gorki however the thinly held line there becomes a confused location as the Jagers, unable to repeat their earlier successes, are easily overwhelmed by the battalions of French infantry...

The routing unit causes the others to question their sanity - Cohesion Tests for those marked with red question mark. Most pass but a few got the shakes...

The assault close to the redoubt sees another Jager unit breaks. Once more it calls into question for those watching the rout their reason for being there...many pass the test and answer the question but a couple more wilt further under the pressure (now becoming more tremulous). One unit even breaks although it was already Wavering when it failed the CT.

Baudinet's men, somewhat buoyed by their own success, pursue the routing Russians and run straight into the enemy battery stationed directly behind Potemkin's Jagers. A second round of combat ensues with Baudinet also dealing comfortably with their new opponent. The artillery thus break abandoning their guns...

And now we have a large dead space where it bristled with living bottle-green. A gap to exploit perhaps? Not likely given there's a second and potential third line stacked behind ready and waiting...

Back at the redoubt, Gengoult's troops engage the enemy gunners at the redoubt, as seen above. The fighting is evenly played with neither side yielding ground and thus will continue into the Russian Turn 8.

Recovery Phase

Only one French infantry unit recovers. Unfortunately it is not one of those that needs it urgently. Oh well...

Losses

On the French side, no units are lost. But the Russians lost four:

• Potemkin's 19 Jagers (part of Vuich's 3rd Bde of Likhachev's 24 Div, 6th Corps)
• Alekseyev's 36 Jagers (part of Kashirinov's 3rd Bde of Kaptsevich's 7th Div, 6th Corps)
• Sazonov's 40 Jagers (part of Vuich's 3rd Bde of Likhachev's 24 Div, 6th Corps)
• an artillery battery from Dokhutrov's corps

Note: For this refight I have broken up the Jager brigades into their regimental components and utilised them as distinct units. Of course, this affected the dice allowed for shooting and combat. But that's the trade-off I was happy to play with as early on the Jagers proved their worth. 

Also, I did not run Cohesion Tests (CT) for every unit who's resolve was questioned upon the Jagers breaking; once the unit broke was good enough for me. It may spare others but it's fine by me for now. 

Next batrep: Russian Turn 8

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2 March 2024 - Catch my breath

Borodino Refight

This refight has raised issues that need addressing before I forget.

1. This project, as has been explained ad nauseum, was only ever incidental. It began as a half-pie effort to motivate painting up a seriously large volume of Russian Napoleonics acquired over the years. That I've made it to this point in time (over eight years later) where I am now attempting to play through (and eventually finish) a very large and famous historical battle SOLO says many things - mostly uncomplimentary - regarding my mental well-being and inability to curb my enthusiasm. Nevertheless, I persist because I don't really know any better. As a solo event, this very doable but there are loads of conditions that need to met in order to make the whole event run smoothly and without too much fuss - from a solo gaming perspective. I haven't really thought them through however. Which is why I've been struggling to finish the game despite setting lots of deadlines and then easily breaking every single one to the point where I now don't bother; if it happens, it happens. A very slack attitude to have really.   
2. I am not happy with FoGN 2. The Borodino refight has only strengthened that dislike to the next level. There are too many nooks and crannies within the rules that make for loads of frustrating moments that really detract from focusing and thereby comfortably playing the game. Even though I have used it as my primary go-to Napoleonic rules since introduced to it many years ago, I find that I am constantly referring to them because I am always forgetting the basic details. I am wondering if it's not really user-friendly in the first instance or I am just developing a forgetful mind. Many of its critics point out its failing many times over but I find that's more a justification for accepting their version of Napoleonic wargaming. But FoGN/FoGN 2 has always been a CORPS-level game. The visual footprint often misleads those accustomed to clouds of skirmishers in front of the battle line. Yet that is the difference made clear, and which confuses many. Or blinkers them to accept their own view of how Napoleonic wargaming should look on the table. 
   
3. The table layout itself was a cockup from the start. Two separate tables have been used because of lack of adequate space to fit the one super-large customised table. And the length and breadth are not the correct dimensions. It's too short and not deep enough. The results have been cramped displays, so cramped that it makes moving minis - even in block stands - a tiresome and often clumsy activity that requires careful management with placement.
4. The terrain has yielded a mixed bag of success and frustration.
1. The fleches need to be reworked with the double one broken up into two. There should be three. Height of the ramparts should be higher. Maybe also expand them to better accommodate the guns
2. The grand redoubt also needs reworking. Remove the front trenching altogether as it's a waste of space. The fortification needs to be larger and more "grander" even though, according to historical accounts and technical information, it technically called a battery. Blame the French to calling it that. 
3. The Borodino church looks fine even if slightly underscaled and works as a prominent landmark. Happy with its scratch-build. But reset it within a village stand next time.
4. More river crossings needed for the French who had several spanning the Kolocha which really is a river and not some shallow fordable stream as I have played it. Creating bottlenecks works for the defenders too.
5. The present flat table works well enough as it allows for a spectacle. But modular with contours is more spectacular as well as "realistic". Marking terrain features with chalk is not really suitable because there are no real distinction between the various terrain elements. And which, after a while, one simply ignores as the game progresses.
5. Perhaps the most noticeable criticism of the project has been the missing minis. I claimed to have finished them all but I was lying. As some of the batrep photos clearly reveal, there are loads of missing commanders, and even a few missing artillery and cavalry pieces. By pieces I mean figures. And yet, stashed in piles of boxes in various areas of my studio, are loads and loads of unpainted minis - infantry, cavalry, and artillery. It doesn't really matter that they're not period-specific as proxying is acceptable and even warranted if it means a table full of minis. 
6. Markers. Need lots and lots of them for the next time (if ever there is one). The ones I have are few and inadequate. I've been using whatever is at hand to convey the various levels and activities, but it would make better sense to use what's game-specific
1. Disordered and Wavering markers. I might revert to using the old laminated markers I made years back. I have lots of those but put them away when I bought my old 3D printer and started creating my own kind. 
2. Charge/Assault arrow markers. Twenty should be enough to get started.
7. This current refight is, as I am slowly realising, either a trial run for the real game done properly some time in the future. Or this is a venture that needs to finish quickly regardless of outcome. The former makes me groan within while the latter is probably close to the truth.

Glad that's off my chest. Cheers.

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2 March 2024 - Borodino Refight - French Turn 8

French Turn 8 

Started late today so only partially completed turn. Again, mostly visual report. With name tags where applicable. As before, game turn is broken down into three main sectors - Table 2, Main Table - the fleches, and Main Table - Grand Redoubt and surrounds.

Table 2

Three assaults declared by Poniatowski and Latour-Maubourg. But in actual fact, only the one around Utitsa matters.

Karpov tried hard to get his men heading in the right direction. But it was a hard ask.

With assaults declared, Russian defensive fire took place. Unfortunately Mesheryakov's troops have been caught in the flank so can't open fire effectively. But Shakhovsky's Jagers are able to repel the Polish light cavalry who have been having a good run so far.

North of Shakhovsky, Foch's grenadiers are able to pour fire on von Thielemann's Saxon cavalry but aren't able to break them unfortunately. And Ilovaisky's Cossacks aren't able to do anything as it's not their turn. Yet...

While all this is happening, the Polish artillery - feeling left out - decide to advance on their own reconnaissance. Which is a good thing by the way. Where possible, double moves made.

Rozniecki's division continue their wide sweep which proves useful given Komissarov's Cossacks close proximity. 

With two artillery batteries, a strong infantry force, and a fresh cavalry brigade, Komissarov would be a fool to take that lot on. Besides, he has to wonder why his force is all on its own-some.

The separated cavalry now regroup on the Mound.

Only combat results in a draw with both infantry forces retiring. 

Beganski is able to return to Steady during the recovery phase. Likewise, von Thielemann's cavalry regain one level and are now Disordered.

The Main Table - fleches

Three assaults declared by the French in this area:

• Teste (57 Ln) target the artillery before Shatilov's grenadiers
• Leguay (108 Ln) spot Voronstov in-between two fleches and zeroes in on them
• Buermann's cavalry also target the artillery in front Knyazhnin's musketeers

A simple ask at first glance. But is it really? Fortunately the Russian gunners this time choose to leave their guns and hide within the protection of the infantry situated behind them

Leguay is hoping to surprise Voronstov but it may be a tough ask. However he is helped by the fact the grenadiers cannot open fire on them in time so they advance right up to them. 

Teste's men are crossing open ground in front of the artillery and hoping it doesn't cost too much in terms of casualties. The Russian gunners are made hard though and they opt to stand and fire. 

With the guns abandoned, the cavalry press on and target the musketeers behind.

During the defensive firing and normal firing phases one of the assaults is halted, that started by Teste. But the failed attack is counterbalanced by the French weight of fire upon the gunners who are forced to hightail it off the table. 

Lost: Russian 2nd Artillery bde (2 guns)

Guyardet's brigade is also lost, breaking under fire from Levin's grenadiers. Paltry fire by supporting units north of the fleches has little impact. 

Lost: French 61 Ln (Guyardet)

With the firing in this sector finished, the French begin moving their forces forward. Lonchan's bde (111 Ln) fills the space voided by Guyardet's departure.

Behind the northern fleche, the contest is fierce. Honours even though as both sides retreat wavering. The French break through their own forces (Lonchan) but cause no harm. Likewise, Voronstov's grenadiers pass through the third fleche held by Jagers without causing any harm. They stop in front of the Guard cavalry. 

Third assault sees Beurmann slam into Knyazhnin's infantry who stand their ground and give back as good as they receive. 

Recovery phase goes well for the French:

• 72 Ln return to Steady
• Beurmann's Chasseurs regain to Disordered
• 93 Ln return to Steady
• 57 Ln regain to Disordered
• 25 Ln also regain to Disordered

The rest of Main Table action finished tomorrow - hopefully. Cheers.

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1 March 2024: Borodino Refight update

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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