Nearing the end of 2020, as the lock-down continued with restrictions to house-holds only, I and another tabletop player were itching to get in some Napoleonic battle, any will do.
So I found one that featured some of the Bavarian forces I had built up, Polotsk in 1812.
a map of the action
We used a map from one of the .pdf scenarios found online:
Inevitably, we modified the map to work for our space and other constraints.
Once the map was laid out, we deployed the troops:
First, the French and Bavarian allied forces:
Then the Russians:
On to the battle...
Shako II turns always open with artillery, thus giving the guns their first best chance to mess up a unit before a charge or closing fire.
Bavarians boil out from the town
with columns pushing out along the Polotsk stream
both sides cannon opened up
both managed to get at least a couple of hits
it was the Irish (standing in for more Bavarians) that took the worst damage
overview Russian left
overview Russian right
Only a little bit of maneuvering opened the battle, it was on turn 2 that movement really got going.
pressure from the Russian right
while on the left the Bavarians pushed along the stream and put pressure on the Russians there
in the center right the Russians moved foward
on the far right Pavlov Grenadiers arrived in columns to push on the hill
more Bavarian movement on the stream
Russian gun line killed off the Irish at the starting salvo
Oudinot in the town
Wittgenstein in command of the Russians
turn 4 saw more French and Bavarian units break
while Russian ones faced fire and managed to hold their own along the stream
a fierce series of melees broke out along the stream
the central French allied division was under pressure from the start, now facing elimination if morale collapses
on the Hill the Pavlov Grenadiers were thrown back from the first charge
Pavlov Grenadiers then formed a massive column to ready for another charge up the hill
Cossacks held in wait for opportunity to break into or through French lines
the Russian right was constantly pushing forward
while on the left maneuvers were made to make an effort against the surging Bavarians
the Russian grenadiers charged the hill again again they were repulsed, though now artillery had moved to the flank
French Chasseurs a Cheval charged, then were thrown back
a Russian battery was positioned to have an enfilade shot at the Bavarians across the stream
Russian right breaks the top of the hill
Russian left just managed to hold on, losing some ground ...
the center columns began a murderous exchange of fire
French Chasseur a cheval had to retreat, took more casualties from artillery fire ...
one bright spot, the Bavarians Jaeger battalion managed to screen the Russian artillery enough to prevent damage
while not fully defeated yet, the French/Bavarian force needed to break a Russian Division or accept a retreat
the best chance of that damage was on the Russian left, where many Bavarians had now massed up
the hill was also not left uncontested
a Bavarian column crashed through the woods and over-ran a foot battery
the stream was still contested by Russians
French artillery were still able to get off shots at Russian guns
the French Chasseur a cheval made ready for one last charge ...
the Russian grenadier division was now triumphant on the hill top
even the Cossacks had been damaged in combat there were almost no units that did not suffer at least one casualty
the supreme moment had arrived and all Russian units on the right flank were sent into combat on the hilltop
on the Russian left, the line had finally collapsed though the loss of the Division was not enough to break the Russian resolve
in the center, the Russian Division was switched to the defensive and ready to fall-back
a supporting division was shoring up the center
while the Grenadiers were triumphant, having now fully over-run the top of the hill
Russian Cuirass and horse artillery were now bearing down on the main bridge crossing the river behind Polotsk town
the French center was bowed back on itself, now pushed fully off the hilltop
Chasseur a cheval are sent in for one final thrust
the Chasseur a cheval managed to break a Russian battalion, which sent the Division into recoil mode yet not broken and it did not flee the field
this last roll of the horse die taken, and failed, Oudinot would have to withdraw across the Polotsk stream ...
A terrific game day and I thank Chris T for taking on the role of the Russians in this great contest!
A final video of the field at the end of the battle.
2020 was a rough year in many ways, yet it was my best year for hosting games on-line and in-person ever!
In a uniform from the age of 13 to 30, learned much of 'military life' and after a decade of travel have settled down to start a family. Started with boardgames and RPG's in the 1970's and added tabletop miniatures in the 1990's. Now with a family of three boys, seeking to turn this sometime hobby into more of a lifestyle.
