Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

I've just noticed that 9 out of the 10 players who have so far gone through to round 2 were playing the French side. In my own game too, the French player (my opponent) had almost secured a major win at the point where he abandoned the game on turn 16.


Lt.Col. Rich White
4th Cavalry Brigade
Cavalry Corps
Anglo-Allied Army

Monsieur how could he advance if he didn't finish the game> Thats why I never entered these thing I like the Mul player better then these who's top dogg! Your move as well I been playing Monsieur White for three years now an I know he is telling the truth .

Col de Art 6/3 II Corps AN Marbot CS

I played the Waterloo game and it seemed fairly well balanced to me. In my game the advantage seemed to swing one way and then the other, and the outcome was in doubt for much of the time. The Prussians won in the end in my game, but it could have gone the other way (and almost did!).

<center>[url="http://homepage.ntlworld.com/a.r.barlow/nwc/nwc_personal_record.htm"]Brigadier General Antony Barlow[/url]
~ [url="http://www.geocities.com/anglo_allied_army_stats/Anglo_Allied_Army_Cavalry_Corps.htm"]2nd British (Union) Brigade, Anglo-Allied Cavalry Corps[/url] ~
~ [url="http://www.geocities.com/militaireacademie/dragoons.html"]4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards[/url] ~
</center>

Mine and Eds game changed each turn.. one turn i was in front the next he was... and at the end it was a Draw . I won by only 1 or 2 points on kills it was very close .

I found the scn very good.. and i am not a lover of smallish scn i like the Large battles..



<font color="red">Maréchal</font id="red">
<font color="red">BEECHAM</font id="red">
<font color="blue">La</font id="blue"> Commandeur, <font color="red">II Corps</font id="red">
ADN

Prince d` Istria et Comte d` Arles La Jeune Garde

"Toujours féroce,jamais étourdi"

Gentlemen,

I played the Waterloo game (as the French) and my opponent surrendered with a turn or three to go. My opponent, with all due deference, was significantly less experienced than myself and I believe that to be the real difference that created my victory.

Certainly, with 12 turns to go, he was still in the lead. After that my carefully prepared attack went in and, well, we all know how good the french are in attack! [:D]

I consider that the numbers (units, actual men) may well be on the side of the French, but without them, the defensive position would be a very tough nut to crack indeed.

General Mark Oakford
Duc de Smolensk Comte d'Autun
Commandant L'Ecole Militaire
Commander, Régimènt Polish Lanciers de la Garde

Hi Guys
I played Prussians [V] and won in my first round admittedly against a not quite as skilled opponent. However I believe the scn was most definitely winnable for the Allieds. It was really a matter of thinking through what terrain features were vital.

The high ground to the west of the Prussian vp hexes was the key area IMHO. I massed all my cavalry and artillery up there and used this area to dominate the ravine below and screen my right.

From what I could see firepower was the key for the Prussians as there artillery was superior. Combined with the high ground that was the key. I occupied the rising slopes with the Prussian infantry in line with the better btns in the centre and the Landwher on the wings and in reserve. With the guns above them all.[}:)]

Low morale is generally better for attacking I find hence I wanted to keep my Landwher reserve behind the front line for a melee counter assault combined with my cavalry to protect my massed artillery. Ie get the fight to happen under my guns.

I general terms I refused the far left and made the town with the vp hexes my left. This was possible as the French had to move through the gun raked Ravine to reach it. If they went around the outside my 'central positions interior lines' would allow me time to reposition to allow for this.

If I had played French I would have massed on the same high ground and come in from above the Prussian vp hexes. Whilst feinting into the ravine.

Seemed an even scn although I will add it required some in depth analysis to be sure I was positioning correctly. Exactly what I would expect from Sir Muddy.

The only comment I would add is that defending with such a force effectively really must require embedded melee as if your massed guns get blitzed the fat lady will walk onto the balcony [:D]

Salute!


General de Brigade Knox
Baron de l'Empire
2e Regiment Gardes d'Honneur (the regaled pheasants)
La Jeune Garde
CO. 1er Brigade, III Division Cavalerie Legere, III Corps Armee du Nord
http://www.aspire.co.nz/colinknoxnwc.htm

I believe it was a balanced scenario. I played an experienced player (Dean B) and have a fair amount of experience myself. I lost by six points but it was very winnable for myself as well. I lost a pile of guns early on and never quite overcame the point diferential.[B)] Btw I thought we all ended up playing the Waterloo scenario.



Major General Ed Blackburn
Commanding Second Div, II Corps, AAA
3rd Bn / 1st Regiment of Foot Guards

Ed you are right both pools played the same scenario
Salute!

General de Brigade Knox
Baron de l'Empire
2e Regiment Gardes d'Honneur (the regaled pheasants)
La Jeune Garde
CO. 1er Brigade, III Division Cavalerie Legere, III Corps Armee du Nord
http://www.aspire.co.nz/colinknoxnwc.htm

I played the French and won by concentrating on the left, as Colin Knox suggested and agree completely the key to a Prussian victory was to dominate that high ground. One wonders what would have happened if both players shared that appreciation?

Lt Colonel Neville Worland
Chef d'Etat-Major
Ier Corps de Réserve de Cavalerie
Army du Nord

Yes an interesting point Neville. It seems often that players don't mass all there forces. I expect if you and I had played and you had massed all the French and I all of the Prussians onto that ground the outcome would have been determined more by tactics than operational appreciation.

I think (without analysing it closely) the Prussians could still obtain a 'setup' advantage for their signifigant arty but this would be offset by the numerous Currissers. Would be very interesting.

Salute!


General de Brigade Knox
Baron de l'Empire
2e Regiment Gardes d'Honneur (the regaled pheasants)
La Jeune Garde
CO. 1er Brigade, III Division Cavalerie Legere, III Corps Armee du Nord
http://www.aspire.co.nz/colinknoxnwc.htm

Oh well, we'll never know. One of the best things about this was the complete uncertainty as to the ground and the enemy; it was a classic "contact scenario" and there's no second chance. While of course focussing on the next round, we may get a chance to cross swords in a few rounds. In my small way, perhaps I may make up for the humiliation of the Wallabies this year.

Lt Colonel Neville Worland
Chef d'Etat-Major
Ier Corps de Réserve de Cavalerie
Army du Nord

I played Prussians and won. Colin, it such a great feeling when someone thinks the way you do[;)]. I should say that my opponent Zach Bogue, although inexperienced, played a great game.

So I occupied the slope of the hill with infantry in line and some squares, massed the arty and left the village defended by a couple landwerh batallions. The only exception was that I sent a cavalry brigade to the far right to harras the enemy line of supply with an impertinent raid. Another was hidden right in the center in a place my opponent couldn't see. If only he crossed the stream with a formed infantry or cav would it be blasted away with combined fire of arty and inf and a devastating charge. But my opponent was cautious enough to send a company of skirms that I couldn't destroy without showing where the trap was. Finally he noticed the cav and I had to give up the idea [V]. On the right he sent two cuirassiers regiments to attack the high ground. I was very lucky to lokate them first and partially destroyed and partially scattered them in a single charge. We both reinforced the cavalry but I was lucky again and the terrain favoured my movements. His cav would be completely defeated when there came another enemy. Zach deployedsquared infantry and horse batteries which allowed him to disengage the cavalry. A combination of determination and luck brought fruitful results here. I charged yet again made his disordered cavalry fall back on the squares and eventually managed to capture both the batteries. But the cuirassiers reordered and drove my cavalry back only to be driven back in turn. Finally the situation stabilized with severe casualties on both sides but 12 guns captured which ensured my victory by points. This actions as well as concentrated gunfire made my opponent fell pessimistic about the direct assault. So he made a far away flanking maneuver aiming to eneter the village through the woods. I parried rapidly regrouping by the road with guns and regular inf in line right behind the woods and landwehr partially in the woods partially in reserves and a couple batallions on the right which was a main position beforehand. At this point I noticed a few batallions that were left by Zach in the center too far away from any help possible. One of the cavalry brigades and a mixture of infantry was sent there. It was a gamble because both cav and inf each on its flank were badly outnumbered. But in the center several batallions were surrounded and captured. But the main trophy were Marechal Grouchy and the corps commander whose name I do not remember. After that I could abandon all the objectives and would still have a victory. After that Zach offered his sword. But for a few mistakes of my opponent it was a very nice and pleasant game.

Though I doubt Prussian player would be able to stand against a determined combined attack - cavalry with some inf from the side of high ground and supported by all the arty infantry across the ravine.

<center></center>
<center><b>Eyo Imperatorskogo Velichestva Leib-Kirassirskogo polku
General-Lieutenant Anton Valeryevich Kosyanenko
Commander of the Second Army of the West </b></center>

I played the Prussians and advanced aggressively on the high ground south of the ravine. I didn't realize that this meeting engagement was designed for the Prussians to assume the defensive. In fact, with all the Landwehr I thought I must be aggressive.

I simply got destroyed. Units routed from the beginning and disrupted many of my support units. My cavalry never really participated to any effect. I had three landwehr units rout that never rallied despite being in command control (two of these never lost a man)

Overall I really suck at these games.

Marechal Jonathan Thayer
Commandante Moyenne Garde
Duc de Saalfeld et Prince de Friedland
1/10/III
Armee du Nord




jonathanthayer@bellsouth.net

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="3" face="book antiqua" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Jon Thayer</i>


Overall I really suck at these games.

Marechal Jonathan Thayer
Commandante Moyenne Garde
Duc de Saalfeld et Prince de Friedland
1/10/III
Armee du Nord


jonathanthayer@bellsouth.net
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I'd disagree with that, unless I suck even worse, as I've tasted defeat at your hands several times.

Field Marshall Sir Mark Nelms K.G.
1st Regiment of Foot Guards

Hi all,

WARNING - My hunble personal opinion only in regard to the question being asked. Not trying to upset anybody or make excuses, you can take it or leave it [:D].

Firstly -Let me explain I have had some considerable experince in military wargaming scenario development, design, participation and control. I have also had considerable experience with napoleonic minature (15mm and 25mm) wargaming competition scenarios and campaign development.

Secondly - Anyone producing scenarios and competitions are to be credited for the effort, time and pleasure they give to those that participate.

My opinion is that the scenario was a good one but slightly unbalanced in favour of the French due to a number of factors detailed below.

For a simple competition format such as this the scenario should always be given to the players. That is, that the battle will be either an attack/defence or encounter scenario.

Victory objectives/hexes must be determined in THAT regard.

The terms Vital Ground (VG - one only)and Key Terrain (KT- as many as the ground dictates in regards to the VG) are important here, especially the value allotted to each. The initial set up and positioning of the forces combined with the time for the scenario are also key to the balance.

Victory can be either points driven based on casualties and objectives, Or purely objective driven.

If an Encounter Battle (the easiest to set up) then both sides MUST BE EQUAL IN VALUE. Obviously not necassarily numbers but rather force ratios, quality and overall value, where points for each is concerned must be equal.

An attack/defence scenario is more complex in one-off competition games and much can hinge on the developers knowing the opposing players relative abilities, he who is better should take the more difficult to win side/position.

These parameters should be clear to both sides at the start.

This scenario was not clear whether it was an encounter or attack/defence situation.

The objective hexes/points value suggested a possibility of both but more of a an encounter battle. However once into contact/view of force ratios, it was obviously more of an attack (French), defence (Prussian) situation.

I found the French were well placed to perform a double envelopment attack from their line of march and any half decent attacker should have taken a points value or objective victory without to many problems. The French had a distinct advantage with their cavalry and the length of the scenario favoured the French slightly.

Therefore in this scenario the better more experienced player should have been the Prussians and both sides been told the full scenario situation from the start.

Forgive me if I have sinned [:D]






Col Mike Ellwood
Konig Regt
1 Bde, 22 Div
VII Saxon Corps, ADR