One thing that has always bothered me is the "radio" approach to the large scenarios that have been with us since Eckmuhl. The idea that a formation marching to Abensberg from the Southeast could suddenly veer over towards Eckmuhl to respond to something that just happened in the past turn.
So ... for those of you that like a bit of historical input for your games:
Orders!
The rules are not hard. Basically:
1. At 0700, 1100, 1500, 1900 you issue orders to each corps or wing to head to a certain location. It can be a hill or town or crossing point, etc. You can use your own times but my concept is to stick to 4 hour increments. Designate Supporting Corps/Wing - no more than 2. Thus the I Corps (Fr) could support the III Corps (Fr). Support corps do not have to travel together - see below for marching to the sound of the guns. And if you want to use historical rules to reflect some of the peculiraties of the period please do so. Perhaps a die roll using a Response Table for the Supporting Corps rule (#5).
2. Orders can be changed if the CinC is present with the Corps commander who in turn must be within 50 hexes of any division commander who will be marched in a different direction. A division that has been sent out of the 50 hex limit is still to follow their past orders. And players are free to change this rule as they like of course.
3. A simple spreadsheet roster can be used for each corps/wing. Produce the orders log after the game to your opponent.
4. Should a corps/wing run into an enemy force they can withdrawl if needed or continue to seek battle or pass up on combat and continue marching.
5. Support rule: if a corps within 50 hexes comes into combat you may march to the sound of the guns if:
a. LOS is present to the battle
OR
b. If hills/woods intervene determine the sound skip zone thusly:
every 30-50 hexes from the place of combat (use common sense) there is a sound dead zone. If your corps commander is in this zone he cannot hear the battle and will not respond to the action.
c. 12 turns have passed - after one hour the news of the battle would have reached the supporting corps.
I am hoping to try out this format in a future large battle game.
Chef d'Escadron Bill Peters
Armee du Rhin - V Corps, Cavalerie du V Corps, 20ème légère Brigade de Cavalerie, 13ème Hussar Regiment
HPS Napoleonic Scenario Designer (Eckmuhl, Wagram, Jena-Auerstaedt and ... more to come)
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