05 June- Satisfied with the destruction of the enemy blocking force at Borlington, Major General Van Fleck sent the Boober Bay Uhlans and the Pamplemoos Pass Pandours to pursue the few enemy that escaped the debacle at Borlington. The rest of the army would rest overnight and continue the advance at first light.
06 June- With the sun shining, the army makes good progress towards the bridge at Kronstadt with the intent to cut off as much of the retreating Diddian forces that have evacuated the capital.
07 June - Having encountered almost no resistance, the Uhlans crest the ridge a mile and a half from the great bridge and see the Didd forces preparing defenses while streams of booty laden carts cross the bridge. Major General Van Fleck camps the army a few miles from the bridge, and prepares to attack the next morning with the intent to seize the bridge.
08 June - The Battle of Kronstadt: The Katzian Army of the North advances on the arrayed defenders from the Kingdom of Didd and the last remnants of the usurpers forces.
I am looking for advice on how to array the defenders and a general plan for
the defense. The table layout is as shown. Weather is clear. The thin stream
is crossable everywhere, the larger river only at the bridge.
06 June- With the sun shining, the army makes good progress towards the bridge at Kronstadt with the intent to cut off as much of the retreating Diddian forces that have evacuated the capital.
07 June - Having encountered almost no resistance, the Uhlans crest the ridge a mile and a half from the great bridge and see the Didd forces preparing defenses while streams of booty laden carts cross the bridge. Major General Van Fleck camps the army a few miles from the bridge, and prepares to attack the next morning with the intent to seize the bridge.
08 June - The Battle of Kronstadt: The Katzian Army of the North advances on the arrayed defenders from the Kingdom of Didd and the last remnants of the usurpers forces.
I am looking for advice on how to array the defenders and a general plan for
the defense. The table layout is as shown. Weather is clear. The thin stream
is crossable everywhere, the larger river only at the bridge.
---Please post suggested battle plans for the defenders:
The defenders consist of:
2 x light cavalry regiments
2 x light infantry regiments
1 x field artillery battery (8lb x 6 guns)
1 x grenadier regiment
1 x guard (elite) regiment [Doft rebels] --- this unit must escape for any
result better than a draw
1 x heavy cavalry regiment
4 x line infantry regiments
1 x grenadier regiment (must start on far side of the bridge, 1 hour to
cross through the traffic)
1 x line regiment (must start on far side of the bridge, 1 hour to cross
through the traffic)
2 x militia battalions (must remain on far side of the river)
1 x position artillery battery (12lb x 6 guns) (must remain on far side of
the bridge)
There is a long line of retreating baggage---goal is to get it across the
river.
The defenders consist of:
2 x light cavalry regiments
2 x light infantry regiments
1 x field artillery battery (8lb x 6 guns)
1 x grenadier regiment
1 x guard (elite) regiment [Doft rebels] --- this unit must escape for any
result better than a draw
1 x heavy cavalry regiment
4 x line infantry regiments
1 x grenadier regiment (must start on far side of the bridge, 1 hour to
cross through the traffic)
1 x line regiment (must start on far side of the bridge, 1 hour to cross
through the traffic)
2 x militia battalions (must remain on far side of the river)
1 x position artillery battery (12lb x 6 guns) (must remain on far side of
the bridge)
There is a long line of retreating baggage---goal is to get it across the
river.
The battlefield:
The center:
The left:
The right:
So promising!
ReplyDeleteLooking eagerly forward for the battle report!
Scale? 15's, 25's, whatever?
ReplyDeleteFigs per battalion/regiment?
Average distance on table in a move,
effective ranges?
Comment ... obviously the hill by the bridge is a great site for one of the batteries, but I think that any guns in front of the stream are going to be lost.
If that monastery complex is out of musket range of the main line, I'd place only a delaying unit there ... either a throwaway, or somebody with a decent chance to get away at the last moment....
15mm
ReplyDelete12 figs for an infantry BN...160mm for a unit in line (6")
Avg move is 6", effective range is 4", max at 8"
So far I have some Lt Inf in the chapel compound, and the heavy battery on the far hill across the river.
My battle plan would be as follows:
ReplyDeleteMost of the amry would stay pretty close to the road. Cavalry would form the rear guard close to the road: heavies to support the lights. This is to keep the enemy cavalry off. The cavalry will have to be supported by line infantry of course - I suggest the Grenadiers and a line battalion.
These would form a line behind which the rearguard cavalry could retire and rally
The Guard rebels I'd send on ahead as a bridge guard, close by the little farm, between the enclosures and the ridge.
The two light infantry battalions could contest the enclosures and fields on the left (as per your pictures). However, as one in in the chapel compound, I'd leave it there. Possibly single light battalion in the enclosures could be backed up by a line battalion, but I think I would employ all 3 remaining line battalions on the open flank to the right (see pics). These I would bring back fairly quickly to the line of that The artillery battery I would place near the monastery to begin with, try long bowls with the leading enemy units, but then pull out soonish to reestablish itself on the ridge to the left of the road.
The units on the near side of the river might as well stay there, deploying the 12pr battery about half-way between road and watermill(?) to cover the open flank. Late in the day they might have to be drawn closer to the bridge.
The two best battalions on the near side might have to be drawn up in column close by the bridge ready to be thrown across the river if opportunity permits, but I wouldn't send them across at once, placing the first priority on getting the wagons off (I am supposing they are very valuable).
I am also supposing that the pursuers are going to be in strength, so your flexibility will be limited. You might have to consider abandoning something - wagons or troops. I would almost certainly write off the field battery, unless the last wagon crosses the bridge whilst you still have a coherent line.
I don't know whether such a scheme would appeal to you at all (and what I have suggested is subject to interpretation after all!) but it would be interesting to see how it all pans out.
Cheers,
Ion
Looking at my last posting, I see a typo - 4th para "... to the line of that -" I meant to say to the line of the bare ridge beside the road facing straight down the board rather than straight down the road.
ReplyDeleteThe other point is that I have assumed the wagons etc are already beginning to cross the bridge when the game opens.
Cheers,
Ion