Katzbach 1813.
AAR by Gary.
A game of "Field of Battle 3" in 15mm
Players
Russians and Prussians : Dave Taylor with Dave Buick.
French : Andy Smith.
Umpire : Gary.
Miniatures and terrain all from Garys collection.
I put on a FOB 3 Napoleonic game based on a scenario from GDB 'Katzbach 1813' with Prussians (and some late arriving Russians) against French.
Andy took the French and Dave T along with Dave B commanded the more numerous Allies.
French are defenders and deploy up to roughly two thirds on way across table and Prussians up to 12" from their edge.
French deployed with mainly infantry formations in centre areas with several Legere in skirmish formation and mounted on flanks.
Prussians had their large 'standard' Brigade (2 Fusiliers and 4 Musketeers) on their left, a Landwehr Brigade on central hill with artillery and their cavalry massed on their left wing.
Both sides have off-table Reserves due to arrive on 1st, 2nd and 4th Movement cards.
Highlights of game were the Allied reserves arriving very quickly but their right wing refusing to activate for 3 full Move cards.
Prussian cavalry on left managed to dominate the hill adjacent to the river and were soon supported by arriving foot formations.
French did manage to get their Reserves on as well and were able to send cavalry to their left wing forcing Prussians foot into square.
Other French cavalry contested the hill on their right that Prussians had invested and indeed this became a hotly contested area of battlefield with numerous charges by mounted, units being flanked and destroyed and lots of morale points lost by both sides.
Things were more circumspect on Allied right as both side artillery were concentrated here with a steady drain of losses but less dramatic than elsewhere.
A French unit of Elite Hussars caused Prussians all sorts of problems despite being virtually surrounded (indeed they managed to escape trap) whilst a small unit (3UI) of Prussian Garde Jager caused similar mayhem before being routed.
Losses on both sides were mounting and French morale (31) was exhausted first but Allied morale was also tottering on brink despite having a large number of unengaged units (including the Russians).
When French pulled an Army Morale card Andy managed to roll a 10 and the Allied hearts sank but lo and behold they also rolled a 10 so French quit the field and it transpired that the Allies had a mere 1 Morale left plus 2 'gifted' from French so very close to edge themselves.
Great stuff once again with FOB3 and always enjoyable when a game ends up so close
Clash in centre
Prussians forced into square as French cavalry swirls about
Intense action unfolds on high ground on Allied left
Both sides reserves shore up center
French 'Marie Louise units' advance in march columns
Things bit more static on French left
Early stages (Prussians have occupied hill in far distance)
French deployment on left
Opposing Prussians (rooted to spot for ages)
Action on Prussian left with the hilltop contested fiercely by both sides
The Elite French Hussars in some trouble as flanked and threatened from rear whilst Garde Jager are doing their thing (unit at 11 o'clock)
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Photos curtesy of Gary.
