Game of the Napoleonic wars, July 1812.
Using Field of Battle in 15mm.
Organized, using terrain and models and umpired by Gary.
AAR by Gary.
Players
French : Mark.
Russian : Hugh.
I had planned to do Montmiral with FOB3 but couple of usual suspects awol so I decided to put on Jakubowo again as more modest number of units (Montmiral is large and I usually use 2 base units in lieu of standard 4 bases).
Hugh and Mark were the protagonists with Mark arriving first so getting choice of sides, he selected French, therefore Hugh commanding the Russians.
This turned out to be another cracking game that was a real swings and roundabouts in terms of fortunes and a nailbiter at the end.
Mark advanced to take central hill (a no brainer for French) and brought his early arriving reserve Division on on his left.
Hugh got both his reserve Divisions on toute suite as well placing his Line on his right and his Veteran Grenadiers on his left.
Both sides cavalry faced each other in a stand off near the hill.
It was on the Russian left/French right flank that the drama of the action unfolded.
Two batteries of Ivan guns pounded the French right causing several losses and disorders and the Grenadiers were able to charge enmass (some great Move options) into the French.
However the Grenadiers were severely repulsed (so many 1s rolled !) with one unit Destroyed, another Routed and the remaining two damaged.
French 44e Ligne Regiment won many battle honours during this action.
To add further misery to Hughs efforts his central command lost their General (this Division underperformed all day failing Move several times) and things looked grim indeed.
However Ivans did get their Commander back very quickly but only Rallied a couple of his units.
Then the fickle gods of war seemed to turn completely against the Emperors minions as the Russian Grenadiers rallied their Routers and all hits and disorders in one fell swoop.
They then launched another assault on the exhausted French right and all but crushed it with four French Battalions swept from the field (Mark rolled a succession of 1s that was a rival to my usual standard, yes it was that bad).
The French also saw two of their three Commanders suffering wounds and half their army was in Disorder !!
But they managed to pull an unbelievable three Leadership cards in quick succession seeing their Generals revived and most of their Disorders rallied.
But the damage was done to the French Army Morale which was now at zero and on the brink but Mark passed first Army Morale test although they were 'gifting' morale to Russians (5 at one point).
This however seemed to inspire the Elan of the Grognards (and Mark) whose Cavalry and left wing Infantry advanced onto Russian right and gave them a torrid time, indeed they clawed back their Morale (to zero) gifts and began to inflict Morale losses on Ivans (and Hugh !!)
It seemed they might even punish the Ivans further but another Army Morale appeared and French lost roll off being thereby forced to Quit The Field.
The Russians finished with a mere 5 Morale (starting levels were 24 for French and 25 for Russians) and they (ie Hugh) breathed a huge sigh of relief after a hard fought game.
A game full of drama and excitement with the narrative aspect of FOB on full display with events and the unpredictable nature of system creating a game story that reads just like a real battle account.
The multiple dice type system (which some dislike) can be very unforgiving (especially with the extremes of high vs low rolls) but I say 'embrace the chaos' as these decisive moments make for exciting gameplay and lots of groaning and cheering.
Very enjoyable game to umpire (especially watching the ebb and flow of emotions of both players).
I have stated it many times but FOB never disappoints and what it may lack in perceived 'historical' chrome or tactical nuance it more than makes up for in playability and plain good old fun in spades.
I have yet to find another rules system that so consistently creates such dynamic games in such playable fashion, some come close on occasion but are often more staid in comparison, although those with less 'chaos' and more predictability can be appealing if a more chess like game is preferred.
You pays yer money and takes yer choice
'A lora lora' pics (Cilla Black evoked) again of varying quality and back to front order
View from Russian left with French right virtually gone but Russian right also in serious diffs (note central Russian Division in Disorder as General 'hors de combat'
Ivan Grenadiers have crushed French right flank (after likely being threatened with punitive measures).
View from French left just prior to French knocking seven bells out of opposing Russian infantry,
It was something of a stalemate in center and French right for most of game as neither side wanted to engage (or could due to Generals be out of it).
Russian center exchanges fire with French with some Jagers in skirmish mode
Cossacks in skirmish line (a house rule) as Hussars (under Hughs trotter) move to shore up right (Grenadiers in early difficulty phase)
Hits and Disorders for both sides
French right has repulsed Russian Grenadier assaults but are bloodied and bruised
The Russian Grenadier assault the French line but are repulsed.
Pressure mounts on French right,
Note Routing Russian Grenadier (red marker) and one of their assault columns was soon to be wiped out.
This repulse of Grenadier attack on left looked somewhat worried Russian CiC (Wittgenstein),
Earlier stages of the Grenadiers assault (they raced across battlefield into close quarters action).
French advance to take central hill.
The 44e Ligne Regiment about to achieve everlasting glory as assault columns of superior Russian Grenadiers approach.
Russian guns had been softening up the French.
The Grenadiers looked unstoppable, as they later proved to be so after ignominy of initial failure.
Initial French advance
And initial deployment of Russian Jager Division.
Early days before either sides reserves have appeared.
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Photos curtesy of Gary.
