Chekov, after conferring with Lorencz opts to sit tight at Bretogne and reorganize and refit. Rather than stringing out his force over many miles of road in enemy country (and without a preponderance of cavalry. He will away rest an reorganization of Alfonso's division. In GM terms, this allows him to recover at least 2000 additional troops back into his battalions before moving out.
At 7pm Gen Lorenko at corps HQ receives the following telegraph from Makowsy.
GAVE BATTLE AT BRETOGNE THIS MORNING STOP 4 HOURS WORTH OF HEAVY FIGHTING STOP COULD NOT HOLD CITY BUT BELIEVE T HAVE DEALT ENEMY SEVERE BLOW STOP ENEMY HAS NOT LEFT BRETOGNE APPEARS TO BE STOPPED FOR REORGANIZATION STOP CONDUCTED FORCE MARCH TO DELEMOND WOODS TWELVE MILES EAST LONGCHAMPS STOP CURRENT STRENGTH 5470 ALL ARMS CASUALTIES IN BATTLE APPROX 900 STOP LOST ANOTHER 500 STRAGGLERS ON FORCED MARCH HOPE TO RECOVER STOP WE ARE PREPARING POSITIONS FOR NEXT DELAYING ACTION ENDSTOP MAKOWSKY
GM Note: Freedonian player when asked what to do opted to move west with all haste to the next defensible position. By conducting a forced march this allowed him to get to the next position (15 miles SW) with enough time to prepare improved positions. However this cost him an additional 500 casualties in stragglers, many of which will be permanently lost. The haste of the Freedonian withdrawal and the delay in Slobobian pursuit basically puts a day's normal march between the two armies.
Now on to what's happening on the southern route.
Showing posts with label Kriegsspiel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kriegsspiel. Show all posts
Thursday, December 22, 2011
2 June: 0800-1000
Despite success on the left, Alfonso sticks to his original plan and orders Leite to attack up the center.
Leite immediately pushes forward. Tow battalion are ordered forward up the road through the woods wile a third battalion is ordered to attack the castle position on the hill. On the west side of the woods is the last battalion for Correia's original attack. Disorganized, most of its officers killed and they are finally beginning to give away. The jaegers know they can't hod against a fresh brigade. they withdraw in good order to the rear secure in the knowledge they have bought time for the rest of the brigade to get away. They pass through the second line at the eastern edge of town and take up position in the stone buildings.
At this point Makowsky is beginning to think about breaking contact. many of his battalion are out of ammo, at least on Line battalion 1/8 has suffered heavy losses, and his left is wide open to a flanking movement. Leite's fresh brigade finally passes through t narrow terrain and impacts along the edge of the town. they are met by a severe fire and accurate Freedonia artillery. Within thirty minutes they are back on their heels but the Freedonians can see artillery being brought up for deployment. Makowsky uses the pause in the Slobibian attack to order a withdraw through th town to the third line. The indefatigable jaegers, themselves low on ammo, cover the retrograde then break away themselves. Leite, with a bloody knows pushes forward gingerly lest he ruin into another ambush.
By 1030 Makowsky has all of his forces behind the third line in marching order and heads south. the brigade is in desperate need of rest and reorganization, but any delay now will be fatal. he'd like to put about 10-15 miles between himself and the Slobobians. As the brigade heads south, toward Longschamps, the dragoons and Uhlans resume the rearguard .
Here are the results of the battle per Carnage and Glory post battle editor:
The Freedonian Army has suffered losses of:
[ 13%] 868 men of all arms
[ 13%] 760 bayonets
[ 18%] 108 sabres
[ 0%] 0 artillerists
Honors: [ 107] 3rd Tuefelwald Jaeger Bn
The Slobobian Army has suffered losses of:
[ 15%] 1620 men of all arms
[ 20%] 1473 bayonets
[ 0%] 74 sabres
[ 33%] 73 artillerists
Honors: [ 503] 1/3 inf rgt
Both sides have basically accomplished their immediate missions, the Freedonians have given battle and inflicted tactical reverse, then gotten away more or less intact. The Slobobians have cleared the road and are able to proceed west. We shall soon see how much of a delay has been caused....
Leite immediately pushes forward. Tow battalion are ordered forward up the road through the woods wile a third battalion is ordered to attack the castle position on the hill. On the west side of the woods is the last battalion for Correia's original attack. Disorganized, most of its officers killed and they are finally beginning to give away. The jaegers know they can't hod against a fresh brigade. they withdraw in good order to the rear secure in the knowledge they have bought time for the rest of the brigade to get away. They pass through the second line at the eastern edge of town and take up position in the stone buildings.
2 June 1000 Hours
At this point Makowsky is beginning to think about breaking contact. many of his battalion are out of ammo, at least on Line battalion 1/8 has suffered heavy losses, and his left is wide open to a flanking movement. Leite's fresh brigade finally passes through t narrow terrain and impacts along the edge of the town. they are met by a severe fire and accurate Freedonia artillery. Within thirty minutes they are back on their heels but the Freedonians can see artillery being brought up for deployment. Makowsky uses the pause in the Slobibian attack to order a withdraw through th town to the third line. The indefatigable jaegers, themselves low on ammo, cover the retrograde then break away themselves. Leite, with a bloody knows pushes forward gingerly lest he ruin into another ambush.
By 1030 Makowsky has all of his forces behind the third line in marching order and heads south. the brigade is in desperate need of rest and reorganization, but any delay now will be fatal. he'd like to put about 10-15 miles between himself and the Slobobians. As the brigade heads south, toward Longschamps, the dragoons and Uhlans resume the rearguard .
Here are the results of the battle per Carnage and Glory post battle editor:
The Freedonian Army has suffered losses of:
[ 13%] 868 men of all arms
[ 13%] 760 bayonets
[ 18%] 108 sabres
[ 0%] 0 artillerists
Honors: [ 107] 3rd Tuefelwald Jaeger Bn
The Slobobian Army has suffered losses of:
[ 15%] 1620 men of all arms
[ 20%] 1473 bayonets
[ 0%] 74 sabres
[ 33%] 73 artillerists
Honors: [ 503] 1/3 inf rgt
Both sides have basically accomplished their immediate missions, the Freedonians have given battle and inflicted tactical reverse, then gotten away more or less intact. The Slobobians have cleared the road and are able to proceed west. We shall soon see how much of a delay has been caused....
The Slobobian Plan of Attack
General Alfonso directs that General Correia's Brigade will lead off the assault up the main road cleaning the high ground and continuing to push southeast. General Leite's Brigade will follow closely i support and be prepared to pass through and continue the assault if there areany problems. Leite will detach two battalions to guard the flanks together with the cavalry. The Cacedores will lead off the division.
Once the division has accomplished it's task it will reorganize as I corps assumes thee lead of Group A.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Slobobian Log and GM notes
Slobobian Log
June 1st : At 0600 Slobobian Dragoons dismantle the border crossing at Herinval and the Army crosses into Freedonia by 2pm it is through Chetogne. By 5pm the Army halts in the open 7 miles north of Bertogne camping in the woods and thick fields by the road. No news yet from Group B. However your cavalry reports superior enemy cavalry forces screening the scouting effort forward. Intense skirmishing. Telegraph lines along the main road have been cut in numerous places. Otherwise apart from the inability for the scouts to range far forward, the Army has been unimpeded in it's progress.
GM Notes:
Because of the distance between the two Slobobian forces and lack of rapid information, there is currently a 24 hour lag in information sharing between the two wings. The Slobobian commander, co-located with Group A, only knows what is going on there. The Freedonian commander can make use of the telegraphs running along the main roads to both covering frcs and gets more frequent updates.
The first major clash we will game out is to take place with Group A and Force N at bretogne. This will be a Slobobian Division vs a Freedonian Brigade. With the holidays here we've been forces by HIGHER HQ to take down our game table to make room for a tree. I am going to try a combination of several wargaming systems:
TFL's 1862 Kriegsspeil rules http://toofatlardies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8&zenid=65a2f6f47457a9bcf95155f30b242907 for this. I have found a suitable spot on the Meckel map for detailed terrain and have made up briefing packets for each commander to plot his battle strategy. I have made up a Kriegsspeil set that may be easier and quicker for smaller actions.
For resolving battles on my own (using orders and guidance from the players) I often use Carnage & Glory a computer moderated rules set by Nigel Marsh:
Carnage & Glory II Here is an overview of the system.
I use it in conjunction with powerpoint to game out the battles at leisure and send results. I used C&G in conjunction wit a long dramatic and quite successful earlierpbem campaign set in 1866 with 6 participants. (Someday I'll get around to posting about that!)
I will be using other systems as well such as the Gettysburg: Scourge of War computer game with it's excellent multiplayer and courier systems (more on that later). More on that later...
For face to face battles I have Grand tactical Rules-1866 where elements can be either battalions or companies. For the larger battles I wil try out the Bruderkrieg supplement for Polemos Kommondant der Armee .
I also have a homegrown set of mass skirmish rules I am working on that allow the players to be battalion commanders.
I will use various maps as I see fit to provide the best battle experiences, at times the tactical maps may not jive with the strategic map, but that's OK. It will all work out in the wash.
I hope to bounce around through these sets tailoring them to the situation to derive the experiences I want for the players. This will assist me in planing additional future campaigns.
So who are the two players I have foisted this particular campaign upon? They are my two sons (14 and 9). Do not let their ages fool you as they are both veteran wargamers, always up for something new, love history and will not shy away from the competition. They have experience with some short campaigns. The older one will command the Slobobians, the younger one the Freedonians. More on the two of them later.
June 1st : At 0600 Slobobian Dragoons dismantle the border crossing at Herinval and the Army crosses into Freedonia by 2pm it is through Chetogne. By 5pm the Army halts in the open 7 miles north of Bertogne camping in the woods and thick fields by the road. No news yet from Group B. However your cavalry reports superior enemy cavalry forces screening the scouting effort forward. Intense skirmishing. Telegraph lines along the main road have been cut in numerous places. Otherwise apart from the inability for the scouts to range far forward, the Army has been unimpeded in it's progress.
GM Notes:
Because of the distance between the two Slobobian forces and lack of rapid information, there is currently a 24 hour lag in information sharing between the two wings. The Slobobian commander, co-located with Group A, only knows what is going on there. The Freedonian commander can make use of the telegraphs running along the main roads to both covering frcs and gets more frequent updates.
The first major clash we will game out is to take place with Group A and Force N at bretogne. This will be a Slobobian Division vs a Freedonian Brigade. With the holidays here we've been forces by HIGHER HQ to take down our game table to make room for a tree. I am going to try a combination of several wargaming systems:
TFL's 1862 Kriegsspeil rules http://toofatlardies.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=8&zenid=65a2f6f47457a9bcf95155f30b242907 for this. I have found a suitable spot on the Meckel map for detailed terrain and have made up briefing packets for each commander to plot his battle strategy. I have made up a Kriegsspeil set that may be easier and quicker for smaller actions.
For resolving battles on my own (using orders and guidance from the players) I often use Carnage & Glory a computer moderated rules set by Nigel Marsh:
Carnage & Glory II Here is an overview of the system.
I use it in conjunction with powerpoint to game out the battles at leisure and send results. I used C&G in conjunction wit a long dramatic and quite successful earlierpbem campaign set in 1866 with 6 participants. (Someday I'll get around to posting about that!)
I will be using other systems as well such as the Gettysburg: Scourge of War computer game with it's excellent multiplayer and courier systems (more on that later). More on that later...
For face to face battles I have Grand tactical Rules-1866 where elements can be either battalions or companies. For the larger battles I wil try out the Bruderkrieg supplement for Polemos Kommondant der Armee .
I also have a homegrown set of mass skirmish rules I am working on that allow the players to be battalion commanders.
I will use various maps as I see fit to provide the best battle experiences, at times the tactical maps may not jive with the strategic map, but that's OK. It will all work out in the wash.
I hope to bounce around through these sets tailoring them to the situation to derive the experiences I want for the players. This will assist me in planing additional future campaigns.
So who are the two players I have foisted this particular campaign upon? They are my two sons (14 and 9). Do not let their ages fool you as they are both veteran wargamers, always up for something new, love history and will not shy away from the competition. They have experience with some short campaigns. The older one will command the Slobobians, the younger one the Freedonians. More on the two of them later.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
INITIAL FREEDONIAN PLAN OF DEFENSE
Mission:
III Corps is to defeat or delay enemy forces in sector and prevent advance on capital off map to the west.
Execution:
Concept of the operation:
The III Corps is divided into two forces: The Covering Force under General Cruz and the Main force under General Lorenko. The covering force screen delays and identifies enemies forces. The
main force concentrates and attempts to defeat the enemy in detail if he divides his forces using central lines. If the enemy remains in mass defend and delay in sector until help arrives.
Coordinating Instructions:
The Covering Force
General Cruz' Division
Force reserve: 1 Jager bn, 1 Dragoon Regiment, 1 4 lbr battery.
Northern Force General Makowsky (Force N)
6th Infantry Brigade (5 line bn, 1 jaeger bn, 1 6 lbr battery)
St George's cavalry brigade ( 1 Uhlan rgt, 1 dragoon regt,)
1 militia bn in company sized garrisons
Deploy small outposts in a N-S line observing the border between Salle and Compagne. Main position vic Wiscourt. Withdraw along main road as necessary.
Southern Force General Wasserman (Force S)
7th Infantry Brigade (5 line bn, 1 jaeger bn, 1 6 lbr battery)
Hilton's cavalry brigade ( 1 Hussar rgt, 1 dragoon regt,)
1 militia bn in company sized garrisons
Deploy small outposts in a N-S line observing the border between Mabampre and Tavigny. Main position vic bertogne Withdraw along main road as necessary.
The covering force deploys near the border and observes enemy movement, delays where feasible and most importantly identifies the size composition and direction of the enemy's thrusts. This force is to avoid becoming decisively engaged until ordered to do so. Withdraw south along Main axis of enemy advance delaying him where feasible. Destroy rail tracks and cut telegraph lines. Report all movements to CinC. Screen all enemy reconnaissance. On order be prepared to either assist main body in counterattack or delay enemy force as directed. Be prepared to evacuate the magazine at Foy
Priority Intel requirements:
Size, composition and strength f enemy forces.
Direction of thrust
Speed of advance
Is enemy force divided or in one mass?
Will enemy attempt envelopment or come headlong at us?
All messages to be dispatched by telegraph and courier.
The Main Force:
III Corps (-) General Lorenko
1 Art bde (6 Art btrys)
General Lang's Division (2 bdes w 12 bns, 1 cav and 2 art btrys
General Norrington's Division ( 3 Bdes w 13 bns, 3 art btry, 1 cav rgt)
General Brocketts' Cavary Division (2 lt, 1 hvy Cav Bde=7 rgts, 1 HA btry)
Deploy centrally vic bastogne. Be prepared to move immediately to concentrate in terrain favorable to attack and destroy any inferior segment of the enemy advance as it presents itself through covering force reports segment Division cav to pre reconnoiter routes to the battle area.
Logistics:
Each division has sufficient stores in it's wagon trains to conduct two full day battles. AT Foy is stores for one division to conduct a full day's battles. At Bastogne there are two full days battles a fourth days stores are located at Remabrose. Additional Forage for horses obtainable off land. One rail engine with 6 cabins available for use and remains at bastogne. (Do not allow this engine to fall to the enemy.
Communications:
Use telegraph to send messages from covering force. Follow up with courier. Refer to PIR.
Order of Command:
Gen Lorenko
General Norrington, General Lang
General Cruz
General Brockett
THE LIBERATION OF FREEDONIA
Mission:
The Second Army attacks west into Freedonia, clears it’s sector and secures it’s lines of communications and advanced West to take the capital, bringing Freedoina into compliance.
Execution
The Army will be divided into two wings. I intend to advance in a westerly direction along both main roads from our border and envelop Bastogne. The army will continue it’s advance west from Bastogne along the main road to the capital. We will defeat enemy forces encountered along the way.
Concept of the operation: Division of the Army and initial deployment
Group A: General Chekov
I Corps Gen Checkov
4 brigades (22 line bns, 3 jaeger bns, 7 art btys, 2 lt cav rgts. 1 eng rgt. 1 supply train)
Alfonso’s division (Gen Alfonso)
2 Brigades (10 line bns, 2 jaeger bns, 2 art bty, 1 suppy train)
Group A will cross the border at Chetagne and move southwest along axis f advance Chetagne-Longchampes-Bastogne. The light cav rgts from Chekov’s corps will be in the lead followed by Alfonso’s division and then I Corps. Normal movement rate will be conducted in order to preserve order and concentration. Group A will hold at Savy, coordinate with Group B and prepare to attack Bastogne if necessary. If needed the engineers will repair of build bridges as necessary at Bastogne. Following he seizure of Bastogne, group A will assume the lead of Second Army and continue South to the capital. At any time be prepared to engaged the enemy on contact.
Group B: General Mattieu:
II Corps Gen Mattieu
4 Brigades (23 line bns, 5 jaeger bns, 6 arty btys, 1 cav rgt, 1 suppy train)
III Corps Gen Dexter
4 Brigades (24 line bns, 3 jaeger bns, 2 arty btys, 1 cav rgt, 1 supply train)
Group B will cross the border 20 miles North of Tavigny and move northwest along axis of advance Wicourt-Foy-Bastogne. The light cav rgts will be in the lead followed by III Corps and then II Corps. Normal movement rate will be conducted in order to preserve order and concentration. Group B will hold at Luzezy, coordinate with Group A and prepare to attack Bastogne if necessary. Following he seizure of Bastogne, group A will assume the lead of Second Army and continue South to the capital. At any time be prepared to engaged the enemy on contact. III Corps will be prepared to detach a brigade at Bastogne to preserve our line of communication.
Logistics:
Each major command carried with it sufficient supplies for two major day long battles. Seize and reserve any major depots encountered along the way to add to our stocks. Forage for horse along countryside is possible in June. Ensure rail lines are captured undamaged.
Communications:
All messages by courier. Attempt to seize intact enemy telegraph network for our use. Expect daily situation reports passed between the two groups. Cavalry patrols to secure any North-South roads between the two groups to facilitate communications. Report any enemy encounters at once.
Intelligence requirements:
State of road networks along axis of advance.
Security of axis of advance
Cooperation of local populace. (anticipated to be friendly)
Location of enemy main body.
Chain of command:
General Major Lorencz (Will be traveling with Group A)
Gen Checkov
Gen Mattieu
Gen Dexter
Gen Alfonso
The Second Army attacks west into Freedonia, clears it’s sector and secures it’s lines of communications and advanced West to take the capital, bringing Freedoina into compliance.
Execution
The Army will be divided into two wings. I intend to advance in a westerly direction along both main roads from our border and envelop Bastogne. The army will continue it’s advance west from Bastogne along the main road to the capital. We will defeat enemy forces encountered along the way.
Concept of the operation: Division of the Army and initial deployment
Group A: General Chekov
I Corps Gen Checkov
4 brigades (22 line bns, 3 jaeger bns, 7 art btys, 2 lt cav rgts. 1 eng rgt. 1 supply train)
Alfonso’s division (Gen Alfonso)
2 Brigades (10 line bns, 2 jaeger bns, 2 art bty, 1 suppy train)
Group A will cross the border at Chetagne and move southwest along axis f advance Chetagne-Longchampes-Bastogne. The light cav rgts from Chekov’s corps will be in the lead followed by Alfonso’s division and then I Corps. Normal movement rate will be conducted in order to preserve order and concentration. Group A will hold at Savy, coordinate with Group B and prepare to attack Bastogne if necessary. If needed the engineers will repair of build bridges as necessary at Bastogne. Following he seizure of Bastogne, group A will assume the lead of Second Army and continue South to the capital. At any time be prepared to engaged the enemy on contact.
Group B: General Mattieu:
II Corps Gen Mattieu
4 Brigades (23 line bns, 5 jaeger bns, 6 arty btys, 1 cav rgt, 1 suppy train)
III Corps Gen Dexter
4 Brigades (24 line bns, 3 jaeger bns, 2 arty btys, 1 cav rgt, 1 supply train)
Group B will cross the border 20 miles North of Tavigny and move northwest along axis of advance Wicourt-Foy-Bastogne. The light cav rgts will be in the lead followed by III Corps and then II Corps. Normal movement rate will be conducted in order to preserve order and concentration. Group B will hold at Luzezy, coordinate with Group A and prepare to attack Bastogne if necessary. Following he seizure of Bastogne, group A will assume the lead of Second Army and continue South to the capital. At any time be prepared to engaged the enemy on contact. III Corps will be prepared to detach a brigade at Bastogne to preserve our line of communication.
Logistics:
Each major command carried with it sufficient supplies for two major day long battles. Seize and reserve any major depots encountered along the way to add to our stocks. Forage for horse along countryside is possible in June. Ensure rail lines are captured undamaged.
Communications:
All messages by courier. Attempt to seize intact enemy telegraph network for our use. Expect daily situation reports passed between the two groups. Cavalry patrols to secure any North-South roads between the two groups to facilitate communications. Report any enemy encounters at once.
Intelligence requirements:
State of road networks along axis of advance.
Security of axis of advance
Cooperation of local populace. (anticipated to be friendly)
Location of enemy main body.
Chain of command:
General Major Lorencz (Will be traveling with Group A)
Gen Checkov
Gen Mattieu
Gen Dexter
Gen Alfonso
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