One of my son's friends is joining the Slobobian Amy a a brigade commander: His initial briefing:
Per our conversation yesterday I thought I would bring you up to speed
in preparation for our online campaign.
First off the setting of this campaign takes place in 1868 between two
fictional states, Freedonia vs Upper Slobobia. These states are
generally in the area of the Ardennes,along the border of Germany,
Luxoumberg and Belgium.You are a member of the Upper Slobobian Army.
The Nature of European Combat in the late 1860s:
Much of the lessons learned during the American Civil War were
expressly ignored by the majority of European major military planners
and thinkers who could not look past the "Armed rabble" nature of the
war. For example cavalry still filled an essentially Napoleonic shock
charge battlefield role as cavalry leaders were against giving up the
romantic notion of the charge even though technology had already made
it somewhat feasible. The breach loading rifles known in Prussia as the
Needlegun and in France as the Chassepot have dramatically increased
the lethality of infantry and necessitate more open formations as
opposed to everyone banging away at each other in line. Likewise
Artillery is increasingly breachloading and rifled which increases
range and rate of fire.
Unfortunately Upper Slobobia represents the reactionary movement
against these new technological changes, being that they haven't
fought serious combat since the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815.
Politically they are a duchal Monarchy and very much against the
upstart Freedonian's heretical attempts to move towards a French-style
democracy.
Anyway the Slobobian Army is still equipped with Rifled Muskets
similar to those used in the US Civil War. There is a strong belief in
the Slobobian Army that combat is resolved at the point of a bayonet.
The Freedonian Army is equipped with bolt action "needle guns".
After he writes back to join...
Great,
I have attached your commander's original plan for the invasion of
Freedonia and a map of your current overall situation. You are a General
Geanakoplos, a brigade commander in Chekov's Corps of the Army of Upper
Slobobia which is commanded by General Lorencz (that's Miles). You are
part of the Northern Attack Group...Group A.
Your Brigade currently consists of:
1co 11th Artillery with 4 8lber rifled cannons (horse drawn) w 155 men.
3rd Royal Light infantry bn (battalion) with 755 men (they are light troops capable of skirmishing)
1bn IR(Infantry Regiment) 22 with 850 men
2bn IR22 with 908 men
1bn IR17 with 900 men
2bn IR17 with 889 men
1bn IR20 with 945 men (note: your best unit)
All your battalions have six equal sized companies.
It is 2300hours (11pm) on 3 June, 1868. The previous day a large
battle was fought at Bretogne near the border. Your role in this fight
was minimal given your position last in line towards the back of the
column. During the reorganizing that ensued on the 3rd, your Brigade
now finds itself at the head of the column with Alfonso bloodied
division now rested and reorganized, at the back. You are summoned by
General Chekov who informs you that your brigade will be in the lead for
tomorrow's march. He wants no surprises. Behind you in the order of
march will be Solo's Brigade. The entire army follows. He expects you to
be ready to move by 6am. You are to proceed at a normal marching pace.
Ahead of you will be a few squadrons of Slobobian cavalry scouting
ahead. You know they are out there because you hear occasional shots as
they skirmish with the ever present Freedonian cavalry pickets assigned
to keep tabs on your army's progress.
You will need to decide the order of march for your brigade as they
lead off in the morning. You can respond to me with a short narrative of
the orders you give your subordinate commanders. Keep in mind that if
you have to move out by 6am that it will take your brigade at least a
half hour to form up into column not including eating breakfast and
packing up.
Once you mull this over I will be looking for you to give me your
suggested order of march since you are the lead element in the Army.
This mean bn (battalion X is in the lead followed by Bn Y etc, where is
the artillery battery in this order and where are you. Also what will you
tell the lead bn commander (cdr) to do if he makes contact. Your
formation I expect will be in column so your brigade will be spread out along the road over a mile.
You are pretty much tasked with moving down a single road,
several miles ahead of the other brigades. The only thing ahead of you
will be cavalry..outside of your control but they will keep you informed
of what they bump into. The Army commander has you out front and it
will be your job to deal with small enemy detachments as pop up without
involving the rest of the Army.
Good Luck!
His first orders...
"I would like to advance my troops at 5:00 am in a colomn with the 3rd
Royal Light infrantry leading the way followed by the 2bn IR17, then the
1bn IR17, then the 1bn IR20, then my cannon and then in the rear hte 2bn
IR22. The lead unit should engage in cmbat with any resistance met and
should await further order as they fight the opposition"
Showing posts with label Northern route. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern route. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thursday, December 22, 2011
2 June:Late afternoon
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.
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.
2 June: Noon
It was not until the afternoon that Pereira and his Cacedores entered the town. On the eastern outskirts there were a few burned down buildings bodies and evidence of fight. Less damage was observed within the town. nearly all the inhabitants were gone, having left before the battle. A few very elderly citizens remained, and all glared at him as he went by with his men. Once his men were dropped off by the battalion mess wagons, he went to the makeshift hospital to look in on the wounded. Only a few were to be found, as several building around the town were being used as surgery stations.
When he returned to his platoon, he was stuck by how ragged they appeared. His own uniform was torn and filthy as the woods had been overgrown with thickets. Major Silva, the battalion commander, as waiting for him. It was now that he learned of the death of Captain Almeida. A few minutes of conversation later and Periera was now the Company commander.
Per instruction he moved his men to the hill just east of town where they would reassemble and reorganize. His company had gone int actin with 185 men, they now had 127. Many of the leaders had been killed. Lt Furnal, the only other company officer, commander 1st platoon, Sgt Gomes would command second platoon. After an hour's rest on the hill they were moved to the brigade assembly area. bow them he watched the endless procession of I Corps trudging through the town.
Three miles to the south Lt Morden peered through his field gasses back down the road. There had been a sharp clash with enemy Dragoons twenty moments before and his squadron had prevented them from probing forward. Th dragoons seemed content with pot shotting at them, no real pressing of the attack. Morden was happy for this as he was convinced that any aggressive push by the enemy now would overwhelm and destroy the brigade as they struggled south.
A pair of uhlans trotted by, both on the same horse. They were his last patrol. "We are the last one's sir! No one following us at the moment. Their infantry is still east of the river." Corporal Meeks, his courier, looked on expectantly for a message to deliver back down the line. He scribbled a quick not to regiment.
Half-hearted enemy cavalry probe turned. Bulk of enemy force still remains east of the river. Enemy appears to be reorganizing in town....Morden
When he returned to his platoon, he was stuck by how ragged they appeared. His own uniform was torn and filthy as the woods had been overgrown with thickets. Major Silva, the battalion commander, as waiting for him. It was now that he learned of the death of Captain Almeida. A few minutes of conversation later and Periera was now the Company commander.
Per instruction he moved his men to the hill just east of town where they would reassemble and reorganize. His company had gone int actin with 185 men, they now had 127. Many of the leaders had been killed. Lt Furnal, the only other company officer, commander 1st platoon, Sgt Gomes would command second platoon. After an hour's rest on the hill they were moved to the brigade assembly area. bow them he watched the endless procession of I Corps trudging through the town.
***
A pair of uhlans trotted by, both on the same horse. They were his last patrol. "We are the last one's sir! No one following us at the moment. Their infantry is still east of the river." Corporal Meeks, his courier, looked on expectantly for a message to deliver back down the line. He scribbled a quick not to regiment.
Half-hearted enemy cavalry probe turned. Bulk of enemy force still remains east of the river. Enemy appears to be reorganizing in town....Morden
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....
2 June: 0600-0800
The attack begins well as the Slobobia press upward. The Cacedores in the lead are in company sized skirmish elements while the line battalions proceed uphill in compact attack columns. Both flanks push forward against retiring screening elements. By 0630 the early sun gives way to a light misting rain causing visibility to drop under 600 meters. This is an advantage to the attackers who are saved form accurate artillery fire on the long march up slope.
Heavy firing takes place along the line. Th Freedonians now face a second misfortune. Both battalions on the right flank run low on ammo! With the newly issued dreyse rifle, the unfamiliar troops rapid shoot of all their ammo. An incompetent Brigade quartermaster further exasperated matters as he has positioned the supply column several miles to the rear and made insufficient arrangements to bring ammo forward. Freedonian artillery is compelled to withdraw without making a significant impact.Both of Makowsky's left flank battalions are compelled to withdraw. On the right the Slobobians rush forward into the assault. They throw back the Freedonian 1/8th foot with heavy loss.
As the Freedonia line falls back they are covered by two outstanding units, the 2d Guards Jaegers and the 3rd Tuefelwald Jaegers. unlike their line brethren, these two units are highly capable with the dreyse. Operating in company sized elements thy are well-positioned in stone building and the heavy thickets. Now the terrain conspires against the Slobobians. The main road runs through a very thick wood. To push forward they must go into march column. (The Cacedores at this point have ceased forward movement having been in heavy fighting for over an hour). Flanking the wood also requires channelized movement. The three attacking line battalions of Leite's brigade, already exhausted and bleeding become bogged down against this Jager defense.
0730 the lines make contact
As the Freedonia line falls back they are covered by two outstanding units, the 2d Guards Jaegers and the 3rd Tuefelwald Jaegers. unlike their line brethren, these two units are highly capable with the dreyse. Operating in company sized elements thy are well-positioned in stone building and the heavy thickets. Now the terrain conspires against the Slobobians. The main road runs through a very thick wood. To push forward they must go into march column. (The Cacedores at this point have ceased forward movement having been in heavy fighting for over an hour). Flanking the wood also requires channelized movement. The three attacking line battalions of Leite's brigade, already exhausted and bleeding become bogged down against this Jager defense.
0830: Leite relieves Correia
Stepping off.....
Lt Jorge Pereira nervously eyed the gentle, open slope before him. His platoon of cacedores squatted in the wide ditch the marked the forward progress of the entire army. The engineers had replaced the destroyed bridge with a claptrap affair, yet sturdy enough to hold wagons, really just some boards across the narrowest part of the ditch. It was nearly six am. The sun had been up since 430am and was slowly burning off the thick mist in the low lying areas. Before him the main road meandered up a long gentle slope, terminating less than a thousand yards ahead in a thick wood. His platoon would be in the lead of the entire army. To his left and right other platoons in open skirmish order waited in the ditch for the signal to move out. Behind him he could hear the hubbub of the rest of the division in marching order, sorting themselves out for the day’s move ahead. Pereira checked his Colt Navy revolver for the forth time, making sure it was loaded.
“Ho!” Pereira turned at the shout and he saw his Captain impatiently waving his sword forward in the direction of the hill.
“Let’s go!” He raised to his feet, a bit unsteady, pistol in hand and commanded the men to move along the road. They moved at a deliberate pace, rifles at the ready, the big Sergeant Arroyo in the lead, heads on a swivel. After moving about 100 paces the rest of the battalion followed, open order skirmish platoons in line abreast. Amid a clatter of canteen cups and banging metal they struggled out of the long ditch and followed.
****
300 paces up the hill closer to the southern end of the line, Lt Morden, squinted into his field glasses. He stood in his saddle straining at the faint noise in the misty lower reaches of the field. Something was going on. Masked by a small wood he was reasonably safe from whatever might come from his front, and he observed diagonally across the wide open field, observing the road. Sure enough he saw the first enemy troops moving deliberately up the road. He observed them for a minute, until like apparitions, a body of troops in extended order appeared behind them. He estimated at least a battalion. This should be it, he thought. He fumbled for his revolver, raised it above his head and fired off three shots, at one second intervals. The shots caused his horse to flinch. He scribbled a quick note of what he was observing and sent it off to his commander via one of his riders.
****
They continued forward for another five or six minutes covering about 400 yards. Behind him the head of the first line battalion emerged form the mist. Arroyo stopped the platoon and ran back to him.
“Sir, look up to those trees on the right.” Pereira looked in the direction he was pointing. The rising sun was at their back and he could clearly see, 400 yards ahead along the woodline, a line of troops along the woodline reflections glinting off of various bits of metal in their equipment. Pereira examined closer with his field glasses. He thought it was at least a company. He scribbled a message to his commander.
“Sibella! He looked for one of his runners. The boy came up at once. “Take this back to the battalion commander, Hurry”. Arroyo spread the men out and move up another hundred paces. No sooner had the words left his mouth than the line of troops in the woods open fire. Whizzing bullets flew about their ears and the men again took a knee and began to return fire without being told. Arroyo grabbed the nearest man to him by the belt and sought to raise him up, yelling for the men to move forward. Arroyo slumped forward as if he had stumbled but lay still in a heap. He heard the blast of cannon and saw the smoke atop the hill. Incredulously he saw a single shot careening towards him. It hit the ground in front of him and bounced along beyond, miraculously missing all his men.
“Lieutenant Pereira!” he looked behind him. It was the company commander.
“Take your men forward at once. Move damn you!” Arroyo held up his pistol and ran forward kicking a few cowering men along the way. “Let’s go men, move forward. Follow me!”
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
First Clash 2 June 0500 Freedonian deployment
First Clash: 2 June 0500 The Situation
Group A has encountered rough terrain upon crossing the border into Freedonia. The Army is confined to a single road. However once through the town of Bretogne, the terrain opens up and the Army can deploy on a wider front for the march southwest.
It is at Bretogne that Gen Makowsky, commander of Force N has been directed to conduct his first delaying action.
Each commander received a packet which includes detailed maps of battle area, on overall situation map (attached) and a detailed order of battle for his forces.
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