Battle of Bar-Sur-Aurbe : 1814
We return to an ever increasing part of the Naps period, 1814, that we have played over the last few months. the battle at Bar_Sur_Aurbe, which sees a combined Wurttemburg, Austrian and Prussian force trying to force the river crossing and cut of 2 French divisions.
Night 1 : 8th of October 2019
We deployed by Brigade, with the Allies getting various types of deployment to try and show the lack of coordination between them and the French with a foot division on each flank linked together by 4 strong cavalry brigades.
2 turns played and already the disjointed allied commands are starting take casualties as they come forward seemingly without a specific aim - However the Frenchies need to be aware of the massed Austrian cavalry about to arrive.
Night 2 : 15th of October 2019
A further 2 turns into the game and things are warming up. French lights failed to break a Wurrtenburg column, and the first 2 melees have gone 1 to each side but only just.
The allies have started to clear the woods in the center and there massed cavalry is arriving which is changing the picture ; The French lancers are no more, roughly handled by an Austrian veteran unit volley fire.
However still no threat to the much needed bridge or either of the villages. The game is nicely set up for next week.
(Apologies for the poor pictures, not quite sure what's wrong but the camera seems to be having a melt down)
Night 3 : 22nd of October 2019
3 turns played and action all the way ; The allies finally got moving forward as the Austrian cavalry made it into the action in the center. 1st contact was with French dragoons who came out on top (killing around 66% of the Austrian lights) but failed to capitilise and both units returned to own lines. french artillery fire continued to be devastating in the center, claiming a Wurrtenburg brigade commander and forcing a brigade withdrawal. On the allied left, despite heavy casualties the Wurrtneburg force continues towards the all important bridge, in the center the massed Austrian infantry are ready to strike (a little late some commanders might say) and over on the right despite routs, failed brigade checks the Prussians are doing their job and tying down French troops who could be badly needed in the center.
The battle will come to it's crucial phase next week, at the moment the french look to be sitting pretty ?
Night 4 : 29th of October 2019
BROKEN ! - Well the action continued with some amazing results. On the French right it seemed to be progressing well, the Wurttenburgers were thrown out of the woods, their casualties mounted and brigade checks impending and the bridge looked safe as did the village ; And then it all went wrong, the last of the Wurttemburgers have charged to contact in column versus French lines, the village has gone up in flames which led to a french brigadier being killed and his whole brigade breaking from the battlefield. The bridge is wide open, but no troops to take it.
In the center the cavalry battle intensified, again the French dragoons coming out victorious but unable to leverage major advantages ahead of the Austrian infantrys 'slow' march to contact.
On the left the Prussians continued to tie down much needed french troops and have rallied back into action the brigade that withdraw early in the battle. The casualties are mounting for both sides, the French cant take it and have to get troops moving into the center.
The game is going to run on into a 5th week, just 2 turns scheduled to get the final result ahead of our next mega game.
Gallery Night 4
Gallery Night 3
Gallery Night 2
Gallery Night 1