Continuing from previous turn
This diagram above outline command ranges and formations. Who belongs to what.
Each formation has a dual color band and lower block to help keep track. I would love to see Commanders names somehow. But oh well.
We decide to move Henre François Delaborde’s 1st Division directly up the hill with the Cav covering their flank…. This might have been a bit rash. I had some initial challenges sorting out movement so there was in the live stream some too and fro with moving the columns towards the slope and up and at them. With Breniere leading the men of the 3/2, 3/4Legere and 1/70 Ligne, they indeed head right into the fray.
With that attack order in place and the Troops on the move, Kellerman’s men enter the board, and race up the road. We do not move the arty up much further, but probably should have.
Three regiments advance they pass their morale checks, hit the steep slope and pass muster there also. They then exchange close fire.
Neither side gets a decent shot in.
The battle then moves the ‘cold steel ‘ phase or assault phase.
Each side rolls a d10 and adds to it, its various DRM’s, for terrain, attack column, add their Combat value to it , and respective leaders values also.
Finally the odds are tallied and that will represent a modifier also.
In this case the French over power the two skirmishers on the slope, and they retreat, taking a step loss.
While that was easy versus skirmishers the men arrive a bit chuffed, at the top of the slope to be facing down the barrels of the Gardiner and Eliot’s guns.
Fortunately during the ensuing fire phase by both sides the Canister rounds fire with little effect, and the French cheer on the Brits to try again! [ I may have missed a reaction fire there after the assault?] The attack went in on the 9 column [2nd highest] and jolly well gave them just a moral check.
Nevertheless the French are now shaken on the hilltop and alone. Thank goodness the Brits did not have an attack order. [update- shaken result requires a retreat back one hex]
In the fire phase the French arty opens up on the hill to little effect, but do score hits on the cavalry move the right, forcing a disorder on them. Note we did forget to move the British reinforcements, so that will happen before the next report.
Interestingly Delaborde was wounded in this battle leading a frontal assault, just as we did!!
More soon