Hi
I am playing a solo battle based upon the Connewitz combat (a part of the Leipzig battle). I am now in a situation in which an Austrian battalion must to cross a bridge to attack a village garrisoned by the French. No artillery support is available, so the Austrians must to run alone over the bridge.
In a previous post about this same topic, Sam said that an unit must cross a bridge in march column formation. However, march columns can not fight, so my Austrian general is in an "impasse". What is the solution according to Lasalle?
Regards
Rafa
Wargaming with Napoleonic Miniatures
Project Leipzig
Alkaid Ediciones
Bridges again
(16 posts) (6 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
-
Hi Rafa,
Always a problem is it not? All my solo games have involved a bridge, and have encountered the same problem a couple of times.
Is the other side of the bridge blocked by the French? Without artillery to soften them up it is pretty hard to get across if that is the case. How wide is the river, less then 4 BW, then you could put 2 Austrian battalions in line to fire at the French unit and hope that you can get your Austrian battalion over and into column of attack if and when the French break.
My starter scenario with the RtoE rules (boy that was a lot of work) featured the exact same problem. http://fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.com/2010/03/battle-of-puente-de-piedra-rte-starter.html The French in this case failed.
Look at Quindia's approach to this problem here http://www.clashofempires.ca/apps/forums/topics/show/2227566-republic-to-empire-has-anyone-tried-it-?page=4 RtoE has the same bridge restriction.
I have tried to avoid changing the rule here.
John
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi John
Really is a problem for the Austians, because the bridge is part of the town, so he Austrians will have a very difficult task like in the actual battle. The problem is that 'sensu stricto', acording to Lasalle that assault is forbidden, so I will use a home-rule, allowing the assault but heavily penalizing the Austrias.
In Napoleon's Battles, a grand tactical set, the 'march columns' can fight in close combat but with a negative modifier.
Regards
RaaPosted 1 year ago # -
Yes. like rpardo if they did assault over it in the real battle I would allow it with modifyers.
Posted 1 year ago # -
My thoughts is to let a march column assault a defile like a bridge but fight at 1/2 dice and with no shooting, maybe even adding in the -2 for "bad terrain" as they will be fighting in cramped quarters so to speak. But its only to be allowed in very rare circumstances, and cant be coordinated with say 2 columns attacking for example.
cheers
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi
The Scruff proposal seems adequate. I'll try it
Regards
RafaPosted 1 year ago # -
I understand that being held apart by decree can be desperating, but the proposed home rule feels to me too optimistic… making a few numbers
“Common attacker” 8 – 2 /2 = 3 dices
“perfect attacker” 12 (big unit)+ 2 valiant – 2 bad terrain / 2 (proposed mod) = 5 dices“common defender”
8 + 2 cover = 10 dices
could be reduced by not being in command to 8 dices rolled, will not take account of DISR as we area debating unsupported attacks.5 vs 8 is difficult but If you add a commander with tactic bonus is becomes too feasible indeed, given than losing “only gives 1 DISR to the attacker it is something that seems woth to try ..too much in my own view
I remember readings aboput companies defending such crossings. Anyway your knowledge of this campaign is veritable so I think you are the correct person to decide if the aplication is in order.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi
Well, really is a very difficult task with these numbers... another suggestion?
Regards
RafaPosted 1 year ago # -
How about something really simple - allow bridges to be crossed / attacked in assault column?
Or count any unit attacking / defending a bridge to halve dice (for the limited area of combat)?
Posted 1 year ago # -
<<Well, really is a very difficult task with these numbers... another suggestion?
In fact I was intending to suggest it is too easy for the attacker. With a good unit/commander average results are too in his favor
The chance should (imho of course) be one that does not invite attacking units to do that attack most time, atacker should prepare the croosing by supporting with cannon and musket fire (see Sams opinion in iriginal "bridge" question).
A "fine" chance for me would be limiting attacking unit to a lone base , as mass will have little impact in such attack.
So the best non-guard attacker will be
1 base 2 dies
+2 valiant
+2 engineeer
halved to 3 dices, 4 for a guard unit , against 8 defense (+2 cover being negated by engineer)And the common one to only one die versus 10.
Take in account both sides will bwe as usual penalized by the number of DISR so defensive fire would be of critical importance, and previous preparation useful.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi everybody
Vilcum
I like the halving of dice for the attacking units. The mine is a 'real' battle and many of the modifiers (commander tactical bonus, guard, out of command) are not of apllication, and moreover the French are deployed in the town, so the dice are:
Austrians: 12 (big unit) - 2 (bad terrain) = 10 halved = 5 dice
French: 8 (normal unit) + 2 (cover) = 10 dice
Therefore the Austrian have a chance to win (1 in 3), maybe unrealistic but it can be fun!
Nick
I think that only the attacking must to halve the dice,. The defending are ready and occupying a larger front
Cheers
Rafa
Wargaming with Napoleonic Miniatures
Project Leipzig
Alkaid EdicionesPosted 1 year ago # -
Is this the bridge Rafa? I always find a picture is worth a thousand words.
So the French are attacking across this Bridge into the town?
John
Posted 1 year ago # -
John
That is the 'easy' bridge: it is not connected to the town and the Austrians can make an assault with artillery and infantry support.
There is another bridge in other part of the battlefield that forms part of the village itself. This is the 'difficult' bridge
Tha above picture was taken some turns ago. Now, the French have been routed and the Austrians are ready to assault the town.... if the Grand Fromage allows they to attack in march column hahahahaha
Regards
Rafa
Wargaming with Napoleonic Miniatures
Project Leipzig
Alkaid EdicionesPosted 1 year ago # -
Thanks Rafa, I can now see the problem.
Qui, ou est la "Grande Fromage"? La situation regarde très difficile! Je voudrais un mot de lui.
John
Posted 1 year ago # -
<<Therefore the Austrian have a chance to win (1 in 3), maybe unrealistic but it can be <<fun!
If you are happy with the chances go on! , I´m sure your opponent will not put any objection anyway ;-), I see 1 in 3 too easy , but I´m an "afrancesado"(*) anyway
Great looking pictures BTW
(*) French supporter, for non-spanish speakers
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi again
At last I have used the Scruf proposal (see above)
"A march column can assault a defile like a bridge. It fights at 1/2 dice and with no previous shooting, adding a -2 for "bad terrain" as they will be fighting in cramped quarters. However the small front, the enemy never halves their dice"
In the case of Connewitz, the Austrians were decisively repulsed so they fell back
Regards
Rafa
Wargaming with Napoleonic Miniatures
Project Leipzig
Alkaid EdicionesPosted 1 year ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.