sabato 10 ottobre 2020

Hill Line Defence... after action report

I played the Hill Line Defense I described here. Just as a reminder, the Russian Army under Benningsen is defending some hills, while the French are massing against one of the Russian wings.

The battle started with the French artillery massing fire against the leftmost Russian division, causing heavy casualties, while Ney's Corps advanced. 



The Russian division broke early as soon as the French Light troops arrived at skirmish range. The hole allowed Ney's Corps reached the hilltop easily, with the French Light Cavalry engaging its Russian counterpart in an inconclusive and prolonged struggle which saw no real winner.

The Programmed Blue Orders stated (roll of 6) that the Russians would be willing to lose part of the hill as long as they held at least part of it, uniting their forces - which meant that they would contract the front to a more manageable defensive line. In addition, the Programmed Blue Response (roll of 5) indicated that Benningsen would weaken the center to reinforce the threatened flank. Both these response fit the stated Russian goal to protect its route of retreat, between the two hills.

The Russian Imperial Guard therefore moved from its reserve position to the hill, and the Guard Cuirassiers charged the French infantry repeatedly. They were unable to break them and only managed to stop its advance.



Then the Guard Cavalry fell back and it was the Russian Foot Guards' turn to counterattack. Despite being outnumbered in the area, the Russian Guards pushed back the French columns several times and even repulsed a counterattack, effectively retaking almost the whole hill alone.



However, they were then subject to enfilade fire from French batteries brought forward on their flank. As Ney launched another attack, the stalwart guards repulsed it again, but they couldn't resist anymore to the short range artillery fire and broke. Meanwhile, in the centre, Lannes' Corps saw the opportunity to attack the Russian Line infantry and Grenadiers holding the farm and hedges. The Grenadiers repulsed the first attack, but a second one managed to clear the position, and the Russian troops were forced to retreat. Bagration had also decided to threaten Lannes' left flank, but the French Dragoons there kept them in check. 


Lannes' artillery managed to rout the enemy light cavalry, and a general advance on the rest of the front finally broke the Russian army, which had hoped to resist until dusk. With more light cavalry remaining, the French were able to mount a limited pursuit, granting them a major victory.


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