On Saturday the 13th April, we arranged a Pachanga Tournament of Lasalle , on the day there was ten players, five played on the French side and five on the Coalition side. We played two games with each army playing with two supports. There was no prizes for coming first etc, as this was more of a team event (although everybody was playing separately). After everbody met at the club, we went for a quick coffee to wake us up because of the early start. We diced off to see who played who and on which preset terrain table we used the Sum 20 scoring system to work out the points.
First Round
Miguel's French Infantry Division with Veteran Infantry and Light Cavalry Brigades defend against Salva's Russian Grenadiers with Grenadier Infantry and Light Cavalry Brigades.
Miguel's French await the Russian onslaught.
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Miguel's French counter attack
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Salva's Russians break on turn eleven, Salva throws 5 dice needing 12 or more and surprisingly fails, meaning game over and the first victory to the French. Things don't start well for the Coalition with 16 points to the French and 4 points to the Coalition.
Javier's Spanish Army of Infantry Division plus Veteran Infantry and Cavalry Brigades support. Was defending against Toni's Conquest Infantry Division plus Veteran Infantry and Light Cavalry Brigades support.
The French begin to test the Spanish defences, whilst on the Spanish right flank,
the Spanish cavalry begin a flanking move. |
The French breached the Spanish lines but the Spanish managed to hold on for a draw. The French gain 7 points and the Spanish 13 points. This means now that the French are on 23 points and the coalition are on 17 points
My British Light Division with Brunswick and Light Cavalry Brigade defend against Jose's French Guard Infantry division with Neapolitan Cavalry and Imperial Guard Cavalry Brigade.
The Old Guard begin to advance whilst the British wait behind the hill |
My troops beat back the first attack on the ridge and then retreat behind to recuperate. |
My Scottish Elite Unit are first to go when they are attacked simultaneosly by cavalry and infantry. |
One of my British regiments who had charged over the ridge, are cut off and have to form square due to been surrounded by French cavalry. |
This was a tough game against Jose's French Guard, My army was broken so with Jose not wanting to have any more of his units destroyed began to pull back. Obviously I had nothing to lose and started to be more aggressive (Zombie Army Syndrome) I was able to hold on for a couple of morale rolls and the game ended on turn eighteen when we both rolled a three.
The game ended in a draw, but because the French were Guard they needed a Decisive Victory otherwise any other result is classed as a loss. Therefore both sides are level on 30 points each.
Francois' French Peninsular Infantry Division with Light Cavalry and Dragoon Brigades defending against Dani's Prussian Liberation Infantry Division with Cavalry Abteilung and Infantry Abteilung brigades.
The French again wait this time its the Prussian hordes that are advancing. |
The forces meet each other in the middle of the table, the French are overpowered and are broken |
Kevin's Austrian Grenadier Division with Cavalry and Cuirassier Brigade defending against Kiefer's French Infantry Division with Elite and Light Cavalry Brigade
The French trying a new tactic by advancing in line to attack the Austrian lines |
The French Lines finally reach the Austrian front line |
On the Austrian left flank their Cavalry Brigade halts the advancing French Infantry |
The game ended in a draw with 8 points to the French and 12 points to the Austrians.
After the first round the Coalition are in the lead with 56 points and the French are on 44 points.
After a good meal at a local Tapas bar served by Juanra from the Spanish program "Sabe, no lo Sabe" we went back to the club for the second round.
I was paired up with Kiefer for my second game.
I chose to be the defender and my Scots secured the right flank near my objective. |
Kiefer's Cavalry were positioned on his right and this time his infantry were formed into attack columns |
The British and their Brunswick and Portugese Allies rise over the ridge to shoot into the mass ranks of the French. |
The Allied line retreats back behind the ridge to get a second chance of a volley into the French ranks. |
This became a seesaw battle with first the allied line charging, then the French retreating only to counter charge for the Allied line to retreat and once again counter charge. It was only when I managed to break the French army morale, that Kiefer began to play more aggressive trying to destroy enough of my units for me to reach army breakpoint. This was unlikely but time was ticking away and the game looked like it may end in a draw, luckily with about 10 minutes to spare, Kiefer failed his Army Break Roll and with having more Light Cavalry on the table I won a decisive victory.
I gained 18 points and Kiefer only 2 points. The Coalition were now on 74 point and the French on 46 points
Miguel's French played against Dani's Prussians
Once again Miguel is the defender, Dani quickly advances his troops in march column. |
With Miguels artillery covering his artillery both of his flanks counterattacked and broke the Prussian Army |
Miguel had won his second battle, beating the large Prussian army which is no mean feat in itself. He also gained enough points to have won the tournament as a individual player. What also makes this notable is this is the first time he has played with a borrowed French army as his normal army is Austrian. The French managed to close the gap with the Coalition on 78 points and the French on 62 points
Kevin's Austrians played against Toni's French
The French advanced towards the defending Austrians. |
Before the French attack the Austrian front line, the Austrian Cuirassiers break through the French lines threatening the French artillery. |
The French cavalry break onto the Austrian objective, defended by two Austrian squares. |
Jose's French played against Javi's Spanish
This time Javi defended the long side of the table |
There was some tough street fightingon the Spanish right flank. |
In the end it was victory for the French but with Jose's French being Guard Infantry he only gained 11 points and the Spanish 9 points. Therefore the gap was shortened to 6 points with the Coalition being on 93 points and the French on 87 points.
The last game was Salva's Russian against Francois' French.
The Russians defending against the advancing French. |
The French attack the Russian left flank, whilst half their army wait in cover behind the hill. |
Conclusions
This was a little rehearsal for our actual Lasalle tournament in October, as always it was very enjoyable. However as I have mentioned in my own battle reports and it has been brought up before on the official lasalle forum. The end game needs slightly changing as we get the silly situation where the victorious force begins to pull back as not to risk anymore of his units being destroyed., and the broken army, instead of as in reality begin to pull back and retreat, it starts to attack with all its units trying to destroy enough units on the other side. Also a there is no penalty in losing more units because it is already broken so there is no incentive to discourage this tactic.
On the Lasalle forum there has been a solution put forward that I favor which is if a broken army loses any more units after they have reached their army breakpoint then these points are added on to the amount needed by the Army morale Check. So for example if the Army has broken and the player loses another infantry unit (2 points) this is added to the game turn number (13) making the the number greater than15 instead of 13 the player is required to throw, to pass the test.
I like the idea of the team game, and after a little thought I feel we could make it into a viable quick campaign system that would last just a day, with players picking armies from one particular theatre of war and year. I will keep you posted.
Phil
Nice report, and great looking figures!
ReplyDeletePhil.
Thanks
ReplyDelete