Froeschwiller tomorrow

[KTravlos]

Happy Birthday! What a great way to celebrate!

[Leman]

Well it was a disaster for the French, who conceded at the end of move six. At this point the Prussians had accrued all their possible victory points, bar taking Reichshoffen, with still more reserves to come on, whilst the French had lost so many troops that it had become impossible to save the situation and the few survivors took the initial option to hurry south to Strassbourg. It also proved a magnificent day for the Bavarians. Raw apparently stands for Really Awesome  Warriors.

The game opened with the Bavarians advancing into the shelter of the Sultzbach valley whilst the Bavarian artillery manoeuvred into position on the high ground SE of Langensultzbach. 7th Bavarian brigade meanwhile advanced towards Woerth. The French made a crucial mistake right at the beginning by strengthening their southern flank and attempting to cross the river opposite Gunstett. This became an abject failure as massed Prussian artillery rolled onto the board and kept the French pinned to the east.

The French now changed tack and decided to rush Woreth and cross the river there, but being passive troops they failed to enter the town, as opposed to Prussian 20th brigade, who blithely waltzed in to the eastern suburbs. consequently the French sent 1st brigade of 7th corps to attempt a river crossing south of Woerth, but by now more Prussian troops and artillery appeared to pound the French into a standstill the wrong side of the river.

The remaining troops of 7th corps dithered about and got nowhere, likewise the mitrailleuse, which never unlimbered all game.

As the impasse from Woerth southwards played out, with the French losing more and more troops, and the Prussians losing a few as well, the Bavarians capitalised on the quieter northern sector. 7th brigade threw back the 1st corps troops whilst 8th brigade closed on the flanks of the 3rd brigade of French 1st corps busily still trying to get into the as yet unoccupied eastern suburbs of Woerth. Again the French were thrown back, the Bavarians entered Woerth   and now began to plague the flanks of 7th corps. In the south brave, but passive, Turcos failed to leave their woods, whilst other French troops were reduced and fell back as their artillery support was destroyed. Even more Prussians (and Wurtemburgers) entered the fray. Time for 2nd French cavalry division to deliver a glorious charge - er no, wiped out by Bavarian fire.  This was the point (3 hours on) that the French position became untenable.

The French deploy:




The 1st corps troops preparing to take Woerth:




7th Bavarian brigade approaches Woerth:




1st corps still trying to get into Woerth whilst in the distance the Bavarians approach. 7th corps begins the advance towards the Sultzbach:




8th Bavarian brigade throws back the French 1st corps troops near Froeschwiller:




Towards the end of the battle - very few French troops in evidence, but Prussian guns dominating the hills on the horizon:



The figures were my opponent's 10mm collection which he brought over for the game, many of which I had originally painted in the early 90s. They include older Pendraken, Wargames South, Chariot and Aim (ACW zouaves).

Finally, very many thanks for all the birthday wishes. It became a great weekend with family, friends and a really good game. 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Ouch, a kicking was administered there! 😱

[toxicpixie]

Well, it looks nice at least!

Alsace-Lorraine shall forever remain German then

[Leman]

Yes, I'm afraid that was a must try harder report. 

[Chris Pringle]

Many happy returns! I'm glad to hear you had such a good birthday weekend. And a beautiful game, too, up to your usual high standard.

Very rude of your opponent not to let you win on your birthday, though. 

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/

[FierceKitty]

Several happy returns!

[Leman]

Many happy returns! I'm glad to hear you had such a good birthday weekend. And a beautiful game, too, up to your usual high standard.

Very rude of your opponent not to let you win on your birthday, though. 

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/

He didn't know. I don't like a lot of fuss. However, he did give me a gift - three fully painted 6mm C18th armies that he had no use for - British, French and US - so that takes care of 1740-1783 beyond my usual Austrian, Prussian and Russian games. 

[Westmarcher]

He didn't know.

Not a forum member, then? Nevertheless, despite the "Sacre Bleu!" result, great way to spend your birthday! 

[Leman]

One of my other major opponents, who is in cahoots re. the Trumpton Project, the Seven Years War and Belgium 1914 is a forum member.

[Steve J]

Great looking game and a nice set of armies from your friend. I too don't make a fuss about my birthday, but friends and colleagues can't understand this. Each to their own.

[kipt]

Like. How long to play?

Different result than my previous endeavor but then different rules. Mine was about 5 hours with a break for lunch.

[paulr]

Great looking game and at least one of you enjoyed it

[toxicpixie]

Yes, I'm afraid that was a must try harder report. 

Sums up the whole French command effort doesn't it

[sunjester]

Excellent looking game.

[Leman]

Like. How long to play?

Different result than my previous endeavor but then different rules. Mine was about 5 hours with a break for lunch.

This one took about 3 hours before it became clear who had won. We were both familiar with the rules. It could possibly be quicker as Chris recommends that this is a four player game.

[Leman]

Great looking game and at least one of you enjoyed it

I enjoyed it as well as I like to see a battle unfold. The French did suffer a little from poor dice, which immobilised a few crucial units, but it was a mistake to try and hold the southern flank, given the victory conditions. It was pretty good to see the Bavarians doing considerably better than on the day. It was they and the overwhelming artillery wot done it.

[Chris Pringle]

This one took about 3 hours before it became clear who had won. We were both familiar with the rules. It could possibly be quicker as Chris recommends that this is a four player game.

The whole raison d'etre of BBB is to get entire battles fought on a standard 6'x4' table in an evening session of 3-4 hours' play at your friendly neighbourhood wargames club. I have a fairly robust formula for how long a game takes. Add up the number of infantry and cavalry units on both sides; multiply by the number of turns; divide by 100, and that's how many hours a game should take with 4 players who know the rules (probably plus 20-30 minutes because the initial turns are likely to be slower while players make their plans).

Froeschwiller: 27 units (not all of which start on the table, some arrive quite late in proceedings) x 10 turns = 270, /100 = 2.7 hours, call it 3. In the book it says 3.5 because I added another 0.5 to allow for some inexperience or slow play.

Chris

Bloody Big BATTLES!
https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/BBB_wargames/info
http://bloodybigbattles.blogspot.co.uk/