I always start these games with the following caveat: I know NOTHING about the Napoleonic Wars. In fact, about the only thing I know comes from reading Sharpe! However, every wargamer eventually ends up doing something with them because the era is just too darn compelling not too! Blucher is my window into this world of wargaming because it abstracts the tactics due to the level of play it is, and it can be used with cards. Everyone knows I love Paper Templates!
After the border clash with the Prussians, the French have decided to go on offensive! They crushed the Prussians so badly, that they did not expect them to get much of an army together in the area. For the most part, they were right and they marched in Prussian territory looting and living off the land. However, the Prussians were quickly shuttling troops from elsewhere to resist them, and it was only a handful of weeks before another Prussian force was in the field to oppose the French. After a series of maneuvers, the two sides met for battle once more.
Nice and generic intro for this game!
Forces:
This time, we agreed to 18 French units in 3 corps, vs. 21 Prussian units also in 3 Corps. Like last time, we went with randomly assigned forces! We took the cards from the 100 Days campaign box and shuffled them up. We then drew the forces out of the deck randomly. Therefore, we will get some pretty unusual Corps composition with some strange units in them! You can not always fight with the army you want, but the one you have instead!
Prussians
1st Corp:
Infantry Regiment #22
Infantry Regiment #23
Infantry regiment #24
6th Kurmarsk Landwehr
4th Silesian Landwehr
Schwerin Light Cavalry
Foot artillery
2nd Corp:
Infantry Regiment #18
Infantry regiment #28
Sohr Light Cavalry
Thumen Light Cavalry
1st Kurmarsk Landwehr
Horse Artillery
Heavy Artillery
3rd Corp:
Infantry Regiment #6
Infantry Regiment #10
Infantry Regiment #29
2nd Silesian Landwehr
3rd Silesian Landwehr
2nd Kurmarsk Landwehr
5th Westphalian Landwehr
This Prussian force seems to be pretty infantry heavy, with a decent backbone of regular units. Should be good for breaking through the French lines!
French
1st Corp:
2/14 Toussaint
Horse Artillery
2/Grenadiers
1/11 Dufour
Horse Artillery
2/12 Schaeffer
2nd Corp:
1/Grenadiers
Maurin Light Cavalry
Horse Artillery
2/2 Aulard
2/10 Dupeyroux
2/9 Jamin
3rd Corp:
1/12 Rome
1/1 Quiot
2/8 Corsin
Guard Foot Artillery
Heavy Artillery
2/13 Desprez
In fine French tradition, they seem to have the advantage in artillery. Plus, the two grenadier units will give them a stiff backbone to the force!
Mission
Both armies have two objective markers in the enemies back field.
In addition, they are looking to break the enemy force by reaching their respective break points in lost units. The Prussians break at 10, and the French at 9 Units.
Set-up
Like last time, the French are on the West side of the board, while the Prussians are on the East. Between them is a valley, and both armies are stationed amongst the hills and heights. In the center of the valley is a copse of trees.
The Prussian objective is to the Northwest behind the French left, and to the Southwest beyond the hills. The French is behind the Prussian center, and one to the Northwest on the bluffs.
The armies are placed in their "blind" state, so it is hard to tell who is what, and where they are at set-up. I forgot to take pictures before the game started! Woops!
You can read the full report on my blog:
https://bloodandspectacles.blogspot.com/2021/04/battle-report-blucher-french-empire.html
