Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Over The Hills scenario played

Played the Gross Eckau scenario from the Over The Hills Version 2 book today against Stephen using my Prussians versus his Russians (scenario set July 1812).
An interesting scenario with Russians nominally in defence with Prussians attacking from two directions.
A proper run out with the rules as well highlighting a few issues mainly with implementing orders with mixed Brigades.
If an Attack order is issued then ALL Cavalry and Infantry units must move at least 1 full move segment towards the enemy and then once within Engagement range they must charge to contact.
This can be an issue with Cavalry who can charge to their doom (as one of my Hussars did) or an Infantry unit forced into square but then compelled by orders to charge.
We house ruled a few of these issues.

Also the flanking Prussian Brigade would strictly be out of Command of the C in C meaning half moves but allowed full moves but no change of initial order.

One major lesson we learnt (which we should have recalled from V1) is that built up areas are akin to mini fortresses !
A unit or units attacking a Wood & stone village suffer a -4 whilst the defenders gain a +4 so whilst the attackers gain a +2 for initiating the combat they are always up against it (unless a more powerful Elite unit) as they will generally only score 1 hit whilst defenders can cause 2 this means attackers are in dire straits in second round (as defenders no gain a further +2).
In our game I had 2 Infantry units attacking one in a built up area (and taking a couple of hit on way in from shooting and defensive shooting).
Attackers roll for both units but only use best roll and achieved 1 hit however defenders caused 2 thereby causing Morale test on my units which the passed (worst outcome) and then suffered a further 3 hits in total in second round retiring 1 move with one now Wavered,
The chances of rallying all these hits off are slim and so time consuming that effectively both these units were hors de combat (the wavering unit took another shooting hit and routed off table).
Tough proposition to take a built up area which was aim of scenario.

Skirmish formation (optional) for a full we found too powerful so reverted to Open Order.
Skirmishers move better (no problem there) shoot better (no real problem but seems odd they shoot at 100% strength) but also seem to shield units behind as -3 to hit them then half hit factor for bounce through.
We house ruled this to allow artillery to ignore the skirmishers.

Game not fully finished but two Prussian Brigades were teetering on Breaking (both within 2 Fatigue) so day went to the bloodied but unbowed Russians.

As Stephen pointed out this is exactly the same scenario as in Black Powder Clash Of Eagles (which I had not realised) and I suspect it possibly needed amending for use with OTH, maybe giving the Cavalry units separate Brigade Commanders, but of course this may not have been in keeping with the historical make up of the units involved.














5 comments:

  1. Nice looking game Sgt, no doubt!

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    Replies
    1. Napoleonics is a 'pretty' period

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  2. Excellent AAR! It's a good thing the order system in OTH2 is completely optional. :)

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    1. Yes lots of options. Mind you without the orders it can be Charge! Charge! Charge! :-)

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  3. Good report. I'm getting to grips with v2 as well. Good insights thanks for posting.

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