Shako II - Gross Beeren scenario and a new Vassal game started - No Retreat! The Russian Front

Game at Stephens today using Shako and a scenario he adapted from a scenario booklet set during Leipzig battles with action at Gross Beeren.

I fielded the Prussian attackers against his French.

I had a whopping 26 (8 in reserve formations) Landwehr units with a 9 Regulars and couple of Grenadiers with 2 Hussars and a Landwehr cavalry unit backed by 2 artillery batteries (tough to use in attack in this terrain). French had several 2 Line units several Regular Line and several Elites, with 6 units of light Horse arriving as reserves and 5 Artillery batteries. 

Odd scenario in some ways as despite being a 6' x 4' board you really only use 4' x 4'. 

Scenario designed primarily for Gen De Brigade with about a third of Prussian Infantry reserves appearing on Turn 6 on the 'unused' left flank portion of table but this is lined by an impassable river cross-able only at at only 2 adjacent bridges. The bridges are however at least 5 moves from entry point and with game only lasting 15 turns the impact of these reserves seems minimal/inconsequential (as essentially only 2 units can cross the bridge in a 2 turn window ?). Think this would be an issue with most rule sets unless some form of march move available (FOB or BP might allow multiple moves to get to bridges faster) and enemy intervention of any kind would nullify this.

The rest of table is literally crammed (even with the small footprint Shako units) with units with 24 units each at start and both receiving reserves in this same sector with both having cavalry among their follow up formations which have limited deployment options (mounted cant enter woods in Shako). Using GDB size units (24-36 figures) would surely cause even greater density (not well read on this action so that may indeed be accurate ?). 

Stephen had reduced the amount of artillery batteries available to both side by a third but the remainder are very effective (especially for defender) as a target rich environment and Shako artillery always causes a lot of casualties (as it should especially once in canister range).

Prussians advanced slowly through woods in attack columns but then tried deploying into line once French artillery started its pounding but suffered lots of casualties.

I did manage to assault edge of Gross Beeren with two units (1 Elite) but was repulsed twice be its defenders. Minor assaults by a couple of Prussians units on my right were easily repulsed. 

A tough task indeed this one but still enjoyed using Shako (one of my favourite sets)

Initial deployments showing density of units and the unused left flank and bridges

Prussian foot on my right in column to move through woods with Hussars stuck in column to use road.

So many units so little room.

The only real open zone was narrow section just in front of village

Initial forces are both 24 units in size so attackers not having any numerical advantage

Another PBEM Vassal game started this week with Mike this time trying No Retreat! The Russian Front (a game I thoroughly enjoy but not played in a while).

We have started with the opening Barbarossa scenario but will likely continue on if no auto victory.

Early stages (ie Turn 2) and the module maybe not as Pbem friendly as last with quite the variety of potential phases cards that can be played in enemy turn so needing to go step by step to allow possible play of such cards, but so far so good.

Germans (moi) just completed moves having gained 3VP so far with 2 captured cities and one surrendered unit.

Close up of the on map units (low counter density is definitely an attraction)