Nap Campaign: Map Moves 14th - 17th April 1808

I could not believe it when I checked, but it is 2 years since I played a game from this campaign. It is long overdue for some attention and I have now completed map moves leading up to 3 more battles. As in previous posts, the maps have been split into sections. The first being the whole campaign map followed by each of the 3 current theatres of operations.

14th April

15th April

Continued -

16th April

17th April

SOUTH WEST

14th April. The situation after the battle of Presscot with Soult now retreating pursued by Wellington.

15th April. Soult has been ordered not to cede a meter of French territory and he is acutely aware that he must turn his army soon to prevent more territory being lost. Intelligence is being brought to his attention of a small Spanish force moving into France to the south and significantly more Portuguese forces have been mobilised and are now moving out of their depots (far left).

16th April. Soult continues to fall back seeking appropriate ground to mount another defence.

17th April. Soult orders his army to halt and prepare to engage the allies the following day. This will be the Battle of Loverna.

NORTH WEST

14th April. Grouchy has received word that Napoleon is falling back towards France and decides that he needs to reduce the risk of him being cut off by the Prussians potentially appearing in his rear. He orders his army to begin a withdrawal. The allied army mirrors his moves not quite believing their luck. 

15th April

16th April. Grouchy has the advantage in cavalry and sees an opportunity of moving to more favourable ground. By drawing the allied army more further away from their disembarkation port it reduces the chances of them amassing overwhelming force. A double hit for the French. If he can provide a severe defeat on the allies there is a chance of turning this around for the French. Messengers are sent to Napoleon informing him of Grouchy's plans.

17th April. Grouchy finds his ground and deploys his forces. His right flank is protected by marshland but a considerable risk is taken having a lake to his rear. A temptation he hopes will be too much for the allies who will attack rashly in the hope of destroying his army, and in doing so will be broken on French bayonets and sabres.

This will be scene of the next battle, the Battle of Tremleurr.

NORTH EAST

4

14th April. Napoleon decides to make a move threatening the Prussian flank and holding a river crossing.

15th April. A game of cat and mouse follows with both sides seeking to gain local advantage. Reille (blue 3) refuses to stand and face the outnumbering Prussians falling back.

16th April. The Prussian 2nd Corps under the command of Pirch (green 2) attempts to by-pass the French army who continue to fall back.

17th April. Pirch hopes to swing back into the rear of the French force but Napoleon now sees a window of opportunity. The terrain is such that it will not be easy for Pirch to arrive in a timely manner should Napoleon decide to turn on Blucher. And that is precisely what he does do and the 3rd battle of the day will begin the following morning. This will be the 3rd Battle of Ainsworth close to the previous battles a month earlier. A heavily fought over region! 

3 significant battles on the same day! It really was not planned this way. It could be a pivotal day for the French who are clearly now fighting for survival. 

There will be a departure from the past battles which have used General de Brigade rules. In what I will hope will speed up games, Black Powder will be trialled with a view to permanent replacement if they play well. 

To that end modifications have to be made to the orders of battle. The basic figure ratio will remain 1:20 but divided into Tiny, Small, Standard and Large units. This will mean merging some units which I had planned to do anyway as they have suffered such casualties to be barely viable. I will also be recalculating how casualties are treated post battle.

The current plan (which could change) is to start with the North West battle.