Napoleonic Skirmish French vs Russians Song of Drums & Shakos AAR #8

Well we were set for some colonial action last Monday but George fell ill at the last moment so we played another Song of Drums and Shakos game as the rules, figures etc were all still close at hand from our last session. We played one of my home-grown scenarios and used French and Russians!

Jaunty French Voltigeurs taunt their Russian foes!

Capture the Bridge!

The French

Line Officer Lieutenant Francois 60 points Leader Pistol Sword
Light NCO Sergeant Davide 66 points NCO Light Musket Sword
Four Voltigeurs 128 points Elan Light Musket - shouldn't of had Elan DOH actually 200 points!
Five Fusiliers 130 points Musket - should have been four for 104 Points DOUBLE DOH!

The Russians

Officer Captain Beria 60 points Leader Pistol Sword
NCO Sergeant Budyonny 56 points NCO Musket Sword
Four Grenadiers Strong Musket
Five Musketeers 150 points Steadfast Musket

Scenario Rules

the Game is ten turns long

All non Leader & NCO eligible figures get the Leadership Activation bonus on turn of entry

Orchid, fields, fords & fences are difficult for movement

The bridge is two figures wide

The stream can only be crossed at the bridge and fords

Victory Conditions

Victory Points are determined at the end of turn ten only

1 VP per upright figure within 2L of the centre of the bridge

2 VP's per upright figure on the bridge

2 VP's per upright figure on the opposite side of the stream than it started

Note first and third conditions are cumulative

The AAR

Both sides entered the battlefield in two groups, the French light troops deftly negotiated the fields and prepared to ford the stream while Lieutenant Francois busy sipping Napoleon Brandy and smoking a Gauloises cigarette (I know the time line issues there!) lackadaisically led his Fusiliers forward. Meanwhile the Russians commanded by Captain Beria entered along the road and fanned out as they neared the bridge. The game then split into two actions as the French Voltigeurs crossed the stream and entered into a firefight with the Russian Musketeers while the French Fusiliers slowly moved up and faced off against the Russian Grenadiers. Both took light losses in the musketry duels and the final turns saw a lunge forward by all toward the bridge! The skirmish ended with the French in a better position despite losing three men to the Russians two casualties.

The Russians advanced keeping clear of the fields!

French Sergeant Davide urged his Voltigeurs on in a jaunty fashion!

Lieutenant Francios suffered from bad luck with the dice, he lagged behind his advancing men quickly leaving them out of his command range!

Overall view of our battlefield after two turns...

Turn three and Francios bad luck continued NO activations!

The Russians deploy to face their French foes! Taking fire as they moved.

The initial fire from the French Lights was very effective, one Russian casualty and another man knocked down!

The return fire from the Russians was just as effective two Voltigeurs were hit! After these initial volleys no further casualties were inflicted in this area despite the large amount hot lead filling the air!

Near the bridge both sides lost one man in an exchange of fire.

The Russians had their own dice rolling issues at this point, they would have loved to get their 'strong' Grenadiers into close combat with the French Fusiliers but lacked the initiative to do so!

View of the centre of the battlefield just before the dash to the bridge began!

Last turn and Sergeant Davide realised his men were not in the ideal position!

The final positions of the Russian Musketeers and French Voltigeurs all close enough to the bridge to earn VP's.

A last turn pot shot by Sergeant Davide just missed the Russians on the bridge! This figure couldn't move close enough to the bridge to gain a VP so hope to reduce the Russians VP's by taking out one on the bridge! 

Francios, his brandy and Gauloises finished caught up with his men and claimed a victory!

The Result...A French Victory! Well played Dave and Al!

French 15 VP's

Russian 14 VP's

A close game (even though I mixed up the French OOB!)! The French Voltigeurs Elan and Light status gave them a great advantage and probably made the difference in the game. Worth remembering when picking your forces for a game of Song of Drums and Shakos!