Holding Action (Age of Eagles AAR)

This battle is based on the 'Holding Action' scenario from 'Programmed Wargame Scenarios' by C.S Grant.

The battle is set in 1812 with the Russians tasked with delaying the advancing, and so far victorious French forces. The Russians have chosen to fight a holding action using a hilly area to form the basis of the delaying action. The French on the other hand is in the full flush of victory and is pressing down the major route brushing all opposition aside in an endeavour to strike at the heart of the Russian army and country before they have an opportunity to rally and prepare themselves.

The Russian setup with a Division on each hill and the central town garrisoned. Jagers occupy the woods north of the stream. The heavy cavalry form the reserve. The French are expected to arrive along the road from the north-west. I'm using the programmed responses for both sides from the 'Programmed Wargame Scenarios' book and modified Age of Eagles rules.

The Russians have deemed 20% casualties as the limit of their engagement and will start withdrawing at 15% casualties. Their strategy is to adopt a static defence on a single broad front across the high ground tp both sides of the pass.

The French will attempt to break through the Russians as quickly as possible and continue on the route heading south-east.

Turn 1

The French advance guard arrives down the main road and the right flank guard advances against the Russians defending the western hill line.

At this point the French advance guard rolls for their response to meeting the Russians. A roll of 1 results in the advance guard deploying to await the main force and taking no offensive action.

Turn 2

The French left flank guard arrives and joins the other advance guard troops as they cautiously await the arrival of the main French force.

The Russians reinforce their left flank position by moving a unit up into the main line.

With the main French body to arrive next turn, the French roll for their orders. They roll a 3 which means they advance rapidly on a broad front probing for weaknesses in the Russian defence and then commit the reserve.

Turn 3

The main French army comes onto the battlefield from the north road. Their orders are to advace on a broad front and probe for weaknesses.

Turn 4

The French left flank guard bypasses the Russian jagers in the woods (top left) as the rest of the French army struggles through the congested woods either side of the road.

Turn 5

Russian guns silence the French battery on the main road as the French continue their slow deployment.

Turn 6

The French advance against the Russian position on their left flank hill.

View from the Russian centre and right flank as the French push forward. The jagers are retiring before the advance as their position in the woods become untenable.

Turn 7

Two French infantry units attack the left-most part of the hill and are repulsed by the Russian guns and infantry. Beside them the French light cavalry melee successfully against their Russian counterparts driving them back onto the hill. The French cavalry then breakthrough charge against the Russian infantry and artillery driving them back also.

The French continue to advance against the Russian centre and right flank.

Turn 8

The French attack gains some foothold on the hill but the Russians gamely hold out. The French numbers are beginning to tell but the Russians can afford to give ground on this flank and have tied up most of the French forces.

Turn 9

The overwhelming French numbers drive back the Russian troops on the left flank hill. French troops form up opposite the town but remain cautious on the French left flank given the strong Russian position on the other hill.

Turn 10

The Russian losses mount but the left flank retires in good order hinged on the town.

Turn 11

The French drive a Russian unit from one of the town buildings and are subsequently driven back out again by the Russians. The second attack by the French on the other town building is repulsed.

French cavalry now threaten both flanks with one of the Russian hussar regiments routing on the left flank.

Turn 12

The losses mount for both sides as the battle rages around the town. The French once more gain a foothold in one of the buildings and one of the French units punches through the Russian line behind the town.

On the French left flank, the Bavarian chevauxlegers dispose of the Russian dragoons and expose the flank of the Russian position on the hill. French cuirassiers move slowly around the flank to exploit the gap created by the light cavalry.

But the Russian guns have silenced two of the French batteries holding off any assault by the infantry.

Turn 13

The Russians hold firm on their position around the towns as the French losses mount.

The French light cavalry destroy the Russian dragoons and breakthrough into the Russian infantry. The cuirassiers are following up as the French infantry advances against the hill suffering at the hands of the Russian artillery.

Turn 14

The French continue their press against the Russian right flank on the hill and the Russian artillery starts to withdraw to safety.

A series of attacks in the centre push the Russian line back.

Turn 15

The Russian right flank is collapsing as the French breach the hill. The main Rusian forces are trying desparately to avoid being encircled.

Turn 16

The Russian right flank retreats and tries to form a line to let the main force retreat out through.

Turn 17

Luckily the Russians get the initiative in this turn and form a solid defensive line. The game is called at this point with the French victors but only due to a late surge against the Russian right flank.