AAR Austerlitz Scenario 31 - Full battle with weather effects - fog

PAUL:

I decided to challenge a friend to the historical battle of Austerlitz. A good way of judging how 'Marching Eagles' simulates history. I am playing the Allied armies (Austrian and Russian) so I have the first move. The following Scenario Options were ticked - Extreme Fog-of-War, Local Initiative, Command Control, Event Cards, Tactical Play.

Turn 1 - Column 1 of the Allied formations moved off first at 7am on 2nd December 1805. 5 Column (mainly cavalry) started to move across the battlefield to the North and towards Santon Hill.

The mist was down and visibility poor. The Advanced Guard of 1 Column could see the French at Telnitz but elsewhere little was visible particularly from the Pratzen Heights. I chose to wait for the Austrian horse artillery to arrive before committing the Grenzer battalions of the Advanced Guard. The thick mist slowed down unit movement. Combined with the congestion of units on the Pratzen Heights, movement for the Allies was particularly slow.

PAUL:

Turn 2 - 7.30am - FML Kienmayer (Austrian commander of 1 Column Advanced Guard) orders the 5 battalions of Grenzer infantry into Telnitz supported by 2 companies of Austrian horse artillery. 6 Russian battalions attack Sokolnitz castle and Pheasantry but the 3 battalions of musketeers arriving at the Goldbach stream did not move on the village of Sokolnitz - a major failure as it appears the village is presently unoccupied and no French resistance is expected. However, this opportunity was missed with Lt Gen Dokhturov's attention elsewhere in his command of 1 Column. A further 6 battalions of Russian musketeers moved into close combat with the French at Kobelnitz and 1 musketeer battalion was severely mauled. Whilst the attacks went in on Kobelnitz and Sokolnitz Pheasantry, 4 battalions of Russian Jager crossed the Goldbach between these two Russian attacks and did so with no French resistance. French Light Cavalry have spotted this movement and may respond - we shall see.

1, 2 and 3 Columns continue to move infantry and artillery down from the Pratzen heights and into position for the Allied left wing attack across the Goldbach Stream.

PAUL:

Turn 3 - 8am - Column 2 & 3 artillery move forward towards the villages but with the mist still hanging in the air, visibility stopped an early bombardment. 2 musketeer battalions not committed in the attack on the Pheasantry turned South and took over the undefended village of Sokolnitz. French Hussars attacked the Russian Jager West of the Goldbach stream, the Jager being forced into square. 3 Column launched an assault on Puntowitz with 6 musketeer battalions but encountered stiff French resistance. The French also reinforced Kobelnitz making the fighting in the village particularly fierce.

5 Column (mainly cavalry and horse artillery) advanced with the Austrian Cuirassiers reaching the Santon Hill just South of Bosenitz and saw for the first time French infantry and cannon belonging to Lanne's V Corps.

PAUL:

Turn 4 - 8.30am to 9am. The French 2nd Division under Soult's I Corps assaulted Blasowitz in the North and met stiff resistance from the Russian Guard Jager. House to house fighting ensued and the French were held despite their superior numbers. I knew I needed to send in reinforcements at Blasowitz as soon as possible as this village was a pivot point in the Allied attack. In the South attacks by 1, 2 & 3 Column continued but with little gain.

As the morning mist continued to cloak movement, 2 French artillery batteries slipped away from the West of Santon Hill unknown to the Austrian Kurassiere on Santon Hill. A golden opportunity to overrun some French artillery missed.

The 3 battalions of Viatsk musketeers formed Column of Attack ready to support the Austrian Grenzers in the battle for Telnitz. Most of 1 & 2 Column were now down off the Pratzen Heights and attacking along the Goldbach Stream. Elements of the French IV Corps defending Telnitz, Sokolnitz Castle and Pheasantry are proving difficult to disloadge. For the Allied plan to work with a left wing hook across the Goldbach, the Allies need to take these villages quickly.

At first I could not understand why my 2 infantry units in close terrain, fighting the French did not open up the 'Tactical Play' box for me to choose. The game simply went into a default mode of 'Ranged Fire', Hold Position. I realised after a little while - if the weather is poor - heavy rain / snow showers or fog (as described in the Event Card) and a player only has infantry units then Tactical Play is not permitted because the infantry have damp powder and are unable to fire the muskets well. This is the situation we have been in for the first 4 turns on the historical Austerlitz battle. Once the mist clears I can use the 'Tactical Play' advantage of two units attacking in one area.

PAUL:

Turn 5 - 9am - 9.30am. The 2 Guard Jager battalions at Blasowitz are being overrun and casualties mount. Equivalent to only one Russian battalion left. Russian forces arrive along the Goldbach stream and start to cross over into Sokolnitz presently under Russian control. The French III corps arrives West of Sokolnitz and assembled for battle. The French infantry in Telnitz were finally pushed out by the Austrian Grenzer battalions leaving only one battery of French artillery to fireon the Austrians in Telnitz.

Turn 6 - 9.30am - 10.00am. At last the fog lifted and movement was easier. Cavalry charges started and artillery opened up on the French defended villages.

The Austrian 1st Kaiser Kurassiere charged down from Santon Hill into 6 squadrons of French Light Cavalry followed by the 5th Nassau Kurassiere. The French suffered considerable losses. The 7th Kurassiere charged into 9 squadrons of French Dragoons North of Jirzikowitz. The large melee that followed resulted in a chaotic mass of swinging blades with no one force getting the upper hand. These Austrian cavalry were part of 5 Column. More cavalry were coming up in support from 5 Column and Bagration's Advance Guard.

5 Russian musketeer battalions stormed out of Soklontiz westward along the road and entered a fire fight with the arriving 2e Division of the French III Corps. The Russian battalions had not reformed as they left the village of Sokolnitz and were pounded by the French Infantry loosing 2 battalions. 6 Russian battalions moved over the Goldbach to secure Sokolnitz and more Grenadiers arrived to support the fight for Sokolnitz castle and Pheasantry. The fight for Kobelnitz continued with heavy Russian losses.

Austrian hussars and Cheveaulegers charged over the Goldbach stream and into 7 squadrons of French Chasseurs a Cheval.

In the rush to send out orders from the Allied Command in the early hours of the morning, the artillery of 1 Column received no orders and 6 batteries remained stranded on the road North of the frozen marshes and the Littawa Stream. Will this mistake cost the Allies later in the battle - we will see?

PAUL:

Turn 7 - 10.00 - 1030am. The Russian Guard Jager at Blasowitz have been overcome but just as the French thought they had secured the village, 3 battalions of Austrian infantry came rushing in and the fight continues. North of Sokolnitz Pheasantry, the Austrian cavalry savaged the French Chasseurs a Cheval and the remains of the French cavalry routed westward. Telnitz is temporarily in Austrian hands but another French assault is expected. In the North of the battlefield, South of Santon Hill, the Austrian Kurassiers were charged by 9 French Dragoon squadrons and suffered badly. Just North of Blasowitz, 10 squadrons of Russian Dragoons engaged 9 squadrons of French Dragoons and a stubborn contest began between the two sides. A great deal of cavalry activity was now in play between Blasowitz and Bosenitz.

Turn 8 - 10.30 - 11.00am. The Austrian cavalry North of Sokolnitz Pheasantry, free of French cavalry interference, sought out French artillery and put their gunners to the sword. Two French batteries

retreated further Westward. Unfortunately the Austrian commander FML Keinmayer was left isolated West of the Goldbach stream and likely to be overrun by French Light Infantry in the area. We will see if he survives.

Combat in Kobelnitz and Puntowitz is intense with heavy losses on both sides. The Tsairina Lieb Cuirassiers (Russian Heavy Cavalry) charged on to the Santon Hill in support of the exposed Austrian Horse Artillery and Russian Advanced Guard Jager. They clashed with 6 squadrons of French Dragoons and destroyed them. However, North of Jirzikowitz, the Austrian Kurassiers suffered badly from a fresh charge of French Heavy Cavalry. The screenshot shows the large number of cavalry squadrons now committed by both sides.

6 Jager battalions of Bagration's Advanced Guard moved into Bosenitz just before the French infantry arrived and started to prepare defenses. Yet more Russian musketeer battalions are squandered as they charge out of Sokolnitz village and in to the French line of the III Corps.

The Russian attempt on their left flank to swing across the Goldbach and North into the exposed French forces is stalled by the arrival of the French III Corps under Davout. Combat in Kobelnitz and the villages North of Kobelnitz is balanced but Russian losses are heavy and they try to replace exhausted battalions as quickly as possible. The Russians begin to realise a major French counter offensive is building.

Turn 9 - 11.00 - 11.30am. The main focus of the Allied command was now the major cavalry battle in the North. 32 Allied cavalry squadrons were now committed and they are struggling to hold back the weight of 2 fresh French Heavy Cavalry divisions. Duke Constantine was in two minds as to sending in the Russian Imperial Guard. His hesitation may cost the Allies the battle.

In the South, losses to the Russian musketeer battalions mounted; Dokhtoruv, commander of 1 Column looked over his shoulder and realised all his units were now committed. The Russian break out of Sokolnitz turned into a disaster as battalion after battalion crashed against the solid line of French infantry. The impact of Davout's III Corps arrival was immediate and deadly. The French had committed less men than the Allies and were now poised for the counter attack.

In the centre, although Soult had not managed to move his 2 divisions of the IV Corps towards Pratze and the Pratzen Heights, he had stopped the attacks of 4 Column under Lt-Gen Miloradovich and held the defensive position in the woods and buildings spanning from Kobelnitz to Jirzikowitz.

Only the Austrian cavalry break through between Sokolnitz Pheasantry and the lake put the French on the back foot and required Napoleon to respond with elements of the Grenadier Reserve.

PAUL:

Turn 10 - 11.30 - 12.00. By mid-day the Allied attack across the battlefield was fading and the momentum was swinging in favour of the French.

The Austrian Line Infantry at Blasowitz are suffering heavy casualties under a ferocious French assault by the 7 battalions of the2e & 3e Divisions, Soult's IV Corps. Soult himself came under attack from Austrian Hussars West of Sokolnitz Pheasantry and was killed with most of his aides. 2 squadrons of the St Petersburg Dragoons moved across the Goldbach stream and reinforced the pressed Austrian cavalry. They immediately swung North and overran a French artillery battery but not before the French gunners were able to get off a few rounds of canister causing significant losses to the Russian horse.

Austrian Hussars are chased back over the Goldbach stream by French Guard Heavy cavalry. That same French cavalry then slammed into 2 Russian artillery batteries inflicting considerable damage on the Russians.

PAUL:

Turn 11 - 12.00 - 12.30pm Midday and suddenly Napoleon is seen riding his white stead up the road towards Puntowitz. The Russians had sent in several assault waves on Puntowitz and the wooded area surrounding the village - all without success. The brave French infantry had held on stubbornly. Now Austrian foot artillery are seen entering the area and firing on the village from the edge of the woods.

The French 1e & 2e Cuirassier Divisions are heavily engaged on and South of Santon Hill. Losses are heavy on both sides. 5 squadrons of Russian Uhlans were ripped apart by the French Cuirassiers but they in turn suffered from Russian counter attacks from their Dragoons and Heavy Cavalry.

The shattered and burnt out Kobelnitz is now in Russian hands. Fire in the village from Russian artillery shells had a major impact on pushing the last French resistance out of Kobelnitz. The fight for Blasowitz continues with 5 more Russian infantry battalions committed.

Looking at the map below you can see the Russian (green) units fighting in the villages and the Austrian (yellow) cavalry West of the lake steadily being worn down by the French (blue).

Dragoons of the 4e Cavalry Division launched an attack on the Viborg Musketeers in the open rolling hills West of Sokolnitz running down many of the Russian infantry looking for cover. The Tver Dragoons were routed by the Dragoons of the French 2e Cavalry Division on Santon Hill. The French cavalry were clearly getting the upper hand on their Russian counter parts.

PAUL:

Turn 12 - 12.30 - 1pm. The Russian Imperial Guard moves forward and crosses the East of the Pratzen Heights. The Russian leader Lt-Gen Prebyshevsky of 3 Column died alongside his Russian Grenadiers attacking Puntowitz. Lt-Gen Langeron of 2 Column almost lost his life with the French Guard Cavalry charge over the Goldbach stream. The Russian army can not afford to loose its command structure as the lower ranks showed little independence.

Russian guns of Bagration's Advanced Guard opened fire on the French Cuirassiers North of Blasowitz followed by a charge from the Elisabethgrad Hussars. Unfortunately these Russian Hussars were only Militia quality and pulled up short of contacting the French Heavy Horse. Although the Russian cavalry under Lt Gen Essen of 5 Column were exhausted the freshly arrived Imperial Guard cavalry were now preparing for a renewed push into the cavalry melee North of Blasowitz. Meanwhile the Russian musketeers in Blasowitz itself had held on tenaciously against the tiring infantry of the French 2e Division.

The advancing French Imperial Guard easily cut up the Moscow musketeers North West of Soklonitz Pheasantry isolating the Austrian cavalry even more on the West side of the Goldbach stream. French Hussars tore into the Elisabethgrad Hussars and routed the Russian horse North of Blasowitz.

PAUL:

Turn 13 - 1pm - 1.30pm - Seeing the French winning the cavalry melee and the Russian Hussars retreat from the field of battle, Grand Duke Constantine immediately signaled for his Guard Cavalry to charge. A roar of thunder sounded across the plain as 10 squadrons of Guard Cavalry rushed into the static mass of fighting and the French Cuirassiers quickly reeled back. Hundreds of Cuirassiers surrendered to the Russian Imperial Guard units. Could this be the turning point?

Elsewhere the quality of the French army was beginning to show, the Allies had lost almost twice the number of French casualties and as the day was half over, still had not achieved the initial goal of securing Sokolnitz Castle and the Goldbach stream.

The Russian Dragoons on Santon Hill were outnumbered, not yet benefiting from the Imperial Guard Cavalry to their South. The French Cuirassiers routed the St Petersburg Dragoons but it was the fresh French light cavalry that chased the fleeing Russian Dragoons and cut them down.

The French Dragoons of the 4e Division III Corps swept up the valley West of Sokolnitz and hit the weakening Austrian cavalry before long the Austrian Hussars were in rout and their leader FML Kienmayer had fallen.

Out of the 20 squadrons of Austrian cavalry that charged across the Goldbach stream, 2 hours later there were only 6 squadrons remaining and in full flight back towards the Goldbach. The French had destroyed the Allied cavalry in the Advance Guard of 1 Column.

PAUL:

Turn 14 - 1.30pm - 2.00pm. Russian artillery pounded the 10 squadrons of French cavalry now crossing the Goldbach stream North of the Sokolnitz Pheasantry. Allied command was desperate to contain this incursion as most of its cavalry in the South had been destroyed and all its infantry were committed in the fight for the villages along the Goldbach.

The fight for Blasowitz raged on. 64 Russian cannon poured fire and devastation on the village. Fires broke out and buildings crumbled but the French infantry of the 3e Division kept the pressure on the defending Russian Musketeers.

Review of the battlefield so far - In the North, the Allied 5 Column had been destroyed by the Murat's Cavalry reserve Corps containing the 1ere & 2e Cuirassier Divisions. Santon Hill was under French control but the plain to the South was still in the midst of a fierce melee involving the Russian Imperial Guard Cavalry. The Allies were just holding onto Blasowitz but had made no headway at Jirzikowitz and Puntowitz. The burning ruins of Kobelnitz were now in Russian hands. To the South where 1, 2 & 3 Column had originally planned their attack had now turned in favour of the French. The Allied forces in the South were exhausted and its cavalry destroyed. If Napoleon realised the situation in the South, he now had the opportunity to make a major counter attack and win the battle.

PAUL:

Turn 15 2.00pm - 2.30pm. A general attack across the whole front was now underway by Napoleon. The sound of cannon could be heard up and down the 7 mile front line. The remaining Allied cavalry, chased by their French counter parts, moved back East over the Goldbach stream( North of the Sokolnitz Pheasantry). Davout's III Corps able supported by elements of the French Imperial Guard had now fully arrived on the battlefield and were making major assaults on Sokolnitz village and castle. The Russians were driven out of Sokolnitz Pheasantry. Russian artillery temporarily fell silent as they rushed forward more ammunition. Not a good time to loose artillery support!

In the North, the cavalry battle still raged on. French Cuirassiers are now seen moving East down off Santon Hill and looking to envelope the Russian Imperial Guard Cavalry.

PAUL:

Turn 16 2.30pm - 3.00pm Eventually the more numerous French Heavy cavalry gained the upper hand against the Russian Imperial Guard Cavalry and the Guard started to fall back. The Austrians left fighting in Jirzikowitz (4 Depot battalions) had held on valiantly but their lack of experience began to show and steadily they were pushed out of the village. Only Kobelnitz and Telnitz remained under Russian control.

Lt-Gen Dokhturov of 1 Column rushed back to call up the Russian Cossacks of 1 Column in a desperate bid to stop the French advancing beyond the Goldbach stream around Sokolnitz.

PAUL:

Turn 17 - 3.00pm to 3.30pm. The Cossacks from the rear of 1 Column eventually arrived to the East of Sokolnitz. Not a moment too soon. 6 squadrons of French Dragoons and 5 squadrons of Chasseurs a Cheval had stormed over the Goldbach stream and were attacking the Russian batteries supporting the fight in Sokolnitz. The wild charge by the Cossacks shook the French cavalry and held them from any further attacks.

The Russian Guard Cavalry continue the fight against the French 1er Heavy Cavalry Division North of Blasowitz. In Blasowitz itself the French finally achieved some success and the Allies begin to stream out of the village and orchards eastwards. The only effective fighting force in the North is the Russian Imperial Guard. Bagration's Advance Guard Hussars - his only remaining cavalry - were ineffective against a strong force of French Cuirassiers.

The Russian Jager of Bagration's Advance guard are now cut off in Bosenitz by the advancing French Cuirassiers of the 1er and 2e Heavy Cavalry Division. See screenshot 2 below.

PAUL:

Turn 18 - 3.30pm - 4.00pm. The Russian Imperial Guard Cavalry North of Blasowitz continue to fight on, holding back wave after wave of French cavalry attacks. More French cavalry stormed over the Goldbach stream North of Sokolnitz Pheasantry meeting little enemy cavalry resistance. The remaining Russian 1, 2 & 3 Column units were now in disarray, exposed by the French cavalry East of Sokolnitz.

The French army was now in ascendancy across the whole 7 mile frontage. In the final game turns, I am looking to limit the damage and hold on to a draw.

PAUL:

Turn 19 - 4.00pm - 4.30pm. In the chaotic cavalry melee North of Blasowitz, the Russian Imperial Guard battled on. Where the French cavalry were seen to disengage and move clear of the melee, Russian guns opened fired including Imperial Guard guns. The French cavalry were slowly getting the upper hand in the melee.

Cossacks of 5 Column climbed up to the Pratzen Heights ready for a counter attack on the French cavalry in the South.

Bagration committed the Hussars of his Advanced Guard to stem the flow of French Cavalry East of Bosenitz under Kellerman.

In the South, Lt-Gen Dokhturov watched as the Russian Cossacks charged into the French Dragoons of the 4e Cavalry Division. Soon it was very clear the Cossacks were no match for disciplined and organised French cavalry. The charge by the Cossacks was clearly a rash move as the Russian command committed the last of their cavalry in the South.

Above, French Cavalry break out East of the Goldbach stream, advancing on Pratze and Sokolnitz in the South.

Elements of the French 2e Division enter Bosenitz and a fierce fire fight opens up with the Russian Jager in the village.

PAUL:

Turn 20 - 4.30pm - 5.00pm - Nightfall. As darkness descends on the worn out soldiers, both sides seek some respite. Darkness also comes to the aid of the Allied units as they now have the chance to evade the roaming French cavalry South of Pratze. The Allies have suffered heavy losses and consider the arrival of the night as an opportunity to slip away from the Austerlitz battlefield and fight another day.

Cossacks descend from the Pratzen Heights and battle the advancing French Dragoons South East of Pratze - but it was a case of too little, too late. Although the battle was scored as a draw, the French were steadily heading towards a 'Minor Victory' and given a few more turns of daylight would have achieved that.

PAUL:

Analysis of the battle - There were a number of critical points each of which had a lasting and negative effect on the battle as viewed by the Allied Command. However, before looking at these critical points we must first acknowledge the mastery of Napoleonic tactics showed by my opponent (Colbert) in commanding the French forces. Well played Colbert.

The critical points were -

1 - The Russian forces were spread too evenly across the battlefield with no major concentration for attack. Making the attack too dilute in anyone area and ultimately ineffective.

2 - Failure of the Allied Command to get the artillery into close range with the French. Attacking French held villages without close artillery support was very costly. The Allies should have allowed the French to move beyond their defensive positions Eastwards into more open terrain where the large Russian guns could have made a significant contribution.

3 - Failure to coordinate the Austrian and Russian forces effectively. When the Austrian cavalry broke through the French lines and moved into the open area West of the Goldbach stream there was no Russian infantry and artillery support to consolidate the Austrian gains.