The War of the Rhabarberian Succession - Turn 5 The Bridge

The first battle of Campaign Turn 5 sees the Ruthenian 6th Division advancing forward, with the Prusskian 4th Cavalry retreating towards their own lines, but shadowing the enemy advance. The know that the Prusskian 3rd Division is moving towards them for support, but they need to cross a river to do so. The Prusskian 4th Cavalry need to buy time to allow the 3rd Division to form a bridgehead over the river, whilst the Ruthenian 6th Division needs to prevent this

Terrain Info
The terrain is broadly open grassland, with some hedges and rocky outcrops. The river is unfordable and can only be crossed at the bridge. Note that the ploughed fields etc are for decoration only and have no effect upon the game.

OOB
Ruthenian 6th Division
This is at full strength, having three Infantry Brigades with attached Artillery, one Light Infantry Battalion and one Squadron of Cavalry.

Prusskian 3rd Division
As above but without the Light Infantry Battalion.

Prusskian 4th Cavalry Regiment
At full strength, they have three Squadrons of Cavalry.

Orders 
Having sent the OOB and general overview of the situation to the players, as well as some pics of the table, Dave and Keith issued their orders as follows:

Ruthenian 6th Division
The Division will send two Brigades forward along the main road, with the aim of taking control of the area around the bridge, to deny it to the enemy. The 3rd Brigade will form a reserve and follow on behind and deploy as the situation demands. The Left Flank will be screened but the Light Infantry and the Cavalry Squadron. 

Prusskian 4th Cavalry Regiment
To screen and observe the enemy from near the bridge and avoid contact until they might be in a position to exploit the enemy flanks.

Prusskian 3rd Division
Send one Brigade to the bridge to cross and form a bridgehead, with a Brigade on either flank, looking for any possibility to ford the river. Act in concert with the 4th Cavalry Regiment if at all possible.
 

Deployment
See below for pics of the table and notes on the respective deployments.

An overview of the table, with the Ruthenian force (Blue) coming on from the left hand table, with the Prusskians (Red) the top right hand corner. The Prusskian Cavalry can be seen by the road junction as per their orders.

The Ruthenian table edge, with the Light Infantry to the left and the first two Brigades on the road and to its right.

The view from the Prusskian side.

Turn 1

I rolled to see which side would go first, with the Ruthenians winning. They got off to a steady start, with both Brigades arriving, with the Light Infantry protecting the flank. The Cavalry Squadron failed to arrive.

The Prusskian Cavalry Regiment failed their order, so sat watching the enemy advance and hoping for the 3rd Division to arrive. The Cavalry Squadron arrived and moved quickly over the bridge to bolster the Cavalry Regiment. The Centre and Left Flank Brigades arrived, but the Right Flank Brigade failed to show.

The end of Turn 1.

The Ruthenians in march column, to speed up their arrival.

Likewise the Prusskians arrive in march column.

Turn 2

The Ruthenian Centre advanced and quickly deployed into line as they saw enemy troops approaching the bridge. The Right Flank carried on in march column as the Reserve Brigade arrived on the road. The Light Infantry Battalion moved forward to get within range of the bridge whilst the Cavalry Squadron moved up in support.

With the approach of the enemy Infantry, the Cavalry moved back and to the left to avoid being shot at but also to be in a position to possibly threaten the Ruthenian Right Flank. The Ruthenian Infantry Brigades all moved with some alacrity, with both flanks deploying into line, whilst the Centre started to cross the bridge, whilst in column. A risky move but orders are orders.

The end of Turn 2.

The Ruthenian advance.

The Prusskian Cavalry move to the left.

The Prusskian Infantry Brigades cross the bridge and look for any possible fords (there are none) across the river.

Turn 3

Whilst the Reserve moved up slightly awaiting developments, the Centre moved towards the bridge and the Right Flank to protect against the Cavalry threat to their flank, with the Cavalry Squadron coming to this flank to add support. With the enemy now in range, the Prusskian lead Infantry Battalion became Shaken & Disordered.

Somewhat shocked by the effective firing, the Prusskian Right and Left Flanks both failed their orders.  The lead Battalion over the bridge made a Disorderly Retreat, allowing the rest of the Brigade to cross. The Cavalry held their positions as those Infantry Battalions in range hit the Ruthenian Light Infantry, which promptly failed its morale test and fled the field of battle!

The end of Ruthenian Turn 3.

The lead Prusskian Infantry Battalion comes under fire.

The end of Prusskian Turn 3.

The Ruthenians advance is slowed by the Cavalry threat to their right flank.

The Prusskian Cavalry are biding their time.

The Prusskian Infantry have crossed the bridge but are sadly lacking in support.

The Ruthenian Light Infantry fleeing the field of battle.

Turn 4

The Ruthenian Centre failed their command roll, leading to a small traffic jam as the Reserves tried to move up to form the Left Flank and help prosecute the attack against the bridgehead. The Right Flank moved forward to the hedgeline to put pressure on the Prusskian Cavalry, with the Ruthenian Cavalry Squadron providing some flank protection. The shooting was ineffective with only one hit caused on the enemy across the bridge.

Once again the Prusskian Right & Left Flanks failed their command rolls, whilst the Centre pushed forward to expand the bridgehead. The Cavalry wisely moved out of range and to their left, to give greater room for manouevre should the opportunity present itself. The Prusskian Centre opened up on the Ruthenian Centre, causing a Battalion to take a Break Test which it passed.

The end of the Ruthenian Turn 4.

The end of the Prusskian Turn 4.

The Ruthenian Reserves struggle to find room to form the Left Flank.

The Prusskian Cavalry withdraw out of range of the enemy.

The isolated Prusskian bridgehead.

The Ruthenians come under fire but pass their Break Test.

Turn 5

As the Ruthenian Centre advanced to close towards the bridgehead, the Left Flank moved up, but was not quite able to form a broad firing line. The Right Flank failed its command roll, so was unable to put pressure on the bridgehead or the Cavalry. Combined shooting on the enemy bridgehead saw Hits and Disorder, with one Battalion failing its Break Test (Double 1) and fleeing the table.

Finally both Prusskian Flanks advanced to give support to the Centre and not a moment too soon. The Centre and the Cavalry all held their positions, but sadly the shooting was rather ineffective, with just some Hits & Disorder caused.

The end of Ruthenian Turn 5.

A Prusskian Battalion breaks under sustained fire.

The end of Prusskian Turn 5.

The Ruthenian firing line begins to form.

The Ruthenian Left Flank struggle to bring forces to bear.

The Prusskian Cavalry can only look on.

The Prusskian Flanks struggle to bring supporting fire to the Centre across the river.

Turn 6

The Ruthenian Left Flank failed their order and the Centre could only hold due to Disorder, but the Right Flank pushed forward and offered a Refused Flank, to help protect against the Prusskian Cavalry. Once again the shooting was ineffective, with Hits saved and one Battalion passing its Break Test.

With pressure building on the Prusskian bridgehead, the Centre closed up whilst the Right Flank failed its order and the left could only hold to maintain what limited shooting it had.

Desperate times call for desperate measures and von Bredow ordered his Cavalry Squadron to follow him and charge the enemy Cavalry on the Ruthenian Right Flank. As they galloped past the Ruthenian Infantry, they met with some fire, but survived it, only to see the Ruthenian Cavalry evade to the rear. Inspired by this action, the Prusskian Cavalry Regiment followed with orders to turn the enemy flank and charge any units that presented themselves. A Double 1 command roll gave them ample opportunity to carry out the orders, with one Squadron over running an artillery unit then making a sweeping advance into an Infantry Battalion, which became Shaken. A stunning result to say the least.

Inspired by this the Prusskian Infantry opened fire where they could, leading to Hits & Disorder with one Battalion failing its Break Test in the Centre and quiting the field of battle.

The end of Ruthenian Turn 6

The Prusskian Cavalry break into the Ruthenian rear, over running the artillery...

... then into the Infantry...

... leading to it becoming Shaken...

... and finally withdrawing to prevent the horses from becoming blown.

The end of the Prusskian Turn 6.

The Ruthenian Right Flank is now in trouble.

The Ruthenian Cavalry somewhat outnumbered.

A Battalion breaks in the Ruthenian Centre.

A view from the Prusskian Left Flank.

The Prusskian bridgehead still lacks support.

Turn 7

With the Prusskian Cavalry in the Ruthenian Rear, some slight re-organisation was required. The Right Flank advanced slightly but also turned one Battalion to face the cavalry threat to their rear. On the Left Flank two Battalions were despatched to the rear to try and protect their Lines of Communication in case the Cavalry exploited their success. To try and help the situation, the Ruthenian Cavalry Squadron charged the enemy, but were driven back and were persued. One slight glimmer of hope was that the shooting forced a Prusskian Infantry Battalion back after it failed its Break Test.

The Prusskian Cavalry Regiment, in a prime postion to cause mayhem in the enemy rear, failed their command roll, but at least the von Bredow's Cavalry Squadron moved to support the Cavalry that had persued, with the result that the Ruthenian Cavalry Squadron was destroyed in the ensuing melee. 

The Prusskian Centre held postion whilst the Right Flank moved to brings as many arms to bear as they could. The Left Flank began to move to the right to hopefully be able to bring troops over the bridge to support the Centre. The shooting proved to be very effective with three Ruthenian Battalions becoming Shaken and one breaking after failing its Break Test.

The Ruthenina Cavalry charge in and are met by a counter charge.

The Prusskian Cavalry persue their defeated foe.

Support arrives and the Ruthenian Cavalry flees the table after failing its Break Test.

The end of Turn 7.

The Ruthenian position is looking precarious.

The Prusskian Cavalry are able to operate freely in the Ruthenian Rear.

A Ruthenian Battalion breaks in the Centre.

A view from the Prusskian Left.

The Prusskian bridgehead appears to be safe as the Left Flank begins to move to try and cross the expand it.

Turn 8

With losses mounting it was time for the Ruthenian forces to start to pull back so as not to lose contact with their Lines of Communication. Unfortunately the orders failed to reach the Right & Left Flanks, but the Centre managed to move back slightly. Despite the desperate situation, the shooting was good but would have been devastating had the Prusskians not made so many Morale saves. However they did still manage to cause some units to become Disordered and/or Shaken.

The Centre and Right Flank held whilst the Left formed into Line, ready to cross the bridge. The Cavalry once gain failed their command roll but one Squadron made an Initiative Charge into the rear of the Shaken Infantry Battalion on the Ruthenian Right Flank, leading to the infantry being destroyed. To add insult to injury, the Prusskian shooting was devastating, leading to Disordered units and two units breaking after they failed to Break Tests!

The end of Ruthenian Turn 8.

The Ruthenian shooting only manages to cause a Prusskian Battalion to become Shaken.

The Prusskian Cavalry charge in...

... leading to the destruction of the Ruthenian Infantry Battalion.

The end of Turn 8.

The Prusskian Cavalry are a real threat to the Ruthenian position.

Two Ruthenian Battalions break.

The Ruthenian Right Flank is increasingly isolated.

The Prusskian's prepare to advance over the bridge.

Turn 9

A combination of Disorderly Retreats and good command rolls allowed the Ruthenian's to quit the field of battle. The Prusskian Cavalry withdrew out of range so as not to take any unnescessary casualties, but would harass the retreating troops. The Prusskian Centre is too battered to offer pursuit and the troops the other side of the river cannot cross quickly enough to give chase.

The end of Turn 9.

The Ruthenian retreat shadowed by the Prusskian Cavalry

The Prusskian troops are too far away to catch the retreating Ruthenians.

End of Game
With the Ruthenian troops in full scale retreat, the Prusskian troops formed the bridgehead as ordered whilst the Cavalry Regiment harassed the fleeing enemy.

Post Game Thoughts

Well a tight game that could have easily gone the other way early on, but turned after the Prusskian Cavalry turned the enemy flank and caused mayhem in the Ruthenian rear areas. Certainly a full on game that took around 3 hours to play, yet was enjoyable and engrossing all the way. As always some thoughts on the game and the campaign:

• I think I'm right in saying that a river crossing is one of the hardest things to achieve whilst under fire. It certainly felt this way early on as the Prusskian bridgehead felt extremely vulnerable for over half the game. Had the Ruthenian die rolls been better at certain points or the odd Break Test failed, then it could have easily seen a Ruthenian victory, with the Prusskian Infantry seperated from their Cavalry.
• Both sides had their fair share of failed command rolls that hampered their ability to prosecute their plans. At least as far as I could see neither side suffered unduy from this.
• The same could be said of the shooting, with both sides having chances of catching the enemy at a disadvantage, but failed to capitalise on these. I think the Prusskians just edged it with  a mix of Morale saves followed by some very effective shooting. On such small things do games turn.
• Certainly von Bredow's Cavalry charge followed by the Cavalry Regiment proved a turning point in the game. The Cavalry fulfilled their role rather well I thought, posing a threat to the Ruthenians that they couldn't ignore, which meant they couldn't bring the full weight of their army to bear on the enemy. This certainly helped the bridgehead situation that was vulnerable for around half the game. when they did get their chance, the Die Gods smiled on them and they made hay whilst the sun shone.
• The scenario was one I would not normally play, but the Campaign situation and the map terrain proved a very challenging scenario for both sides. I think this is one of the big bonuses of a campaign such as this; it takes you out of your comfort zone.
• Once again having a set of orders to follow was great fun, coupled with having to think of things in terms of the campaign.
• The Ruthenians lost five Infantry Battalions, one Artillery Battery, one Light Infantry Battalion and one Squadron of Cavalry. The Prusskians lost one Infantry Battalion, but two were badly battered. So very one sided in terms of losses

I have some ideas for post-game impact on the campaign, troop losses etc, but these will have to wait until I've played the other game of this Campaign Turn 5. When this result is known, then I will be able to take a cold hard look at things and make some decisions then. but first its time to turn my attention to this forthcoming game, so until next time...