Contrary to popular belief today was in fact 2 December 1805. And that can only mean one thing - Austerlitz. (Most of it anyway)
Ironic quotes of the day :
Napoleon: "How long will it take you to move your divisons to the top of the Pratzen Heights?"
Soult: "Less than twenty minutes Sire..."
Using simple rules derived from Volley and Bayonet, DBA, 2 by2 etc we expect to reach a conclusion within three hours.
Looking from the north.
In the foreground V Corps under Lannes cross the stream and begin to climb the Zuran while a light cavalry division has crossed the stream.
On the left Liechtenstien moves his heavy cavalry divisions forward past Blaswitz. Beyond Bernadotte and Soult perpare to cross the Goldbach while the French Guard and heavy cavalry reserve wait patiently. The Pratzen Heights swarm with Russkies and Austrians and the Guard lie behind.
Lannes outflanking maneouvre moves on apace unaware that Bagration is about to appear on table.
The Pratzen heights early in the morning
Bagration moves forward, courtesy of a giant hand. Despite early success the French light cavalry can make no impressionon the Russian heavy cavalry divisions. While...
the French Reserve waits patiently.
Bored with Soult's inabilty to break through Bernadotte crosses the Bosenitz stream.
Not French cheerleaders but the devastating effect of Russian heavy batteries upon Lannes infantry. Red is not good.
Liechtenstein's heavy cavalry unleashed upon disordered French hussars of Bernadotte.
Oh Dear! poor old Kellerman division is ridden down.
Beyond Bernadotte's infantry share the suffering.
The inability of the French to even reach the Pratzen means that the Reserve is not activated.
The inability of the French to even reach the Pratzen means that the Reserve is not activated.
Consequently the lack of heavy cavalry to combat the devastating Russian cuirassiers leads to the units disordered by artillery fire becoming sitting ducks to the big men on horses and are wiped out piecemeal.
History is changed and Napoleon returns to Corsica to run a small corner shop. Oh the irony.
A great little battle-report, which I really enjoyed. Thanks very much! I'll keep an eye out for your blog in the future.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
CWT
How did you get those colored puffs?
ReplyDeleteNice game ... but Nappy should have sent in his heavies once Bragation got moving!
:)
A
Hi Frankfurter,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in this scenario the French weren't allowed to move the Reserve until they reached the Pratzen heights. All a bit too hesitant in crossing the sream.
The coloured puffs are from a craft shop. I have no idea what they are meant to be but come in lots of nice colours.