Wargaming in the real world again ! BBB 1/300 Marengo

On Monday night Chris, Crispin, Colin & Dave returned to the OWS to refight Marengo - in the real world.  Colin provided the troops & houses, Chris provided the rivers, roads and marshes.  Colin & Chris decided to be Austrians, Crispin & Dave elected to be the French.  We used Vincent Tsao's excellent Marengo scenario from the BBB group files.  

After nearly 18 months of no/virtual gaming, it was a little strange to be back - but our demographic means we are all double jabbed, the doors & windows were open to let in fresh Oxford air, what's not to like!  We also kept to our little game bubbles - which is actually what happens a lot of the time anyway.

Vincent's scenario victory conditions are:

1 point for Marengo

1 point for the crossroads in the East

1 point for making Bonaparte a casualty (Austrian's only)

1 point if you have lost (killed/driven off the field) less than half of your opponent's forces.  

The Austrian plan was simple.  Chris would attempt to crush the French along the Fontanone Creek, whilst Colin would execute a left hook, race for the crossroads and/or fall on the rear of the French front line.  A great plan, but as all who play BBB know, the little lead minions may not co-operate...!

The map (from the scenario) with Austrian moves in light red.  

 The battlefield - pre troop deployment.  North is towards the door, Austrians to left and French reinforcements will come on from the right.

Austrian opening moves - Chris steamrollers to Marengo, Colin sprints up the left-most road.  The white smoke shows disruption as Chris charges across the stream and into the French.

Chris continues to batter Crispin's French along the Fontanone Creek and Colin pushes towards the Vineyards, as Dave deploys the French reserves and the Consular Guard to stop him.  The Austrian cavalry seek to get onto the plain and do something glorious, possibly useful as well!

The next four shots show Chris's slow grind through the French defenders of Marengo.  In the first shot, the French still hold the village.  Chris has crossed the Creek and has run out of ammo.  To the left, Austrian cavalry move dextrously towards the French rear...  

A little later, the French are losing troops and ground.  The French still have Marengo, but only just.  Austrian cavalry arrives to the rear of the French...

The French rush cavalry and infantry to hold the line.  The swirl of disruption marker in the centre is the French line cavalry, with the Consular Guard cavalry attached, being charged front & right flank.  The yellow counter means the Austrians have Marengo!

A little later...  the Austrian cavalry have suffered, but so have the French.  French cavalry threaten my guns lower left, which have been sniping to the rear of the French with some success.  Is it too late for the gunners??

The last turn (9 of 9).  The Austrians have Marengo.  The French have lost more than twice as many troops as the Austrians.  The Austrians are reloading, whilst in the middle is a battered French unit, disrupted, spent AND out of Ammo.  Those pesky French cavalry were seen off by Austrian grapeshot!

The final view across the battlefield - as the Austrians win!  Austrians hold Marengo + have less than 50% casualties compared to the French.

All that remains is the post game discussion and refreshments....

A few highlights...

Napoleon at the crossroads of his career...

Another shot from Crispin & Chris's fight for Marengo. 

French Hussars, Hussars de la Mort and Carabiniers (line, but standing in for the Consular Guard).  They were last seen being charged by 7 units of Austrian cavalry...

Finally.  

Many thanks to Chris, Crispin & Dave for a good evening's entertainment and much banter.  This was the first chance my republican French have had to actually game, it was nice to see them in action.  The game took about 1/2 hour to set up and was concluded in about 2 1/2 hours.  

As with BBB, most players were playing most of the time and the game was in the balance right to the end.  

Once again, if you want to fight a historical battle in an evening, with a large amount of troops but at reasonable cost (says the accountant), on a dining room table with a few friends, then BBB may be the rules for you!

Figures are Baccus 6mm, buildings scratch built.  You can see more of my French Revolutionary Army here.  I'll add a page for the Austrians soon!