General de Brigade at the Napoleonic Wargaming Society

Fin de l’année 2013: 3

On 18th December, I attended the last gathering of the Napoleonic Wargaming Society for 2013. Carlo ‘Pyjamas’ kindly organised a game of General de Brigade for me to join. It was a fictitious game set in 1813 with him and Martin taking the Austrians while Phill and I had the French.

Two French brigades, supported by light cavalry, were attempting to dislodge an Austrian advance guard, deployed in outlying farm buildings and to secure the vital bridge. The Austrians needed to force the bridge to secure the river crossing.

While a bit rusty on the rules, the game went smoothly and, most importantly, was a French victory!

Here are some photos of the game, showing Phill's and Carlo's beautifully painted 28 mm figures ("giants' compared to what I am used to!!).

Early stages, French closest to camera, many brigades still on blanks. Austrians in the farm buildings in the distance.

Lead French brigade screens the smaller farm with skirmishers, while making for the one at left-rear (which was worth more victory points).

These beautiful horse gunners did not hit much!

The lead battalion of légère heading to the second farm.

My cavalry brigade advances.

Two French brigades mass for the attack on the crucial farm nearest the bridge.

The Austrian defenders await the onslaught.

But help is on its way; finally (having missed the required roll initially).

Aerial view of the battlefield; note the cavalry now 'advancing' the wrong way. Their commander panicked, thanks to a timely double one!

Command restored, cavalry heading the right way!

Above and below: the first attack goes in, viewed from the Austrian and French perspective.

The foot battery was raining merry hell on the defenders in the first farm,

...while the French skirmishers screen the main attack.

The Austrian 'cavalry' is on its way, but will they deploy in time?

Overview of the battlefield.

French attack repulsed, but the Austrians failed their formation test.

The Austrian column that had crossed the bridge was caught before it could deploy and sent packing.

The Austrian defenders between the two farms form a strong firing line.

Above and below: a second attack goes in against the rearmost farm.

This time completely successful. At this point the game was called, since we'd reached the 'witching hour'. It was a French victory, but only just!

Meanwhile on another table... This game was report by Mark (aka Marc) on is one-sided miniature wargaming discourse blog.
Thanks so much to Carlo for organising the game, to he and Phill for supplying the figures and to all three for a great game and a great night. Well worth the ~200 km round trip (I was already down in the big smoke for work!). I look forward to catching up at the club for another game in the not too distant future.