I've just read Bob Cordery's blog, to discover he had planned a Waterloo game using the PW game system. I had the same idea for my own hex board, and have even done some work by way of preparation. Seems even we two weren't the only ones with the same or similar idea. Such as this battle map of my table -
I haven't yet made up my mind about depicting the slight elevation of ground along the Allied position or where the front-line French artillery are located.
This would probably be very much a play test, to see whether the thing is really viable on my hex-board.
The forces are quite large in terms of the Portable Napoleonic Wargame, larger even than my earlier Battle of Wavre.
Orders of Battle for Waterloo:
Totals:
33 Units, Median = 17 Activation scores 15-19 (* See infra)
172 Strength points (SP): Exhaustion point = -58SP; Rout point = -86SP
33 Units, Median = 17 Activation scores 15-19 (* See infra)
172 Strength points (SP): Exhaustion point = -58SP; Rout point = -86SP
Totals:
24 Units: Median = 12, Activation scores 10-14
149 SP: Exhaustion point = -50SP; Rout point = -75SP
24 Units: Median = 12, Activation scores 10-14
149 SP: Exhaustion point = -50SP; Rout point = -75SP
Totals:
15 Units: Median = 8, Activation scores 6-10.
104 SP: Exhaustion point = -35SP; Rout point = -52SP.
15 Units: Median = 8, Activation scores 6-10.
104 SP: Exhaustion point = -35SP; Rout point = -52SP.
The Prussians arrive from off-table, requiring a die roll for the first elements to arrive. The IV Corps of Bulow arrives first at via the two clear hexes where the 'IV' arrow indicates. After IV Corps successfully rolls for arrival, then I Corps begins rolling, arriving at the 'I' arrow's two clear hexes. At the moment, I'm thinking that both Corps need a '6' to arrive.
Although I have given complete orders of battle for the two Prussian Army Corps, it is very unlikely that the battle will last long enough to bring on even the whole of IV Corps - the first to arrive. They are included for the sake of 'completeness', really.
'Command units' (formations) are defined by colour bands, and are generally Divisions (or Division-sized Brigades in the Prussian Army). There are, however a number of single stand 'independent' brigades in the Anglo-Dutch army. They are treated in the same way as multi-stand command units.
Not all formations have commander allocated: the French Imperial Guard and the Allied Reserve 'Corps' being two that don't. These formations are 'commanded' by the Army Commander - with, of course, the attendant problems!
The French Army has a lot of commanders, in particular of the three Cavalry Corps, which are quite tiny formations. This will probably make the French cavalry pretty flexible and nippy compared with other formations.
Finally, I have no real idea just how practical this is! I feel it ought to work OK, but won't be hugely surprised if it doesn't.
Although I have given complete orders of battle for the two Prussian Army Corps, it is very unlikely that the battle will last long enough to bring on even the whole of IV Corps - the first to arrive. They are included for the sake of 'completeness', really.
'Command units' (formations) are defined by colour bands, and are generally Divisions (or Division-sized Brigades in the Prussian Army). There are, however a number of single stand 'independent' brigades in the Anglo-Dutch army. They are treated in the same way as multi-stand command units.
Not all formations have commander allocated: the French Imperial Guard and the Allied Reserve 'Corps' being two that don't. These formations are 'commanded' by the Army Commander - with, of course, the attendant problems!
The French Army has a lot of commanders, in particular of the three Cavalry Corps, which are quite tiny formations. This will probably make the French cavalry pretty flexible and nippy compared with other formations.
Finally, I have no real idea just how practical this is! I feel it ought to work OK, but won't be hugely surprised if it doesn't.
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| The Portable Wavre... |
That all seems well thought out, but as you say, it is quite a lot of stuff. For my last couple of Waterloo fights I've gone with divisions (or cavalry Corps) as the smallest element, but even then, it was quite a lot of stuff, especially when the Prussians turn up.
ReplyDeleteIt is, after all, an experiment!
DeleteArchduke Piccolo,
ReplyDeleteYours is a much larger refight than mine is planned to be, and I look forward to seeing how it pans out.
All the best,
Bob
This looks great! Pardon my ignorance, but what to the numbers listed to the far right of each unit represent?
ReplyDeleteThose numbers represent Strength Points. You'll find more on this topic here, and in the postings following (https://archdukepiccolo.blogspot.com/2021/08/portable-waterloo-set-up.html )
DeleteCheers,
Ion