This past weekend I was back at Kelly's place for a game of General d'Armee.
Kelly had set up a scenario based on the Battle of Jakubowo-Kliastitzy, compressing the two days of fighting into one.
I was assigned to be one of the attacking Russian commanders, alongside Gary and Alex. Scott, Kevin, and Chris played as the French defenders.
The Russians had four attacking brigades, three infantry and one cavalry, with two more infantry brigades and a cavalry brigade in reserve. The French had three infantry brigades and a cavalry brigade on the table, with two more infantry brigades in reserve.
The Russian assault started well, with infantry columns streaming towards the town of Klyastitsy.
The Russians had some problems from the outset. Our somewhat cramped deployement meant we had two options; either 1)deploy the artillery forward, move them into effective range, fire for a turn or two, and then the move the infantry in or 2) deploy the infantry forward, try to take the town via infantry assaults, and use the artillery as overhead covering fire.
We elected to do the second method, thinking we wouldn't have long before the reinforcing French brigades arrives.
Looking to take part of Klyastitsy before the French reinforcements could arrive, I ordered an Infantry Assault with one of my infantry brigades.
(Unfortunately, I think we messed up the rules for this, which really effected how the rest of the game went.
Battalions in BUA should only get Casualty Dice for firing like skirmishers, but the defending French fired as normal. There's also no Charge resolution for attacks against battalions in BUAs; the defenders gets to fire and the fight goes directly to the Melee phase.
This resulted in the Russian infantry battalions getting stuck in multi-turn attack, taking casualties before being able to get stuck in).
While my brigades were struggling to take the town, Kevin's French infantry came streaming up and over the hills, squaring off against Alex's brigade.
Meanwhile, Gary was pushing his infantry forward through the cover of the nearby woods. Skirmishers from both sides dueled. A gap in the Russian line opened as the cavalry brigade spent multiple turns as Hesitant.
It was about halfway through the game when the tide turned against the Russians. I had failed to take Klyastitsy, with one of my infantry brigades hesitating and not able to join the fight. Gary had attempted to attack Scott's artillery battery with his cavalry, but the Russians were repulsed.
The French had managed to establish a defensive line with infantry brigades flanking the town.
Finally, my infantry assault finally broke through, but with heavy losses. As a counter, Scott brought up fresh infantry to take the BUA back.
Gary's infantry brigade was slowly being forced back, as the initial French reinforcements charged into his flank. (At this point, Gary had to leave, and Chris took over his command).
You can also spot the two French reserve brigades making their way towards the battle.
Scott's counter attack was successfully, forcing my brigade to Falter (and dispersing one of my infantry battalions).
Alex had moved his battalions back into columns to meet Kevin's advance closer to the town.
Chris' Russian infantry brigade was in a bad position. Scott's charge results were fantastic, forcing two infantry battalions to Rout and the overall brigade to Falter.
At this point the Russian attack was really falling apart. With my one infantry brigade faltering, it opened up Alex's flank, allowing Kevin to charge his cavalry into the side of Alex's artillery battery.
We decided the call the game there, with a minor French victory. Technically the Russians still had three fresh brigades (one on-table Grenadier brigade, and two off table brigades), but any newly launched attack would do so into the face of a relatively fresh and well position French position.
Despite the poor showing by the Russians, it was still fun! General d'Armee always makes for a good game. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes in the second edition (which should be releasing in a month or so from the time of writing).