Sunday, March 19, 2017

Battle of Grossbeeren, August 23, 1813 - Scenario for Snappy Nappy for HAVOC XXXIII

I will be running this game at the HAVOC convention, held each Spring by Battle Group Boston in Shrewsbury, MA, on Sunday April 2nd, from 10 AM to 4 PM. This scenario was adapted from that for  Volley and Bayonet, by Martin Soilleux-Cardwell. George Nafziger's Napoleon at Dresden: The Battles of August 1813 was also a vital reference. The background to battle is covered there as well as in the aforementioned scenario's notes and also the Wikipedia article on the battle, so I won't repeat that information here. In brief, this battle occurred as Oudinot's force of 4 Army Corps was advancing on Berlin, around the same time as the Battles of Dresden, Katzbach, and Kulm. The usual troop ratio for Snappy Nappy per stand is  1 Infantry = 2000, 1 Cavalry = 750, 1 Artillery = 24 guns. For this battle I zoomed in 1 level, thus  1 Infantry stand = 1,000 1 Cavalry stand = 400, and 1 Artillery stand = 12 guns. Infantry and Cavalry units usually have two stands, Artillery only one.




Terrain Notes:
Stream is marshy banked and up to 6 feet deep, counts as Rough Terrain to cross.
The large dark green woods count as Severe terrain, the smaller light green forests as Rough.
The Windmill Height is Broken ground.
The building all represent Villages, except Gross Beeren, which counts as a Town.

Victory Conditions:
Game last 12 turns. At the end of the game, if either side hold both Gross Beeren and the Windmill Height with at least one infantry unit of Nervous status or better, they score a Major Victory, Decisive if there are at least 50% more enemy units than friendly units routed (removed from play) or retreated off the table. If neither side controls both features, but one side still has 50% more enemy than friendly units routed or retreated off the table, they score a Minor victory. Any other outcome is a draw.


"French" Deployment:

Bertrand starts deployed along Junsburg road, up to 8" on and within 6" either side of the road.

Reynier starts at the Southern Table edges on the two roads to Gross Beeren, in March Columns, up to 16" on and 4" either side of the roads.

Arrrighi's Cavalry Corps starts off the board. At the start of each turn the French side rolls two D10's - if the sum of the dice is less than or equal to the current turn number, then Arrighi arrives at the Spittendorf road, up to 6" onto the table, in March Columns.


Prussian Deployment:

Tauentzien starts deployed within 12" of Blankenfeld. His troops positions may be adjusted within that radius  *after* the player sees the dispositions of Bertrand's troops.

von Bulow (2 players) starts with the one stand unit of Jagers in Gross Beeren (which counts as in command as long as it stays in the Town regardless of distance from von Bulow). Half the Corps enters in March column along the Teltow and Heinersdorf roads, respectively, up to 8" on the table and 8" either side of the road. They may not move on the first tun of the game (historically, their arrival was much later.


IV Corps - Count Bertrand: Dashing
Unit Name
Rating
D10
STATUS
Italian Light Inf.
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Italian Line
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
2nd Italian Line
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
5th Italian Line
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
A   Italian 6# FA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Wurtt. Light Inf
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Wurtt. Line
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
8th Wurtt. Line
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
B  Wurtt 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Wurtt Guides (LC)
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
8e French Legere
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
5e French Ligne
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
81e French Ligne
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
E  French 6# HA
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
C French 12# FA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
D French 12# FA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT


VII Corps - Reynier:  Dashing
Unit Name
Rating
D10
STATUS
Saxon Jagers
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Saxon Footguard
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
IR Pr Friedrich
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
IR Konig
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
IR Prinz Xaver
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
IR Prz  Maximilian
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Saxon Chevauleg
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
A  Saxon 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
B  Saxon 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
10e French Leger
Veteran 6+

Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
57e French Ligne
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Wurzburg Rgt CR
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
F  French 6# HA
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
E  French 12# FA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT


III Cavalry Corps - Arrighi:  Dashing
Unit Name
Rating
D10
STATUS
16e Chasseurs
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
4e Hussars
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
19e Dragoons
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
B French 6# HA
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT




IV Corps - Tauentzien:  Dashing
Unit Name
Rating
D10
STATUS
8th Reserve IR
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
7th Silesian Lwhr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
8th Silesian Lwhr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Rhein Landwehr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Elbe Landwehr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
2nd Westph Lwhr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Branden Lwhr
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Neumark LWC
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st W. Pruss LWC
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
K  Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
L  Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
A Prussian 6# HA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT


III Corps - von Bulow:  Dashing
Unit Name
Rating
D10
STATUS
½ Prussian Schtz
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Pomeranian Gren
Elite
5+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st E Pruss IR
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
2nd E Pruss IR
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Reserve IR
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
2nd Reserve IR
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st W Pruss LW
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
4th W. Pruss LW
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
A Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
B Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
D Pruss  12# FA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Leib Hussars
Elite 5+

Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Konigin Dragoons
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Pomeran LWC
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT



Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st Pomerania IR
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Colberg IR
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
9th Reserve IR
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
10th Reserve IR
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
3rd Pomeran LW
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
4th Silesian LW
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
M Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
N  Prussian 6# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Russian 12# FA
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
C Prussian 6# HA
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
Brandenbrg Uhlan
Veteran
6+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
1st W Pruss Drag
Seasoned
7+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT
4th Silesian LWC
Conscript
8+
Bold
Firm
Nervous
Disrupted
Panic
ROUT


16 comments:

  1. I like the sketch map a lot, Peter! Do the rules easily accommodate a telescoping figure scale of from 2,000 to 1,000 man BMUs? Also, does the STATUS header on your troop roster denote a seven step degradation of troop cohesion from BOLD to ROUT?

    Hope you have an enjoyable game!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The map is just a bit simplified and resized from the one in the V&B scenario. Gross Beeren is almost two battles in one, side by side. There really isn't any change needed for going up or down by a factor of 2 (musket range is 1", Max effective artillery range for 12# is 12", 1 " = 150 yards). Unless there are secenrio specific conditions (demoralized troops, just force marched etc), units start at BOLD. Each time they have to take a morale check, they keep rolling until they pass. Each time they fail a check, they drop one status level. If they reach ROUT they are removed from play. SO a total of 5 levels. A unit can and certainly has routed on their first check! Obviously, this is much more likely for Conscripts than Elites! The game is also a warm up for our Spring Campaign in a day 3 weeks later.

      Delete
    2. I appreciate the explanation. Whole BMU removal; I like that.

      Delete
    3. It makes sense at this level of abstraction, especially when you m0ve up to the Campaign-in-a-Day level. I have seen the basic map for the 1809 event, and it deals more with Eugene and John after the Battle on the Piave, when Eugene was trying to push through Syria and on into Hungary. Lots of tricky alpine passes and river valleys; the campaign that included the battles of Tarvis, St Michael, Graz (une contre Dix!), and ultimately, Raab (although that isn't included in this theater of operation).

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    4. Eugene was pushing through "Syria?" Surely you meant "Styria!" unless Napoleon was planning a second Egyptian campaign.

      Delete
    5. Yes, no return to the Levant - STyria it is!

      Delete
  2. I second the comment on the map - full of character and just my thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Again I can't take much credit for the map, but it does suggest a very interesting situation!

      Delete
  3. Interesting stuff. Look forward to AAR and pics

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to seeing it play out as well!

      Delete
  4. Coming together nicely Peter. As an amusing aside, you could have a mini skirmish game between Von Bulow and Bernadotte in the windmill, as apparently very nearly happened (if I recall correctly, that is).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I can imagine how Diplomatic von Bulow was with the Crown Prince, LOL! Actually, this operation would make a nice little Campaign in a Day itself, adding the Swedes and Russians of Bernadotte and the other 2 Corps of Oudinot to the mix.

      Delete
  5. Peter,
    Looking forward to your report on this scenario. Battle is on my bucket list to do.

    Michael

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to the game as well. I've wanted to do thisd\ one for a while, and it makes sense to do it with Snappy Nappy!

      Delete
  6. Interesting, looking forward to it Peter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, Mark; me too. And they do sell beer (especially Lithuanian and Polish brands) at the bar at the Maronis Park site!

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