Troop Scale: 1 Infantry Unit = 600 men, 1 cavalry unit = 400 men, 1 Artillery unit = 8 - 12 guns.
Table Size: 6 x 12 feet
Background: The Battle of Montmirail resulted from Napoleon's attempt to defeat the somewhat dispersed component's of Blucher's Army of Silesia in detail following his victory at the Battle of Champaubert the preceding day. There is a good overview of the local situation here, as well as in some of the references below, so I won't waste words relating what others have already done better! Napoleon's objective is to destroy Sacken's isolated Russian Corps. Sacken's objective (before he realizes what he is up against, namely the entire Old and Middle Guard) is to open the road to Vauchamps. The Prussians are to assist Sacken, but also not allow the French to seize the key road to Vilfort.
Map: The Petit Marin river is unfordable, the stream is Class II. Both hills and the woods are all Class II terrain as well. The villages are Class III terrain.
Scenario Rules: The ground was noted to be extremely muddy; therefore all Artillery move at HALF their usual rate. If the Russians lose the villages of Marchais or Les Genereux, they must surrender 4 Morale Points each to the French. Similarly, if the French lose Les Tremblay or the hill nearby to it, they must surrender 4 Morale Points each to the Allies. Finally, if the Prussians lose the road exit to Vilfort, the Allies must surrender 6 Morale points to the French. In all cases, the lost Morale Points can be regained if they retake the lost objective(s).
Deployment: The French (blue), Russians (green) and Prussians (red) deploy as shown on the above map.
French Reinforcements: Michel's Middle Guard Infsantyry Division arrives, deployed, on the first French MOVE card. DeFrance's Gardes d' Honneur Division arrives, deployed, on the second French MOVE card.
Prussian Reinforcements: Jurgas' Prussian Cavalry Division arrives, in column of March alomng the road, on the First Allied MOVE card.
Russian Reinforcements: None
FRENCH, Emperor Napoleon 1: Exceptional LD
38 Units
Guard Infantry, Marshal Mortier: Skilled LD
1st (Old Guard) Division, GD Friant Exceptional LD
6 Old Guard Infantry, DD10, CD 12+1
2nd (Middle Guard) Division, GD Michel Average LD
6 Middle Guard Infantry DD10, CD 12
Guard Artillery, GD Druot Skilled LD
2 Guard Horse Artillery DD10, CD 12+2
2 Guard 12 # Foot Arty DD10, CD 12+2
Guard Cavalry, GD Nansouty Skilled LD
1st (Old Guard) Division, GD Colbert Skilled LD
2 Guard Lancers (Red and Polish)) DD10, CD 12+1
2nd (Young Guard) Division, GD Laferrière-Lévesque Average LD
5 Young Guard Cavalry (Dragoons, Grenadiers, Chasseurs) DD8, CD12
2nd Old Guard Cavalry Division, GD Guyot Average LD
2 Guard Grenadiers a Cheval (includes Gendarmes d' Elite) DD10, CD 12+1
2 Chasseurs a Cheval (includes Mameklukes) DD10, CD 12+1
1 Empress Dragoons DD10, CD 12+1
VI Corps, Bertrand Average LD
Division, GD Ricard Average LD
4 Ligne DD 4 CD10
1 Legere DD 6, CD10
1 6# Foot Battery DD 6. CD 12
Cavalry Division GD DeFrance Skilled LD
4 Gardes d'Honneur/Hussars DD8, CD 10
ALLIES (Sacken is overall Commander)
RUSSIANS: Sacken Poor LD
52 Units
VI Infantry Corps – Lt. Gen. Prince Stcherbatov Poor LD
7th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Talyzin Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers
10th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Sass Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD8, Cd10
27th Infantry Division – Maj Gen Stavitzki Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD 8, CD 10
Cavalry Corps – Lt Gen Vasiltchikov Poor LD
2nd Hussar Division -- Maj. Gen. Lanskoï Poor LD
4 Russian Hussars DD8, CD 10
3rd Dragoon Division – Maj. Gen. Pantchouliechev II Poor LD
4 Russian Dragoons DD6, CD12
6# Horse Battery DD 6, CD 12
PRUSSIANS:
II Armee Korps: General of Infantry Yorck Average LD
1st Infantry Brigade: Maj. Gen. von Pirch II Skilled LD
3 Prussian Grenadiers DD8, CD12
3 Silesian Landwehr DD4. CD 10
6# Foot Battery DD6, CD 12
Note: I have made some very minor changes to the historical OOB to reflect my own preferencess (such as grouping the 2 Guard Lancer regiments together, and standardizing the composition of the Russian infantry Corps/Divisions) I posted a Battle Report of the playtest of this scenario earlier this month, which lead to minor modifications which are reflected in the final scenario above. Vive L'Empereur!
Louis Bélanger's geat site on the 6 Day's Campaign of 1814 (in French)http://www.lesbatailles.com/index.html
Project Montmirail - includes OOB's and thoughts on wargaming the battle.
http://dukewacoan.wordpress.com/category/projects/project-montmirail/
Overview of the Battle of Montmirail
http://warandsecurity.com/2014/02/12/the-battle-of-montmirail-11-february-1814/
Nafziger OOB:
http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/814BAA.pdf
Montmirail Scenario for Napoleon's Battles
http://community.fortunecity.ws/underworld/fifa/47/montmirail.html
Montmirail Scenario from Fields of Glory
http://wargameamateur.blogspot.com/2012/08/montmirail-1814.html
One account of a recent wargame based upon Montmirail
http://maraudermoments.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/montmiral-1814-napoleon-leads-old-guard.html
Table Size: 6 x 12 feet
Background: The Battle of Montmirail resulted from Napoleon's attempt to defeat the somewhat dispersed component's of Blucher's Army of Silesia in detail following his victory at the Battle of Champaubert the preceding day. There is a good overview of the local situation here, as well as in some of the references below, so I won't waste words relating what others have already done better! Napoleon's objective is to destroy Sacken's isolated Russian Corps. Sacken's objective (before he realizes what he is up against, namely the entire Old and Middle Guard) is to open the road to Vauchamps. The Prussians are to assist Sacken, but also not allow the French to seize the key road to Vilfort.
Map: The Petit Marin river is unfordable, the stream is Class II. Both hills and the woods are all Class II terrain as well. The villages are Class III terrain.
Scenario Rules: The ground was noted to be extremely muddy; therefore all Artillery move at HALF their usual rate. If the Russians lose the villages of Marchais or Les Genereux, they must surrender 4 Morale Points each to the French. Similarly, if the French lose Les Tremblay or the hill nearby to it, they must surrender 4 Morale Points each to the Allies. Finally, if the Prussians lose the road exit to Vilfort, the Allies must surrender 6 Morale points to the French. In all cases, the lost Morale Points can be regained if they retake the lost objective(s).
Deployment: The French (blue), Russians (green) and Prussians (red) deploy as shown on the above map.
French Reinforcements: Michel's Middle Guard Infsantyry Division arrives, deployed, on the first French MOVE card. DeFrance's Gardes d' Honneur Division arrives, deployed, on the second French MOVE card.
Prussian Reinforcements: Jurgas' Prussian Cavalry Division arrives, in column of March alomng the road, on the First Allied MOVE card.
Russian Reinforcements: None
Victory Conditions: Play
continues until one side concedes or fails Army Morale. The margin of
Victory will be determined by the number of Morale Points by which the winning side exceeds the losing side: less than 5 = Marginal, 5 – 14 = Major, 15+ =
Decisive (only counts if the other side also failed Army Morale,
otherwise only Major).
FRENCH, Emperor Napoleon 1: Exceptional LD
38 Units
Guard Infantry, Marshal Mortier: Skilled LD
1st (Old Guard) Division, GD Friant Exceptional LD
6 Old Guard Infantry, DD10, CD 12+1
2nd (Middle Guard) Division, GD Michel Average LD
6 Middle Guard Infantry DD10, CD 12
Guard Artillery, GD Druot Skilled LD
2 Guard Horse Artillery DD10, CD 12+2
2 Guard 12 # Foot Arty DD10, CD 12+2
Guard Cavalry, GD Nansouty Skilled LD
1st (Old Guard) Division, GD Colbert Skilled LD
2 Guard Lancers (Red and Polish)) DD10, CD 12+1
2nd (Young Guard) Division, GD Laferrière-Lévesque Average LD
5 Young Guard Cavalry (Dragoons, Grenadiers, Chasseurs) DD8, CD12
2nd Old Guard Cavalry Division, GD Guyot Average LD
2 Guard Grenadiers a Cheval (includes Gendarmes d' Elite) DD10, CD 12+1
2 Chasseurs a Cheval (includes Mameklukes) DD10, CD 12+1
1 Empress Dragoons DD10, CD 12+1
VI Corps, Bertrand Average LD
Division, GD Ricard Average LD
4 Ligne DD 4 CD10
1 Legere DD 6, CD10
1 6# Foot Battery DD 6. CD 12
Cavalry Division GD DeFrance Skilled LD
4 Gardes d'Honneur/Hussars DD8, CD 10
ALLIES (Sacken is overall Commander)
RUSSIANS: Sacken Poor LD
52 Units
VI Infantry Corps – Lt. Gen. Prince Stcherbatov Poor LD
7th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Talyzin Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers
4 Russian Line
18th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Bernadesov Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD8, CD10
XI Infantry Corps – Maj. Gen. von Lieven III Average LD
18th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Bernadesov Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD8, CD10
4 Russian Line DD8, CD8
6th Corps Artillery
2 12# Batteries DD6, CD 12+1
1 6# Horse battery DD 6, CD 12
1 6# Foot battery DD 6, CD12
XI Infantry Corps – Maj. Gen. von Lieven III Average LD
10th Infantry Division – Maj. Gen. Sass Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD8, Cd10
4 Russian Line DD8, CD 8
27th Infantry Division – Maj Gen Stavitzki Poor LD
2 Russian Jagers DD 8, CD 10
4 Russian Line DD8, CD 8
11th Corps Artillery
2 12# Batteries DD6, CD 12+1
1 6# Horse battery DD6, CD 12
1 6# Foot battery DD 6. CD 12
Cavalry Corps – Lt Gen Vasiltchikov Poor LD
2nd Hussar Division -- Maj. Gen. Lanskoï Poor LD
4 Russian Hussars DD8, CD 10
3rd Dragoon Division – Maj. Gen. Pantchouliechev II Poor LD
4 Russian Dragoons DD6, CD12
6# Horse Battery DD 6, CD 12
PRUSSIANS:
II Armee Korps: General of Infantry Yorck Average LD
1st Infantry Brigade: Maj. Gen. von Pirch II Skilled LD
3 Prussian Grenadiers DD8, CD12
3 Silesian Landwehr DD4. CD 10
6# Foot Battery DD6, CD 12
Cavalry Reserve: Maj. Gen. von Jurgass Average LD
1 Prussian Hussar DD8, CD 10
1 Prussian Hussar DD8, CD 10
2 Prussian Landwehr cavalry DD4, CD 8
6# Horse Battery DD6, CD 12
Note: I have made some very minor changes to the historical OOB to reflect my own preferencess (such as grouping the 2 Guard Lancer regiments together, and standardizing the composition of the Russian infantry Corps/Divisions) I posted a Battle Report of the playtest of this scenario earlier this month, which lead to minor modifications which are reflected in the final scenario above. Vive L'Empereur!
On-Line References and Resources:
Louis Bélanger's geat site on the 6 Day's Campaign of 1814 (in French)http://www.lesbatailles.com/index.html
Project Montmirail - includes OOB's and thoughts on wargaming the battle.
http://dukewacoan.wordpress.com/category/projects/project-montmirail/
Overview of the Battle of Montmirail
http://warandsecurity.com/2014/02/12/the-battle-of-montmirail-11-february-1814/
Nafziger OOB:
http://www.cgsc.edu/CARL/nafziger/814BAA.pdf
Montmirail Scenario for Napoleon's Battles
http://community.fortunecity.ws/underworld/fifa/47/montmirail.html
http://wargameamateur.blogspot.com/2012/08/montmirail-1814.html
One account of a recent wargame based upon Montmirail
http://maraudermoments.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/montmiral-1814-napoleon-leads-old-guard.html
Looks great and interesting, with famous French units!
ReplyDeleteYep, if your Imperial Guard figures have been itching to get off the shelf, out of Reserve, and into the thick of combat, this is the battle for them!
ReplyDeletePerfect scenario to get the Guard onto the table. That doesn't happen often. Terrific scenario material that I may put to use in giving this a try.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Exactly, Jon. Even the Guard needs to stretch its legs once in a while!
DeleteYou can enjoy the report of "our" Montmirail on my blog... http://borodino200.blogspot.it/
ReplyDeleteAuguste: Thanks, and... I did. I was a little surprised that the report cited the lack of Russian Artillery; IIRC Sacken had 90 guns under his command. Did you reduce the artillery to allow for the effects of the mud delaying their arrival?
DeleteYes. From different sources it seems that Russian artillery that was effectively deployed was very scarce, just for the mud and for the fact that they were very hurry in occupy Marchais. However, I have added a secon Prussian Brigade that, in reality, joined late the fighting.
DeleteI did decrease the Russians considerably from the full complement of guns avaialable theoretically, although they still do field a lot of them in my version. I had a second Prussian Brigade in the first version of my scenario, but wehn we tested it it became clear that they were redundant, and as you say, really only enagged in the very endgame of the battle historically.
DeleteAnd, anyway, both of our scenarios ended with the same result... and they had a very similar progress...
DeleteExactly, and as usual, both setting up and playing out the scenario gives you much better insight into the historical battle as well!
DeleteGonsalvo,
ReplyDeleteI just decided to go to Historicon yesterday. I'll be running a Leipzig game on Saturday with my 28mm figures and my adaptation of Command & Colors rules. I'll be walking the show on Friday. If you're around we should grab a drink.
Absolutely, Glenn. I'd like to see that!
DeleteHave you decided what time slot to run it?
Peter
Forgot I was on my wife's computer while mine gets serviced.
ReplyDelete- Glenn Drover (Glenn's Tropical Games)