Turn 24, Over-ruled caution and moved LOC to WIMPERK and now HOHENZOLLERN can receive replacements from 4 hexes away. His units have large numbers of stragglers and may still rebuild themselves over time, but Vukassovich infantry was originally a small unit and made smaller by stragglers, so added some replacements to build up the unit. When the stragglers return this unit will be of a more respectable size, but I am holding back some replacements (16), as the situation may become worse.
The flexibility of the game system is brilliant, with the ability to change commanders, switch units, attach, detach and re-build units. The whole corps organisation could be re-arranged if you wanted.
DAVOUT's surviving III corps units are still seen in retreat, but the position of the main French army was still confused. A Wurtemberg division has appeared near LANDAU, but more importantly the French IMPERIAL GUARD has appeared at MUNICH. This is good news as it means that this unit and maybe more following units are being drawn off by HILLER's flanking mission. The bad news is that HILLER's retirement is being delayed and he is in a very exposed position, meanwhile CHARLES cannot afford to lose another corps.
If DAVOUT is retreating on AUGSBURG, which I saw in my 'sneak peek' earlier, then the French LOC must be at AUGSBURG, which is why the Guard has been committed to its defence. Either way, I don't have to face this unit on the DANUBE, but what is worrying me is that there has been no sign of NAPOLEON and MASSENA for several days since they left KOLOWRAT. Might they descend on HILLER like they did on KOLOWRAT, or strike through REGENSBERG and SCHWARNDORF and bypass my defence on the Danube.
LOUIS is slow moving, as always, and has not yet fully passed CHAM, so fortuitously is in a position to cover that route if NAPLOEON appears there.
Would the Guard confront a whole corps alone, there must be more units following and now I have to decide whether to have HILLER make a stand at MUNICH, or try to withdraw, but orders delay over such a large distance will make controlling this flank difficult and, as with KOLOWRAT, HILLER is most likely to be on his own.
This game never lets up, it keeps you guessing every turn.
I should have learned to check the map more closely by now, KOLOWRAT is not alone, there are 4 French units in the same hex, two from MASSENA's IV Corps and two from the VANDAMME's Wurtemberg Corps, so this reveals where some of the missing French Units are. This is looking better for the defence on the Danube, if French units are still involved on both flanks, although it is not good news for KOLOWRAT and HILLER.
I went back over the previous game saves and, although KOLOWRAT and his only surviving division seem to be alone, the stack numbers clearly show 4 other units present. Shuffling though the stack quickly reveals the French units which have not left the area and KOLOWRAT is still in great danger.
I should be sweeping the mouse over all stacks to see how many units are there and, with multiple unit stacks, I need to shuffle through the units to see what is there.
Never stop learning.
Taking a closer look at the map and rethinking the strategy.
Near LANDAU and under Tharreau, the Austrian infantry and cavalry of Fresnel are trying to disengage and retreat with BELLEGARDE to the STRAUBING crossing, there was a battle here last turn with these two Austrian units not yet having managed to pull back.
Meanwhile, the realisation that the French are still engaged on the two flanks at INGOLSTADT and MUNICH have given CHARLES the confidence to attempt to hold his present positions on the DANUBE. The French army is not concentrated and some of it's corps are split, with DAVOUT still apparently in retreat. There should be time to bring LOUIS into line at STRAUBING and HOHENZOLLERN into position at DEGGENDORF, whilst KIENMAYER and LIECHTENSTEIN may have the opportunity to rally their shattered corps at PASSAU. If I can stop their flight, with KIENMAYER heading for BUDWEIS and LIECHTENSTEIN making for LINZ, in panic and rout. KIENMAYER may be beyond recall, but LIECHTENSTEIN is not as badly stressed and may recover sooner.
There is a large supply depot at LINZ, which could supply the units gathering at PASSAU and the LOC at WIMPERK is closer to provide replacements.
There may still be an opportunity to hold the line of the DANUBE, except that the Emperor may choose to cross at REGENSBERG (undefended), or bludgeon through one of the other defended crossings and can the Austrian army hold, with it's confidence shaken by the battles of the previous week ?
HILLER could have his retreat cancelled and be ordered to hold at MUNICH, consolidate his position as the cavalry raid on FREISING is cancelled and Vincent reattached, but this is a potentially dangerous move as HILLER could be cut-off by French units moving down from LANDAU and trying to control a situation at long distance, on the flank, has already failed catastrophically for KOLOWRAT. However, if the Guard is alone, what a coup to destroy the EMPEROR's pride and joy. What a temptation, but is the risk worth it [&:]
Most of the uncertainty of the last few turns has been of my own making, as the information was there on the map, if only I had taken the trouble to look deeper.
LANNES II Corps appears to be engaged near LANDAU, assisted by part of VANDAMME's 'Wurtembergers', the rest of the 'Wurtemberg' Corps is with MASSENA's IV Corps at INGOLSTADT, whilst the Guard is at MUNICH. LEFEBVRE is unaccounted for, but his corps was badly damaged earlier by HILLER on the River Inn and maybe is not fully recovered, but I have been wrong before. [:(]
Where is NAPLOEON ??
Comment has been made that the game is limited, if movement is restricted only to the roads, but as can be seen, the strategic possibilities are extensive and, historically, large armies were mainly using the roads for strategic movement and operational plans were based on the road net.
The replacements available to HOHENZOLLERN, from the LOC at WIMPERK, seemed to be based on the cross country range from WIMPERK (about 5 hexes or less), not the distance by road. This would replicate the need for active units, ready for combat and accompanied by artillery and supply wagons, moving along roads in compact formations ready to deploy from the roads into battle formation (each corps is carrying its own supply, additional to the overall supply system). Replacements are moving in smaller, looser groups, using the by-ways and lanes to reach their assigned units, leaving the main roads clear for major movement, which makes sense. You can also picture stragglers, moving across country, attempting to find their units by any route available.
The game system is not far from the historic realities of the time. I have been travelling over the last two months and unable to play, but have taken the opportunity to read and nothing in the detail of the Danube campaigns has clashed with the game representation of the events.
This first test game in v3.05 quickly developed into an intensely interesting situation, which just keeps coming up with surprises and new challenges, never boring, and right in the sweet spot of Napoleonic gaming.
NAPOLEON worked with maps stretched out everywhere, often across the floor, he had two card indexes, one with details of his own units and another containing details of the enemy forces. Which is essentially what the game provides in a more simplified form, superb map (using mod) with details and attributes of your own commanders and units. The enemy is partially hidden in FOW, which afflicted the commanders at the time. NAPOLEON was also blessed with a phenomenal memory, which I do not have, such that on coming across a lost unit, NAPLOEON was able to tell the officer where his parent division could be found and also a short history of the divisional commander.
I am still left with the question, What do I do now ? [8D]
P.S. - Have decided to halt HILLER's retreat from MUNICH and take on the Guard and any following units, if only the orders get there in time. I may also be forced to make a demonstration across the Danube to keep the French units at LANDAU in place. This plan is developing more holes than a Swiss cheese. [8|]
