Comments: CHARLES reviews the campaign so far, the weather has been atrocious, but it must be making life equally as difficult for the upstart Emperor.
He sat in a tent on the South bank of the Danube opposite the crossing at DEGGENDORF, expecting to be attacked at any time, Through the open tent flap he watched a cavalry picket detachment slowly returning to camp, the horses and men sodden after hours in the saddle.
Further up-river BELLEGARDE had been attacked by DAVOUT at STRAUBING, the rain had deadened the sound of the gun fire, but the report contained the detail. BELLEGARDE had artillery superiority and had prepared a solid defence, DAVOUTs men broke upon that defence and BELLEGARDE has held. ROSENBERG was incoherent after the shock of the previous day, but he and his units had fallen back on CHAM as previously arranged. MASSENA had not moved and a day has been gained to recover, but how much more time would there be.
DAVOUT was without some of his units at STRAUBING, as several of his III Corps units can be seen at LANDAU, where LIECHTENSTEIN's cavalry briefly captured the town.
So why did BELLEGARDE succeed in holding his ground, when ROSENBERG failed ? BELLEGARDE has been in this position for several days, his corps is concentrated, ROSENBERG was caught on the march in a meeting engagement, with his divisions stretched out along the road. ROSENBERG didn't get his artillery into action, whereas BELLEGARDE was able to use all his firepower. The two events show the subtlety in the game. DAVOUT advanced with an 'Escalating Attack', but without some of his units and was beaten back with loss, by BELLEGARDE's firm 'Defend' stance.
What has happened to LANNES II Corps which had been confronting BELLEGARDE, they are now at LANDSHUT and FREISING, are they damaged, or responding to the flank threats ? If they are heading back, then LANNES' cavalry is closer to MUNICH than HILLER, maybe the window of opportunity is already closing, if it was ever open.
The messenger that had carried the orders to HILLER at BRAUNAU reported that HILLER had been shaken by the news that he was to head for MUNICH and was not comforted to know that LIECHTENSTEIN and KIENMAYER would be covering his flank.
There was a warning as Turn 11 started, ‘one corps out of supply’, a quick check made of each of the corps commander counters.
HILLER has exhausted his supplies, there is a wagon convoy (89 supply pnts) destined for HILLER just past SCHRAEDING, but there will be at least a day’s delay before it can reach him. HILLER had already been instructed previously to draw supply from LINZ, which is closer than the LOC at PILSEN. LINZ has just despatched a convoy (34 pnts) to HILLER, so there is plenty of supply on the way, but it may take a day, or two, to arrive. Time and mud, the two imponderables.
CHARLES realised that the rain was probably his saviour, because if the Emperor had free movement, he might have cut through towards VIENNA by now.
The losses are mounting, but the French have suffered more. The French are over the DANUBE at REGENSBERG, but this is the least dangerous position and as the right flank withdraws and the left flank advances, the whole front is pivoting.
The approaches to VIENNA are still covered and a major battle has been avoided, the army is still in being, but it has only been eleven days and the scenario runs to July 14th.
CHARLES is relieved, but worried by the performance of some of the corps commanders, they will have to do better than this when the weather improves and the pace of the campaign quickens. CHARLES had not selected these men, many would not have been his choice and he had not wanted to provoke a war this soon, as the army reforms he had started had not been completed, but now he was sitting in this tent contemplating the rain, making the best of it.
There is a great opportunity on the left flank, the way to MUNICH may be open, but the weather and lack of supplies conspire to thwart such a plan.
KOLOWRAT is out on a limb at NEUMARKT, with his cavalry nearing NURNBURG, but he still has some supply with the corps (38 points). There may be supply to capture at NURNBURG, a supply convoy (51 pnts) is heading through AMBERG to re-supply him and a further convoy (33 pnts) is heading for AMBERG to set up a depot. Some of this is my action, some automatic by the supply staff, either way, if the worse happens and the flank behind collapses, KOLOWRAT should survive and continue to be a useful diversion.
This supply system, set at computer control, but with player input available, is very impressive, easy to use, but with a realistic feel, with actual supply depots and wagon convoys to be captured, or lost.
It typifies the whole game, simple but very effective. [8D]
LOC needs to move closer to provide quicker supply and a source of replacements. Could use KLATTAU, but that would not make much difference, BUDWEIS would be good if retirement becomes neccessary.
There is sufficient supply (600), reaching PILSEN now, with more coming, and is it the time to set up supply elsewhere, but where ?
The supply in PILSEN has an escape route to TABOR in event of retreat, a good strategy to stretch NAPOLEON's supply line, but all eggs are in one basket so decide to move LOC to KLATTAU to join hospital for wounded and provide replacements closer to the action, KLATTAU has an evacuation route by BUDWEIS.
There is a captured supply depot at SCHWANDORF which could be recaptured if MASENNA moves, so order it burned. The supply cannot be sent to PILSEN without risking it being overtaken by MASENNA, or could have ordered KOLOWRAT to draw supply from this depot, but again, MASENNA may get there first.
LOC changed to KLATTAU, prepare to send supply from PILSEN to top-up this depot next turn.
Engineers at DEGENDORF, close to CHARLES, waiting for orders.
CHARLES did not have much confidence in ROSENBERG to start with and now ROSENBERG has shattered, although since reaching the temporary refuge of CHAM he has become ‘wavering’, which is slightly better, but still very unreliable and probably unable to accept further battle just yet. LOUIS is useless at administration and getting his units moving, but he will be good in battle and I could rebuild a bigger corps around him, if only I could entice him to get into the fray.
A plan is developing, which is to destroy all supply which could be used by the French, as without adequate supply NAPOLEON will find it very difficult to get to VIENNA. If only I could get HILLER moving, before LEFEBVRE recovers, or other French troops reach MUNICH, because to capture, or destroy this supply depot would be a huge blow to the enemy.
The advantage of this policy is that supplies don't shoot back and it's easier than having to fight the Emperor. [:D]
