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With players scattered around the world (Australia, New Zealand, USA, Germany), we have started a new game -- Iron Topsail.

We began with an initial set of bids using EIAGAP and then players were invited to resubmit their bids, with identical numbers but added declarations of war, after a 2 day diplomacy period. The end result saw pre-game declarations of war on France by Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia. There was a reciprocal declaration of war on Austria by France.

Oddly enough nobody bid 30 for either Britain or France.

The initial setup (we are now in the jan 1805 naval phase) sees the central powers and the Le Grand Armee eyeing each other off at a safe distance.

Kutuzov stands by with the Russian army.

France tries the "stack my entire fleet in one heavily defended port" tactic. Britain tries the "stick an even bigger fleet on blockade" tactic.

Spain goes after Portugal early. Also Papacy and Algeria. Turkey tries the tactic of going into Italy via Naples.

Most of the rest of the Turkish army stands on the border of Egypt, ready for an excursion into Africa.

[font="Times New Roman"]
Der Monatsspiegel, Januar 1805.

Nachrichten von der Frontseite.

Wie französische Armeen das Rheinland, Verbündete der Rheinland-Nationen, Großbritannien, Russland, Österreich und in Preußen einfallen, bilden Sie das großartige Bündnis gegen Napoleon. Armeen und Flotten werden bereit versammelt und gebildet. Die britische Flotte unter Nelson blockiert die französische Flotte in Flandern.

Unterdessen steigen Spannungen zwischen Spanien und der Türkei über der Besteuerung der Geschäftswege im Mittelmeer. Die Türkei dringt Neapel ein, das durch Spanien gestützt wird.

In den lokalen Nachrichten fahren Armeemobilisierung langsam fort. Das Kaiser ist nicht mit den Fähigkeiten seiner Altern Generäle glücklich und sucht neues Blut. General Brunswick wird gedrängt, einen Feiertag in der Ukraine zu nehmen. Und General Hohenloe ist abwesend ohne Urlaub ausgesprochen worden, nachdem man zuletzt in die Firma von zwölf polnischen Konkubinen, nach voranbringenden russischen Kosaken des Grußes in Warschau gesehen worden war.

Im Sport, preussische Adligschlag Polnisch-Sklaven siebzig bis null am Polo. Setzen Sie möglicherweise zunächst Zeit Polen holt Pferde fest.

<A translation for our British Allies>

The Monthly mirror, January 1805.

News from the front.

As French armies invade the Rhineland, Allies of the Rhineland nations, Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia, form The Grand Alliance against Napoleon. Armies and Fleets are mustered and made ready. The British fleet under Nelson blockades the French Fleet in Flanders.

Meanwhile, tensions rise between Spain and Turkey over the taxation of trade routes in the Mediterranean. Turkey invades Naples, which is supported by Spain.

In Local News, Army mobilisation proceed slowly. The Kaiser is not happy with the abilities of his aging Generals, and seeks new blood. General Brunswick is being urged to take a holiday in the Ukraine. And General Hohenloe has been pronounced absent without leave, after being last seen in the company of twelve polish concubines, after greeting advancing Russian cossacks at Warsaw.

In Sports, Prussian Nobles beat Polish Serfs seventy to zero at polo. Perhaps next time the Poles will bring horses.[/font]

Ah, dass ist nicht so nett uber die Pferde...[:D]

Assault vs counterattack.

Victory on Morale to Napoleon. Victory on points to Charles, inflicting 29 infantry lost by the French to 20 lost by the combined Prussian/Austrian army, with the Russians on their way to reinforce.

Round two. Good die rolling on Charles' part inflicted massive casualties on the French.

Round 3. Both sides commit the guards, 2 guards factors lost each. 1 cavalry factor lost on the Austrian side but no pursuit losses due to the high morale losses on each side.

Andreas points out that the first screen shot above shows the French having already removed 3I and 3M casualties.

Things now stand evenly poised in central Europe.

Charles and Napoleon have given each other a beating, but Russian forces now arrive to reinforce Charles. Davout rushes down from the North West with fresh forces for Napoleon. Neither side will give an inch, although I suspect Soult's position in Vienna could be tricky.

Charles attacked Soult at Vienna. Charles had 12 corps, Soult had 2.

Soult picked withdraw and was successful.

Here are some screen shots of the central powers grand tactical situation at the end of May 1805.

# 1 of 2: The Southern Front - Napoleon and Charles exchange control of Vienna again, with reinforcements en route to both armies

Courtesy of the Kaiser of Prussia

Here are some screen shots of the central powers grand tactical situation at the end of May 1805.

# 2 of 2: The Northern Front - with Davout reporting to l'Empereur at high speed, Kutuzov (ably assisted by the meticulous planning of the Northern allied army's Prussian chief of staff) attacks Amsterdam and Munster.

Courtesy of the Kaiser of Prussia

June 1806.

Napoleon has split his army and marched north, to avoid Charles, leaving Joachim Murat to lead the vanguard and strike towards Berlin. Davout has been sent back west to contain a rampaging Kutuzov and to attempt to save the French fleet. Davout attempted an outflanking manoeuvre against Kutuzov. Kutuzov, sensing danger, had set up his troops in a cordon, and alas Davout was unable to find any flanks. Davout's troops stood firm until the second phase of battle had passed, and then, with British reinforcements arriving, Kutuzov was able to break Davout's line and send him into retreat.

The attached screen shot shows the final phase of the battle, with the French troops broken. To retain discipline Kutuzov had contained his cavalry and so there were no losses in the pursuit, but the French second army suffered significant losses and is now at the mercy of Kutuzov's gathering army. Will Napoleon arrive in time to save his Marshal's hide, or will Archduke Charles be able to hunt down the Corsican now he has gathered the allied forces together into what looks like an invincible army?

Kutuzov went onto the offensive against Davout, after gathering his remaining corps. Davout retreated to Breda and Kutuzov went on a probing attack.

Although the chit pick went well for Kutuzov (probe vs outflank), the die rolls did not. Faced with having the direction of their outflank attempt guessed by the Russians, the French stood the charge and managed to break the Russian line.

Hi all,

Let's try this again.

Things have gone quiet in Iron Topsail since Nov 1805 when France conditionally surrendered to Austria, Russia and Prussia.

Well, GB, Russia, Austria and Turkey have all attacked Spain, and Spain has surrendered to GB and Russia, and lost Northern Italy to Austria and Southern Italy and North Africa to Turkey, but with all due respect to Spain, this is a bit of a sideshow.

It's now March 1807, and war in Central Europe approaches again. Screenshots to follow.

Cheers,

Alistair aka Stefano
Kaiser of Prussia and Poland

NW Europe March 1807