EYLAU 2006
| Sunday November 19th 2007 saw the refight using 'Le Feu Sacre' of the battle of Eylau 1807 hosted at Lard Island, HQ of the Too Fat Lardies, Below is the table at the start, seen from the Russian position French troops are hidden by blue blinds and Russians by red ones |
| Well another Too Fat Lardies 'Le Feu Sacre' refight, another victory for the French. I shall try to recount the events of that sad day for the Russian Army. These are obviously written from a Russian point of view and concern mainly the fight around the left flank of the Russian Army |
First the Russians ...C-in-C Benningsen (Harpers)
From their left, anchored on the village of Serpallen, First line; Sacken (Allen), Tolstoi (me),
Galitzin (Robert), Kamenskoi and Reserve Artillery (Andy 'Mother' Tucker) around the village of
Schloditten.
Second line; Tuchkov (Biff), Tscaplitz (Harpers later Allen), Markov (Robert)
The French under L'Empereur Napoleon (Nod) consisted of Davout and Augereau (Clivey), Soult
and Lasalle (Zippee), Murat (Phil) and Legrand (Kelvin)
Our plan was basically to sit on our high ground and let the enemy come to us, allowing our
numerical advantage of guns to do the damage upon the French. Our cavalry and Tuchkov were
in reserve to plug any gaps and reinforce if necessary. I had suggested that our front line
Divisions reveal their guns, to deny the French the opportunity of multiple marching as there
would then be formed troops within 16".
However, from early on in the game it was obvious that the French wisely were keen to await the
for Davout's III Corps to appear before commencing hostilities. Of course this would result in the
game clock ticking away thereby ensuring Davout and or Ney would probably see much action.
Zippee's (Lasalle's) Hussars did a bit of posturing and their Commander mounted the ridgeline
and in subesequent turns spotted Kameskoi around Schloditten, Galitzin in flank support and
Tolstoi (myself) holding the centre. I expanded my troops outwards on both flanks allowing
Galitzin to fall back from the frontline, albeit temporarily.
Harpers, our C-in-C, wisely decided that we aught to launch a spoiling attack upon the enemy
holding Windmill ridge but unfortunately his card (Benningsen) kept coming up as the
Poor/Cautious commander therefore denying him the opportunity to issue orders to this effect.
When he did have the chance to do so Davout had appearred (early as our luck would have it!)
and was launching a furious assault requiring a flurry of orders to Tuchkov to reinforce Sacken.
From their left, anchored on the village of Serpallen, First line; Sacken (Allen), Tolstoi (me),
Galitzin (Robert), Kamenskoi and Reserve Artillery (Andy 'Mother' Tucker) around the village of
Schloditten.
Second line; Tuchkov (Biff), Tscaplitz (Harpers later Allen), Markov (Robert)
The French under L'Empereur Napoleon (Nod) consisted of Davout and Augereau (Clivey), Soult
and Lasalle (Zippee), Murat (Phil) and Legrand (Kelvin)
Our plan was basically to sit on our high ground and let the enemy come to us, allowing our
numerical advantage of guns to do the damage upon the French. Our cavalry and Tuchkov were
in reserve to plug any gaps and reinforce if necessary. I had suggested that our front line
Divisions reveal their guns, to deny the French the opportunity of multiple marching as there
would then be formed troops within 16".
However, from early on in the game it was obvious that the French wisely were keen to await the
for Davout's III Corps to appear before commencing hostilities. Of course this would result in the
game clock ticking away thereby ensuring Davout and or Ney would probably see much action.
Zippee's (Lasalle's) Hussars did a bit of posturing and their Commander mounted the ridgeline
and in subesequent turns spotted Kameskoi around Schloditten, Galitzin in flank support and
Tolstoi (myself) holding the centre. I expanded my troops outwards on both flanks allowing
Galitzin to fall back from the frontline, albeit temporarily.
Harpers, our C-in-C, wisely decided that we aught to launch a spoiling attack upon the enemy
holding Windmill ridge but unfortunately his card (Benningsen) kept coming up as the
Poor/Cautious commander therefore denying him the opportunity to issue orders to this effect.
When he did have the chance to do so Davout had appearred (early as our luck would have it!)
and was launching a furious assault requiring a flurry of orders to Tuchkov to reinforce Sacken.
Davout (the dastardly Clive) arrived and swung round the rear of Serpallen forcing Sacken
(Allen) to face some units to the flank. Davout then showed his gifted rating as well deserved
when his Corps light cavalry regiment forced some of Sacken's Battalions to form square.
Whilst his artillery fired cannister his infantry charged into the shaken square routing them.
Meanwhil, French blinds began heading towards the village of Serpallen. Marechal
Augereau's Corps (Clivey again) was spotted heading towards the unfortunate Sacken
supported by Bousillard's detached Dragoon brigade (Phil) .
Outnumbered and outflanked Sacken put up one heck of a fight as Augereau led an assault
into Serapallen. Clivey's luck deserted him, for once, as three French Battalions were routed
with his roll of snake eyes, and Augereau subsequently failed his roll and paid with his life!
With Davout attacking his flank, and Augereau from the front Sacken's force was soon
shattered. Battalions fled causing his reserves to become shaken, and a Battalion of Tolstoi's
Grenadiers and the Sumy Hussars, also turn to run. Serapallen held though and did so for
many moves to come in the face of a fierce artillery barrage which eventually forced its
garrison to surrender along with Sacken who had sought refuge there.
(Allen) to face some units to the flank. Davout then showed his gifted rating as well deserved
when his Corps light cavalry regiment forced some of Sacken's Battalions to form square.
Whilst his artillery fired cannister his infantry charged into the shaken square routing them.
Meanwhil, French blinds began heading towards the village of Serpallen. Marechal
Augereau's Corps (Clivey again) was spotted heading towards the unfortunate Sacken
supported by Bousillard's detached Dragoon brigade (Phil) .
Outnumbered and outflanked Sacken put up one heck of a fight as Augereau led an assault
into Serapallen. Clivey's luck deserted him, for once, as three French Battalions were routed
with his roll of snake eyes, and Augereau subsequently failed his roll and paid with his life!
With Davout attacking his flank, and Augereau from the front Sacken's force was soon
shattered. Battalions fled causing his reserves to become shaken, and a Battalion of Tolstoi's
Grenadiers and the Sumy Hussars, also turn to run. Serapallen held though and did so for
many moves to come in the face of a fierce artillery barrage which eventually forced its
garrison to surrender along with Sacken who had sought refuge there.
With Sacken all but destroyed the flank of the entire Russian army was hanging by a thread.
Bennigsen had finally managed to issue orders for Tuchkov to turn to the threatened flank and
Tolstoi had managed to turn his left-hand Battalions to face the threat.
Whilst the intrepid struggle for Serpallen was running its course French blinds began to
descend from their ridgeline and head for the hinge in the L shaped Russian line.
To try to buy time for Tuchkov I formed a Battalion of The Petersburg Grenadier Regiment into
line and charged into Augereau's infantry pushing them back.
Davout's III Corps continued to rip into the swathe of Russian infantry who were now
desperately forming line to flank. Tuchkov's artillery managed to pivot and fire into the mass
of advancing Frenchmen, and his Battalions fought to buy time for the rest of the army. The
rout was spreading though as Russian Battalions became successively shaken and then
routed, and as Sacken's infantry streamed past him Tuchkov's men began to disintegrate and
joined their comrades in rout.
Bennigsen had finally managed to issue orders for Tuchkov to turn to the threatened flank and
Tolstoi had managed to turn his left-hand Battalions to face the threat.
Whilst the intrepid struggle for Serpallen was running its course French blinds began to
descend from their ridgeline and head for the hinge in the L shaped Russian line.
To try to buy time for Tuchkov I formed a Battalion of The Petersburg Grenadier Regiment into
line and charged into Augereau's infantry pushing them back.
Davout's III Corps continued to rip into the swathe of Russian infantry who were now
desperately forming line to flank. Tuchkov's artillery managed to pivot and fire into the mass
of advancing Frenchmen, and his Battalions fought to buy time for the rest of the army. The
rout was spreading though as Russian Battalions became successively shaken and then
routed, and as Sacken's infantry streamed past him Tuchkov's men began to disintegrate and
joined their comrades in rout.
With Tuchkov's force disintegrating and Sacken's destroyed my own force (Tolstoi), now the
hinge, became the object of French attention. As the French advanced between ridges
towards Russian lines they wisely hung to their right, avoiding the attention of the majority of
the formidable Russian guns. The Petersburg Battalion fought off Augereau's French yet
again and suddenly the weather turned for the worst. So far, snow flurries had not really
affected the fighting. Now however, a snowstorm slowed down the French advance also
rather conveniently masking their approach from the sights of the Russian guns.
hinge, became the object of French attention. As the French advanced between ridges
towards Russian lines they wisely hung to their right, avoiding the attention of the majority of
the formidable Russian guns. The Petersburg Battalion fought off Augereau's French yet
again and suddenly the weather turned for the worst. So far, snow flurries had not really
affected the fighting. Now however, a snowstorm slowed down the French advance also
rather conveniently masking their approach from the sights of the Russian guns.
The French had now rolled past Serpallen, cutting it off, and had pushed into the Russian
lines. Tuchkov under massive pressure from Davout's Corps was at breaking point. The (late)
Augereau's Corps, Boussard's Dragoons (Phil) and St Hilaire's (Zippee) Division of Soult's
Corps, were pressing on Tolstoi's front. French reserve blinds were moving to a central
position to hit Tolstoi's hinge led by the Emperor himself! Crisis time for the Russian Army.
Harpers, as Russian C-in-C, at last had managed to issue orders to Kamenskoi and Galitzin to
launch an attack upon Windmill ridge, and had ordered the reserve cavalry brigades of
Tscaplitz (Allen) and Markov (Robert) to cover the Russian left flank. Hampered by
Bennigsen's Poor rating Harpers had had to sit for hours watching his army slowly
disintegrating under a series of well co-ordinated body blows from Davout and Augereau. All
the Russian Commanders could see what was happening and knew what we wanted to
happen to rectify our situation but our LFS characters weren't up to the job in hand. Some
people would have been frustrated but not us!
lines. Tuchkov under massive pressure from Davout's Corps was at breaking point. The (late)
Augereau's Corps, Boussard's Dragoons (Phil) and St Hilaire's (Zippee) Division of Soult's
Corps, were pressing on Tolstoi's front. French reserve blinds were moving to a central
position to hit Tolstoi's hinge led by the Emperor himself! Crisis time for the Russian Army.
Harpers, as Russian C-in-C, at last had managed to issue orders to Kamenskoi and Galitzin to
launch an attack upon Windmill ridge, and had ordered the reserve cavalry brigades of
Tscaplitz (Allen) and Markov (Robert) to cover the Russian left flank. Hampered by
Bennigsen's Poor rating Harpers had had to sit for hours watching his army slowly
disintegrating under a series of well co-ordinated body blows from Davout and Augereau. All
the Russian Commanders could see what was happening and knew what we wanted to
happen to rectify our situation but our LFS characters weren't up to the job in hand. Some
people would have been frustrated but not us!
Seizing an opportunity the Petersburg Grenadiers charged into a mass of disordered French and
managed to score a 19! After my loud appeal Daz awarded me a captured eagle, right under the
nose of the Emperor himself! It was but a minor victory in the grand scheme of things however,
and my attempts to frustrate the enemy's attempt to roll up our flank were proving more and more
futile in the face of overwhelming odds.
Seeing that my position was threatened by Murat's detached Dragoon Division of Bousard and
St Hilaire's which now resumed their advance I decided to try and take the initiative away from
the enemy cavalry by forming square and triggering an opportunity charge. As the Dragoons
charged they were hit by intercepting Russian cavalry from our Cavalry reserve, which though
not defeating the enemy forced him to bounce off blown. The plan here was to deny the enemy
the chance to co-ordinate by making spoiling attacks. The Emperor himself was forced to direct
units personally at one stage to ensure that the French line held. But hold they did, and onward
they came.
St Hilaire had taken some serious casualties from my batteries but under the gaze of the Emperor
pressed onwards into the ranks of Tolstoi's Division. A string of firefights broke out resulting in a
stalemate, whilst poor Tuchkov's force was rescued by reserve cavalry from Markov. It was the
intervention of the Russian reserve cavalry that finally halted Davout's advance, forcing his
Battalions to form square. Supported by Dragoons and his own III Corps light cavalry, the
Russian reserve cavalry was kept at bay in a flurry of opportunity charges and intercepts which
exhausted both sides. Casualties were mounting upon the Russian reserves as the French
artillery in close support began to take its toll of the brave horsemen.
managed to score a 19! After my loud appeal Daz awarded me a captured eagle, right under the
nose of the Emperor himself! It was but a minor victory in the grand scheme of things however,
and my attempts to frustrate the enemy's attempt to roll up our flank were proving more and more
futile in the face of overwhelming odds.
Seeing that my position was threatened by Murat's detached Dragoon Division of Bousard and
St Hilaire's which now resumed their advance I decided to try and take the initiative away from
the enemy cavalry by forming square and triggering an opportunity charge. As the Dragoons
charged they were hit by intercepting Russian cavalry from our Cavalry reserve, which though
not defeating the enemy forced him to bounce off blown. The plan here was to deny the enemy
the chance to co-ordinate by making spoiling attacks. The Emperor himself was forced to direct
units personally at one stage to ensure that the French line held. But hold they did, and onward
they came.
St Hilaire had taken some serious casualties from my batteries but under the gaze of the Emperor
pressed onwards into the ranks of Tolstoi's Division. A string of firefights broke out resulting in a
stalemate, whilst poor Tuchkov's force was rescued by reserve cavalry from Markov. It was the
intervention of the Russian reserve cavalry that finally halted Davout's advance, forcing his
Battalions to form square. Supported by Dragoons and his own III Corps light cavalry, the
Russian reserve cavalry was kept at bay in a flurry of opportunity charges and intercepts which
exhausted both sides. Casualties were mounting upon the Russian reserves as the French
artillery in close support began to take its toll of the brave horsemen.
The combat between Tolstoi and St Hilaire was finally settled when the French infantry saw off
the battered, Tolstoi led, Petersburg Grenadiers and 3rd Jager Regiments which had held the line
for so long. Tolstoi himself being killed in the process.
Over on the Russian right Kamenskoi at last had received orders and had begun to move
towards Windmill ridge. Galitzin, supporting his left, had advanced his Cavalry brigade only to
discover Legrand's Division occupying Eylau and found itself on the sharp end of Kelvin's
artillery suffering severe casualties on one unit which rendered it practically useless.
Galitzin had also discovered that one of the enemy blinds was a dummy and that the position
was held thinly by Lasalle's light cavalry. The Russian right had spent the game waiting for
orders to attack what turned out to be a thinly held sector of the French line. The Russians had
been outbluffed.
the battered, Tolstoi led, Petersburg Grenadiers and 3rd Jager Regiments which had held the line
for so long. Tolstoi himself being killed in the process.
Over on the Russian right Kamenskoi at last had received orders and had begun to move
towards Windmill ridge. Galitzin, supporting his left, had advanced his Cavalry brigade only to
discover Legrand's Division occupying Eylau and found itself on the sharp end of Kelvin's
artillery suffering severe casualties on one unit which rendered it practically useless.
Galitzin had also discovered that one of the enemy blinds was a dummy and that the position
was held thinly by Lasalle's light cavalry. The Russian right had spent the game waiting for
orders to attack what turned out to be a thinly held sector of the French line. The Russians had
been outbluffed.
Lasalle and Galitzin met on the French side of Windmill ridge with an inconclusive result, both
sides bouncing off each other.
More alarming was the site of the Imperial Guard under Lefevbre which was waiting patiently to
go into action and Murat's (Phil) massed Cuirassiers and Dragoons of the Cavalry reserve
descending to administer the coup de grace to the late Tolstoi's troops.
L'Estocq's Prussians arrived late in the day. Multiple moving they marched for Anklappen
preceeded by the Russian reserve artillery which Bennigsen had rushed over to support
Tuchkov's last Battalion and the remnants of Markov, Tchaplitz and Tolstoi's commands.
sides bouncing off each other.
More alarming was the site of the Imperial Guard under Lefevbre which was waiting patiently to
go into action and Murat's (Phil) massed Cuirassiers and Dragoons of the Cavalry reserve
descending to administer the coup de grace to the late Tolstoi's troops.
L'Estocq's Prussians arrived late in the day. Multiple moving they marched for Anklappen
preceeded by the Russian reserve artillery which Bennigsen had rushed over to support
Tuchkov's last Battalion and the remnants of Markov, Tchaplitz and Tolstoi's commands.
The game ended with the Russians ready to disintegrate. Sacken and Tuchkov whom had to
face the brunt of well co-ordinated attacks by well-led and superior troops had been
outmanoevred and all but ceased to exist. Tolstoi had lost 25% and the Reserve cavalry was
all but exhausted but the French had finally been stopped, albeit temporarily.
Doubtless Murat and the Guard would have utterly destroyed the resolute Russians, who
though reinforced by L'Estocq Prussians, were in no shape to resist after the attentions of
Davout Augereau and St Hilaire.
face the brunt of well co-ordinated attacks by well-led and superior troops had been
outmanoevred and all but ceased to exist. Tolstoi had lost 25% and the Reserve cavalry was
all but exhausted but the French had finally been stopped, albeit temporarily.
Doubtless Murat and the Guard would have utterly destroyed the resolute Russians, who
though reinforced by L'Estocq Prussians, were in no shape to resist after the attentions of
Davout Augereau and St Hilaire.
Eylau
| Windmill Hill |
Klein-Sausgarten
Anklappen
Serpallen
Schloditten
A superb game won well by the French. They deployed without showing their hand too early.
Waiting patiently for Davout to arrive first, Augereau and St Hilaire with support from Boussard
had exerted intense pressure upon first Sacken, then Tuchkov and finally Tolstoi, whose
commands had been battered as the left flank was rolled up.
The Russians had deployed on their ridgeline, confident in the ability of their artillery to inflict
heavy casualties. Once it was apparent that the French thrust was directed at Serpallen and
the Russian left, by-passing many of the guns, the Russian plethora of 'poor' commanders,
particularly Bennigsen, meant that their reaction times were much slower. The 'Poor' Russian
C-in-C Bennigsen's lack of ability to change the battleplan, coupled with the sheer length of
the Russian position meant that the result was inevitable.
That said, the individual fighting ability of several Russian Battalions really caused problems
to the French. Once the Russian reserve cavalry got involved along with often isolated
Russian artillery batteries, French casualties mounted up and things begin look less rosy.
Napoleon himself was forced to intervene and directly order Battalions into attack to ensure
that the advance did not stall.
Davout/Clivey was awarded the title Duc D'Eylau on the day as Augereau had been killed in
the attack upon Serpallen. Tolstoi too succumbed on the field of battle and Sacken was forced
to surrender at Serpallen.
Oh and did I mention...I took an Eagle!
I felt sorry for Andy (Kamenskoi) who waited for orders to advance for hours and Kelvin
(Legrand) who was in reserve at Eylau. Poor chaps hardly had a thing to do.
The day once again proved what a superb set of rules LFS is, both for Corps sized and Army
sized battles. All players agreed that in LFS Commanders are the key. Individual Battalions
and Regiments generally fight well but it is how they fit into the overall picture that is vital.
Thanks again to Daz for umpiring so well and providing the scenario, set-up and the vast
majority of the figures.
A superb day, well spent amongst old and new friends. Not a bad word, not a single argument
but a lot of laughs along the way.
Waiting patiently for Davout to arrive first, Augereau and St Hilaire with support from Boussard
had exerted intense pressure upon first Sacken, then Tuchkov and finally Tolstoi, whose
commands had been battered as the left flank was rolled up.
The Russians had deployed on their ridgeline, confident in the ability of their artillery to inflict
heavy casualties. Once it was apparent that the French thrust was directed at Serpallen and
the Russian left, by-passing many of the guns, the Russian plethora of 'poor' commanders,
particularly Bennigsen, meant that their reaction times were much slower. The 'Poor' Russian
C-in-C Bennigsen's lack of ability to change the battleplan, coupled with the sheer length of
the Russian position meant that the result was inevitable.
That said, the individual fighting ability of several Russian Battalions really caused problems
to the French. Once the Russian reserve cavalry got involved along with often isolated
Russian artillery batteries, French casualties mounted up and things begin look less rosy.
Napoleon himself was forced to intervene and directly order Battalions into attack to ensure
that the advance did not stall.
Davout/Clivey was awarded the title Duc D'Eylau on the day as Augereau had been killed in
the attack upon Serpallen. Tolstoi too succumbed on the field of battle and Sacken was forced
to surrender at Serpallen.
Oh and did I mention...I took an Eagle!
I felt sorry for Andy (Kamenskoi) who waited for orders to advance for hours and Kelvin
(Legrand) who was in reserve at Eylau. Poor chaps hardly had a thing to do.
The day once again proved what a superb set of rules LFS is, both for Corps sized and Army
sized battles. All players agreed that in LFS Commanders are the key. Individual Battalions
and Regiments generally fight well but it is how they fit into the overall picture that is vital.
Thanks again to Daz for umpiring so well and providing the scenario, set-up and the vast
majority of the figures.
A superb day, well spent amongst old and new friends. Not a bad word, not a single argument
but a lot of laughs along the way.
