The game was huge fun, with four players taking the role of various French units trying to escape the pursuing Russians that were programmed, but played by me. The game differed from last October's game in that the French approached by two roads that merged into a single road at a village to exit the table. To make matters worse for them, when they reached the village they heard that the Emperorwas approaching from behind them and that their prime purpose was now to get the Emperor off the table.
In short, depite the appearance of many Russian units (most of which were "recycled" when they were driven from the field), the French managed to get the Emperor off the table although they lost three infantry and one cavalry units to the Russians. Perhaps the darkest moment for the French was when a small unit of Old Guard grenadiers were dispersed by a ragged group of Russian peasants!
The figures are from the excellent Perry Miniatures range.
So the photos in no particular order...
Cossacks and dragoons harrass one of the French columns
Those peasants arrive
In the village
Russian jägers, with the peasants nearby, engage a French battalion
Cossacks swarm around the village
A Russian battery enters the fight
A brave French battalion
A broad view of the field of battle
The Emperor escapes
Lovely characterful game! I really like the wrapped up Russian artillery, the French look suitably disheveled and the village looks great!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
The best thing about those programmed games, is that no one loses and all have fun. I agree about the gunners, they are a great set.
DeleteAtmospheric and wonderful looking game Mark, immersive and splendid pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil. Thankfully it is not as cold here today as the setting was!
DeleteBrrr. Very chilling game! Troops look terrific.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jonathan. The RfM range is a great collection...but very difficult to photograph with that white cloth on the table.
DeleteA great looking game Mark...
DeleteThe retreat from Moscow range has some lovely miniatures in it...
I am as always seriously tempted...maybe next year...
All the best. Aly
From the moment I saw those Marbot sleds I was hooked. Then watching the cossack raids in the most recent BBC War and Peace I got the idea of a Pony Wars type scenario. It is such fun to play and nobody loses - although one player did manage to lose both his units yesterday.
DeleteThat looks like a lot of fun. At least until the Old Guard lost to the Russian peasants - I'll bet that made for a humorous moment.
ReplyDeleteExtremely humorous. The shame will never go away!
DeleteNow that's eye candy 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Russ.
DeleteThat’s a fun scenario design. I often don’t see games we’re all the players are on one side but it seems to work well!
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing was based on the Pony Wars rules that came out in the 80s. Done with the right group of people it works really well. We have used it for Pony Wars, NZ Wars and this Retreat from Moscow. It would probably work equally well with any type of ambush action.
DeleteThat two from two pour les Francais, Mark ...you will have to try to imagine a scenario where the players are the Russians for a change!
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty hard for the French to lose, but it would be hard to reverse the roles.
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