Hon. Colonel Ellwood,
Thank you for accepting and returning my couriers messages. Furthermore, I am happy you agree with the scenario. I would like to play it since I visited and studied the battlefield some years ago, and historically, the battle was a close affair. With all the covered terrain (olive- and vineyards) the battle could be (and was) full off surprise attacks and manoeuvres, besides the storming of the hill and village of Caldiero itself.
Just now, I studied the library and the MOEIV rules. In early battleground days, I used to play with manual defensive fire, which had the same effect I think: no blitz tactics. As far as skirmishing goes, I think if you want to play it as historically as possible, you should differ between skirmishers of line units (for which the MOEIV rules would do fine) and skirmishers meant to and trained for skirmishing in whole formations (like many of the Grenzer units were, or the veteran Légère regiments of the French in 1805). However, I'm always in for something new, so let me put it this way: yes, I'm willing to play with the MOEIV rules, in which case you must forgive me should I make a small mistake somewhere; or, I'm willing to play with the manual defensive fire phase, which I think has the advantage the game engine decides what is possible and what not. And rest assured, I never ever would use a lonely general to occupy a vp hex, or use a supply wagon to block a retreat or something like that. And I don't charge with staff officers, too. Just as you, I like the game because of its historical flow. You choose between MOEIV or manual defensive fire, Sir.
Please, use my personal e-mail HQ for messages: you will need it anyway - it is m.van.hattem@kpnplanet.nl
Looking forward to your reply and meeting you on the field of Caldiero, colonel -
OberstLeutnant Mark van Hattem
Kurassier Regiment No.7, Prinz Eugen von Lothringen, I. Korps, k. österreichische Armee.
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