Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

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Generalfeldmarschall Scott Kronprinz "Vorwärts" Ludwig von Preußen
Kommandeur des Königlich-Preußischen Armee-Korps
Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Allied Coalition
Allied Coalition Webmaster & Club Website Support

Thanks Scott!
Loved the mentioning the "Little Corporal" in another post
"On to Brussels!" is my favourite track, thanks for sharing!

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General-Leytenant Alexey Tartyshev
The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty

Leib-Guard Preobrazhensky Regiment (Grenadier Drum)
1st Brigade
Guard Infantry Division
5th Guard Corps


(I don't play with with ZOC kills and Rout limiting ON)

A fantastic AAR again Alexey, lots of in depth strategic analysis. I'd recommend that any new player repeatedly go through the initial sections of the write up to the actual start of the battle, until they have a solid understanding of the principles you've outlined.

Having played against you several times before, I know only too well how effective your initial planning can be. I usually prefer to see how things are developing before settling firmly on a course of action. In our games, by the time I did so, it was usually too late.

Ligny was the first major WDS battle I ever fought. At that time, fields in Campaign Waterloo blocked LOS, causing issues with any aggressive forward movement through them and restricting artillery LOS

Interestingly, either by good planning or luck, my battle in charge of the French went almost exactly as you described. Strong demonstration with the French left involving cavalry and inf, commit the YG to the center to help out, and sending VI Corps and the OG to the right. It was decided beyond doubt when the OG charged north up the Fleurus Pike to rout the entire Prussian left wing.

My game took me seven turns longer though. I'd suggest that is due to your superior planning. It took me several turns to decide to send the guard in that direction.

I do like the forthcoming change to skirmishers, having wanted something like that for a while, though I would have thought that double the movement cost would be sufficient.

I'm still not convinced of the superiority of 15 minute turns over 10 and in a 10 minute game, that's a huge penalty.

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Général de Brigade Dean Webster
1ère Brigade
1ère Division
4ème Corps d'Armée
La Grande Armée

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"I have a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel"
Blackadder

Thank you for the feedback, Dean.

I hope this AAR can serve as guidance for the club's junior officers. I remember reading similar materials by Jason Cawley back in the day when I joined the NWC, and I found them very valuable.

The planning process is especially effective in scenarios where we have detailed knowledge of the enemy's disposition and headcount. However, in Campaign mode, things become much more complicated. I've lost count of how many versions I’ve gone through in my current Grossbeeren Campaign, which I’m playing "blind," with no knowledge of enemy positions or numbers beyond what’s provided in the briefing.

As for Ligny, it’s challenging to imagine how I’d approach it from the Prussian side, though I have some ideas and may give it a try one day.

And regarding 15-minute mode, we should try a 15-minute Campaign at some point - something none of us have tried before, should be fun.

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General-Leytenant Alexey Tartyshev
The Adjutant-General of His Imperial Majesty

Leib-Guard Preobrazhensky Regiment (Grenadier Drum)
1st Brigade
Guard Infantry Division
5th Guard Corps


(I don't play with with ZOC kills and Rout limiting ON)

Alexey, I'd be keen to give you a go at Ligny as the French one day. Unfortunately my dance card is full at the moment. I've got a couple of very keen opponents who are sending me multiple turns per day, on top of several other games. I'll let you know next time I have a free slot.

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Général de Brigade Dean Webster
1ère Brigade
1ère Division
4ème Corps d'Armée
La Grande Armée

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"I have a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel"
Blackadder