Pt 5 Shevradino redoubt 13.00 - 15.00 hrs.

 After four hrs of fighting both sides are exhausted, having suffered great loss, there is still an opportunity for a French breakthrough on their left centre and artillery is in place to attrite the Russians.

The Russian cuirassier brigade got slightly the better of the encounter with their French opponents but ended up 'Faltering' just the same.

Exhausted the French heavies rally behind their own lines.

Russian horse artillery unlimbers to cover the withdrawal of their cavalry but immediately suffer heavy casualties faced with three French batteries.

French 3rd battalion of the 15th Rgt succeeds in taking the Pavlovski Grenadiers in the flank routing them immediately.

Two other Russian battalions flee with them, the brigade 'Falters', can the French succeed in exploiting this crisis? Note the three French battalions pressing in through the woods on the Russian right.

We are all aware of the Russians defensive abilities and stoicism, steady volleys crash into the three French battalions.

Two routs and a retreat.

This was the opportunity lost, the 'Faltering' Russian brigade rallied and after moving forward to exploit the gap in the Russian lines this French battalion sat on the flank of the Russian line. It failed to charge!

The Russians real backwards but still manage to form a defensive line to face the advancing French.

Both light cavalry brigades are spent but the Russians hold the hill on their left.

The intended French thrusts for the next few turns.

The situation at three in the afternoon after six hours of fighting.

Part six this weekend.

Dave.

Pt 4 Shevardino redoubt 12.00 - 13.00hrs.

 With Vasserott's brigade assault on the Russian redoubt repulsed Davout ordered the French heavy cavalry to move forward and break the Russian lines. In particular the Russian heavy reserve cavalry brigade had to be forced back to allow the French infantry to continue the attack.

Five regiments of Russian cuirassiers were going to be very difficult to shift off that hill, at this point of time there was no room to deploy the French horse artillery.

The French heavies were given a 'Glory' attachment and moved forward to engage their Russian counterparts.

Disaster for the French, one rgt routed and one retreat leaving the two remaining disordered French cavalry isolated and a 'Faltering marker on the brigade. Normally supporting units like these would have to 'step back but the French infantry behind prevented them doing this.

On the other side of the redoubt the second French heavy cavalry brigade charged through the artillery to their front unforming the artillery (but not the cavalry) and contacted the Russian militia to their front. The Russian brigade was unable to form square as the brigade had rolled 'Hesitant' and could not therefore change formation.

Two Russian militia battalions were routed 'Faltering the brigade, they subsequently passed their rally result.

A view along the rear of the Shevardino redoubt at this point.

A view of the field

The encounter between the French and Russian light cavalry brigades on the flank continues.

The Russians drive the French back into the woods.

The French rear area, troops attempting to rally.

Skirmishing and volley fire exchanged on the Russian right, the Russians at this point had already been forced to issue a 'Command' order automatically rallying two casualty points off each battalion. This can only be done once per battle per Division.

Unfortunately they left the artillery battery in place just too long and the French skirmishers inflicted enough hits to destroy it. Another 'Falter' roll next turn, interesting.

The next couple of hours should decide the issue.

Dave.

Pt 3, Shevardino redoubt 11.20 - 12.00hrs

 The first French assault on the redoubt:

The five battalions of Vasselot's 17th line brigade swiftly take advantage of the fact that during the Russian line infantry's exchange of fire with the French skirmishers, two of the Russian battalions incurred 'Fire Discipline' (the smoke markers) and charge in.

The result was horrendous for the attackers, the Russian Morom and Revel musketeer Rgts poured withering fire into the assaulting close columns, 9, 10, 8, and a double six being rolled. all five French battalions being halted before the charge went in and a Falter result from the double six!

Vasselot's brigade reals back though not routing it fails to rally and must attempt to do so on the next turn. Even if it does it is now quite useless, the gambit failed.

A third charge, this time by the French light cavalry succeeds in chasing off the Russian Jagers to their front but is then counter charged by Russian cavalry.

Both sides fall back exhausted.

Russian infantry emerge from the woods to the left of the redoubt.

On the other flank the Russian line is holding but is now beginning to suffer casualties from French skirmishers and artillery.

Swarms of French skirmishers.

Two battalions of troops from Baden form line to attempt to check a Russian counter attack.

One of the French heavy brigades forms up behind the grand battery now repositioned in front of the redoubt. 

Above, the field of battle on turn eight, mid day.

Dave.

Shevardino redoubt.10.00 - 11.20 hrs pt 3

 The third instalment sees the French repulsing a couple of Russian cavalry charges on their far right flank whilst pushing into the Shevardino redoubt with Vasserot's brigade of line. Will the Russians hold or fade like snow in summer, very poetic eh!

General De Armee doesn't set a fixed time period per turn but I went with 20 minutes which given that the encounter was partially set up with the French having deployed their grand battery already at the start would make the first turn at 09.00.

A general overview photo of the action at around 10.00. Initial French attempts to occupy the woods in the foreground have only been partially successful as the 1st battalion of the 15th Leg got too near the edge and were blown away by the Russian line. The centre presses on while a cavalry melee is about to take place on the far end of the field. P.S. ignore Captain Mainwaring sitting in the top right of the photo, bit freaky maybe but he talks when you squeeze him - brilliant!

The two Arakcheyev Grenadier battalions who blew away French Leaguers as they advanced through the woods, threw an 11 and a 9 with each volley!

The French light infantry battalion after getting hammered and retreating.

Five battalions of Vasserot's 17th line advancing towards the badly damaged Russian battery in the redoubt.

The two French batteries, one horse and one foot badly beat up by the Russian heavy battery in the redoubt.

On the far left a cavalry engagement takes place as the unformed Russian Dragoons meet French lancers charging with 'elan'.

The French see em off!

The two Russian Rgts fall back behind their horse battery to re-group.

In the mean time the rather splendid looking Russian Cuirassier brigade forces Buquet's 30th line into squares, a standoff in the centre.

On the French right a second Russian cavalry charge is repulsed.

Is this the breakthrough/ French skirmishers drive off the damaged Russian battery, the Two Russian battalions in the centre throw crap dice and loose fire discipline (hence the smoke marker), they are now vulnerable to a charge by the French next turn.

Another view of the action around the redoubt.

Fine lads, fine lads.

The reserve Moscow Opolchenye brigade swings left to help repulse the French.

Tempting to charge eh!

After three 'Hesitant' rolls the Russian reserve on their right flank finally get off their backsides and begin to move towards the centre, are they too late?

Next time peeps.

Dave.