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.

Shevardino redoubt first moves.

 The game is playing quite fast though I am jumping in and out as suites me, it's great having the time to do this at a easy pace when on holiday!

First couple of moves see the Russians moving forward rapidly on their left threatening the French grand battery and securing the hill in the foreground while the French plan is to engage the Russians on their left while the main thrust goes through the centre.

Two battalions of deployed French Leaguers push on through the woods on the French left.

Batteries on both sides are taking heavy losses, one French line battery has been forced to withdraw after taking seven casualties but the Russians are suffering too.

After having been given a 'Forwards' order the Russian Jager brigade having deployed two battalions into skirmish order briefly threatened the flank of the grand battery but the French responded in turn and a stalemate ensued.

'Hesitant' again, that's twice in three turns for the French lights on their right. Note the hexagonal markers denoting casualties.

French light cavalry in support.

The push towards the redoubt.

Dalton's brigade in support on their left occupying the Russians on the hill.

Aview of the French advance in the centre from the Russian side.

Formed Russian Jaegers advancing through the woods on their left flank.

Carnage in the redoubt. Both sides artillery blew each other to bits though this did give the French attack a chance to advance to within striking distance so far unscathed.

French line infantry battalions advancing in assault column.

The Russian cossack brigade did advance to threaten the French left but a couple of rounds of fire from a horse artillery battery persuaded them to withdraw.

The said French horse battery. Hazar!

The grand battery, even with 'Artillery Assault' orders at long range the effect was not what was hoped for, did whittle the redoubt guns down a bit though.

Minus two for deployed battery and minus one for cover made this a hard target to destroy but the French got there by the end of turn three though while incurring the damage of two batteries themselves.

I think it's about to get real nasty, stand by for the next instalment, same time, same channel.

Dave

The Shevardino redoubt, 10mm 1812.

 Well truthfully it's not but it does resemble it a bit, really an excuse to get the French and Russian 1812 10mm lads on the table using General de Armee rules.

As it's a pretty big engagement and I will be fighting it solo as Neal has buggered off to see relatives over in Canada for a while, the selfish sod! I will do this in instalments.

So, two Divisions of Davout's I corps vs Tuchov's III corps plus a couple of heavy cavalry divisions each. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Shevardino redoubt can be seen centre left of the Russian positions.

A view from the French side, they will attempt to drive straight up the centre to take the redoubt and through the woods to the left of picture.

1st and 2nd Joseph Napoleon Spanish battalions.

Dalton's brigade with two leaguer battalions deployed in skirmish formation.

Buquet's brigade pushing through a Russian town and about to deploy.

The three French reserve batteries

More leaguers on the French right flank. 

A Russian heavy battery deployed in the Shevardino redoubt.

Russian Cossack cavalry on their right.

A view across the field towards the redoubt.

French reserve heavy cavalry.

Russian Moscow Opolchenye (militia).

Russian cavalry brigade.

A second view of those French guns.

Somewhere to bury the dead!

Close up of some French infantry battalions.

Wrussians!

The Russian heavy cavalry brigade with attached horse artillery.

I think that will do for now, do watch out for more posts as the battle takes shape.
Dave.