Battle of Barosa 1811 - shiny DBN

This afternoon Tim W popped over for a game of DBN. We played the battle of Barosa using the scenario from the DBNwargaming website and my shiny 20mm Napoleonics.

The British attack and advance towards the distant hills. The terrain slows the British movement and the French decide to deny the British space and advance their centre and left to meet them.  The ravine, shown by the brown card and stones, hampers the British advance.

Solid British infantry push forward through the Pine woods. I dont have any Pines so had to use my old Merit Adler trees instead.

The British initially hold back their right which consist of 2 battalions of elite infantry supported by some less effective Spanish troops. The British also send some rifleman down the ravine to support their advance.

The Riflemen shield the advance as the battle in the centre and French left rages. 

French cavalry supported by infantry hold the high ground. The high ground is worth 2 Victory Points to the French. Each destroyed unit is worth 1 VP and the first to 7 VPs wins.

The British left holds fast and is able to push back the French left removing the French threat on that flank.

The French attack in the centre looks imposing however British musketry proves effective. Both sides take casualties and a battalion of French combined Grenadiers charge and overrun the unsupported British gun line. 

The British now launch their attack on the hill . Both sides have lost 5 units and the British have their best troops in the final push.

British musketry proves telling and as the volleys hit home the French lose 2 more VPs and victory goes to the British.

Another fun and closely fought game of DBN.

DBN - Battle of Elchingen - 1805

GH came over today and we played a couple of games DBN. It was his first go at the rules so after a quick explanation we started.

I used the Command and Colours scenario, with a few tweaks, for the map and force composition. 

The French, under Marshal Ney, are poised to launch their attack.  The objective is to capture both of the small towns (non linear fortifications in DBN terms) or to inflict 5 loses on the Austrians.

The Austrians are set up to defend the small towns and the range of hills. Their force does not include any Light Infantry elements but does include 2 units of Cuirassier.

The French attack on their right with heavy Columns advancing whilst their left  is held back.  The French have 3 light units and get a plus one on their Cap dice where as the Austrians are a -1. This gives the French greater flexibility to out manoeuvre the more ponderous Austrians. The French can also use attack columns with a +3 bonus which makes them tough against Austrian lines.

The French attack against Elchingen is successful however a counter attack by a Austrian elite element recaptures the town.

The French attack against the church is however thrown back and Austrian Light horse moves forward to threaten the French Infantry.

French Light cavalry heroically charge an Austrian horse artillery unit but lose the close assault and recoil before receiving rasping canister fire which destroys them.

With the French attacks failing the Austrian counter attack on their left are are able to win 5 vs 4 elements lost.

After a lunch and a pint on a local pub we changed sides are refought the game. In this game the Austrians and French tried 5 loses each and the game went into sudden death which saw the Austrians able to win 6 - 5.