Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Delage's Choice

The "Battle for Bellvue Hills", the second phase of "The Alpian Wars Mini-Campaign" is now underway.

Brigadier Delage Must Make a Choice
The Stagonian forces have entered from the North (view is from SSE) and must choose which way to proceed.

If they turn West over the bridge, they are likely to run into an Alpian force since dust is visible in that direction.

If they go straight ahead on the road along the deciduous trees, they might be in time to delay the Alpian column arriving on the South road.

Alpian Columns from the West
If they choose, they can leave the road and head for the South Pass of the Bellevue Hills to mount a defense there.

Or, of course, they can turn left and head up the road to defend the North Pass of the Bellevue Hills.

So it is really up to General Murdeau rather than Brigadier Delage who must make the choice.  Now it is time to really ISSUE ORDERS to his Brigadiers.

Bellevue Hills from the West
Okay, General Rossi also has to make some choices too.  Presumably he will stay on the roads . . . but perhaps not.  And at what speed will he have his troops move.

All troops in "road column" (i.e.,  both starting and ending on road) gain an additional 1d3" of movement.

While this can result in some gaps in the column, it does on average add a couple of inches of movement as opposed to offroad column movement.

Here are the standard movement rates  for all troop types when in "open terrain" . . . and all terrain on the table is "open" except for the obvious woods and the slopes of the Bellevue Hills, which are steep.
  • Pike & Shot -- 4" in Line; 8" in column; (+1d3" on road)
  • Other Foot -- 6" in Line; 12" in column; (+1d3" on road)
  • Light Artillery -- 6" when limbered; (8"+1d3" on road)
  • Knights -- 6" in Line; 12" in column; (+1d3" on road)
  • Cavalry -- 8" in Line; 16" in column; (+1d3" on road)
  • Officers -- 12" (and issue orders); (+1d3" on road)
Oh yes, the Alpian columns were delayed 1d3 moves each (per the scenario) but are now free to move as they wish.  Brigadier Olivi is at the head of his column on the South road, followed by some Crossbowmen and an unrecognized Pike & Shot regiment.  On the North road, Brigadier Lombardi is leading something not yet visible to Delage's scouts.

So once the Generals have issued their Orders to their various Brigadiers, I will likely be able to process a number of moves.

-- Jeff

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2 comments:

  1. Archduke PiccoloDecember 12, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    The terrain on either side of the bridges looks nasty - some sort of swamp watercourse, I infer? I'd be tempted to hold the bridges fairly weakly - enough to force the enemy to fight for them - and draw them across the river. When they are about a third to half-way across, hit 'em really hard - both columns, or just one, taking advantage of the better communication you have between both wings.

    Much depends upon how easy or difficult it is for the enemy to get through that belt of trees and undergrowth; and what numbers and types of troops you have available for defence. In any case, unless that tree belt is impassible, there will have to be some sort of defence along the river line between the bridges.

    Basically, I like the idea of making the enemy army run itself up against a spear point, ending up in three parts, each separated by a difficult river passage (give or take the choke points at the bridges. With the defenders all on the same side of the creek, and a good lateral road between the wings, methinks the possibilities would be encouraging.

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  2. MurdocKDecember 15, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    Due to the CARDS controlling everything, you cannot count on the better communications or indeed ever moving anything at all.

    I have had three turns go by with the opponent getting to move much of their forces, I had to sit and do nothing while watching them go round my flank and shoot me to bits (remember no card=no move nor shoot).

    Planning is a waste of time in this situation.

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