Bataille Empire - Game Report 11

Austrians 1809 vs Poles 1809

With the release of version 2 of Bataille Empire Adam and I decided that we need to dust out the forces for battle to see if we could cope with the rules. I decided to field my Austrians as the 1809 variant, rather than as the much earlier Revolutionary Wars period figures which they are.

The terrain was interesting with the Austrians deployed behind a river, and a very nice hill in the centre of the table for the first one their to be able to defend. The scenario we rolled for was “Battle”, which too our simple minds would help us get to grips with the rules, without the complexities of objectives and broader tactical decisions to make. The Austrian force is massed with two infantry divisions in the centre and right and a division of Austrian Cuirassiers on the left facing of the Polich Lancers. On the far right the advanced guard division of Hussars and Grenzers has to bypass the marsh to make its way forward.

The Austrian Cuirassiers have been already been forced back from artillery fire. Meanwhile the centre Infantry division is approaching the Polish division on the hill. However, the Division on the centre right is making slow progress crossing the stream. They are supported on their right by Grenzers, with the Hussars in reserve.

The centre division has opted to form line to take the hill by fire and has already pushed the Polish Infantry back. The right centre division is struggling to get forward and was forced to withdraw a regiment from fire. Aggressive Polish action has forced the Grenzers back over the stream prompting the Hussars to come forward to protect their reorganisation.

Outcome

After three hours of gaming and 3 game turns, and much thumbing through the rules, we counted up and it gave the Polish a minor victory. Which all seemed very fair and reasonable.

Lessons Learnt

Despite how much one reads the rules it is playing the game that counts.

Bataille Empire rewards the investment you put in to learn the rules, and have these practice games.

It is a set of rules that is worth pursuing, so much so that I decided to print off a Russian Army of post 1811 for the rules.