Scenario 212 - Borodino - Utitza
Player 1 - TheMP: Russian 7 Banners
Player 2 - Grondeaux French 5 Banners
Before mentioning the battle, I would like to thank 'Grondeaux' for his patience in putting up with a player new to the etiquette of VASSAL Tournament play and VASSAL short hand etc. When I use VASSAL, I usually Skype as well and therefore chat to the opponent. Instead, Grondeaux had to put up with my at present slow messaging due to lack of knowledge of the abbreviations and like used (which will improve). So he showed great patience.
This battle was fought with standard VASSAL and standard deck.
The battle opened with the French (Polish) right (Zavonchek) and centre (Kamieniecki) edging forward towards the Russian lines. Soon enough, the French infantry on the left (Junot) also advanced into the wooded areas. In response, the Russians sent forward their cossacks supported by some light infantry to counter Zavonchek's advance against the Russian left. Unknown at the time, the battle was to rage here throughout the scenario. However, in the early parts, the French forces managed to very quickly remove 2 x Russian foot units as 4 x blocks became casualties with each roll. One was a Jaeger unit on the Russian left and another Jaeger unit in the forests on the right flank. This was not so much luck for the French player but more the early Russian error of allowing the French to get into a position to do this. In reply, the Russians quickly removed a French Light Infantry unit on the French right that had ventured onto the high ground.
In the centre, the Russians concentrated on getting their 4 block foot artillery into Utitza supported by a Grenadier unit. The Jaeger that had started in Utitza had been despatched to the Russian left to assist troops under pressure from the Polish attacks around the high ground. Back on the Russian right and Grenadier units were sent to the forest to halt an incursion there by Junot's forces. After eliminating a French unit there, this flank generally settled into inaction and stalemate.
Hereafter, it became all about the slog on the Russian left. The cossacks spent their time doing what cossacks do. Harrying enemies when it was to their advantage. Using woods where able, but staying away from overly strong enemies. One by one, both sides eliminated units, driving up the banner score to around a 4-4 number. Things edged closer to the end as Kamieniecki, in the centre used his French-Polish forces very cleverly and forced out the Russian battery in Utitza. Once they retreated out of the town, they were cleaned up by Polish Hussars. Once again, the Russians relied on countering moves, and in response, they managed to clear out Polish light infantry from Utitza for another banner and then a combined cossack/infantry force hemmed in the remnants of a Polish light cavalry unit on the Russian left and eliminated those also. It was with this unit that Polish general Zevonchek met his end as he tried to escape THROUGH a Russian infantry unit. But the French/Poles on this flank were still fighting back and a single block square managed to blow away a likewise single block Russian square
With everything so close, the French had no option but to throw in another unit into Utitza or else they would lose 7-5 due to Russian majority occupancy. Using a Bombard action, French artillery advanced the 3 hexes to occupy a town hex and kept the score 6-5 to the Russians. However, there was still one French/Polish line unit alone and decimated to 1 block on the Russian left. Seeing a chance of snagging the win, Russian Jaeger and a remaining Cossack unit closed in on this block and finished it off for a very tight & close 7-5 Russian win. The Russians did lose one of the Cossack units but these do not score a banner.
Well for me, it was a thoroughly exciting experience. I felt some relief when I reached 6 Banners knowing that it would at least guarantee a tournament tie over the three games. However, when the 7th banner was scored I'm not sure whether I was elated, relieved or surprised? Maybe all three. The battle had started badly for the Russians, but they managed to claw their way back in. That all said, I was very disappointed that Grondeaux's canny play kept my 4 block ART battery being used to any effect at all and even worse, was eliminated in pretty well thought out fashion. Once again, thanks to Grondeaux for his patience in this.
