Well lets slip a game result in amongst this in order to show something is moving along.
GAME 1- Elchingen
Vince Hughes TheMP (Allied) 7
SansMerci (French) 6
Let it be said from the off that this was a very close and very tough game that went down to the wire. In fact, it was one of those games that are great to watch as an observer. Both players were probably on their last card needed for a win when the result was finally decided.
The French attacked initially but were hit hard by the dice losing 2 banners very quickly. The Austrians then assembled their cavalry within charge range before playing the Cavalry Charge card. Despite 2 x CU units being used, it was their LC that had the most success and the charge really ended up as Much Ado About Nothing ... Ineffective alas.
The game settled into more of a thinking session as both sides ate away at the other, gaining and losing advantages. At one point it seemed as if the French were ready to tip things their way, and then the Austrians came back for more fight. A French Bayonet Charge also looked as if it might capture the Abbey, but the Austrian Grenadiers there held out allowing reinforcing troops to arrive and then in turn, hit the French hard in reply destroying at least 2 more units.
The score reached 6-6 and with only left flank cards in my hand, I had to use them to get my HA unit on the left and a deplted CU unit to chase a French LN unit on its own with a leader. The HA gained the advantage with a 'Cannister' card when the French LN attacked them and a card or two later, they eliminated the French LN unit for the win. This was not before time as the French themselves looked set to win with their next card play as their strong attack against the hill-line that had already knocked off some banners was about to demolish another unit in battalion mass up there. A very exciting and tense game. Sansmerci has the logfile and I presume will no doubt post it when he writes.
I'm not up to the level I'd like to be yet on the new expansion, and I did realise some time after playing this game that I forgot to leave garrisons in town hexes I vacated. I did re-populate with a unit but shouldn't have had to worry in the first place. Must remember to deploy a Garrison in future as empty town hexes provide banners to the opposition in some scenarios (like this one).
