A Second Look at Soldiers of Napoleon

Phil and I decided to give Soldiers of Napoleon a second run through for this week's game here in GHQ. The armies were substantially the same, the French adding a unit of Legeré, while the dispositions were slightly different. Once again Phil commanded the Austrian army and yours truly the Republican French. We are still at the 'beginner' stage so it's just basic rules still leaving aside the niceties and subtleties of the system. As before an annotated photomontage which I hope will carry you through to the battle's climax and hopefully give a sense of how the game plays ~

The French have the initiative in Turn 1 and use their cards to advance along their front.

The battery of 12lb guns unlimber in the centre of the line to support the infantry assault on the Austrian lines. Pretty much all downhill after this...

French Hussars supported by Chasseurs à Cheval initiate a fierce charge in a bid to break the stronger Austrian units facing them.

The Austrian response is ponderous but a Senior Commander appears in Turn 2 to chivy the Division Commander on.

Austrian Hussars and Chevaux Legeré form line ready to tackle the uppity French!

The cavalry clash on the flank sees Hussars in a fierce charge manage four hits, encouraging De Bykli to think the Austrians may break. 

Sadly a false hope! The French Hussars are thrown back in Disorder with losses! These large Austrian units are proving very resilient.

Not only the first Hussar unit is disrupted, but the second too as the disordered Hussars are pushed back on their supports.

The second Hussar unit trust it's luck, still not having learned from the errors of its fellow in not forming line! Three dice, three 1s, need I say more?

The whole French cavalry brigade is in disarray with one Hussar unit destroyed for 5 VPs to Von Robbinsahn!

Temporary respite for the shattered French Light Cavalry brigade as their opponents seek to Rally from Disruption and Disorder. No cards for the French Rally though. At this point I realised I'd been over concentrating on this flank and neglecting the infantry arm who had advanced far too slowly.

Having neglected my infantry and seen my bold assault on the Austrian left first repulsed and then destroyed, too late I try to organise the infantry assault. Phil disrupts this plan by using a Special Event card to break up my advance and then to bombard the luckless columns! Merdé!

I loose a column of infantry on my right to add to the loss of my whole Light Cavalry brigade! Another 4 VPs for Von Robbinsahn sees him win the game! The French quit the field with De Bykli facing Madame Guillotine if he's not careful!

The final position for the loosing French with their right in ruin and the Austrian Light Cavalry brigade free to savage their rear!

The victorious Von Robbinsahn, obviously motivated by the appearance of the Corps Commander, sees his infantry untroubled by the disjointed French attacks. His extra card from Turns 3-5 made quite a difference as the game unfolded, mostly in bombarding the hapless French infantry and rallying his own Light Cavalry. 

Overall still a great game and a solid 8/10 for Soldiers of Napoleon! The French great gamble on the right failed and in attempting to stem the consequences diverted attention and cards from the infantry assault which never really got underway until the right was lost! Austrian cavalry were used more effectively and rallied when needed, while Artillery bombardments harassed the ponderous French infantry. 

We will return to these rules I'm sure, but next up in GHQ is a photoshoot with Dan of Wargames Illustrated to accompany a piece I've written for a forthcoming Pulp issue, Churchill at Blandings!