Campaign Game AAR-Borsook/Happycat

[Happycat]

January 29, 1806 (from the archives of the Royal Navy)

...................Letter of Marque................

In the Name of the United Kingdom and
By the grace of His Majesty King George III
this letter of Marque is issued to Captain Jolly Roger.

There being a state of war between the United Kingdom and France,
you are hereby authorized to seek, search, seize or destroy any ships flying the flag France
or deemed to be carrying goods of any kind destined for France, regardless of the flag
of the ship carrying said goods.

All ships under your command are covered by this letter of marque which is effective from this date and expires only upon command of the King.

Issued at Portsmouth this 26th day of January, 1806

Under my hand and seal,
Charles Middleton, First Baron Barham
First Lord of the Admiralty

[Happycat]

The effect of snow upon supply. (It's even worse for the French invader, if Napoleon decides to come to Mother Russia)

[Happycat]

******** NOTE *********

Up to this point, I have tried for the most part to keep the AAR looking like a story, utilizing both historical characters as well as fictitious ones. However, I think I am at a point where a couple of factors suggest that it is now time to make the narrative more factual, so that it imparts more about what happened in the game, why it happened, and what may have influenced the players to do what they did.

The other factor is that it is very time consuming creating the story to surround the game events. Being a bit obsessive by nature, I like to research things---so, for example, when I introduced the character attached to the French 22nd Dragoons, 2nd Dragoon Division, I didn't just grab numbers out of air. That formation really existed and was at the Battle of Austerlitz. (the characters themselves were made up, however).

Borsook, my opponent, has much less free time on his hands than do I, but he will probably jump in from time to time. I hope he does, for he is a good player and his perspective will add a lot of value to this AAR.

In case anyone was getting attached to the "story" style of the AAR, fear not---on occasion I will return to that style.

Also, if anyone has suggestions, feel free to make them---I am new at this gig (doing an AAR that is).

[Happycat]

February 18, 1806--Report of a naval action involving a privateer

Some bad luck for the French. My battered fleet, returning from the Battle of Trafalgar to England for repair, spotted a couple of arrows indicating that a ship or ships had passed to the north-west of me (see screen shot, below). So, I sent a frigate ahead to see what was happening. I knew that the Batavian ship of the line unit had sailed out of the English Channel a few turns earlier. At that time, I let it go because all I had in the vicinity was two frigate units---everyone else was busy bashing away at the French at Trafalgar.



When I saw the Batavian and the merchant, it made my day . In addition to the ships returning to England for repair, I had several recently repaired frigate units in England, as well as the new privateer. I did not count on the French frigate, however. It was in a position that blocked access to the merchant for the privateer.



I sent frigates in to clear it out of the way, and to attack the Batavian. It was costly for the English, and I had to commit the damaged ships coming from the south. Even at that, the Batavian was still around at the end, although reduced to 2 steps. The privateer did a good job of looting the merchant, and caused a bit of damage. I then used other ships to finish it off---and they also did their share of looting, although at a reduced level.



At the end of the turn, the only enemy ship left was, as noted earlier, the 2 step Batavian. Considering what it will cost me to repair, I think this was rather costly for England. In economic terms, it makes no sense. However, I think that strategically it is a good move, because the French have now lost not only the supply from the merchant, but a Batavian ship of the line and a French frigate. The French navy is now not a factor for many turns. So England can perhaps turn to producing land units to support her allies.

[Happycat]

Some further thoughts about the naval situation: in a previous game with Borsook, he was in a similar situation. After a number of turns, I became curious about what the French might be doing in their Atlantic ports, so I sent a strong force in to snoop around. As it turned out, he had a couple of new ships of the line. Sinking them in port was not a problem.

My thoughts at the time were that perhaps port attacks were unrealistic, but I was told by others on the forum that historically this was how it often went down. And of course the enemy ships would not be under sail, and would be very vulnerable.

But it raises the question: what do the French do to rebuild their navy? I suppose they could build a huge navy in the Mediterranean, but it's not going anywhere unless the French attack the Ottomans and capture Alexandria.

I would be interested in hearing what others think about this situation.

[WallysWorld]

Happycat,

I must say that I'm enjoying your AAR very much!

I'm still sitting on the fence whether to purchase CNAW, but your AAW is definitely tilting me towards buying it.

[firepowerjohan]

Happycat , do remember that Naval units out at Sea use huge upkeep cost while at port zero so that means partolling the Seas with expensive Ships will cost you a lot too. That means, cheaper maintenenace vessels like Frigates and Privateers are perfect for patrolling the Seas while ships are perfect supporting or preventing naval invasions.

[Happycat]

Happycat , do remember that Naval units out at Sea use huge upkeep cost while at port zero so that means partolling the Seas with expensive Ships will cost you a lot too. That means, cheaper maintenenace vessels like Frigates and Privateers are perfect for patrolling the Seas while ships are perfect supporting or preventing naval invasions.

Yes, I know. The ships of the line were only transiting back to England for repair. I have one privateer already as you have seen, and will be adding more. My technique is to place frigates at the approaches to the Bay of Biscay, and then station a privateer between them. With three ships, including the privateer, nothing will slip through. Additional privateers will be added as circumstances permit and dictate.

[Happycat]

March 10, 1806 (excerpt from a proclamation by Pope Pius VII)

To the followers of our Faith, I say thus: the Church may not become embroiled in temporal affairs. While we are aware that Napoleon's soldiers are at the gates of Rome, Napoleon himself has made clear that he has no designs upon the Papacy or the Papal grounds, and in the absence of any prior acts of bad faith on his part, I truly believe him. The French have their issues with Austria, and we are saddened to see that this has led to the occupation of Vienna, and yet---that occupation has not been marked by cruelty.

Our best advice to the government in Rome is to surrender to Napoleon, for otherwise his forces are vastly superior, and will crush any resistance. We see that the threat to Catholicism comes not from Napoleon, but it may come from the east.

Russian armies are said to be massing on the old Austrian border, to what end, I know not. But France is a Catholic country, and Russia is not. Napoleon and France require a secure southern flank, if they are to secure themselves from the eastern danger.

I pray for peace!



March 10, 1806 (from the logbook of HMS Victory)

The end of an eventful period for the Royal Navy, for England and for Admiral Nelson. After the defeat of the French fleet at Trafalgar, we proceeded to return to England for much needed repairs and replenishment. En route a French frigate and merhant, in the company of a Batavian squadron of ships of the line were encountered, and defeated. Today, the remnants of the Batavians were surrounded, and to their eternal credit and honour, they declined to surrender but instead went down to defeat, under sail and all guns ablaze. We were pleased that many of their crew were rescued, although the captain of their flagship, and their admiral, both chose to lash themselves to the ships wheel, and went down to glory everlasting.

[Happycat]

March 30, 1806 - the fleet of Admiral Horatio Nelson returns to England, and he is named a Peer of the Realm!

[/img]

[Happycat]

April 19, 1806

We're getting into a quiet period now. In all likelihood, France will finish off Italy before doing anything else, but you never know. A few French units have now shown up on the eastern frontier of Austria. It looks like there's not many Russians other than what's in the forts, but again---you never know (the French light cavalry can only see six hexes).



Austria has twice offered me the option to revolt, but each time I have declined. It's somewhat pointless when they have no troops, although I finally had enough coin this turn to build a unit. With a -2 in quality, I am not very excited about Austria's prospects when they do revolt, but it does force France to deal with the situation.

The situation near Rome seems static for the moment. Only the one French corps is within sight, but who knows what Borsook is up to? He is probably preparing an unpleasant surprise for me

[Happycat]

Well it would appear that maybe the unpleasantness will come on the Russian-Austrian border, rather than Italy.

The screenie below says it all. There a lot more French units in front of me than I care to see.

[Happycat]

May 29, 1806 and the answer to my earlier pondering reveals itself. The French have attacked, sending cavalry through my porous front line to attack my horse artillery. Losses are bad enough, but what really hurts is losing Ermolov for a few turns.



BUT, all is not lost. Unbeknownst to the French, Russia has a reasonably decent reserve, and it is brought up to support a counter-attack. The French cavalry unit is destroyed, and a light infantry which had advanced in its wake is also decimated. Near Kiev, another horse artillery has arrived, note the commander's star! It would seem that Russia has not yet run out of generals.

[Happycat]

Turns 14, 15 and 16 follow, with numerous screenies that almost tell the story by themselves. Where I felt it necessary, I have added clarifying comments. A quick synopsis first:

Russia, by the summer of 1806, has grown stronger. Ordinarily it might not seem like a good idea, but Russia is now switching over to the offense. Two events conspired to bring this about: first, a revolt in Vienna has distracted the French, and they have withdrawn towards Vienna, leaving the eastern Austrian border undefended, other than the militia forces at Klausenberg and at the horse farm to the north. Secondly, the French forces are at the moment split between Austria and Italy. This dilution of strength emboldens the Czar to order his generals to advance (cautiously, mind you) towards Vienna.

At sea, England is supreme. There appears to be no French navy left outside of the Mediterranean, and merchant ships heading to France are routinely boarded, looted and sunk.

Now we wait to see if Prussia decides to join the Coalition cause.

COALITION PRODUCTION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS


ANOTHER BAD DAY FOR THE FRENCH IN THE BAY OF BISCAY


RUSSIAN COUNTER-ATTACK PUSHES FRENCH BACK FROM VINNITSA AND LEMBERG



MINI-MAP SHOWS A SPOT OF ORANGE NEAR VIENNA---REVOLT IN AUSTRIA!


ROYAL NAVY OFF CORUNA, ADM. CORNWALLIS COMMANDING PRIVATEER SQUADRON


BRITISH ARMY BUILDING, GEN. PICTON TAKES CHARGE OF LONDON CORPS


FRANCE DEALS WITH REVOLT IN VIENNA


THE FALL OF ROME


DISPOSITION OF RUSSIAN FORCES JULY 28, 1806

[Happycat]

The French problems continue to mount. Already pressured in the east, and by revolts in Austria from time to time, now Saxony and Prussia have joined the war.

As the following series of screen shots shows (spanning mid-August to end of September, 1806) the French appear to be directing their primary effort agains the Saxons and Prussians. This would appear to make sense, as the Russians need to eliminate the garrison at Klausenberg before going too much farther to the west---although some Russians have ventured towards Prague, increasing the pressure on the French flank.

[IainMcNeil]

Great job Happycat - keep it up. Those Austrians are revolting

[Happycat]

October 16, 1806

The French have struck at the Prussians, and they struck hard. Two infantry corps and a corps of artillery have been destroyed. Despite this setback, the Prussians, together with their Saxon allies, know only one mantra when it comes to warfare---ATTACK!

A fierce battle saw the destruction of Davout's corps, with Davout himself badly injured. It is rumoured that he will be gone for 19 turns. Another French corps is isolated from its comrades.

And yet, I would not say that the Prussian-Saxon situation is enviable. They are neither as numerous, or as experienced as the French. The French CIC has done exactly the right thing---he is going after the Germans, knowing full well that the Russians threatening his right flank cannot move quickly through the difficult terrain east of Prague. Bad weather will arrive soon, and it will be more of a hindrance to the Russians than to the French.



Farther south, the Russians have sent cavalry towards Vienna to search for the rear of the French supply train. But the division of the Russian forces between north and south may have been a mistake. The force approaching Prague is barely the equal of the French forces in that area, and as the French reduce the threat from Prussia, they may be able to turn the tables on the Russians, and force them to seek favourable defensive terrain.

To the east, a massive assault was made on the fortifications of Klausenburg, but the defender managed to just barely hang on for another turn.

[Happycat]

All of a sudden I don’t feel so confident about the Russian situation. While they have a strong army, they are now a long ways from home, and I can see the French are getting stronger again. France now especially seems to be well equipped with artillery.

I was hoping that there would be time for the Russians to close in on the enemy flank while Prussia was still relatively strong. But this turn, Borsook stripped the Prussians of their artillery as well as an infantry corps. In addition, Leipzig has fallen.

So this turn I took Klausenburg, but was otherwise very much defensively oriented in my moves. I’m beginning to see how Napoleon took on most of Europe and got away with it for almost a decade. Artillery, and maneuver. I believe he was quoted as saying "l'audace, toujours l'audace". If he didn't say it, he should have

[Happycat]

November 25, 1806---one month until Christmas

I know what the Czar wants---some generals with guts! Napoleons troops continue to concentrate on Berlin, and have destroyed unit after unit. The Prussians have replaced a couple of their corps, but they are running short of money, and no longer have any artillery.

In the face of this disaster that is unfolding for the Prussians, you would expect that their ally would charge to their assistance. For a brief time, they did. One French corps was destroyed, and another damaged, but the French superiority in artillery is bad news for both Russia and Prussia.



The following turn, Napoleon's forces destroyed two more Prussians corps, plus a cavalry, and that was enough for the Russians. As can be seen in the following screenie, they have retreated towards Warsaw.

The Czar is not pleased, but he is a long ways away from the problem, and perhaps does not understand. The generals at the front feel that the Russian winter actually works against them for the moment. Bringing up new troops from Smolensk, St Petersburg and elsewhere will be a slow and arduous process during winter. Meanwhile, Napoleon is near his sources of supply and replenishment, and will soon not just be superior in artillery, but superior in line troops as well.

The order of the day is "retreat"!

[Happycat]

The following screen shots show the evoloving (or as the Czar would say, devolving) situation for Russia in the Warsaw region near the end of January, 1807.

Letter from Major Chernenko, Russian Army Intelligence, to Czar Alexander I

Your Majesty,

I beg your indulgence. You may wonder at the temerity of a lowly major, in writing directly to you. However, my brother Boris (head of security at your winter palace) assures me that you are a man who wishes to hear things directly, without embellishment or sugar-coating.

The situation here in Warsaw is deteriorating, but not because of French action; more because of the inaction of our generals at the front. Last autumn our forces delivered some punishing blows to the French, and when the Prussians joined our cause, I believe that we were in a position to link up with the Prussians and drive the French out of Prussia, and perhaps even out of Austria.

But the old adage "he who hesitates is lost", was never more applicable than in this situation. Our generals dithered and fretted, like old women. Indeed, our forces barely confronted the French at all over recent weeks, and now the Prussians have been driven from Berlin, and the remnants of their army sit with ours, scant miles from the western fringes of Warsaw.

Sire, I implore you---order your generals to attack the French, before they become stronger. My agents tell me that the French are rich in artillery and leadership, but do not yet have the infantry strength to match ours. There is still an opportunity to attack the French. Their artillery will be less effective defending them than it will be if we allow them to close upon Warsaw. And if our infantry can force an opening in the enemy front, then surely our Cossacks will wreak havoc when set loose upon the artillery behind the front line.

We must attack, and attack now.

Your humble servant,
I. Chernenko (Major)

Archival Note, added in 1879---this letter was discovered among other archival materials from 1807, which are only now being organized for addition to our collection. The letter was among the personal papers of General A.P. Ermolov, who died in 1861. It does not take much imagination to surmise what happened.

We know that Ermolov was one of the commanders at the Warsaw front in January of 1807. We also know that Major Chernenko, the writer of this letter, died under very mysterious circumstances less than a week after the letter was written. Clearly, one of Ermolov's staff must have discovered Major Chernenko's letter among the dispatches waiting for delivery to Moscow. We can presume that the letter was then given to General Ermolov. One can imagine his outrage at having his part in the winter campaign of 1806-07 being cast in such a dismal light. No doubt Major Chernenko's untimely demise is related rather directly to this letter, and its interception by Ermolov.

In light of events after January of 1807, it is indeed most unfortunate that this letter never reached the Czar. He would have undoubtedly taken heed, and at the very least visited the front for himself. The history of that time would probably look very different from that which we know now.

Y.R. Potemkin, Chief Archivist, Smolensk District