1809 Italian Guards

[Blathergut]

Ran the 1809 Army of Italy against the Austrian smwarmies. Included a 6pak of average/drilled/guard infantry mit der skimisher d'attachemente and the heavy cavalry average/drilled/guard/shock.

They were impressive. They can soak up a horrendous amount of fire and only drop one cohesion level. They can take a huge amount of combat hits and only drop one level, and can't break from combat, regardless of amount of hits, if they start in good order.

I will definitely have to run them again, hopefully, not getting them tangled up in trees!

[BrettPT]

Average drilled guard are IMO the best value troops you can get - especially if cavalry.

Infantry guards are not quite as useful as, even though they only drop 1 cohesion level max from shooting, they are still driven back to 3MU if they take 3 hits (4 if a large unit) like other troops. I found this to be the biggest issue with my French Guard army - Old Guard units getting driven back by defensive fire when trying to assault a solid line of steady opponents.

[deadtorius]

I did manage to force back the Italian Guard infantry too. My infantry squares also managed to force back the Guard D'oneur (however you spell it) from shooting that drove them to wavering so they backed off. At games end they were looking at some skirmishing Grenzers on a steep hill but failed to rally from their last wavering, allowed my square to rout away 1 Mu to table edge where I failed to rally them almost a victory but they were a tough surprise that was for sure.

[Blathergut]

We are cutting down all the forests in northern Italy in preparation for the 2nd Battle of Danadino!

[Trailape]

I found this to be the biggest issue with my French Guard army - Old Guard units getting driven back by defensive fire when trying to assault a solid line of steady opponents.

Umm,.. try not to assault a solid line of steady opponents
You should be driven back.
Prepare your assaults. Soften up the enemy first.

[deadtorius]

I prefer not to assault until they are at least disordered, wavering is still the best time to hit them

[BrettPT]

I know, softening up is neccessary.

Trouble I found with an Old Guard based force is that the army's flanks were generally rapidly being enveloped in most games and the pressure was on push the assault quickly and get a 30:10 win before the enemy gets around you. So didn't feel I could afford a couple of spare turns to engage at medium range ...

However, the two tournaments we have played so far have been without the "defender can't move for the first 2 turns rule" - which we restricted to cases when the attacker rolled 3+ initiative.

An extra two turns grace for my attacking Guard Corps (before being surrounded) would have made a massive difference to the Guard.

For what it is worth, although opinion remains divided on this rule here in New Zealand, we will be giving the cannot move rule a try out for our next tournament in February 2013.

Cheers
Brett

[deadtorius]

We dropped the no move to 1 turn only, it does give the defender a chance before the attacker is on top of you.

Perhaps you should try more forest, stick them on your flanks and stand inside the open ground. it takes forever for non skirmishing troops to get through a forest (difficult terrain and blocks line of sight)

[KendallB]

Easier said than done. The dice Gods can be very fickle when terrain placement is concerned.

[deadtorius]

lately they have been smiling on Austria

[BrettPT]

sadly not so many smiles for New Zealand based Austrians of late ...

- however all will be put right this Sunday at the expense of the hapless Dutch Belgians

[Philip]

Hey, they're not all hapless. Some are Average Drilled.

[Blathergut]

Hey, they're not all hapless. Some are Average Drilled.

*Sends you some made-in-French-Italy chainsaws.*

[Blathergut]

Second Battle of Danadino! Great Ital...uh...Fre...uh..Fretalian?? Victory!

The Italian Guard (Horse) carried the field and the day! Sliced and diced their way through Austrians with 4 legs, 2 legs, and metal tubes!!! The 'only takes 1 cohesion loss all the way up to 5 hits" is glorious!!

I think the Austrians are beginning to fear the great Italilan Guard deep in their bones!

[deadtorius]

We are definitely seriously perturbed by the presence of their green jackets
So far we have tried to stay historical using Austrian army of Italy and Corinthia, wonder how they would fare versus famous Austrian Cuirassiers