Back to Plancenoit

This time I inflicted the test playing of this scenario on Simon, putting him in command of the French so that I could try various options with bringing the Prussians on.

The French have had three turns to get in position.

The first Prussian unit arrives and quickly deploys out of march column.

It is 1500.

The French are ready.

But it is going to take a while to get the Prussians into action.

It is 1530.

Note one Prussian Brigade (Division equivalent)

has been diverted to enter by the northern route.

This takes two turns or an hour.

It is now 1600 and the Prussian artillery is starting to be brought up.

The presence of French cavalry has meant the northern approach

 is being careful to come out of march column.

The first clash.

1630

Prussian infantry advance and have the foresight to quickly form square.

1700

The Prussians are still trying to deploy,

shielded by their cavalry.

1730

The attack might start getting underway now.

Prussian cavalry lead the way,

charging the French centre.

1800

Prussian infantry again advance and quickly for square

as the French counterattack.

1830

The Prussians are closing in,

but the Young Guard have arrived to further occupy Plancenoit.

Plenty of action now.

1930 (or thereabouts)

The Prussians have met with some success, but...

A unit of Old Guard have now arrived.

Plancenoit is secured.

This was the start of the 2000 turn, the Old Guard should have arrived at 1900 but are not really needed.  At this stage Simon and I concluded the game.  The Scenario certainly presents a different type of action and an historical one.  The start of the game could be trimmed by starting with the French deployed at the 1500 turn rather than marching on at 1400.  

Amending the Force Marching rules might be needed to help the Prussians, but my current thinking is to drop March Column altogether and have the Prussians moving in column.