1870: Franco-Prussian War

Rules

by Pat Condray

By Bruce Wallace, these rules were apparently published by the author in 1986, They are fairly well thought out and fairly accurate in most respects. The scale seem sto be I figure to 30 men, and takes the game down to company level, with notes on the different ways the French and Prussians deployed skirmishers within the company. The firing line, and the close order line of charging cavalry are treated as "parade formation" - which is not quite correct, but close enough.

Actually while the Prussians tended to move in company columns preceded by skirmishers who did the actual fighting, a serious firefight became the province of the three deep line. By contrast the French firing line was 2 deep in the 1867 regulations. Wallace also makes much of the superior rate of fire of the breechloading Prussian artillery, when the rate of fire was not that different. The advantage lay in the superior range, accuracy, and the reliability of the percussion fuses used by the Prussian gunners.

But enough quibbling. While I believe the level of representation is not optimum, and the game shows no sweeping conceptual breakthroughs, it looks sound to me. It is ground-up set of rules that tries to approach the game mechanics from perceived facts about the weapons and tactics of the era. At least you won't find infantry forming column to the left flank and charging light horse with the bayonet as in Old Colony's Chassepot and Needle Gun game at HMMC. Available from the author, 259 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam, MA 01001.

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