Les Aigles

Napoleonic Rules from France

review by Rod Burr

LES AIGLES is a new set of tactical Napoleonics miniatures rules in three booklets: the rules, scenarios, and army organizations. The unit strengths in the booklet of organizations are based on a 1:40 scale, and the ground scale for 25mm figures is 1 mm represents 1 pace. In overall mechanics and feel, these rules are reminiscent of the old WRG 1750-1850 musket period rules that preceeded the current WRG 1685-1845 set. I believe the base sizes specified conform to those used in the older WRG rules and are the same as some of those used in the WRG 1685-1845 set. LES AIGLES is more fully explained than many rules and includes numerous diagrams. The original language of the rules is French, and all of the booklets include both the original French and the English translation. In some places the English translation is not very clear and it is necessary to refer to the French to determine what was actually intended, for example, the rules discussing the effect of small arms fire on skirmishers.

The basic units of maneuver in LES AIGLES are the infantry battalion and the cavalry regiment. Above this level, the rules use what they call a "division" commanded by a division general, and then a supreme army commander. In orderto allow combined arms units without too many figures being required, the rules suggest that their "division" is really more the equivalent of a weak Napoleonic corps. General mission orders are issued by the CinC to each division commander in free form. The division commander must then issue a position order, e.g., Attack, Hold or Harrass, and movement orders for each unit or group of units in the division.

The rules include a points system for purchasing units to allow players to choose equivalent strength armies for competition play.

In the optional Advanced Rules section, an extensive set of national characteristics is provided for each of the major and most of the minor powers of the period. In addition to this, characteristics are given for many of the historical commanders for each nationality to allow differentiation from the average generals used in the basic rules. While the advanced rules provide a forced march rate which is somewhat faster than the normal movement rates, there is no grand tactical movement such as that used in EMPIRE III or with march moves inthe WRG Ancients 7th Edition.

The scenario booklet contains 14 historical scenarios involving British versus French troops. For each scenario, a map, historical description, troop list, turn limit, and special rules are given. Many of the scenarios portray only portions of larger battles rather than independent actions.

In addition to the three bookletes, LES AIGLES includes four sheets of card stock with uncut counters printed with color pictures of French and British soldiers which are the currect size for basing 25mm figures and four additional cards of cutout terrain to allow players to try the rules without requiring painted figures. 25mm figures of Napoleon and Wellington are also provided. LESAIGLES is published byJeux Descartes, 5, rue Les Aigles Baume, 75008 Paris, France. In the U.S., LES AIGLES sells for about $50 and is available from Greenfield Hobby Distributors, 2350 Burdette, Ferndale, MI 48220.

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