FRENCH REVOLUTIONARY UNIFORM GUIDE In my previous article on wargaming the French Revolutionary period, I neglected to include Uniforms of the French Revolution 1789 1802 by Philip Haythornthwaite. This is a comprehensive guide to the uniforms of the French armies and the various countries involved in battling the newly formed French Republic. In addition to a detailed review of French uniforms, the book includes Austrian, Russian, Prussian, Bavarian, British and Saxon uniforms. It also includes the uniforms of minor participants such as Poland, Baden, and the Batavian and Helvetian Republics. The book includes a short history of the military operation of the period and each uniform is accompanied by a detailed narrative. It is required reading for anyone interested in this period. It is available through the Emperor's Headquarters. CARNAGE AND GLORY STRATEGIC/TACTICAL GAME SYSTEM I just received from England a tactical and strategic computer based rules system for the Napoleonic period entitled CARNAGE AND GLORY. I don't have space to review the system in this but I will be preparing a detailed review for the next issue. LEGACY OF GLORY BATTLE REPORT Our gaming group put together a small scenario to test elements of the LEGACY OF GLORY rules. LEGACY is a grand-grand tactical rules system that emphasizes command and control considerations and includes a unique system for simulating Napoleonic formations. Larger Maps (3): slow: 93K download Although LEGACY is designed to accommodate large Napoleonic actions involving multiple corps, time limitations dictated that our scenario involved one oversized corp on each aide. A Russian corp that included two infantry division, one grenadier division and a cavalry division were defending a strategic cross-roads against a French corp that included two French infantry division and a Westphaian infantry division and a cavalry division. The game scenario began at 5:00 p.m. and was scheduled to last until the onset of darkness at 7:00 p.m. This two hour period conformed to one LEGACY Grand Battle Turn (GBT) which is composed of 20-minute tactical turns. The French divisions were composed of 9 12 infantry banalions with one attached artillery battery. Division A included a lancer regiment. The French cavalry division included 2 cuirassier regiments and 1 lancer and 1 hussar regiment. The Russian infantry divisions were composed on 12 battalions and one 6lb battery each. The grenadier division included 8 battalions and 2 12lb batteries. The cavalry division included a lancer, hussar cuirassier, and dragoon regiment. All three French infantry divisions were given assault orders, while the cavalry division was kept in reserve. Order sequencing tests resulted in French division A beginning their assault during the first tactical turn, while divisions B and C were delayed one turn. Each turn represents 20 minutes of real time. Grand tactical formations (GTF) are the basic manuever element in LEGACY. GTF's are usually divisions, but could be smaller units in certain situations. GTF's can be in either non-engaged, engaged or combat status. Non-engaged status represents GTF's that are well beyond enemy formations, while engaged status Includes GTFs that are between 9.1 and 22" from enemy units. Combat status results when GTF's move closer to one another. Larger Maps (3): slow: 93K download Division A implemented a standard assault order and moved from non-engaged to engaged status. During engaged status supporting artillery fire is assessed. During turn 2, 5:20 p.m., division A successfully launched its assault, moving its units to within 9" of the Russian divisions and winning a major skirmishing victory thanks to the French commanders decision to break two legere battalions into skirmish order. This skirmish victory resulted in 9 hits being spread along the first wave of the Russian division and the masking of their artillery. During this turn, French divisions C and A moved into engaged status. Legacy requires that grand tacfical formations (GTF) adopt formations that conform to grand tactical doctrine of the Napoleonic era. That doctrine emphasized strength through depth. The units within a division were arrayed in lines or waves that allowed the 2nd and 3rd waves to support and reinforce the front wave. French Division A closed into combat with Russian division 1, defeating three Russian battalions in the first wave. Although LEGACY focuses on large formations wch as divisions' tactical combat is resolved on a battalion by battalion basis, retaining the flavor of Napoleonic combat. During the wave assessment phase, which determines the impact of tactical combat for both the defender and attacker, the Russian division was forced to retire. In addition, the commander fate assessment resulted in the death of the Russian divisional commrnander. Legacy system does not allow GTF commands to go beyond their orders. In the case of French division A, they had acheived their stated objective and instead of continuing their assault, which most rules systems would allow, they were forced to consolidate their positions and await new orders. This delay gave the Russian commander time to commit the Russian grenadier division, 3. Before that could occur, French division B began its assault of Russian division 2. Instead of a standard assault, the French commander chose to conduct a firefight assault, which resulted in the French battalions deploying into line and conducting one turn of musket fire with the Russian. This would result in the French close assault beginning at 6:00 p.m. The firefight assault sacrifices impetus and requires each French battalion in line to undergo a discipline check before closing with the Russians. The French battalions formed line and fired into Russian columns, inflicting hits on each front line battalion. In addition, the French also won a minor skirmishing victory, inflicting additional casualties. In response, a Russian battery positioned in the center of the Russian line decimated a French battalion in its line of fire. At this point' 6:20 p.m., the French commander activated his reserve cavalry division and ordered it to move around the French left flank and assault the Russians. In the LEGACY system, corp commanders are given command points reflecting the competency of themselves and their staff. These points are used to help GTF's under their command or to issue additional orders. This point system requires commanders to make a conscious decision about allocating their activities. It removes the unrealistic tendency of commanders to automatically react immediately to conditions on the battlefield. The Russian corp commander, who had used his points to assist the two infantry divisions react to the French assault, and to commits his grenadier division, had no points left to issue new orders to the Russian division 1 which had been forced to retire but had successfully rallied itself or to commit the reserve cavalry division to attack the French infantry or to try to counter the French cavalry division. Similarly, the French commander who had to work with fewer command points than his Russian counterpart due to the need to implement the attack orders and a poor dice roll during the point restoration phase was hampered in his ability to react quickly to the changing situation on the battlefield. The French division C' which had achieved its objective subsequent to the retirement of Russian division 1 automatically assumed a "defend" posture. Without orders this division was unable to attack the Russians. The French attack on Russian division 2 at 6:00 p.m. was an abject failure. Several French battalions failed their discipline tests to charge in line, resulting in them charging in disorder. Two French battalions routed, including one attempting to charge the Russian battery. The French division B retired after wave assessment. The Russian grenadier division successfully activated their order to assault French division 1 at 6:20 p.m.. Although the French were able to win a major skirmishing victory, their front wave was still battered from their previous combat with Russian division 1. The Russian grenadier banalions were rated 9 in morale opposed to the average of 7 for most of the French line troops. The French defensive wave assessment resulted in a docision for the French command. French division A could remain in place but would lower its overall effectiveness rating or it could retire at no penalty. The French commander choose to retire. The Russian grenadier division offensive wave assessment allowed them to remain in their positions. Unfortunately, during leader fate assessment the commander of the grenadier division was killed. At 6:30 p.m., as the Russian grenadiers were consolidating their victory, the French cavalry division swung around the French left flank and assaulted them. The Russian attempt to form square was entirely successful, with the help of a very good base morale modifier die roll on the part of the Russian commander. The front wave of the French cavalry, composed of a Polish lancer regiment and French cuirassier regiment smashed into the grenadiers. The lancers broke the battalion they faced, helped by supporting artillery fire from a 6lb horse battery, but the cuirassiers were repelled. The lancers continued their charge and were stopped by an adjacent grenadier square. The second wave of the cavalry fared no better against the grenadiers and the entire cavalry division recalled behind French lines. Larger Maps (3): slow: 93K download As darkness descended on the battlefield the Russians were declared the victors, having successfully defended the cross-roads. Darkness indeed saved the Russian right wing. The Russian grenadier division, having thrown back a French infantry division and cavalry division was in a very dangerous position. It was in combat state with the fresh Westphalian division, with all of its battalions in square and its commander dead. The overall Russian command was not in bad shape, with a fresh cavalry division in reserve and division 1 reforming. Division 2 still occupied a strong defensive position. It was also the end of the GBT, meaning that the corp commander would be recieving additional command points. Overall, the our group is still feeling its way through the command and control process in LEGACY. This basis has illustrated the importance of anticipating events and keeping some command points in reserve to exploit opportunities. The lack of command points on the Russian side kept the reserve cavalry division and infantry division 1 from supporting the front line divisions. The French cavalry ranking movement could have been disastrous for the Russians. If the grenadiers had not formed square, the cavalry might have rolled up the Russian rank and captured the cross-roads. HISTORICON ON THE MOVE The latest HMGS East newsletter just showed up and it included news that many of us have been dreading. Rumors have been rampant for the last year of a possible move trom the Penn Harris to "greener" pastures. From what I can gather there is a body of opinion that both Cold Wars and Historicon have outgrown the Penn Harris. The search for a new facility has focused on the suburban Philadelphia area. The HMGS newsletter confirmed that there has been a decision to abandon the Penn Harris and move the convention, although they want to keep us in suspense and did not provide the location of the new site. I suspect alot of people are going to have alot of questions about this move. Many people have already questioned the economic sense of paying a large fee to another hotel / convention center for more space. The Penn Harris provided all convention space free of charge. The HMGS newsletter included suspicious language about fact the "costs for this new facility will be higher." It also announces that the primary goal of the negotiations was to keep the sleeping room rates as low as possible. The primary motivation for the move from Penn Hanis has been the lack of space. I've attended the last six conventions at the Penn Harris site and have been struck by the waste of space. Better space management could result in more gaming areas. At this upcoming Historicon, the Ancients tournament has been moved to another facility to open up more area. This should relieve some of the overcrowding. The other part of the equation seems to be dealer space. Some veteran HMGS members have reminded the HMGS leadership that the convention was originally organized for wargamers, not dealers and it seems inconsistent to respond to dealer complaints about space if the result is higher costs for the wargamers. Clearly there have been complaints from the wargamers themselves about the space problems. Last years Historicon seemed particularly crowded. I think most wargamers would welcome the move if similar financial srangements could obtained. The HMGS meeting at Historicon promises to be interesting. Back to MWAN #53 Table of Contents © Copyright 1991 Hal Thinglum This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com