Snappy Nappy

The Russian Conflagration of 1812

French Situation and Introduction

by Russ Lockwood

Russian dupilicity, indeed. First, they deny me a bride, then they impose import duties on French products. Some adherence to the Treaty of Tilsit!

Fred (left) and Keith (right) consider the Niemen River. Keith is moving Davout to the right (eastwards) towards the red building (Vilnius) as Fred sorts out how his small corp is supposed to cross the river. To the west of Keith, the rest of the French pour across the Niemen at Kovno.

You've assembled the greatest concentration of troops and launched the invasion on the night of June 23, 1812. In fact, there's a bit of a traffic jam, but Russia's a big place. You expect to defeat the Russian army within 20 days--did you not order it so? You have roughly 600,000 troops for the invasion, but you have cleverly calculated that 150,000 more will be "lost" to garrisons and attrition, and so are "left" with 450,000, give or take.

    Emperor: Napoleon
    I Corp: heading to Novo Troki
    II Corp and I Cav Corps: behind I Corp
    III Corp and II Cav Corps: behind II Corp
    Imperial Guard: behind II Corp
    VI Corp: behind Imp. Gd.
    X Corp: heading to Shavli
    XVI, IV Cav, and VII Corps: heading south
    IV and III Cav Corp: marching from Poland: to appear on west edge
    VIII and IX Corps: Army Reserve marching from Poland behind VI Corps
    Garrisons: Within Poland. Not to be called on.
    Supply Trains (2): Between Imp. Gd and VIII Corps
    Bridging Train: Emplaced South of Kovno

TERRAIN:

From Poland to Smolensk is somewhat barren wilderness. Beyond Smolensk, the land becomes more open and fertile, especially Ukraine.

ATTRITION:

The French have already suffered 25% attrition. As long as they remain in supply, no further losses.

SUPPLY:

The French are in a bind. They are always in supply as long as they can trace a "line of communications" (usually via road, but not necessarily) to either the west edge of the map, or to a combination of supply depots (Barrels, Cauldrons, Urns, and Haystacks). Each depot has a "range" that will supply all units within that range. In essense, you're forming a chain of depots stretching back to the Nieman River (Kovno area).

Barrels, Cauldrons, Urns, and Haystacks:

    Haystacks: 36" range along roads, 18" cross country (pro-rate for non-Open terrain).

    Barrels and Caldrons: 24" range along roads, 12" cross country (pro-rate for non-Open terrain).

    Urns (thin): 12" range along roads, 6" cross country (pro-rate for non-Open terrain).

Supply Trains (wagons) carry up to four Barrels or 8 Urns (or equivalent combo) and move 12" on road and 6" cross country. They may never go on non-open terrain. They may not force march. Morale is Conscript, and if they fail a MC, they are destroyed along with all barrels they are carrying. They may drop off barrels without movement penalty. Infantry Units may carry 1 Urn each without penalty. If retreated in combat, the Urn remains in place (they drop it, so to speak).

Out of Supply:

    All units: 1/2 move and -1 modifier for firing and -2 modifier fro melee.
    All units: Take MC during "Check supply" Fail: drop one level (no roll again). Pass: OK.

Using supplies: A commander may voluntarily use (destroy) a supply depot IF his units are out of supply.

    Haystack: 3d10 units are in suppply for one turn.
    Barrel and Cauldron: 2d10 units are in suppply for one turn.
    Urn (thin): 1d10 units are in suppply for one turn.

BRIDGING TRAIN:

The Bridging Train moves at 12" on roads and 6" in Open. Morale is Veteran. It takes half a move to set up or take down. It may be used by other to cross major or minor rivers as if it was Open Terrain. If hit in combat and fails a MC, 1/2 the bridging train is lost, it retreats 6", and it may then only be used to cross minor rivers. If a second MC is failed, it is destroyed.

VICTORY:

The goal is to conquer Russia, or at least force the Czar to negotiate.
Villages west of Dneiper, south of Dvina rivers: 1 point each
Villages east of Dneiper, north of Dvina rivers: 2 points each
Towns west of Dneiper, south of Dvina rivers: 3 point each (not Minsk/Drissa/Kiev)
Towns east of Dneiper, north of Dvina rivers: 4 points each
Drissa or Kiev (town): 5 points each
Minsk: 10 points Smolensk (city): 15 points Riga (fortress): 25 points
Exiting eastward off map: 25 points
Upon the capture of Minsk, Riga, Smolensk, or exiting a number of French units off the east edge greater than the number of Russian units off the east edge, during the Rally phase, Napoleon may call upon the Czar to negotiate (roll 1d10). If Napoleon has one objective, needs a 10. If two objectives, needs a 9 or 10. Three objectives, needs 8,9, or 10. All four objectives, 7,8,9, or 10.
If successful, an ARMISTICE occurs. No movement is allowed for any unit on map. No battles. If locked in combat, units separate 1" each if in open, otherwise, unit in dominant terrain stays and other unit retreats 2" back.
If failed, the war continues. Another roll may be tried without taking another objective, but the success roll has a -1 modifier.
However, if the die roll is = or less than the number of objectives, Holy Mother Russia is INSULTED and no further negotiations can ever take place.
If an Armistice is in effect, the next rally phase is another 1d10 roll, but the success roll has a +1 modifier.
If successful, Napoleon has done it -- French Arms have won a victory! A second Treaty of Tilsit occurs.
If fail, Armistice ends and war continues (no "insult" taken, regardless of roll).
Otherwise, at end of game, tally points for victory.

More Snappy Nappy: The Russian Conflagration of 1812

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