Below is a recounting of the Summer Campaign
The Plan
Field Maréchal
Field Maréchal Desempere contemplated the denouement of the Summer Campaign. Win or lose, he knew he would be replaced, so this month may well define his 40 year military career. He had held the Guards Brigade in Defence lest the enemy attempt a coup de main, plus, it calmed the nerves of literate mothers knowing their sons were still in France. The Cavalry he had commuted to Field Operations to deny the harvest to the enemy and the bulk of the infantry he had commuted to an Assault- all or nothing he thought? As long as there were men looking to carve a name for themselves amongst the junior officers there was a chance, a slim chance. His adjutant entered; Col Peu Mieux. He sat down ready to write out the orders for the Army Generals…
1st Army, Field Command
The Field Maréchal’s aide dismissed, General Vachedun commander of the 1st Infantry Army tossed the orders to his adjutant without bothering to even break the seal. The adjutant looked at him with no little disbelief….. “My dear fellow” started Vachedun “War is very simple, we must take the town, they will try and stop us, people will die” The adjutant said nothing as usual. The General had achieved his rank by being able to give the orders that others could or would not.
Vachedun’s aide broke the seal and read the orders carefully. The dispositions commanders put them at a disadvantage strategically but the General was right, they simply had to hold their nerve long enough to take the town. The cavalry was too far away to support them, they could easily be broken by an enemy sortie.
1st Army, Division Command
Baron Plusdenom, General de Regular Division expected the worst and was not disappointed. He sat patiently with the grilled old veteran Gen VanderPant, of the Frontier Division. He always took great regard of how VanderPant handled these situations, the man had risen through the ranks the hard way and knew how to achieve results and preserve the lives of his men. He had never been assigned to the list either, sidelined on half pay and maintains his income was something the Baron was keen to preserve. He had tried penury and didn’t like it. Neither commander had brought their adjutants, the men looked to their leaders and needed to believe they were competently lead.
VanderPant grinned at the Baron “All on the flip of a coin is it not?” The old general flicked the coin in the air and looked quizzically to the Baron as it spun high above their heads. The old man had outflanked him again! The element of surprise- The Baron, even with his own limited experience knew the breaches were not wide enough, were not covered by the guns, were unsupported by the horse however… if a lodgement could be achieved sufficient to draw the enemies reserves then an assault may yet succeed to the rear at the postern gate where France had an agent ready to open the doors. The coin had reached it’s apex and was now dropping fast. Were careers really decided on a decision as simple as this?
“Heads!” called the Baron before stooping to recover the coin as VanderPant smiled. The Frontier Division would assault the postern gate and the line would attack the walls.
2nd Army, Field Command
The Chevalier Moutonoir crested the rise, resplendent in his glittering cuirass. Plumes of ostrich feathers marked both his own helm and his horse. The approaching aide did not dismount, but in the style of the Hungarians passed the dispatch to his adjutant without breaking stride and cantered away to a loud halooo. After all, this was what it was about and this summer, like the last would see an elevation further both in the service and in Paris.
He broke the seal and read the orders twice. He was to support the assault and keep the town invested simultaneously. He had secured the high ground as requested but had not imagined that this was where he was to operate from when the assault went in! The outcome was going to be inconclusive at best.
2nd Army, Division Command
Viscount Jean d’Arme nodded agreement to the Chevalier Moutonoir. Their actions would be picked over in the salons in Paris, it was vitally important that they could be seen to have carried out their instructions to the letter. There was no room for initiative in the Cavalry Division! The fact that the hill that they had been ordered to form on might have made an excellent gun platform lying obliquely as it did to the walls was neither here nor there. Short of dismounting his dragoons Jean d’Arme could not see how he could support the assault and he was in entirely the wrong place should the enemy attempt a sally.
3rd Army, Field Command
The inn had been cleared of everyone who had not washed this month and the General Viellechevre had his sumptuous doe skin boots on the table. His adjutant poured him a cognac and then, when he was sure he had the Generals full attention, read the dispatch. It seems the Field Maréchal is concerned that the enemy may sortie, avoiding our field operations to cut the supply lines back to Paris. As usual the Guards Army had been given the most dangerous and difficult of duties – The general thought carefully, “Have the Brigadier pop in if he has time” he said – “We may yet be able to rescue the reputation of the King from this debacle, if nothing else I can undo the damage done so far…”
3rd Army, Division Command
Compte Poids d’Autruche sat at the far end of the bar in the shadows. He too listened when VanderPant had a plan. There were precious few with rank and ability in this army. If the Frontier Division could force a rear entry then bugger him but the Guards would follow through behind, he could justify a ‘successful sortie’. Attack after all is the best form of defence!
The Battle
Baron Plusdenom looked at the three Brigadiers before him.
“This will be tough. The breaches are barely practicable, they are flanked by the sconces, the enemy is not beaten and knows what will happen should we gain entry to the town. Let the men know they have three days once the town has fallen before the hanging starts.
“Paradis, you and the 1st Brigade will take the sconce on the left, there will be a bounty for each serviceable gun captured. Sebastien, you will take the 2nd through the breach. Outro, you will take the 3rd against the sconce on the right and silence the guns there, take what powder you can. You will attack at dawn.
“General VandePant is briefing Chanceaux of the Frontier Brigade, once our attack is underway and their reserves have been committed he will try the postern gate. Be careful not to fire on friends once in the town, the call sign will be ‘MonDieu’
“In the Guards Division, Compte Poids d’Autruche is briefing Bienbeau to support and follow through the Frontier’s attack if they are successful.
“Are there any questions that I will be able to answer gentlemen?” There was a professional silence amongst the men. It had been a coin toss that they needed to have won.
As the first rays of the sun crept over the horizon Paradis waved his Colonels forward. A ragged line of musketeers crawled forwards on their bellies so that their first shot might be telling. The Picardy musketeers were to put down a hail of musketry and then the Royal Marines would charge the ramparts before the enemy could react – If this was to work it would likely be a Pyrrhic victory at best.
The Colonels of the 13th & 53rd Fusiliers eyed the breach their commander had directed them towards. 300 yards of open ground lay before them and they would not be given the order to advance until the flanks were secure and the sconces taken – they would be attacking in broad daylight and without surprise. Surely, they would be Repulsed.
Away to his right Outro signalled to the Colonels of the 27th Musketeers and the 4th Arquebusiers and they advanced quietly one line supporting the other – this too would be Pyrrhic at best.
Chanceux of the Frontier Brigade waited for the sound of battle to reach a crescendo on the other side of the town then ordered the Kings flag to be waved and dipped three times, a signal to the Kings agent in the town. The postern gate opened and the Frontier Regts in column charged forwards, their dense ranks being flanked by fire from the curtain walls on both sides as they gained entry to the lower town. A pyrrhic assault indeed. Their attack was supported by Bienbeau and the Guards Brigade but the additional numbers could not be brought effectively to bear and their impact overall was Inconclusive.
The Viscount Jean d’Armes marshalled his lines. He had ordered Marcel and the Dragoons Brigade forward. The orders had instructed him to support the assault. How was one to do that without sacrificing his mounts? He had passed on similarly vague orders to all his Brigadiers to ensure that he could prove he had passed on the commands exactly as given to him. The buck was definitely not stopping with him.
Marcel had lead the dragoons forward, partly to get them off the ridiculous hill they had been posted on and to be close enough to contest any sortie from the town. He had said to the Colonels of the Maximillian and Louisa Dragoon regts that the men were free to support the assault into the town should the occasion arise. It looked from his position as if some of the Maximillian’s had posted themselves too far forward. He was about to send a rider when he saw a large party of the enemy debouching from a side gate to sortie against the men of the 3rd Brigade, tied up assaulting the right hand sconce in the flank.
Marcel ordered the dragoons forward on foot, their horses picketed behind them, just the officers mounted. From his position, it looked as if the enemy flankers had themselves been taken in the flank and they were driven back into the town.
A similar enemy counter appeared to be developing against the other assaults. On the left De Brouillard lead the Horseguards Brigade thundering down the slope ensuring that the Marines could secure the sconces and the batteries unmolested. The enemy again were driven back into the town.
In the centre Ratacan was not so easily able to bring the cuirassiers of the Heavy brigade to bear as there was no space to manoeuvre and the result was inconclusive.
The Results
Field Maréchal Desempare MA2
Adjutant ColPeu Mieux MA4
Adjusted MA3
Outcome 2, Good Planning
1st Army, Gen. Vachedun MA1
Assault Role
Adjutant MA6
Adjusted MA2
Outcome 5, Broken by sortie = -1MA Mod
Regular Division, Baron Plusdenom MA3
Outcome 6, Repulsed = -2MA Mod
1st Brigade, Bde Gen. Paradis MA3
Outcome 3, Pyrrhic victory
Picardy Musketeers, Col MA2, Adjutant MA4 (capt D), Higher command modifier -2: Net MA1
4: Regt Outcome Inconclusive
Lt Col 1st Bn MA1 – 6: outcome Pyrrhic victory
Acting Capt A coy MA 2(Capt C coy) net MA1 4: outcome Inconclusive
Acting Capt B coy Jean de Flaque (Capt E Coy) MA5 net MA3 3inconlusive: Death roll 10, Mention 11, Promotion 9, Plunder n/a
Acting Maj 2nd Bn MA6 (Capt A) net MA4 3: outcome Inconclusive
Acting Maj 3rd Bn MA2(Capt B) net MA1 2: outcome Crushed
NPC deaths & promotions:
Lt Colonel and Captain B coy acting as Major 3rd Bn both die, no NPC promotions
Royal Marines, Col MA2, Adjutant (Capt D Coy) MA4, Higher command modifier -2 Net MA1
4: Regt Outcome Inconclusive
Lt Col 1st Bn MA5 net MA3 – 5: outcome Pyrrhic victory
Acting Capt A coy MA 2(Capt C coy) net MA1 2: Crushed
Acting Capt B coy Hanz (Subaltern A Coy) MA2 net MA1 1Crushed: Death roll 8, Mention 8, Promotion 5, plunder n/a
Acting Maj 2nd Bn MA1 (Capt A) net MA1 4: outcome Inconclusive
Acting Maj 3rd Bn MA2(Capt B) net MA1 4: outcome Inconclusive
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel, Lt Colonel 1st Bn, and Captain C coy acting as Captain A Coy die, no NPC promotions
2nd Brigade, Bde Gen. Sebastian MA3
Outcome 5, Repulsed
13th Fusileers, Col MA5, Adj (Capt C coy) MA5, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA3
4 Regt Outcome Pyrrhic Victory
Lt Col 1st Bn MA3 net MA1 – 2: outcome Crushed
Acting Capt A coy MA 2(Capt D coy) net MA1 1: Crushed
Acting Capt B coy Valentyn Moreau MA4 (Capt E Coy) net MA1 1: Crushed
Death roll 7, Mention 8, Promotion 5, Plunder n/a
Acting Maj 2nd Bn MA1 (Capt A) net MA1 4: outcome Inconclusive
Acting Maj 3rd Bn MA3(Capt B) net MA1 5: outcome Inconclusive
NPC deaths & promotions
Regt Adjutant (Capt C Coy) promoted to Major 2nd Bn
Capt A & B Coys (acting as Majors 2nd & 3rd Bn) die as does Capt D coy
53rd Fusileers, Col MA5, Adj (Capt D coy) MA1, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA3
6 Regt Outcome Bloody Victory (colonel +1MA)
Lt Col 1st Bn MA6 net MA5 – 5: outcome Bloody victory (+1MA)
Maj John Gould 2nd Bn MA6 net MA5 6: Bloody victory (+1MA)
Acting Capt C Coy le Petite Sourris (Capt E Coy) MA5 net MA4 2: Repulsed
Death roll 7, Mention 8, Promotion 5 Plunder n/a
Acting Capt D Coy Phillipe Phillope (Subaltern A Coy) MA1 net MA1 5 Inconclusive
Death roll 10, Mention 11, Promotion 8, plunder n/a
Acting Major 3rd Bn (Capt A Coy) MA1 net MA15: outcome Inconclusive
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel and lt Colonel both die. Capts A & D Coys both promoted
3rd Brigade, Bde Gen. Outro MA1
Outcome 3, Pyrrhic Victory
27th Musketeers, Col MA6, Adj (Capt B coy) MA2, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA4
5 Regt Outcome: Pyrrhic Victory
Lt Col 1st Bn MA6 net MA4 – 2: outcome Repulsed
Acting Maj 2nd Bn MA4(Capt A) net MA2 4: outcome Repulsed
Acting Maj 3rd Bn MA5(Capt C) net MA3 5: outcome Bloody Victory +1MA
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel dies, Lt Colonel & captain A Coy both promoted
4th Arquebusiers, Col MA3, Adj (Capt Dcoy) MA3, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA1
5 Regt Outcome: Inconclusive
Lt Col 1st Bn MA6 net MA4 – 4: outcome Pyrrhic victory
Acting Maj 2nd Bn MA2(Capt A) net MA1 4: outcome Inconclusive
Acting Maj 3rd Bn MA3(Capt C) net MA1 5: outcome crushed
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel, lt Col & Capt C Coy acting as Major 3rd Bn all die. Capt A Coy is promoted
Frontier Division, General Vanderpant MA5
Outcom 2, Bloody Victory
Frontier Brigade, Bde Gen. Chanceux MA3
Outcome 3, Pyrrhic Victory
Forlorn Hope Frontier Regt, Col MA4, Adj (Capt E coy) MA6, RNHB Modifier +1, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA4
4 Regt Outcome: Pyrrhic Victory
Lt Col 1st Bn MA1 net MA1 – 4: outcome Inconclusive
Maj 2nd Bn MA3 net MA1 2: outcome crushed
Maj 3rd Bn MA7 net MA5 4: outcome Pyrrhic Victory
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel & his adjutant both die as does the Lt Colonel & Major 3rd Bn, The Major 2nd Bn is promoted
Royal North Highland Border Regt, Col MA7, Adj (Capt A coy) MA4, Higher command MA modifier -2 Net MA5
4 Regt Outcome: Pyrrhic Victory
Lt Col 1st Bn MA2 net MA1 – 2: outcome Crushed
Captain A Coy MA7 net MA4 2: Outcome Repulsed
Private Henri du Monte
Death roll 7, Mention 7, promotion 6, plunder n/a
Maj 2nd Bn MA8 net MA6 1: outcome Repulsed
Maj 3rd Bn MA8 net MA6 2: outcome Inconclusive
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel & his adjutant, the Lt Colonel & both Major 2nd & Major 3rd Bn all die
2nd Army, Chv Moutonoir MA4
Field Ops Role
Outcome 4, Inconclusive
Cavalry Division, Vis. Jean d’Arme MA5
Outcome 4, Inconclusive
Horseguards Brigade, Bde Gen. De Brouillard MA5
Outcome 2, Enemy driven from field
Dragoon Guards
Col MA2, Adj (Capt B Troop) MA4, Higher command MA modifier +1 Net MA5
4 Regt Outcome: Inconclusive 3
Lt Col 1st Bn MA1 net MA2 – 4: outcome Inconclusive 4
Maj 2nd Sqn Chevalier le Penn MA4 net MA5 5: outcome Enemy driven from the field (+1MA)
Death Roll: 14, Mention 7 Promotion 8, Plunder 5 (2D6x100) MA increase
Maj 3rd Bn Jean Marie le Pun MA1 net MA2 3: outcome Own Driven from the field
Death Roll: 11, Mention 9 Promotion 6, Plunder 9 (1D6x50)
Queens Own Carabineers
Col MA3, Adj (Capt D Troop) MA1, Higher command MA modifier +1 Net MA4
6 Regt Outcome: Enemy driven from the field +1MA
Lt Col 1st Sqn MA5 net MA7 – 2: outcome Crushed
Maj 2nd Sqn Antoine Gounelle MA6 net MA8 6 Outcome Enemy crushed (+1MA)
Death Roll 14, Mention 8, Promotion 8, Plunder 6 (2D6x50)
Acting Capt C Troop, Leon Artois (Capt E troop) MA4 net MA7 1 Outcome Inconclusive4
Death Roll 11, Mention 12, Promotion 7, Plunder 10 (1D6x50)
Maj 3rd Sqn MA5 net MA7 5: outcome Enemy driven from the field
NPC deaths & promotions
Lt Colonel dies, Major 3rd Sqn promoted (NB if Maj 2nd Sqn is also promoted, he takes priority
Heavy Brigade, Bde Gen. Ratacan MA3
Outcome 4, Inconclusive
Crown Prince Carabineers
Col MA3, Adj (Capt A Troop) MA5, Higher command MA modifier -1 Net MA3
3 Regt Outcome: Inconclusive 4
Lt Col 1st Sqn M1 net MA1 – 1: outcome Crushed
Maj 2nd Sqn MA6 net MA5 Outcome Enemy driven from the field (+1MA)
Maj 3rd Sqn MA2 net MA1 6: outcome Inconclusive 3 (+1MA)
NPC deaths & promotions
Colonel & Regt Adjutant promoted, Lt Colonel & Major 2nd Sqn both die
Archduke Leopold Cuirassiers
Col MA3, Adj (Capt A Troop) MA1, Higher command MA modifier +1 Net MA4
6 Regt Outcome: Enemy driven from the field
Lt Col 1st Sqn MA2 net MA4 – 5: Inconclusive3
Maj 2nd Sqn MA1 net MA3 Outcome Inconclusive4
Maj 3rd Sqn MA2 net MA4 6: outcome Enemy driven from the field
NPC deaths & promotions
Adjutant (Capt A troop) dies
Dragoon Brigade, Bde Gen. Marcel MA3
Outcome 2, Enemy driven from field
Grand Duke Maximillian Dragoons
Col MA6, Adj (Capt C coy) MA1, Higher command MA modifier +1 Net MA7
5 Regt Outcome: Enemy driven from the field +1
Lt Col 1st Sqn MA1 net MA2 – 4: outcome Inconclusive 4
Acting Capt B Troop Gabriele Fontaine-Dufort MA5 (Capt E coy) net MA7 5 Outcome Enemy Driven from the field
Death Roll: 12, Mention 9 Promotion 8, Plunder 8 (2D6x100) MA increase
Maj 2nd Sqn MA6 net MA7 3: outcome Inconclusive 3
Maj 3rd Sqn MA2 net MA3 3: outcome Inconclusive 4
NPC deaths & promotions
The Lt Colonel & major 3rd Sqn are both killed, The Captain of C Troop acting as Regimental Adjutant is promoted
Princess Louisa Light Dragoons
Col MA3, Adj (Capt A coy) MA4, Higher command MA modifier +1 Net MA4
1 Regt Outcome: Own driven from the field
Lt Col 1st Bn MA1 net MA1 – 2: outcome Crushed
Maj 2nd Bn Jacques Angille MA4 net MA4 2: outcome Own driven from the field
Death Roll 9, Mention 10, Promotion 6, Plunder 10 (1×50)
Maj 3rd Bn MA4 net MA4 4: outcome Inconclusive 3
NPC deaths & promotions
Regimental Adjutant Capt promoted, the Lt Colonel has died
3rd Army, Gen Viellechevre MA5
Defence Role
Outcome 3, Inconclusive
Guards Division, Ct. Poids d’Autruche MA5
Outcome 2, Enemy broken by sortie
Guards Brigade, Bde Gen. Bienbeau MA5
Outcome 3, Inconclusive
Royal Foot Guards
Colonel MA2, Adjutant (Capt A Coy) MA4, Higher command modifier +1 Net MA4
3 Regimental Outcome: Inconclusive
Lt Col 1st Bn MA6 net MA7 – 3: Inconclusive 3
Maj 2nd Bn MA3 Louis de FrouFrou net MA4 3: outcome Inconclusive 3
15 Death Roll, 12 Mention, 10 Promotion, 8 Plunder (2d6x50)
Acting Capt D Coy Francois Cantona (capt E Coy) MA1 net MA2 3: Outcome Falls to storming party
10 Death Roll, 8 Mention, 7 Promotion, Plunder 9 (1D6x50)
Maj 3rd Bn MA1 Abélard de Bête net MA2 4: outcome Inconclusive 4
15 Death Roll, 12 Mention, 10 Promotion, 8 Plunder (1d6x50)
NPC deaths & promotions
No deaths or promotions
Cardinals Guard
Colonel MA1, Adjutant MA2, Higher command +1 Net MA2
3: Regt Outcome Falls to storming party -1MA
Lt Colonel MA1 net MA1 1 Outcome Falls to siege works
Major 2nd Bn MA4 net MA4 1 Outcome Falls to storming party
Major 3rd BN MA6 net MA6 6 Outcome Enemy scattered by sortie (+1MA)
Deaths and Promotions
Colonel dies, Lt Colonel and Major 2nd Bn all die. Adjutant (Capt B Coy) promoted
Kings Musketeers MA2, Adj (capt B Coy) MA1 net MA3
1: Outcome Falls to siege works
Lt Col, 1st Bn MA5 net MA5 1: Outcome Falls to storming party
Major 2nd Bn MA4 net MA4 6: Enemy broken by Sortie
Acting Major 3rd Bn (Capt A Coy) MA1 1Outcome falls to siege works
Deaths and promotions
Colonel & Adjutant both die, no promotions
