Battle of Friedland 1807

We had planned a big Napoleonic game this week and rather than just create a random scenario we based the battle around the Battle of Friedland. Of course this is pretty impossible in 28mm without almost stretching the limits to breaking point, however we managed to squeeze many of the main elements of the battle into our game. Really of course it was an opportunity to get as main French and Russian figures into the table, in fact currently all of our figures !

Plenty of resources on the internet for the battle

I find these Command and Colours scenarios particularly useful as they have already distilled the battle to its very key elements

The British weather wasn’t good but just about ok to game back out in the ‘shed’ my table maxed out to 13x6

A sight to gladden the heart invincible French Heavy cavalry….spoiler Lol

Massed French Infantry on the left

The Russians in the village of Sortlack

Russian guns over the river with the bulk of their infantry to the right of Freidland

French heavy guns set up on the high ground

To the right French infantry supported by Dragoons

Ney’s troops advancing through Sortlack wood with freshly painted Hussars !

We were using Valour and Fortitude which we have pretty much nailed down now, one observation is it really seems to encourage troops to attack in Line rather than column, ok for the British but doesn’t quite feel right for the French and Russians. Next time we may tweek the rules slightly to encourage a more historical feel ?

The first cavalry clash in the centre the French dragoons getting the worst of it 🙁

Frnech infantry watch on as the dragons are beaten back

On the left the French heavies have caught the Cossacks napping, using the Vive L’Emperor extra boost they charge in, despite all the advantages in combat they are thrown back by very poor dice rolling. Some Russian trickery ?

The infantry advance on the left but slowly

While the cannons let loose

Slightly delayed the final french ‘Brigade’ arrives in the centre heading for Friedland

With the dragoons regrouping the infantry advance through the woods

Staying in column they advance

The Russians have some Lancers and with their own Heavy cavalry blown the infantry advance on the left now slows

Shooting around Sortlack while the main infantry advance up the hill

The Russians dragoons seem reluctant to attack (failing to activate twice I think)

The battle now in full flow

The Russian reserves around Friedland advance to battle

Grenadiers advance towards the village currently held by the Russian Guards

The French crash forward (in line !)

The grenadiers manage a key win in the village against the guards who had been worn down by artillery fire

After a ferocious round of combat the French get the better of the left flank, breaking at least one Russian Brigade

The french have also managed to force the hill on the right although the Russians are still holding out in Sortlack. The ‘fresh’ hussars have not seen combat but admirably held the flank secure.

At this point we called the battle with the French having their noses in front. The Russians have been beaten back and would have little option now but to retreat back through the town, but as often happens it has cost a lot of French blood to secure the victory.

A splendid Napoleonic encounter, I’m enjoying the rules but we may seek to encourage attack formations a little more in the future. Needless to say moving all these Napoleonic figures around for the day was great fun whatever the outcome for my Heavy Cavalry !

Thanks as always , we are away for a couple of days then hopefully a game next week as yet undecided, perhaps a Bolt action encounter in Norway ? As I have some poles who have been waiting for a battle for a while.

Matt