Guest Post from Reject Richard - The Battle of Distanza p2

Part 2 of a Socially Distant Wargame by Reject Richard

The Battle of Distanza, 15 June 1746

Deployment Turn, 11am

For the first phase of the game Lee and Ray were given their army lists and asked to decide about their brigades’ entry and deployment.  As the game is currently live, I’ll not reveal the exact army lists until the end for fear of giving away any military secrets.  However, what can be said is that both sides have four brigades with the following broad composition:

French (Ray)

1^st Brigade – infantry

2^nd Brigade – infantry

3^rd Brigade – infantry

4^th Brigade – cavalry

Austrian (Lee)

1^st Brigade – infantry

2^nd Brigade – infantry

3^rd Brigade – cavalry

4^th Brigade – cavalry

Lee and Ray were given the following map.

Lee and Ray were asked to choose their entry points for their brigades and to indicate the general direction of travel for those brigades.

Ray enters from 3 of points F1 to F4

Lee enters from 3 of points A1 to A4

The boys were also instructed to guess their opponent’s entry points in order to out scout and gain an advantage using the following table to decide:

Results of Scouting

Both sides find the same number of entry points	No change to deployment
One side finds all the entry points of the other AND more than their opponent.	The winner may redeploy one brigade to any of their 4 entry points OR Upgrade the quality of their commanding officer.

Ray entered and indicated his direction of march as shown here with his red lines:

3^rd Brigade from F2

1^st Brigade from F3

2^nd and 4^th Brigades from F4, going west and east of the hill respectively.

Lee provided the following illustration of his entry and march:

I think you can see which brigade Lee was marching in and from where.  It’s funny how drawing or writing freehand on computer is never a true reflection of our fine motor skills.

Even though Lee does not have to roll any dice (big sigh of relief from everyone!) he was still out scouted by Ray who correctly guessed all of Lee’s points of deployment.  I can’t reveal what advantage Ray chose yet.  That’s the second tease… I almost feel bad.................... Almost!!!!!!

Both French and Austrians were now deployed on the table, as shown below, and ready for the first march move.

The Austrians quickly advanced their 4^th and 1^st brigades south, with the latter making good progress in the direction of Distanza.

Equally the French 3^rd Brigade rapidly approach the town of Sociale.

However, in the south and east, things are moving a little more tentatively with both sides’ infantry manoeuvring into position.

Meanwhile the cavalry brigades spot each other and decide it would be prudent to shuffle into line formation.

 And so, the forces are arranged as shown on the view of the battlefield below.

Thus, is the situation at 11.30am.

How will the commanders next set of orders influence events?  This is the point where some dramatic music ends an episode of a soap opera on a cliff hanger moment.  Well, in my head anyway!!!

Until next time............