Its been a while between updates….winter..house renovations..work…the list goes onnnnn.

So to kick off with we played another scenario from the excellent ‘Lets Fight Leipzig’ scenario book. This time we are gaming ‘The Kolmberg from October 1813. The situation is:

‘Whilst the main allied attacks went in against Wachau and Liebertwolkwitz, General Klenau and the bulk of the 4th Corps were fighting a separate battle of his own around the Kolmberg. This significant piece of high ground about 4 kilometres east of Liebertwolkwitz dominated the surrounding countryside and its occupation would give the allies an excellent anchor for their rather over-extended right flank‘.

The attacking French force were McDonald’s XI Corps of 4 infantry divsions of 5 or 6 infantry units and a battery supported by Montbrun with 1 Chasseur unit. The II Reserve Cavalry Corps of Sebastiani would arrive to his left at some stage. This had 3 divisions of 2 light and 1 heavy division.

The Allied force was the 4th Austrian Corps of Klenau comprising 3 Austrian Divisions and 1 Prussian Brigade. To their right at some stage the Prussian Reserve Cavalry of Roder with a brigade of Cuirassiers and a brigade of Landwehr cavalry would arrive.

Turn 1 and the Allied right with SteveT, beside him was StephenC and Goldie.

On the French side was Robert opposite SteveT, then Rob and then Nick who was back in town and was going to pop along to join in at some stage

The Victory conditions were for the French to take and hold the Kolmberg and the 2 central villages of Klein Posna and Seifertshain. The Austrians have an advance unit on the Kolmberg and rather than wait to be over run, they charged the French line and assaulted the artillery battery. While some may ponder this move…think it through …they are a stamina 4 unit…the battery at best can inflict 3 casualties…and it puts them now in the flank of French and will be a nuisance to any French attack.

The Austrians defeat the artillery….sustain 3 casualties and form square as is a good formation when Montbrun is near by and also to hold off any French infantry attacks until help arrives.

French charge a bttn into square. Another bttn extends into line so can charge in ext turn. Sadly Robert then failed further orders.

However….the 2 Steve/Stephens get triple moves and race across the table and assault Roberts forces!

So turn 2 and combats everywhere!

So below the square had held the French assault, who now found themselves hit in the flank. A French unit has popped where SteveT is picking up the victor and retiring it 12 inches.

Next French turn and the French line has joined the meatgrinder combat….where there was no victor…..to the right the French won the combat last turn ..the Austrians retired and this turn the French have followed up into combat. The combat beside them was a draw so they are continuing.

Austrians won another combat and formed line to attack the batteries as their turn was next.

Batteries are destroyed.

In the center the Austrian cavalry and Grenz were…. looking pretty and not doing much else.

This is the flank the 2 sides cavalry were meant to arrive on……they seem to have got lost!

Aha French arrive….the light division behind the heavies then blundered back off the table.

Prussian heavies arrived…and yes…they are Russians…as Alan has the Prussian heavy cavalry…and he called in sick…subs were required…..

Now gamer Nick was commanding the French Cavalry…and sadly he is a rather accomplished gamer…….so in came the French heavies. So we have 2 Russo/Prussian and 1 Austrian Cuirassier v 3 French Cuirassier and a Carabinier with the right side Austrian cavalry being a Chevau-Leger. The scenario had it as a large unit…meaning 8 attacks and stamina 4…however my colleagues(ok…Goldie…..who will suffer my wrath in the next game I organize) decided it should be standard size.

So..it did not go well for the Allies.

But all was not lost……I had a fresh Cuirassier unit left….so I did a ‘Follow Me’ into the horse artillery…destroyed it and then hit the stationary Uhlans….so I get 10 attacks…hitting on 3s…saving on 3s…..and have a D3 to add to combat result….Uhlans have 7 attacks on 4s….and ..yep…u guessed it…I got destroyed….and for some reason EVERYONE FOUND THIS HIGHLY AMUSING!

They will suffer vengeance in future games!

So end of game on this flank…..Platov will arrive now and the French cavalry have to withdraw to their table edge.

On the infantry flank…..well…..the French have not gained any objectives and next turn would probably be wiped out.

So a resounding Allied victory. The black buildings are ones I have had Alan make for me. Gone for 20mm scale building as take up less table space and the guys agreed they worked better so will paint them up. Have sent Al file details for some churches…tavern..Manor House and will paint these up…one day!

Been a while since a Whisky review so starting with a beauty. Have had reason to visit Christchurch a few times this year…so I make it a mission to always visit ‘Whisky Galore’. On 1 visit I told them of 2 bottles had finished and wanted a similar bottle..but next level up and the GlenAllachie 18 below is one of them.

The tasting notes are:

This opulent Scotch whisky was patiently perfected in the finest oak casks for 18 long years. Silently slumbering in our on-site warehouses, the spirit underwent continual monitoring until Billy Walker deemed it had reached its pinnacle.

With enticing aromas of honey and mocha, followed by marzipan and dark cherry tones on the palate, it’s a single malt oozing elegant refinement.

Nose: Toffee sauce, cinnamon spice and fresh vanilla pods, with attributes of cocoa, honeycomb and cherries.
Taste: Bursts of marzipan, sultanas and rich dark chocolate, leading to wild honey, maraschino cherries and buttercream.

All of which means I have really enjoyed this wee beauty over the winter sitting in front of the fire on a winters evening.

Until next time…Terry out.