Quatre Bras - Part One

Scenario design with my trusty batman, Flashman. 

There's a new Epic Waterloo scenario on ccnapoleonics.net which put me in mind of doing a Waterloo day sometime in June. There's a possibility I might have enough Prussians to do Waterloo by June, but one scenario isn't quite enough for a whole days gaming. 

Of the Hundred Days battles, Quatre Bras was the natural choice for a second battle as I have quite a few Dutch and Belgian troops and a very limited supply of Prussians.  

Scenario design is always a bit of a tricky business, I find that ultimately it isn't like a scientific experiment where finely calibrated inputs resulting in a perfect output.  The process for me at least is far more like throwing a pot. Far better to start putting something together and make the (often crushing) mistakes along the way, adjusting on the fly until you achieve a result.  The end product may be less aesthetically pleasing, but in my case, at least makes sure that something gets done.

Examining Quatre Bras as a battle, there are a number of points that  need to be addressed. 

1) The battle is the story of a smaller defending force meeting a larger attacking force and being gradually reinforced over the day.  

2) The battle took place late in the day, opening at about 1400hrs and therefore the French player in particular will be fighting the clock. 

3) The high standing crops between Gemioncourt and Quatre Bras are a distinctive and unusual feature of the battle and should be included.   The forest of Bossu is of course important, but less unusual. 

From a game point of view, there are other concerns. 

1) The battle kicks off with a Dutch-Belgian Division facing a French Corps. I've no problems with this per se, battles are meant to be a struggle, but it does cause problems for our usual method of modelling a battle because of the way we play.  With at least three players on each side, this could mean that the French players will have plenty to do, but that two thirds of the Allied team are sitting on their hands. It may be good history, but it doesn't make for entertaining play.  I will have to think about how to square that particular circle and determine how much of a wait is reasonable to impose on the Allied players. 

2) At present, I've adopted an order of battle where each battalion/regiment/battery is a unit.  This  makes the initial confrontation quite manageable, but means that there are over fifty units on the Allied side towards the end of the battle - which is at the upper limit of what CCN handles well. It is likely that French will have caused some casualties by then and the troops will be more spread out because they will be arriving in dribs and drabs. Still something to be borne in mind.

I may  reduce their numbers proportionately to make things a bit more manageable. 

I sketched out the battlefield last night, something that would be very easily done on a screen, but that I find easier with some hex paper and coloured pencils. Suitable furry company is an invaluable assistance. It was a pleasant occupation and a fine way to while away an hour.  

Mrs. Kinch took very ill last week and is unfortunately still in hospital.  She's receiving the best of care and will hopefully be on the mend soon. It's been a grueling few days between work, trying to get some study done (exams at the beginning of May - phew!) and getting into see her twice a day. But God is good and I hope that she will be able to come home before too long.

If nothing else - Flashman is beginning to get a bit unruly.