The battle of Eylau is the latest game fought at the Wargames holiday Centre, the temperature was freezing, the snow had begun to fall and the troops were all arrayed for the off! (and this was just at the Centre)
Map of the Eylau Battlefield
Eylau is a battle that is fairly unique in that it is fought during the course of a snow storm, visibility was appalling, the troops were freezing and above all else getting lost in the driving snow! Whole divisions meandered into death traps, Augerau’s Corps moved off to the assault and ended up in front of the Russian Grand Battery!
Augerau's Corps sets off.
The Russian Cavalry Reserve moves out to the south of Serpallen.
Thousands died, the French High command could not see it happening either!
The Russian Infantry near the village of Serpallen.
So, how do we replicate this on the table top, we started the game in Light snow and rolled a d6 after movement each turn. The result was checked against a table and the snow dissipated or became worse. In Heavy snow formations could veer, again dependant on a dice roll. Each formation (this varying from battalion to Division or Corps sometimes) rolled an average die along with a D10, on a 2 or 5 the formation veered a number of inches on the D10. This being to the right or left.
Russian Dragoons move out to engage troops from Augerau's Corps
Turn 1 it got worse, the French set off in a torrential blizzard, the Russians could not see anything and the troops only veered slightly, most staying on course.
Russian Infantry from Tuchkov's division to the North of Serpallen on the ridge.
More tomorrow!