It's all in the planning

After 2 weeks at the club, re-fighting 1st Manassas or Bull run if you prefer, organised by Neil B. It was great to dig the collection out of its storage boxes. Not sure why I didn't take any photos! The game ended with a very narrow Union victory. I decided that I would put on a large Franco Prussian game. It was really just an excuse to get another collection out of storage as it has been some time since it was used.

The game will revolve around elements of the Prussian 3rd army, namely VI Corps, Bavarian I Corps supported by a Wurtemburg division and a Prussian cavalry division, crossing the Rhine before swinging North West seeking out and engaging the French around Nancy.

The Prussians will be initially deployed between Stuttgart and Ulm. Mitch who has taken on the command as KPz Freidrich, has to plan their order of march to get them across the Rhine at Breisach and form up at Colmar, before advancing upon the French. 

The French, with Thom taking on the role of General Bazaine, will have most of III Corps and XII Corps trying to keep the road open between Nancy and Strasbourg. He will have to deploy his army between Charmes and Sarrebourg.

Mitch has already sent his orders in for crossing the Rhine, just waiting for Thom to provide the French deployment, once those are in, both sides will get a chance based on reports to begin re-ordering. Once first contact is made on the map, this will be the location of the battle. The French will be able to end dispatch riders to call in any divisions nearby, meanwhile the Prussians will follow the doctrine of marching to the sound of the guns. 

We should be ready to play mid January. This is handy as I realised I need to paint up a regiment of French dragoons. I also need 4 artillery pieces for the French. Looking in the lead pile unearthed 2 extra French brigades of infantry, but no artillery. For the game I will just proxy in, 4 artillery from my ACW Union forces. But now I have ideas of completing the 4th infantry division for III Corps, however Outpost are no longer in business so will have to have a little search for compatible alternatives.