GNW Maurice - Gross-Jägersdorf 1707 Battle Report

Steedo came over and chose to be the forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Leave me the forces of mother Russia. 

Below a birds-eye view of the battlefield - initial depositions. The only change to was the relocation of the elites within there brigades.

The Swedes advance. The Russians bombard - well try to.

The Swedes charge in and the Russians counter charge!

The Swedes lose some elite cavalry (a bit of a shock that one). 

The Swedes go in again! This time two of the Russian dragoon regiments are broken for another Swedish unit. 

But the Russian cavalry has effectively been swept away. So the Russians bombard again (below).

 Then the Swedes charge the guns!

This was devastating - the Russian artillery wiped out - army morale dropping!

The Swedish cavalry then retreated as they couldn't break the infantry in front of them. 

From what I have read the battle was following the historical one - the Russian cavalry pushed a sided by the Prussians who then have to drop back in the face of the infantry. 

Below the Swedish cavalry try and fail to break the last Russian cavalry on the field (apart from the Cossacks - who just stayed around the camp!). Current unit losses are Swedes 3 Cavalry (including 2 elites) and Russians 2 Cavalry (1 elite) and 2 Artillery.

The Swedish Infantry working their way through the woods.

The infantry attack begins!

Exchange of volleys! Well actually Steedo played firefight twice to stop the Russians disrupting the attack. 

Elites, good rolling - helped by "a la Baionnette!" and the Russian line is struggling!

And it is all over the Russian morale collaspes! Frustratingly for the forces of the Tsar there were 4 battalions unengaged on the right - but unable to get into action. Well played Steedo who though it was all over at the start with the Swedish cavalry taking a beating.

I really enjoy Maurice - I find the game tactical and enjoyable. I couple of things we noticed in this one were elite infantry are game changers - I was unable to get the Russian elites from the far right flank to support the trained on the left where the Swedish elites punched through.

The pike rules worked well and reflected the Swedish "ga-pa" doctrine of the times - the -1 to hit on volleys coupled with the the 5+ needed to disrupt the elites won it for the Swedes and Steedo.

We also find that artillery is very week in Maurice and in the games we have played generally a target for knocking those army morale points down!

Overall a good game, which sort of reflected my perceptions of the Great Northern War well - small Swedish army taking out a larger Russian one - well up to 1708/9.