The Russians are cast aside on the field of battle as Ney thunders down the Friedland road

 

Action at the height of the battle as the French assault the heights

Phil and I finally managed to get our schedules together to play the very well designed scenario from Dave Brown of “Neys attack at Friedland”.  Originally the plan was to play this with Ben however he has graduated University and started a full time job in his chosen field. How good is that!

This was originally a General De Brigade scenario however we converted it to General D’Armee with some assistance from DCR himself as well as Richard C on FB. Many thanks to them.

The photos below show the preliminary “loose”deployment of both French and Russian forces. Both Phil and I were able to make done minor pre- battle adjustments with the exception of Marchands Division who were in the Sortlack woods.

Have I mentioned I like tall trees to help create some vertical scale?

Marshall Ney taking inventory of the troops available for the task

Some slight alterations to the woods 

Russian left flank with elements of Platov and Kologrivovs cavalry

Russian High Command with General Bagration.  Only four Aide de Camps so if things
start to go wrong it was going to be difficult to right the ship.

Cossack forces on the left.  My intenmtion was for these sotnias to harass the edges and flanks.
They actually did a sterling job throughout the battle however the Russians would find other 
parts of the field to lose the  initiative!

Labtour-Mauborgs Dragoon brigade with horse artillery attached

General Ogarevs Jager brigade.  I spent ages building them up specifically for this scenario...so
you all know how they are going to perform

Cookie sends the cavalry straight up towards the outskirts of Friedland

Colberts light cavalry brigade takes the French left flank

The Russian Cossacks advance

Roguets Brigade advances towards the outskirts of Sortlack

Off board Russian 12pdrs on the other bank of the River Alle force the light cavalry into
alternate formations.  The Hussars took a fearful battering early. 

The Russians are firmly positioned outside Friedland 

Cossacks force back the skirmish screen for Roguet and Belair

A closer view of the early Russian Jagers from Elite Miniatures

I missed the photo however the Russian Dragoons charged a battalion of the 20th Jagers.  
They bounced the French off into a retire result.

Awaiting the skirmishers advancing out of the woods

Though unformed, these chaps continue to harass

Back on the Russian right the Jagers send out their skirmishers

Russian guns on the raised ground attempt to hit the advancing French with everything

Marcognets brigade advances up the centre

The French skirmish screen take on their brave but outnumbered Russian
counterparts, making short work of them.

Ready for another run

On the Russian left, Guard Hussars and Duke Constantine Uhlans prepare to advance. As fate
should have it, a double six roll from a French battery kills their commander and holds
up their planned advance.

Infantry around the stream

The French cavalry advance once again

The Russian Grodno and Pavlograd Hussars advance in support of the Jagers and artillery

The French near the heights

This could be very interesting

I do very much like the Elite Miniatures French Dragoons - beautifully sculpted by 
Peter Moreby many years ago.

The Cossacks still trying to sneak around the flanks

The Jagers look pretty well established don’t they? Oh you fool...

Time to get these lads into the fray

French guns prepare to send a few salvos into the Russian ranks

Skirmishers looking for targets from either side. The skirmish rules in GdA work incredibly well.

French squares look strong and firm however the Russians were happy with this holdup on
the Marshall Neys flank.

Remember those Jagers? Double Six roll forcing the Brigade Commander to flee the field causing his formation to falter. The corresponding test on the faltering brigade forces a sudden withdrawal exposing the rest of the Russian position in a matter of moments

A friendly experimental drone, perhaps a precursor to the Sputnik programme, provides this view of the chaos that starts to unfold around Friedland .Oh

The French assault on the higher ground hits whilst the cavalry prepare to

I do like this picture

Mmmm...not good if you are the Russians

Once again a series of poor roles and the faltering brigade, too near the edge of the field, retreats
off to lick their wounds to fight another day.  Hopefully.

Cavalry clashes that the Russians hope will halt the rot

On the Russian left the Uhlans seek at the very best, a small consolidation by riding into a square that may be battered enough to destroy. Could it falter that flank?

Another view as the lancer regiment hits

The cotton wool illustrates the loss of fire discipline of the legere. Despite the hope, more inept 
Die rolling ensured the French units survival and a return to lines for the cavalry 

The French look to smash through the Russian centre baseline

Horse artillery move up yo see if they can find a target. No need lads, the job is done and the lights and delights of the town of Friedland are calling!

So within thirteen turns the French achieved a total victory over the poor Russians of General Bagration. A great game and a very enjoyable days gaming with Cookie.