The tide starts to turn...

My dislike of the new blogger design template has reached Old Testament levels of fire and brimstone!

The difficulty in everything which was so simple before has actually had me wondering whether blogger is the way to go forward or perhaps using the ease of Facebook may be better.

I can’t quite work out how to write captions on the individual photos and they are appearing out of sequence unfortunately. 

 

The French Imperial Guard Cavalry are released in this particular game the turn after Grand Duke Constantine first advances elements of the Russian Imperial Guard onto the battlefield. In this case seven battalions of the Russian Guard Infantry have been deployed.

These chaps continue to hold up the French of Van Damme however their losses are mounting.

The Austrian formations in this battle so far have been close to useless.  They have been consistently hesitant and unable or unwilling to support the Russian brigades on both flanks and they were unable to hold the village of Pratzen.  Can they finally get themselves, at least the two brigades which remain on the table, to actually pressure the French advancing from Were’s brigade?

The Russians Guard infantry arrive.

The game has taken a slight turn in favour of the allies. The French attack on Stare Vinohrady has very nearly succeeded with legere getting yo the edge of the winery however being forced to retire with a retreat faltering result for the brigade just as they were about to take it through the side gate!

The Russians on the left flank continue to stubbornly hold off St. Hillaire however French columns have reached the top of the Pratzenberg.  Can they stay there?

The French reach the Pratzenberg heights

The action atop the Pratzenberg reaches a climactic moment

So the battle continues to rage on our tabletop in between the bsiy schedules of University exams and assignments, work schedules and Fathers Day celebrations.  From the last post several faletring tests needed to be made with the Austrians suffering retreat results in two and the stoic Russians standing their ground on the allied left flank.

As a note for some reason blogger is uploading photos in the incorrect sequence at times so please excuse any shots which look a little out of chronological order.

The Russian battery is swept away

Just to prove that double sixes do get rolled on this table

The Austrian battery manages to limber up before the French can roll them up as well

Even though wwe already know what happens to these two batteries I had to include this shoit

A view from the Allied right as the French turn their attentions on Rottermunds formations

Not a great time to go unformed

The French gain an Elan result and prepare for the kill

A view down the slopes

The Russians on both flanks are proving their fighting worth against very well trained French brigades

The Austrians atop the Pratzenberg prepare to meet the enemy

Another retreating Austrian battalion

The fight for Stare Vinohrady continues

The Russians passed this faltering brigade test with flying colours

Not so good here I'm afraid

Just to prove that the French veteran formations were not averse to getting average results as well

Lovely Elite Miniatures Austrians

The village of Pratzen is captured by Weres Brigade

The Austrians are thrown back and soon have to pass a Falter test as earlier noted.  The brigade on
the left of this shot failed and was forced to make a rapid and clear rout which soon saw them
disappear off the table completely

Stare Vinohrady looks a little more susceptible from this angle now.  However can the French coordinate
their infantry attacks?

On the allied left flank the Russians are putting up excellent resistance causing St Hillaire no shortage of angst

Back go those damned Frenchies!

The Austrians attempt to rally and return to the fray

The shot of the Austrian brigade routing off previously

Lovely Mark Allen flags on the Grenadier Regiment

"Come on lads back to it"

Well that's not a good result

The French redouble their efforts on the allied left against those stubborn Russians of Kamensky

Action around the Pratzen

The casualty markers are from Warbases and the Foundry Austrian casualty set is perfect for this shaped dial

Hudson and Allen town representing Pratzen 

At last the Russians manage to force a Russian battalion back in retreat 

Jurziks Brigade looks to defend the heights

A view across the battlefield from the Allied left

Perhaps there is a Russian flank that may be available now that the Austrians were forced to abandon the winery 

Can they get their act together to force a return to Stare Vinohrady or is it too late?

The assault on the allied right continues

Perhaps a few of those Russians may be looking to hide away in that cart as it exits the area!

So the game is certainly starting to sway towards the French.  The quality of their troops is certainly showing, especially as they encounter the "Recruit" grade troops of Rottermund's Austrians around Stare Vinohrady.

However there are more than a few surprises in store as Grand Duke Constantine rouses the Russian Imperial Guard!