words by Alistair

I selected the Berezina Crossing, because I thought that it would be a good two versus one encounter with Mike R and John as Russian Commanders Vlastov and Admiral Chitchakov and me as Victor and Napoleon.  It ran right until 11pm and the Russians only needed one more trophy to win (the French needed two).  This scenario would make a good epic game.

‘The Russians began by trying to turn the flank of the French position on the eastern (Studyanka) side of the Berezina but this was countered by cavalry charges by light cavalry. The French then concentrated on driving back the Admiral’s troops on the western side but his Cuirassiers were frustrated by spoiling attacks by cavalry disguised as Cossacks. This infuriated Napoleon who ordered an all out attack by the Imperial Guard. The Russians were driven back and put onto the defensive, saved only by a supply problem which forced the guard to retire. The Admiral held on to the rear positions grimly. Russian pressure on the east bank from Vlastov meant that Victor could carry out a Grande Manoeuvre with a withdrawal of his forces across the bridge and a rearguard at Studyanka. The French, though badly mauled, could claim a strategic withdrawal in their favour at the close of play in the winter darkness. It ended in an advantage for the Russians, but a defeat if they counted those cavalry disguised as Cossacks!’

Best regards,

OWG