Campaign Eckmuhl 1809

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 57.

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Screen 58.

10.50am.

Brig.Gen Albright has to hurriedly send the Cambridge militia battalion to defend the southern approaches to the Dymchurch redoubt. Fortunately the French have only one regiment contesting the area and are still unwilling to face the British guns directly. French attacks on the towers have petered out to a running fire by musket doctrine which only keeps the heads of the defenders down for short bursts. Crauford's lines are causing heavier loss to their opponents who simply close up their ranks with every fallen or wounded casualty. The elite of Napoleon's army may be being wasted in a show of foolish bravado, with little gain, so far.
The situation before Hythe involves the French staying well clear of British guns. ( Surely a supply wagon will land soon )



Screen 59.

10.50am.

Brig. Gen Leith and Hill's brigades are withdrawing slowly, in order to move back into a less exposed, defensive position.The fighting on the rise below the hamlet of Satmar is intensifying; the French not being allowed to go beyond the trees and surrounding fields.
[ Note - Extreme Fog of War will be used now as the French have gone beyond the slope eyeline ].

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Screen Adjustment. ( Maj. Gen Mckenzie Frasers 3rd Division lettering moved slightly closer to main picture ).

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 60.

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Screen 61.

11.00am.

Attacks on the Martello towers are yielding few casualties on both sides but the defenders are losing spirit and losing hope of effective aid. The French are throwing in another grenadier battalion to put additional pressure on Brig.Gen Albright's defence. He has had to conjoin two battalions who have run out of ammunition to better face the foe approaching them. The enemy before Brig. Gen Crauford's brigade have pulled back , having had enough of it for the moment; thus allowing some advance. British artillery continue a bombardment of the French, whose numbers and attacks before and east of Hythe are less intense. Cheswick's Militia brigade of Graham's 4th division are forming up and marching out of the port of Folkestone towards Capel Le Ferne.

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Screen 62.

11.00am.

Withddrawal of the 1st and 2nd brigades continue. A strong melee assault by a French regiment has been costly to both sides. Some British lines have doubled up in their haste to move back and so have presented an appealing target for the French gunners, who let rip with a volley which cannot fail to miss with the mass of targets presented before them.
Musketry duels south of Satmar continue, both sides dealing out a fair measure of death and destruction. Sir John Hope has ordered Strutt's Dragoons to move to the open area between the hamlet of Satmat and the woods beyond it; so making a flanking move by the French , more extensive and time consuming, unless of course they wish to lock horns with cavalry in open ground.

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Screen 63.

[ Based on in-game figures ].

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 64.

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Screen 65.

11.10am.

The French grenadier battalion moving north of the Dymchurch redoubt has assaulted Brig. Gen Albright's position and met with surprisingly stubborn resistance. Hopefully, the position here can remain stable until a supply wagon of ammunition arrives. General McKenzie Frazer watches with satisfaction ,as Brig. Gen Crauford's men are slowly gaining the upper-hand against their opponents. This does not last long, as the smoke of battle drifts to one side, and he is suddenly presented with the sight of fresh blue columns, marching with precision towards Crauford'd brigade. He will now have to quickly decide whether to; ( Dice roll 1,2), reinforce Crauford with Cole's 3rd brigade ); ( Dice roll 3,4, pull Crauford back to before the bridge );or, ( Dice roll 5,6, pull his brigade completely to the northern side of the canal ).

Artillery before Hythe carry on their relentless pounding of the few exposed French, who look to be bringing up another regiment to aid their efforts. A lone flute player marks their advance with a tune that cannot be heard above the blasting music of the British guns.

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Screen 66.

11.10am.

The 1st and 2nd brigades have all but disengaged from the French line, moving back in line stages.Sir John Hope personally directs the infantry line before him, who mete out a solid and relentless fire, which is keeping the French at bay. Strutt's dragoons are free to move unmolested to the north. The French can be seen to be moving up men to the hamlet of Satmar, but where have their cavalry disappeared to.

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Screen 67.

Dover - The 1st battalion of the 91st Foot regiment under the command of Major Leyton, have reached the outskirts of Dover. They are met by the local mayor , who is accompanied by a half dozen geriatric yeomanry. The Mayor is horrified to learn that Leyton's men have been specifically ordered to occupy the castle and fortress,to prevent the French from gaining it's stores of armaments. The townsfolk and their property will be at the mercy of the enemy. :upset:

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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[ Based on in-game figures ].


Thank You for viewing............Merry Christmas and I leave you with this...........

[video=youtube_share;Jh4rg9kOO40]http://youtu.be/Jh4rg9kOO40[/video]

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 69.

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Screen 70.

11.20am.

Brig. Gen Albright withdraws his ammo depleted battalions to protect the flank of the Cambridge Volunteer militia battalion, who are holding back the French grenadier battalion before them with continued volleys. Hopefully, their cartridge supply will be enough.The French grenadier formation on the southern side of the Dymchurch redoubt did attempt a bayonet charge, but their lesser numbers could not overcome the British line. The British guns within the redoubt have had to turn to face some enemy light infantry who are targetting them from the rear.
Brig. Gen Crauford has pulled back his men to before the Hythe Door bridge.

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Screen 71.

11.20am.

Lloyd's gun battery has opened up again , to the relief of the assembled British lines. their deadly discharge hurtling towards the French, who have little to answer with. Capatain Strutt awaits his 3rd squadron to come into line. The French have fully occupied the woods and fields south of Satmar.
The rest of the field has quietened down as the British line continue to withdraw and the French take time to regroup. A French regimental Colonel; who previously put paid to the Highlanders, has again pushed forward and routed the 2/10th Foot battalion who were able to give some effective response to nearly double their numbers.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 72.

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Screen 73.

11.30am.

The timely arrival of the York Volunteers and a sharp volley from the Swansea battery has caused the enemy light infantry to flee.
General McKenzie Fraser watches the mass of French infantry forming up before the Hythe Door. Crauford will have a hard time of it within a few minutes as the French drums start their preliminary beating. Raynsford's gun battery is suffering from barrel overheating and has slowed down it's fire at a critical moment.

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Screen 74.

11.30am.

Both sides at Capel le Ferne are re-organising their ranks. The French happy to throw out some skirmishers and view the new British defensive position on the height. The French guns have stopped firing, no doubt moving to a new firing position. French infantry south-east of the village make a demonstration of firepower , which gains few casualties amongst the dispersed British infantry and those sheltered by the trees. Sir John Hope is informed by a rider from Brig. Gen Cheswick, that the 5th brigade will arrive at the village at a quarter past noon.

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Screen 75.

Terrain Defensive Combat Bonus Info. French cavalry are realistically screening the roads/tracks to the bridgehead from the north and east.........

 

[Old Dog]

Well done Marshall...again...as always.

I just finished reading a couple of books by Patrick Rambaud. They are technically novels, but he has researched original writers quite heavily, and leaves extensive notes. The first is titled "The Battle" covering Aspern-Essling. Your namesake gets much attention in that volume. The Second, by the same author is titled, "The Retreat" dealing with the retreat from Moscow. I haven't read his third book yet. The title of that one is "Napoleon's Exile".

Be well good Sir,
Old Dog

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Yes ! I have come across that book in second-hand bookshops. Just had a brief glance, and it is noticeable that the name Marshal Lannes is used a lot with a brief glance. I chose the avatar name, as Lannes was a good friend to Napoleon and never betrayed or let him down.
There is another book on the battle of Wagram which is a fiction account. I had it , but never read it completely a while back - forgotten the author's name. I do not read as much as I used to - currently reading Scotty Bowden's - " Last Chance For Victory " - Battle of Gettysburg, which is very good. It has clinched me getting the Gettysburg Campaign game next, rather than First Manassas.
What I really like about the Civil war games is the fact that I am not fully knowledgeable and in most cases , completely in the dark about the size of formations or when they arrive, and from what direction; which makes things more realistic and exciting to replay , rather than someone who knows these campaigns and battles back to front.

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[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 76.

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Screen 77.

11.40am.

The situation at the Dymchurch redoubt has worsened, as a French grenadier formation has routed the York volunteers with only one volley of musketry. The Welsh battery inside the redoubt now has no close infantry support. Nevertheless, it is still unleashes a deadly barrage of case- shot, killing scores of grenadiers.

Brig.Gen Albright has been assaulted again, suffering substantive loss, which has led to one of his defending battalions to break and run. His position is now almost unhinged.
Further French assaults at the Hythe Door have broken up Col. Crauford's defensive line. His right hand battalion unable to face a large French regiment's momentum and so suffer grievous loss. The remnant running down the south side of the canal. The left hand battalion has also faced an enemy regimental assault and although broken up; managed to give a good account of themselves, much to French disgust.

Crauford's position is now no longer viable and all he can do, is direct the one unscathed battalion to turn and rake the French attacker as best they can.


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Screen 78.

11.40am.

The 1st and 2nd brigades have turned their lines to face south-eastwards, making some use of hedge and tree cover. No gaps are presented for French exploitation. The track heading to the hamlet of Satmar is also well defended by some militia batallions who also have some tree cover. Captain Strutt has noted that the French infantry before him are still forming up and trying to extend their line beyond the trees of Satmar. One battalion of 900+ Frenchmen has failed to notice the British cavalry positioned amongst friendly line infantry, vision being somewhat obscured by the apple trees before them. It's commander is moving up in a disordered state, feeling no threat in his desire to form up to the right of the main French line.

Strutt sees a good chance for his own personal glorification and at once advances his 3 squadrons to the north-west. General Sir John Hope is in a good viewing position and does not countermand the movement... " Damn his eyes, if he fails ". Strutt's 381 troopers advance and are immediately hit by skirmisher fire, dropping 3 men and then are fired upon twice again by two French formations. The horsemen are moving too fast for the French fire from the trees to be effective, especially in columnar formation. Strutt's luck is in, as his targets are almost paralysed at this sudden and unexpected assault. The Dragoons make short work of the thin, unformed French ranks piled up behind each other. Almost a third of the French battalion is cut up, as the remnants stream back through the field behind them, aghast at the short and decisive victory visited upon them. Strutt has earned a laurel this day, even if fool(hardy).

 

[Marshal Lannes]

To Whom It May concern - PM received........ should be replied............:flag:

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.



Screen 79.

11.50am.

French infantry are in the southern end of the Dymchurch redoubt. They are being kept at bay by canister fire; their first assault failing. Brig. Gen Albright and his men are savagely assaulted and are forced to flee southwards. His position now is totally compromised.
The routing 3rd battalion of the 27th regiment has reformed but are immediately assailed again by a French formation on their flank, taking heavy loss.

Crauford's line is obliged to move back and join it's unformed comrades, to give greater defensive capavity.
Brig.Gen Cole of the third brigade is enthused enough to lead a battalion of his command over the Hythe Door bridge to give some support to Crauford's isolated command.
His men attract fire as soon as they step onto the bridge from the south-west. They rush forward and come to grips with a French formation who stubbornly refuse to relinquish their position.

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Screen 80.

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Screen 81.

11.50am.

At Capel Le Ferne, French formations are still pressing from the south-east of the village. An enemy regiment rushign into the woods , tries to push back a British battalion, but with little success. Musketry fire smoke is becoming more dense from the woods here , all along the large field and up to the tree-lined Satmar track. The British lines are eviscerating the ranks of blue uniforms with greater lethality. This sector of the line should hold well for another hour or so. The French above and below Satmar are still to make any advance against Fane's 3rd Brigade, on the rise.

Captain Strutt's charge has gained some time and morale advantage on this part of the field, which will not last for long. The blown Dragoons of the 4th regiment withdraw back to their main line to rest and water their horses.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 82.

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Screen 83.

12.00N

A final assault at the Dymchurch redoubt by French grenadiers has put paid to it's battery defenders. The entire battery being overrun with few survivors in the hand to hand combat. Brig. Gen Albright's last standing line defence formation has finally succumbed and fled to the rear. The only good news is that the routing unit from the 3rd Brigade has a good chance to make it through the marshes while the French grenadiers are distracted with mopping up their frontage at the redoubt.
Col. Crauford has beaten back a French assault but lost the help of a unformed battalion which has routed away. [ Sometimes , routing is good, as it gets your troops farther away than normal movement point costs ].
Smith's Royal horse artillery battery has been ordered to limber up and quickly move to the Hythe Door area to make up for the loss of the Swansea battery and thereby give more fire-power to keep the French from an easy crossing of the canal, as they might now focus their attentions to crossing.


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Screen 84.

12.00N.

The 5th brigade of Thomas Graham's 4th division is almost at Capel Le Ferne. Sir John Hope should be pleased but he has already witnessed the fleeing of four of Forsythe's militia battalions , who can hardly stand at distance against enemy musketry. Brig. Gen Fane's line holds steady and keeps the contiguous line in good order. The French now have a window of opportunity to press the British defenders.


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Screen 84.

Not surprisingly, the French are taking greater loss, especially at Capel Le Ferne- still waiting for some ammo supplies at the main landing point.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Slight amendment - the 2/42nd should be the 2/43rd....................

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Slight amendment - numbers lined up better................

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[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 86.





Screen 87.

Killed, wounded and missing. :dead:

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 88.

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Screen 89.

12.10pm.

Brig. Gen Albright's men are moving back as fast as they can. A new line of defence is beginning to form behind the main marshes. Albright learns that a battalion of Cole's brigade is moving up in support, having been left behind as a specific contingency. It's commander. Major Moerton, aware of Albright's increasing difficulties.

Brig. Gen Cole, again leads a charge across the Hythe Door bridge and is forced back with heavy loss. Relief for Craufod is proving problematic. His dwindling formation bravely holding off a French regiment to his front as well as having fire directed at his rear.
The first Martello tower has fallen to the French, south-east of the Hythe Door bridge. Their flag being waved energetically , no doubt to mock Crauford's beleagured stand.

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Screen 90.

12.10pm.

Unfortunately, French pressure south-east of Capel Le Ferne has paid off. A heavy push into the woods has broken Leith's brigade and made them flee, which in turn, has carried off a couple of Hill's brigade battalions. The British guns reply with added ferocity, making the French pay in turn with close range canister. The situation is becoming desperate; with the 5th Brigade yet to form into position. General Sir John Hope rides back to help rally the fleeing regular troops.



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Screen 91.

I have put this in so that people do not think I am cheating; which I never do, as it is self-defeating. The French attacck in the south has collapsed with a 7 battalion and one skirmisher unit rout. The situation has changed from grim to the British advantage.
The French, after sustaining heavier loss to musketry, could not bear the onslaugt of artillery gun fire, with those areas hit being precisely the points where the morale of the French broke , leading to their running off, tails between their legs.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 92.

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Screen 93.

12.20pm.

All is quiet at the Dymchurch redoubt. Both sides consolidating and taking a well earned break. A welsh company 0f the cardigan regiment in the first Martello tower travelling eastwards from the redoubt has lost it's nerve, and decided to make a run for it.
Another attempt by Cole's men to storm across the Hythe Door bridge has failed; even with the simultaneous support of a bayonet charge by Crauford's isolated battalion. He has only 274 men of the 1/28th left standing, and they are at maximum fatigue. He may have to surrender to prevent complete annihilation. More fresh French battalions are moving up, which makes any large rescue attempt too costly to undertake.
Fighting before the village of Hythe is sporadic and is a side-show at the moment.


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Screen 94.

12.20pm.

Fighting at Capel Le Ferne is now constricted to the area on the borders of the great field. Brig. Gen Fane has had to withdraw his line a 100 metres, as one of his battalions has routed and another has low ammo. Strutt has been ordered to reconnoitre the area north of the large forest. His depleted 2nd squadron of only 64 horsemen has been chosen for the task. Leith's battalions have quickly rallied and are moving back into position, but Sir John Hope can clearly see that they are in need of some rest.
He can hear some firing to his right as Cheswick's lead infantry elements start to open up at French light infantry below a rocky escarpment. An additional gun battery is also on it's way.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 95.

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Screen 96.

12.30pm.

Brig. Gen Albright has moved beyond the marshes and will have problems crossing the nearest bridge to the north-side, as a supply wagon has overturned - game glitch, cannot move.
Col. Crauford has been wounded, shot in the lower leg, which shattered the bone. The French attack with overwhelming numbers and so Crauford orders his last 184 men to surrender , as the position is now hopeless. The colours have been captured by the French.

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Screen 97.

12.30pm.

The 5th Brigade is moving up to protect the southern side of the village. Fighting still heavy before Hill's brigade.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 98.

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Screen 99.

12.40pm.

The Lympne Door bridge has been destroyed. Unfortunately, a supply wagon carrying some barrels of gunpowder accidentally ignited and blew up the flimsiest of the bridges.[ AS the supply wagon unit is stuck; the British infantry are blocked from crossing and eventually the French can close and shoot up or melee the wagon and be able to cross, which is unfair as it cannot be moved. To be fair to both sides, the bridge is considered destroyed and unusable. there is another bridge over a mile away to the west.]
The French are now focusing their fire-power to the defenders of the Hythe Door bridge.a surprise attempt by a French formation to cross the bridge near Raynsford's battery has been blocked by a sustained fire from the Britsh defenders.

The 1st Bath Infantry, near the farthest Martello tower to the right, have also suffered a surprise bayonet charge by a French regiment. They were beaten back with greater loss. However, not costly in manpower terms, the capture of Brig.Gen Hartford will reduce morale to a greater extent in future. General Graham will have to release another brigade shortly to apply pressure to the French at the main landing, as things are starting to go their way.

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Screen 100.

12.40pm.

Cheswick's 5th Brigade moves into the woods south-east of Capel Le Ferne. A few remnants of French light infantry being easily dislodged from the tree-line. Brig. Gen Hill's men still rake the French lines before them; the French taking greater loss but stubbornly refusing to cede any ground. Sir John Hope has ordered Leith's 2nd Brigade to take up a position behind a hedge row to the rear of Hill's and Fane's lines. They will have some time to de-fatigue. One of Fane's 3rd Brigade battalions is low on ammo, necessitating a withdrawal. Could have sworn I had a supply wagon; it has disappeared; maybe used up all the ammo. A request for ammunition is sent to Folkestone. The French west of the hamlet of Satmar are happy to be covered from British artillery fire by the rise-dip and take the time to undisorder.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 101.

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Screen 102.

12.50pm.

The enemy are now concentrating their fire across the Military Canal in the environs of the Hythe Door bridge. Welsh battalions in the rear are moving to the north-wes, as previously ordered. The French have made two costly assaults across the bridges at the village of Hythe. It was a tough fight holding them back. Although having held; the 2/43rd infantry battalion lost it's nerve and fled. This could be very damaging, as the French have a good foothold on the northern bank which cannot be readily countered. Vivian's cavalry can stop them from moving into the open but Sinclair's battery of guns is now easy prey, or they could just sit and wait for other French troops to come up and exploit the gain. Sinclair is blowing gaping holes into a French formation who are trying to make it to the central bridge. They will have to limber up and withdraw and so deny effective gun support for the British infantry at Hythe.

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Screen 103.

12.50pm.

One of Hill's battalions has low ammo, when all muskets are needed to repel the French in the central part of the field. The French line opposite Fane's 3rd Brigade has now moved up to engage, and can only be fired upon by one British battalion, which is currently in the orchard, while the other conserves it's ammunition supply. Sir John Hope's foresight in setting up a secondary line may prove vital, as the French seem to be re-enthused. His stalwart defence here is proving his mettle and encourages all who serve under him.
Captain Strutt has had to re-deploy his cavalry away from sniping fire from the woods.

 

[Marshal Lannes]

Napoleon Invades England 1805.

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Screen 104.

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Screen 105.

1.00pm.

Fighting at the Hythe Door continues. The French reluctant for the time being, to charge across the bridge. British artillery making certain their presence.Maj. Gen Graham's 4th Division is rudely awaken from it's slumber by the surprise and unexpected landing of a few thousand fresh French infantry within a mile of his ranks.The 1st Brigade quickly moves forward to seal the eastern flank. Enemy assaults have almost cut off two battalions from the militia brigade.

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Screen 106.

1.00pm.

The French have forced a couple of Hill's 1st Brigade battalions to rout. This enabled a quick and decisive assault against Lloyd's gun battery which was overwhelmed within a few minutes. Only Col. Drummond and one artillerist riding back saddle made it away to safety. Even Sir John Hope was obliged to ride back to the friendly line of Leith's 2nd Brigade. Brig.Gen Fane is left with one battalion; the 1/82nd foot to fend off the encroaching French numbers. His position in the orchard is perilous, but he stands firm.

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Screen 107.

Operational Plans.

It has been decided by Lt .Gen Dundas ( Advance Corps Commander ), to begin to withdraw the army from it's current defensive position. This is primarily because of the threat of piecemeal dissection of the defensive line. Apart from that , a number of enemy artillery batteries and a lot of supply wagons have landed in Folkestone harbour itself. I am not sure as yet if infantry support will land there. Nevertheless, the position has been compromised. Fighting around the Shornecliffe Redoubt defences is an option, but on a dice throw, taking into account the absence of Lt.Gen Moore; the cautious and nervous Lt.Gen Dundas makes the decision to fall back. This is also encouraged by the fact that the French have taken over 4000+ greater loss. Why tempt fate......?

A fighting withdrawal is to be made by Maj. Gen Fraser's 3rd Division back to the Tolsford Hill position. Brig.Gen Albright's brigade will move to cross the Military Canal at the Aldergate Door bridge, west of the blown bridge. They will then move to the village of Sellinge , where hopefully Brig. Gen Jones' 5th Welsh brigade will have already arrived. If there is no significant French movement towards this objective point area , then Albright will march onto the main position at Tolsford Hill.

Maj. Gen Thomas Graham's 4th Division, with the most fresh and unscathed brigades, will move back also to the Tolsford Hill area. Vivian's 3rd Dragoons cavalry will act as a harassing rearguard.
Sir John Hope's 2nd Division will move back in a north-westerly direction and position themselves at the village of Denisole, where two main roads conjoin. This is only 4 miles to the east of the Tolsford Hill.
Captain Strutt's 4th Draggons cavalry regiment will have to spread themselves thinly to cover the areas all the way to the eastern coast.