Napoleonic 1814 PBEM Campaign

[thistlebarrow]

I have just joined the forum, and I would like to introduce myself and my multi player PBEM campaign which I started in April 2009 to provide interesting battles for my wife and I to wargame.

It covers France and Spain and has twelve commanders operating in six different campaign areas. Each campaign phase lasts about four months, and it is often necessary to replace commanders at the end of such a phase.

The map below shows the six campaign areas, four in France and two in Spain.

I run a blog as a campaign diary, where I post battle reports and a diary of the campaign. I normally post twice a week on this blog. It is a permanent record of the campaign, not part of the recruiting process.

http://1814campaigndiary.blogspot.com.es/

Over the years I have done my recruiting via forums such as this. It has proved very successful, and I have managed to keep the twelve command posts filled. However it does mean an ongoing recruiting process.

There is also a Yahoo forum which I use as a notice board for the campaign.   I post any changes to the rules and answer any questions about the campaign.  I also post when there is an update on the campaign diary blog.   I ask prospective players to join the forum.

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/napoleonicpbemcampaign

If anyone would like to join the campaign you would be very welcome.   There is no need for any extensive knowledge of the Napoleonic period or wargaming.   I keep a reserve list of players, and I contact them when I have a vacancy.  

[thistlebarrow]

There are six campaign areas, four in France and two in Spain.   They are shown on the previous map as white oblongs.   There is one French and one allied army in each campaign areas.   This is the most northern campaign area.   It covers the area the river Rhine to Brussels.   Each square on the map is 15x15 miles.  This is one days march, it is also one wargames table.

This map is used for the Prussian invasion.   Their objective is to take Brussels.   First French army are tasked to stop them, and drive them back over the river Rhine.

The campaign is a series of phases, or mini campaigns.   Each phase covers an area of 45x45 miles, roughly the area covered by the Waterloo campaign.   When one army is defeated that phase of the campaign ends.   The template is moved, and a new mini campaign starts.   Each phase is self contained.   Casualties are not carried forward to the next phase.   It is not unusual to have to replace one or more of the campaign commanders at this stage.  But at least the new commander starts with a fresh canvas.   His army is full strength and his options open.

 This map shows the first phase of the Brussels campaign.   The Prussian army starts at Dusseldorf, and the French army at Mongladbach.   The Prussian objective is to take and hold Nuess.   This is the commander’s tactical map and is used for movement.   Each square is 5x5 miles.   Each square shows the scenery on one of our wargames scenic squares.   When a battle is declared the area around the point of contact is copied to the wargames table.

[thistlebarrow]

The previous two maps are only used for background information.   They show where each army campaign area is in relation to each other.  They also show major cities in France and northern Spain.   Each square on both maps is 15x15 miles.   Each square is also a wargames table.

This is the tactical map.   It is used for campaign movement and to transfer battles from the map to the wargames table.   Each square on this map is 5x5 miles, and nine squares make one wargames table.

Each square shows the exact terrain which will appear on the wargames table.   There are two reference numbers in each square.   On the left is the map grid reference.   On the right is the wargames scenic square.

I have 21 different scenic squares; each is 2x2 foot.   So nine of them will produce the 6x6 foot wargames table.   The squares have a selection of terrain features.  There are hills, rivers, roads and plain.   Apart from the hills, all squares are flat and have different terrain on either side.

Most of the terrain is free standing.   Buildings, trees, bridges and broken ground is placed on the table as shown on the tactical map.   I take a photograph of each town; farm or village used in the campaign and try to ensure that if another battle takes place at the same location I use the same collection of free standing scenery.

When a battle is declared I usually make the point of impact the centre of the wargames table.   I then plot where all corps of both armies were at the end of the previous day.    I can then calculate the exact time they will arrive on the wargames table.

There are 12 hours in a campaign day, and 12 moves in a wargame.   It takes a corps four hours to cross one square on the tactical map.   So it is easy to calculate exactly where and when they will arrive on the wargames table.

When I make the tactical map I try to ensure that no terrain square is repeated closer than three squares apart.   This is to ensure that I can produce any combination of nine squares on the map and wargames table, and that I can move the wargames table north, south, east or west as required.   This is sometimes necessary if the fighting moves away from the initial point of impact.

[thistlebarrow]

When a corps moves into the square adjacent to an enemy corps a battle is declared.   Such a square is “no man’s land” and a corps must have orders to engage or attack to enter it.   The procedure for setting up the table is quite simple.

The map for the previous day shows the location of all corps at nightfall.   From the orders I receive I add arrows to show direction of movement.   I then decide where the centre of the battle/wargame will be.

This is the map for the battle of Roermond. 

The Prussian Army (white) are resting and resupplying.   Their 4th corps has been ordered to move south to engage 7th French corps.   

The French launch a surprise attack.   1st, 13th and 19th corps all have orders to attack.

The battle will be fought between 1st , 2nd  and 3rd Prussian and 1st, 13th and 19th French corps.

The centre of the battle will be map square C05



This is the wargames table at the start of the game.   The nine terrain squares represent the nine map squares.   The centre square with the T junction is C05 on the map.   Roermond is off table on the right.   The town centre left is Hechtel.

Corps are represented by oblong card at the start of the wargame.  There is one card per corps, plus two extra, which are called blanks.   These are to allow for an element of surprise when they are replaced by figures.   They are shown in column of march at present.

2nd Prussian corps is off table right.  They will arrive on the table at start of move one.

Next time I will explain how the battle/wargame develops.

[Wilkins]

This looks like a really thorough and detailed way to run a campaign! Really looking forward to seeing how it develops

[thistlebarrow]

When a battle is declared in the campaign, a wargame is set up to fight it.

Each campaign day is twelve hours
Each wargame lasts a maximum of twelve moves.

As soon as the wargame starts my wife and I take over from the campaign commanders.   We take account of the last orders issued in the campaign, but reserve the right to fight the wargame as we see fit.   

The wargame starts with all corps represented by oblong cards which we call blinds.
When two corps come within 20” of each other the blind is replaced by model soldiers.

We fight all of the campaign battles using 28mm figures.   This is partly because I prefer that scale, and partly because they show up better on the photographs.

I take a photo at  the end of each move and publish a battle report on the campaign diary blog.  This allows the two campaign commanders to follow the course of the wargame.

The photograph shown above was taken at the end of move 6.   By then all blinds have been spotted, and replaced by models.   There are only three corps per side in the game, but we can manage all four corps on the table at one time if necessary.

One corps fills each 24x24” scenic square quite comfortably, whether in column of march or deployed for battle.   Three corps fit comfortably side by side.  When a fourth corps is involved it is used to reinforce one of the three forward corps.

[thistlebarrow]

This is the Prussian army.
There are twelve armies in the campaign
One Austrian, Bavarian, British, Prussian, Russian and Spanish
There are also six French armies.

Each army has four corps, each consisting of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery

Each army has five command posts.    One commander in chief and four corps commanders
They are graded Gifted, Average or Poor
A Poor commander can issue one order to each of his brigades each move
An Average commander has one more order and a Gifted commander two more

The composition of each corps is the same, but the combat efficiency and morale is different.   
Each brigade has morale of A, B or C
Each infantry brigades has skirmish ability of A, B or C
Each infantry brigade has firing ability of A, B or C

Each army has its strength and weakeness.  For example British brigades have good firepower and skirmish ability, but the cavalry are class C.   Also each British corps has a poor quality Portuguese brigade.

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign covers the area from Dusseldorf to Brussels
It deals with the Prussian attempt to defeat the First French Army and take Brussels
It is designed to be fought in eight phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.


Marshal MacDonald commands the First French Army
1st Old Guard corps commanded by Friant
7th French corps commanded by Barrois
13th Polish corps commanded by Decouz
19th French corps commanded by Rouget


General Blucher commands the Prussian Army
1st corps commanded by Kliest
2nd corps commanded by Bulow
3rd corps commanded by Yorck
4th corps commanded by Pirch

On 1st March 1814 Blucher crossed the river Rhine at Dusseldorf.
First objective is Neuss, which took six days and two battles   
Second objective is Mongladbach, which took nine days and four battles
Third objective is Roermond, which took fifteen days and three battles
Fourth objective is Hasselt, so far eight days and four battles and still fighting

The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted two months
The second phase five months
The third phase five months
The fourth started two months ago and is still going strong

So far this campaign has provided 13 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign covers the area from Darmstadt to Luxembourg
It deals with the Russian attempt to defeat the Second French Army and take Luxembourg.
It is designed to be fought in seven phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.


Marshal Victor commands the Second French Army
2nd Young Guard corps commanded by Compans
8th French corps commanded by Vial
14th Westphalian corps commanded by Delmas
20th French corps commanded by Brayer


General Sacken commands the Russian Army
1st corps commanded by Constantine
2nd corps commanded by Jermolow
3rd corps commanded by Wintzingerode
4th corps commanded by Langeron

On 1st March 1814 Sacken crossed the river Rhine at Darmstadt.
First objective is Oppenheim, which took fifteen days and four battles   
Second objective is Bad Kreuznach, which took twenty two days and six battles
Third objective is Reinsfeld, which has just started

The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted seven months
The second phase eight months
The third phase started two weeks ago and is still going strong

So far this campaign has provided 10 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign covers the area from Strasbourg to Nancy
It deals with the Austrian attempt to defeat the Third French Army and take Nancy.
It is designed to be fought in seven phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.



Marshal Mortier  commands the Third French Army
3rd Young Guard corps commanded by Morand
9th French corps commanded by Gerrard
15th Vistula corps commanded by Albert
21st French corps commanded by Maison



General Schwarzenberg commands the Austrian Army
1st corps commanded by Klenau
2nd corps commanded by Gyulai
3rd corps commanded by Merveldt
4th corps commanded by Colloredo

On 1st March 1814 Schwarzenberg crossed the river Rhine at Strasbourg.
First objective is Strasbourg, which took seven days and two battles   
Second objective is Molsheim, which took twenty six days and two battles
Third objective is Cirey, which took thirteen days and four battles
Fourth objective is Nancy, which has taken ten days and three battles so far

The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted three months
The second phase six months
The third phase five months
The fourth phase three months and still going strong

So far this campaign has provided 11 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign covers the area from Basel to Dijon
It deals with the Bavarian attempt to defeat the Fourth French Army and take Dijon
It is designed to be fought in eight phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.


Marshal Marmont commands the Fourth French Army
4th Young Guard corps commanded by Boyer
10th French corps commanded by Compans
16th French corps commanded by Legrange
22nd Italian corps commanded by Fontanelli



General Wrede commands the Bavarian Army
1st corps commanded by von Rechberg
2nd corps commanded by von Lamotte
3rd corps commanded by von Deroy
4th corps commanded by von Storkhorn

On 1st March 1814 Sacken crossed the river Rhine at Basel.
First objective is Atkirch, which took six days and two battles   
Second objective is Montebelliard, which took five days and one battle
Third objective is Clerval, which took twelve days and three battles
Fourth objective is Rougemont, which took eleven days and four battles
Fifth objective is Besancon, which is still running


The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted two months
The second phase lasted one month
The third phase lasted six months
The fourth phase lasted five months
The fifth  phase started two months ago and is still going strong

So far this campaign has provided 9 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign is set in Spain and covers the area from Vitoria to Bayonne
It deals with the British attempt to defeat the Fifth French Army, cross the Pyrenees and take Bayonne.
It is designed to be fought in seven phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.



Marshal Soult commands the Second French Army
5th French corps commanded by Abbe
11th French corps commanded by Taupin
17th Polish corps commanded by Darmagnac
23rd German corps commanded by Daricau



General Wellington commands the Anglo-Portuguese Army
1st corps commanded by Stewart
2nd corps commanded by Cole
3rd corps commanded by Picton
4th corps commanded by Alten
5th guerrilla commanded by El Medica
6th guerrilla commanded by El Empecinado

On 1st March 1814 Soult crossed the Pyrenees.
First objective is St Jean, which took six days and four battles   
Second objective is Irun, which took four days and two battles
Third objective is San Sebastian, which took two days and one battle
Fourth objective is Leitza, which took six days and two battles
Fifth objective is Tolosa, which took five days and two battles
Sixth objective is Savaltiere, which has lasted 14 days and five battles so far

The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted two months
The second phase lasted two months
The third phase lasted two months
The fourth phase lasted one month
The fifth phase lasted two monts
The sixth phase has been running for five months

So far this campaign has provided 16 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

This part of the campaign covers the area from Perpignan to Tortosa.
It deals with the French attempt to defeat the Spanish Army and take Barcelona.
It is designed to be fought in eight phases (or mini campaigns)
Each is independent of each other, and of the rest of the campaign.



Marshal Suchet commands the Sixth French Army
6th French corps commanded by Villatte
12th French corps commanded by Foy
18th Vistula corps commanded by Joubert
24th Italian corps commanded by Harispe



General Giron commands the Spanish Army
1st Spanish corps commanded by O’Donnell
2nd Spanish corps commanded by Espana
3rd Spanish corps commanded by Losada
4th Spanish corps commanded by Longa
5th British corps commanded by Murray

On 1st March 1814 Suchet crossed into Spain at Perpignan.
First objective is Le Bolou, which took ten days and three battles   
Second objective is Figueras, which took four two days and one battle
Third objective is Girona, which took eleven days and two battles
Fourth objective is Arens, which took ten days and four battles
Fifth objective is Vic, which is still being fought

The campaign started in June 2013.
The first phase lasted four months
The second phase lasted three months
The third phase lasted five months
The fourth phase lasted four months
The fourth phase started two weeks ago and is still going strong

So far this campaign has provided 10 battles to wargame 

[thistlebarrow]

The organisation and objectives of the campaign are quite simple
The campaign covers France and northern Spain.  There are six campaign areas and each area has one French and one Allied commander.

Each player has an army of four corps and the campaign is fought over an area similar in size to the Waterloo campaign.   

The aim is to take the campaign objective, which is normally a town in the centre of the map, and to destroy the enemy army.

He is also responsible for his own supply system, which relies on establishing supply depots to collect supplies.   Each depot requires a full strength infantry brigade as garrison, so the player must decide how many brigades to allocate from his army.

Each day he writes orders for his four corps.   The umpire plots movement and if a battle is declared it is fought as a wargame.    At the end of the day each player is sent an umpire report which confirms what has happened during the day.    He then writes his orders for the next day.

All campaign administration is done by the umpire.   The daily umpire report contains all the information required by the army commander to adjust his campaign and issue orders for the next day.

Each campaign area has a series of objectives.   Each objective is a stand alone campaign phase.   The phase is complete when one player has secured the campaign objective and defeated the enemy army.

At the start of the next phase both armies are full strength and fully supplied.   They start at opposite ends of the map and attempt to take the new objective.

[thistlebarrow]

The role of the umpire is to run the overall 1814 campaign, process orders from the army commanders and issue daily updates.   The aim is to remove as much administration as possible from the players.   This is partly to make it easier for them, but mainly to ensure that there is minimum disruption to the campaign should one of the players leave the campaign without notice.   When this happens I take over the campaign until a replacement can be found.

As umpire I am responsible for all of the campaign administration.   All of the administration is manual.   It is stored on my computer, but is not in any way computer assisted.    This is because I could not find a suitable commercial programme.    I wanted to be able to use my figure collection and scenery on my wargames table to allow me to run a campaign covering all of France and Spain on maps which would look the same as the wargames table where the battles would be fought.   I don’t have sufficient computer knowledge to write a programme, so it had to be manual.

I am also responsible for the coordination of the six campaign areas and running the larger 1814 campaign.   I juggle the time frame to allow one or more areas to pause whilst a battle is being fought, and the others carry on until they in turn produce a battle.   But there is never more than two campaign days between the six areas.

When I receive the daily orders I transfer them on to a master list and plot them on each of the six campaign maps.   If a battle results it is decided by a wargame fought by my wife and I.   I then update the records for each army, and compile an umpire report.   This includes current location of each corps, casualties and supply situation.  It also reports any contact with the enemy.

I try to achieve one campaign day each actual week.   I can usually do so, unless there is more than one battle to be fought on the same campaign day.  I can handle the administration by updating one campaign area each day.   At the same time we can wargame one battle each week.   But if there are more battles to be gamed the whole campaign is paused to allow more time.

In the 18 months that the current campaign has been running we have wargamed 80 battles.   If my maths are right that is one battle each 6.75 days.

A few of those battles were not fought as wargames.   If the odds are two great, usually more than 2 to 1, we do not fight a wargame.   I have rules which decide how many casualties each side will receive.   Like my wargame rules, these are heavily influenced by dice, so the smaller side may put up a good fight.  However he will always lose in the end and have to retreat.