Dougfest 2022 - Zeitlessheim (pt4) Conclusion

The battle for Zeitlessheim (Bleinheim in disguise) has reached a climax. Across the entire front both sides commands are making morale checks to remain in action. Already numerous 'hold' results have stymied assault plans, and even some 'fallbacks' have complicated matters on both side. 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

To the Left the Prussians have depleted the Italians who are left covering in the villages and staging a flagging attempt to stop the lancers from seizing their supply line of communication (bottom left near the tents). 

In the centre the French and Italians massive struggle to break the British has been delayed when the British, fortuitously in this case, suffer a withdrawal result and recoil. The extra space relieves the pressure while the British allies attempt to crack the Franco-Italian wings. 

Top Right the Saxons pulled pressure off the British for much of the day as a force in being. Finally their counter attack has pushed the French to the edge....at the cost of the same for the Saxons. With all armies exhausted there's more space for the few effective formations to move about and try and create rational lines. 

Above the early (late game) clash as the Saxons counter attack into the French just as the British were on the ropes. The Italians (left) are unable to provide much assistance as the fresh Prussian push has finally depleted their reserves.

Right: It's ugly for the Italians. The Prussians seem willing to ignore the isolated towns as their light cavalry surges between the two.

 

What little forces the Italians have not acting as a garrison (one of their secret victory conditions is holding the towns) attempts to retrograde to protect the line of communication (LOC).

The struggle between the dregs of the Italians and Prussian continues in a grudge match. The Italians realize they can't stop the attack on their LOC without the Prussians routing....they can only delay it. 

Another interpretation is that it'd be good to deplete the cavalry to prevent pursuit losses.

 

 

 

The final stand for the writer as, outnumbered, a brigade of infantry forms up in squares against a heck of a lot of light cavalry. Hopefully they aren't too shaken to hold....

 

 

 

 

 The long awaited for British Collapse! The red coats stream from the table and the French and Saxons spend the next half hour tidying their lines from the chaos. Two distinct fights have formed on either flank.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The noose tightens on the Saxons. Despite the seemingly large amount of stands, the french have been quite depleted. Both sides are hunter and hunted.

 

 

A few hours later (30 min per turn and turns flew by with so little troops left) the Saxons withdraw and the general consensus is that the Franco-Italians hold the field. 

The Italians are saved from finding out what happens in game turns should their LOC fall (a morale check at minimum I suspect). 

Victory points are added up. We discover that the Prusso-Britano-Saxons merely wanted to beat the snot out of the Franco-Italians. The Franco-Italians gained bonus points for every town they held...version 1 of the victory points gave a major win to them. 

With some thoughtful discussion we decided that the British et al should gain MORE points per enemy unit killed than the French et al. I believe a ratio of 1.5 to 1 closed the gap seriously. In the end though, General Seth and General DaveB were able to eke out a close win versus the invaders. 

Another great looking and enjoyable battle hosted by Doug (thanks Doug!). Fun was had by all around. We even managed to crush out a shorter game in the early afternoon.