| Following our long-running and highly enjoyable 1815 Campaign, the club is about to embark on a very different Napoleonic operation. Instead of a linear sequence of pre-determined scenarios, our newest campaign will be a more exciting, map-based, free movement system. Using the new Blucher rules with 6mm miniatures, we will be covering twelve days of critical action along the Danube, where Napoleon and Archduke Charles fought a series of major battles in April 1809. Our own version of this campaign is based largely on the research, maps, and OOBs presented in John Gill's fantastic study, Thunder on the Danube. |  |
Campaign Design
We have no particular timeframe over which to complete this campaign, and due to the nature of the free-ranging map movement, we cannot be certain how many battles will occur. All map movement will be done using the free VASSAL board game software. One of our club members designed a private Vassal module with an excellent theater map that any club members will be able to access. We'll be playing the Scharnhorst campaign system provided in the Blucher rules, with a few key modifications to suit an extended series of battles. The campaign rules are short--only 5 pages--and allow for ample "fog of war." Our modified version of the Scharnhorst rules is available on the club's private Facebook page. A copy of the theater map is publically available below:
| danube_campaign_map.png |
Player Roles
All club members are encouraged to join one of the two high commands--French or Austrian--and participate in grand tactical strategy discussions. Any number of players may be involved in the high commands. All map movement and campaign book-keeping will be handled during the week, between regular gaming evenings.
When it is time to resolve a tabletop battle, attendance by high command players is not required. Whomever shows up that Monday night can take a role in the battle. Those unable to attend will have to read the after-action reports (and inevitable recriminations) after the fact! We won't be playing these battles every Monday night, so this campaign could take several months to unfold. A twelve-turn limit should help keep it from dragging on indefinitely.
When it is time to resolve a tabletop battle, attendance by high command players is not required. Whomever shows up that Monday night can take a role in the battle. Those unable to attend will have to read the after-action reports (and inevitable recriminations) after the fact! We won't be playing these battles every Monday night, so this campaign could take several months to unfold. A twelve-turn limit should help keep it from dragging on indefinitely.
What's Next?
After players pledge their service and sacred honor to Paris or Vienna, each high command team will have time to discuss hidden deployment, review their OOBs, and plot overall campaign strategy. After each turn is completed, we will post a new blog entry to review the day's events, including any battles which might occur. So coming next--a brief background on the nature of the Danube campaign and a full report of our club's marching orders for April 15, 1809!
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