tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post4393729461134911463..comments2024-03-27T23:01:31.478+00:00Comments on Battlefields and Warriors: Wavre - Campaign DiaryNormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-6824374347261184252023-05-22T13:07:42.092+00:002023-05-22T13:07:42.092+00:00Hi Iain, thanks, yes, I feel the players and mysel...Hi Iain, thanks, yes, I feel the players and myself got a feel for battle and the inherent problems that limited intel brings, also highlights some player characteristics in the same way that real battle does to generals.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-1757402512112139002023-05-22T06:43:19.426+00:002023-05-22T06:43:19.426+00:00Epic post and sounds great, I'm reading Digby ...Epic post and sounds great, I'm reading Digby Smiths Leipzig at the moment and strategic bridges marches and counter marches and confusion all ring true, it sounds like you exploited the medium to really successfully convey the isolation and fog of war of the various commanders,all round excellent!<br />Best Iain caveadsum1471https://www.blogger.com/profile/02174163740406928172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-76518330519679426762023-05-20T21:06:14.472+00:002023-05-20T21:06:14.472+00:00It good to see that you enjoyed the Wavre enough t...It good to see that you enjoyed the Wavre enough to feel that :-). I put the game out for gamers late last year and didn’t get enough takers. Hopefully the success of the Wavre game will change that next time it is offered. There were a few who didn’t get drawn out of the hat for Wavre, so I would like them to be offered an automatic seat at the table for the next game - so perhaps the numbers will be more likely the next time.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-34337249281395591482023-05-20T19:30:45.958+00:002023-05-20T19:30:45.958+00:00I'm ready to play that whenever it is availabl...I'm ready to play that whenever it is available. Failing that, I'd like to host a game of it.vtsaogameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104194914166417310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-54308160322974716472023-05-20T18:15:29.139+00:002023-05-20T18:15:29.139+00:00I have a fully written up Battle of Midway game th...I have a fully written up Battle of Midway game that could likely wear that hat!Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-43057877465360219582023-05-20T09:53:41.977+00:002023-05-20T09:53:41.977+00:00That's easily sorted, run another one but do i...That's easily sorted, run another one but do it over a longer period with slightly fewer players to reduce the interactions / correspondence to reduce the burden. You could even just run a single event like a battle - the fog of war is quite enough to make even one battle quite entertaining. Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-24571772746228424012023-05-19T18:19:20.428+00:002023-05-19T18:19:20.428+00:00Hi Rob, thanks. There was much more going on than ...Hi Rob, thanks. There was much more going on than could be written about here, so a lot of that ‘incomplete’ picture stuff going on and you are right, it is what wargames should be about and in truth, I will miss that as I return to ‘ordinary’ wargaming.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-33236482162196068922023-05-19T15:00:32.452+00:002023-05-19T15:00:32.452+00:00That was a fascinating account of a well-organised...That was a fascinating account of a well-organised game - the limited intelligence (quantity and quality) forcing decisions to be made on incomplete picture is what wargaming really should be all about.Robnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-33619934212412828902023-05-16T16:50:25.329+00:002023-05-16T16:50:25.329+00:00Hi David, many thanks for the thumbs up. Yes, it d...Hi David, many thanks for the thumbs up. Yes, it did bring an element of ‘authentic’ command experience, that I must admit (just like last time when I did such a thing), my ordinary gaming will seem a little flat by comparison for a while, perhaps in face to face gaming, as players we could delay telling the other person that reinforcements are arriving and plot their movement, until such tomes that they can be seen.<br /><br />As to the cast of fine and sporting players - I though it best to allow those involved to reveal identities here if that is what they want, I know some already have.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-2659679635723045772023-05-16T15:44:40.176+00:002023-05-16T15:44:40.176+00:00Many thanks Norm, what a brilliant account of what...Many thanks Norm, what a brilliant account of what was clearly a fantastic game for all concerned! 'Blog Post of the Year' by a mile, I reckon ( if there's a 'wargames blog awards' I'll nominate you!).<br />You clearly did an amazing job running it, and all the players had a great time. Really interesting how the format gave them a more 'authentic' command experience than a conventional face-to-face game. <br />Well done to all concerned - btw why not add a 'cast list' if the participants don't mind? <br /> david in suffolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02945969485547328039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-76585959086714509022023-05-15T21:22:41.216+00:002023-05-15T21:22:41.216+00:00Yes, I think that is a useful mechanic, though spe...Yes, I think that is a useful mechanic, though specifically it worked for us because neither side expected such a dastardly manipulation of the game 🙂Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-67434230720273553242023-05-15T21:12:56.785+00:002023-05-15T21:12:56.785+00:00As you say, those literally different viewpoints m...As you say, those literally different viewpoints make so much difference. What I also found very innovative though was those 'floating VPs' for want of a better expression. I have been trying to work out if that mechanic could be expanded into a more generalized command and control system. Still pondering, but very interesting idea.JWHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01637785437909299947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-83518872821815004232023-05-15T20:40:46.698+00:002023-05-15T20:40:46.698+00:00Hi, thanks. The interesting thing that the campaig...Hi, thanks. The interesting thing that the campaign diary raises, is just what a different game each of the players were having from each other, but it takes the diary to shine a light on that. There were many ‘favourite’ moments that cropped up, but I think the isolated Oberst Luck deciding to move to Bas Wavre and beyond, but finding the bridge destroyed was the cherry on the cake for me in terms of what an e-mail campaign can create.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-45493938955671147462023-05-15T19:04:40.189+00:002023-05-15T19:04:40.189+00:00Fantastic stuff, thoroughly enjoyed reading that -...Fantastic stuff, thoroughly enjoyed reading that - as you say, full of surprise and incident. It has given me a lot of inspiration for how you might tackle certain battles. Very well done to you and your players.JWHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01637785437909299947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-44589399598945396382023-05-15T15:27:47.656+00:002023-05-15T15:27:47.656+00:00Hi Keith, yes, I am a bit frazzled, like stepping ...Hi Keith, yes, I am a bit frazzled, like stepping off a moving bus! But the whole thing was a fantastic experience. There were just so many interesting moments, many not captured by the diary. A great insight into how fog of war can both give and steal opportunities in equal measure.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-10236351729617788982023-05-15T09:57:59.505+00:002023-05-15T09:57:59.505+00:00Well, that was certainly an epic adventure Norm (n...Well, that was certainly an epic adventure Norm (no pun intended!) It's taken me three or four visits to actually read right through your War Diary and get a half idea of what occurred - you certainly seem to have attracted the glitterati of wargaming bloggers to participate in the experience with you! A tremendous effort on your part bringing this all together, as evidenced by all the words of praise from the participating players. I am sure you gave a quiet sigh of relief as the guns fell silent and the remnants of Grouchy's force trudged off towards Paris!rrosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07316317334203888350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-20765841611879797612023-05-14T05:04:57.971+00:002023-05-14T05:04:57.971+00:00Hi Ben, it was an intense couple of weeks, but one...Hi Ben, it was an intense couple of weeks, but one of those things that delivers so much and adds to the wargaming list of memorable of experiences.<br /><br />I would be more than pleased if you saw some ideas there that are worth recycling :-)Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-21096787590659028572023-05-14T02:59:02.488+00:002023-05-14T02:59:02.488+00:00Wow Norm! Sounds like it was a lot of work but end...Wow Norm! Sounds like it was a lot of work but ended in lots of fun for everyone. Thank you for completing the report and I hope you don't mind if I steal some of your ideas. 😊Ben Catohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132734496369774300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-79082930265803237502023-05-13T21:47:10.102+00:002023-05-13T21:47:10.102+00:00Hi, glad you enjoyed it, you had a good old romp o...Hi, glad you enjoyed it, you had a good old romp on the other side of the bridge 🙂<br /><br />I think you were right to push and worked well with Exelmans to give the Prussians much to worry about.<br /><br />At Wavre, both sides were concerned at the others potential. It was very easy to get fixated on the bridges as they are so important initially, but once captured, I feel that something needed doing with them, so pushing on was absolutely the right choice.<br /><br />From my seat, it was fascinating that yours and Exelmans’ drive effectively cut communication between Oberst Luck and the rest of Thielmann's Corps, which generated an interesting interplay of delayed communications and Oberst Luck moving towards Bas Wavre. It also became a significant distraction for Thielmann. It added much to the account.<br /><br />The ending took on a life of its own. Hobe's cavalry blocked your escape, but even if you had attacked again, his orders were to fall back towards Limale i.e. he would still be in your way, blocking your escape.<br /><br />An earlier French advance from Bierges (24) might of made Hobe’s situation more perilous and perhaps opened an avenue of escape to the south for your good self and Exelmans, but of course it is all of the ‘what if’ intrigue, moments lost and gained, that makes the campaign so enjoyable.<br /><br />Thanks for all the work you put in. We were lucky to get 10 such good and helpful players together into one place and the varying time zones didn’t seem to impact at all.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-43035468462664143452023-05-13T18:45:08.137+00:002023-05-13T18:45:08.137+00:00Hi Norm, let me start by echoing the comments abov...Hi Norm, let me start by echoing the comments above - this was a superb effort by you and a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me as a player. I have run a few small campaigns in the past and I have an inkling of the amount of work that went into this one.<br /><br />The fog-of-war you created was frustratingly good and led me into a sort of tunnel vision where I imagined that things were going swimmingly well for all the French forces. This was fostered in part because Vandamme (understandably) was not able to relay every bit of detail of the 'big picture' back down to me as a General of Division as indeed he wouldn't have done in a real campaign.<br /><br />After my initial success in taking Warve A (16) I was much more nervous about storming the bridge into Warve B (21) not having any idea how the rules would handle this sort of event on the table. I was genuinely excited to hear that my troops had pulled this off!<br /><br />This together with my limited understanding of the wider battle led me to become overconfident and suggest the ill-fated push on up the road with Exelman. I do feel that I have to take most of the blame for the resulting surrender of some of my forces and the associated VP's gifted to the Prussians.<br /><br />I only hope the emperor can salvage something from the situation!<br /><br />GdD Habert, 10th Infantry DivisionStrykerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14258922461691204362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-56312449977045764432023-05-12T22:27:31.913+00:002023-05-12T22:27:31.913+00:00Hi Stew, glad it all hit the right spot. It did co...Hi Stew, glad it all hit the right spot. It did consume a ton of time, but there was still enough time to sleep …… so obviously I remain a slacker at heart 🙂<br /><br />Good to see that Mrs. Stew is showing the first signs of wanting to get into Napoleonics, you should paint her an Austrian army for Christmas, as a very special surprise, I have a good feeling about that🙂<br /><br />Yes, the fog-of-war is superbly preserved with these sort of things. The constant, constant rain and all of that mud, was of course no friend of your horses, but once you mostly got through Wavre, your teaming up with Habert, resulted in a fair bit of nice action for your dragoons. <br /><br />The ending was quite dramatic and fitting that your counter-part Hobe (Prussian cavalry commander) was just at the right place at the tight time (or the wrong place in your memoirs).<br /><br />I would have loved the bridge at Bas Wavre to have stayed open early in the game, just to see the mass cavalry battles that would have resulted for the tabletop, had you crossed there and clashed with Hobe’s cavalry while it was concentrated.<br /><br />All good, thanks for supporting the game and for spending time writing orders and doing maps instead of reading to the kids 🙂Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-2087382539813185722023-05-12T21:23:59.496+00:002023-05-12T21:23:59.496+00:00What? No cast of characters included? What am I s...What? No cast of characters included? What am I supposed to do? Read the comments to find out who was who? 😀😀<br /><br />Norm, thanks for hosting the game and I’m gratified to see that you enjoyed the experience. I can’t imagine the effort it took to manage 10 players over email. I couldn’t manage 10 players in person even if they all were my best friends. And the breakneck speed that this went on must have eaten all your time. Did you take some time of of work? <br />😀<br />My favorite part of playing was the fog of war where most of the time had no idea where the enemy was or even my friends. <br />I didn’t research the battle ahead of time bc I didn’t want to spoil that and it’s a nap battle so I’m not really interested anyway. 😀<br />As Excelmans; the bridge being blown at 17 so early in the game really forced a traffic jam trying to get across another way. When my first div finally got across I had them turn towards the East and the final objectives. I assumed that the majority of the enemy would be going that way as well. Turns out there were more enemy to the East and I didn’t even think to Scout that way, so got cut off. I mean I WAS planning on my smaller second div to cross the river and head that way but it was too slow. <br /><br />So a big that you again and I had lots of fun. My wife thought it was funny and one night asked me if I’d remembered to order my units. <br />😀<br />Stewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00340930167419307092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-35655626598185745432023-05-12T15:35:14.351+00:002023-05-12T15:35:14.351+00:00Hi Guy, firstly thanks for recently signing up to ...Hi Guy, firstly thanks for recently signing up to follow the blog - greatly appreciated and thanks for the thumbs up on the Campaign diary. In one way it is a tale of two accounts. The players got a fair overview AAR of each battle that concerned them, but of course that is invisible to the general reader here, as I just concentrated on the 'bigger picture', but wanted to go deep enough that players would properly recognise their actions.<br /><br />It has though, i must admit, made me re-evaluate how i go about future AAR writing and I think I will err towards the 'overview' narrative approach, with system notes, which I think works well.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-26480213520426815612023-05-12T15:29:53.297+00:002023-05-12T15:29:53.297+00:00Hi Jack, thanks for stepping up and getting involv...Hi Jack, thanks for stepping up and getting involved. I enjoyed your formation very much. I knew your character was to 'get up there' and knew the frustration of standing still would drive you mad and as much as I was willing you on, I just love that creation of an emotional connection to a game that has you chomping at the bit, but with the hand of restraint on your shoulder.<br /><br />It was really interesting at the start when I thought you might stray west and walk into an early Limale fight. Half of me was worried about going so much off script (historically) so early and the other half excited at the prospect of the campaign going in a new direction, unforeseen by me .... and I had everything in front of me - superb.<br /><br />up at the Heights, Stulpnagel was asked to attack you, but his force was in a dire state and the best he could do was skirmish, but I think it is brilliant that you interpreted Stulpnagel' retreat south as there being fresh forces there - you just couldn't get a person to think that in a face-to-face game.<br /><br />If I were a betting man, I would have put money on you exploring west from Bierges (24), and so it is this aspect of a players decision being influenced by what they think might be around them and what actually is going on, that gave me the most fun in the game.<br /><br />All good.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368677310334370714.post-54565812522281514502023-05-12T15:12:38.664+00:002023-05-12T15:12:38.664+00:00Hi Jonathan, I think the changing of emphasis on l...Hi Jonathan, I think the changing of emphasis on location by changing VP's works better in the closed environment of play by e-mail because one can start to move to the new demands, but the other side might not notice that change in emphasis for several turns ... if at all. While face-to-face, there would be an instant recognition that the enemy were doing something else, especially if reserves moved etc, plus body language and what eyes are now focussed on are tell-tale indicators.<br /><br />It is certainly effective, originally I was worried that the players focus had been shifted too far from Limale .... but in hindsight, the whole thing interlaced with the historic account rather nicely.Normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05031444717952755557noreply@blogger.com