Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

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KorutZelva
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Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

The Diploking (tm) is back! ...in a scenario without diplo.

First MP with this new iteration of the game... I've seen the strategy guide and played the scenario once in SP (+2) but I'm still in the dark about the schedule and location of Prussian deployment because I never played as yucky prussians.

My plan is to minimize fighting to acquire about a garde mobile unit per turn. The goal is to set the garde mobile on good defensive position (ideally on Grande Couronne in front of Nancy but probably further inland) and use them as screen for what remains of my 1-pip inf divisions, the german would pummel the garde mobile and destroy it and then my elite french infantry would pounce on the counter punch.

On my first turn I operated a cavalry near Strasbourg to look for an opportunity to cut the rail line to baden... On the off chance that my opponent doesn't rail troop in on his turn...
Last edited by KorutZelva on Fri Aug 18, 2023 2:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia)

Post by KorutZelva »

The cavalry did indeed find the border vacated of german troops so it cut the rail line at Buhl. I've changed my defensive plan in the area following this discovery. Had the german railed a lot of troops, I would have probably made a withdrawal to Belfort but with the rail cut and I have an opportunity to take the fortified town and anchor my first line of defense between Strasbourg and the fortified town of Kelh.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Kelh fell on turn 3 and the approaching german in the north are about to cut my rail connection to Strasbourg to the north. At first I wanted to keep the siege cannons for Strasbourg defense but I'm hesitating to have them linger them their because if my opponent cut the rail north and south, they would be essentially trapped. I'm moved units from belfort to protect my rail lines but I would need more. The good news is that since I severed the connection with Baden there wouldn't be that many units available in the area to cut the line... but all he really needs is one unit.

I'm trying to position some divisions in ambush but prussian cavalry is omniscient so that's almost impossible to pull off. However just the threat of me trying to ambush him should make him go a little slower...

In terms of decisions I didn't send the northern expedition as the cost of sending a corp and refitting it is quite steep and I feel I can't afford it. As much as i'd like more units on the field (the germans are already have large lead and it's just aug 1st!) I have to select manning Metz forts rather than the extra brigades. I can't spare the manpower to put actual units in Metz forts. I have two division covering the approach around Thionville to prevent a cavalry to sneak over there and give me headaches but I'm hoping to swap them with garde mobiles when they become available.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Bitche units are trying to extricate themselves south but the pincers is moving in swiftly... One division will probably be eliminated out of supply.

I'm going to try to RP a little bit and only remove Benzaine and Macmahon after the emperor falls. That's one of my gripe with the way the game works, you can just upgrade to the best available general right away. Realistically, changing the horse mid-stream before they gave you a reason to sack 'em, would have a NM impact. I wish general rating were more randomized and hidden so that sacking a guy don't necessarily get you a better one.

After the first two turns, I've stuck with my resolution ton buy a garde mobile a turn so far... but we haven't have any real fights yet... my opponent will probably max out artillery during this lull...
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Please note that i'm posting my pictures with a turn delay but the text refers to the current turn.

My isolated division is cut-off but he has not moved against it yet. He clipped the cavalry near wasselrone with two divisions but it survives at str 2. I don't plan to reinforce my cavalry units as they are pricey and don't pack much of a punch. If I'm sufficiently cautious they shouldn't see much in the way of combat.

My garrison in Audun, west of Thionville, ambushed a roaming cavalry and destroyed it on my turn (<5 supply). This is the first destruction of a 'major unit'. There's a lurking division east of Offenburg... I might sortie to knock it out, as I think it's <5 supply.

Prussians mass a line within striking distance of Failly and Courcelles so I withdraw my three divisions further back, behind the river and close to Metz fortifications.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Prussians take Thionville. I thought it would survive a turn or two more on account they only had field artillery to reduce it but a couple of volley and infantry assault were enough... Maybe my HQ was out of range? Still, it had 6 entrenchment...
Was not able to afford a garde mobile this turn, I have just too many units still at 7 str that are about to be required for front line combat and I'm loathe to see them in action before they are raised to str 11 so I have to postpone further buys. I've scouted that Freiburg is only defended by a lone brigade, I have 3 corps converging the area but they will need to be strengthen first, pushing even further the resumption of garde mobile buys.

It's not all bad news. The lurking division near offenburg was destroyed, as expected it was in low supplies. A prussian division that took molsheim was destroyed by cannon fire and infantry assault. I'm giving away my cannon positions but hopefully it will draw the attention of the prussian and divert some of the forces marching toward Nancy. These offensive action made Macmahon be half-way to his second pip... I regret not reinforcing him before the assaults because he will lose precious experience when I finally raise his str.

I'm trying to mass my forces in front of Nancy but they need more time for there readiness to go to proper level. I made a sortie (out and back of my defenses) to try to destroy a low supply cavalry unit but it escaped at str 2. Hopefully that will make him keep his distance until my troops are ready.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Prussians advance on Audun with many division and a field battery. I destroy one of his divisions in low supply and retreat but some of my units may get eliminated in the retreat if he rush in pursuit. His units in the north will have mediocre supplies until Metz falls so while there are many units in the theater they are not immediately a menace for further inland. He seem poised to attack Metz before Nancy... so my army is a bit out of position in the present to punish an infantry assault of the fortresses.

My opponent destroyed the isolated bitche division while in a city... maybe too hasty on his part. Had he sieged me for an extra turn they would have been considered out of supply and would have been more pricey for me to buy back. Trying to speed up freiburg conquest to free up the three division that could really be useful in Metz right now...
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Prussians slowly surrounding Metz but not picking a fight yet. 4 green flag are still under french control although the Briey one has been left defenseless in front of the opposing force. My opponent made a probing attack with just one unit on strasburg but it seems the only forces behind it are to screen the rest of the army marching toward Metz. The unit was destroyed in the counter attack. I think I'll be able to sortie to pick apart the screening force but I'll probably not venture further as long as the prussians have such an advantage on manpower.

In the east mullheim and freiburg are the only towns with garrison after that the duchy of baden will be cleared.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

My opponent design are become clearer. He switcher divisions for regiments in Courcelles and Failly, so he's not going to move on Metz directly but he's going for the green stars. My troops are well entrenched (if a bit sparser than I would like) but this turn the prussians have left many units of cavalry within striking range so I attempted to sortie to destroy them. One cav north of metz is destroyed in >5 supply. North of grand couronne one cav is destroyed and another is at 1 str. With 3 cav destroyed so far, I'm hoping over time I will make the prussians lose their omnicience and won't have enough to spare to try to snake behind my lines. More troops are massing near Strasbourg, it's not a screening force anymore... I destroyed another division that stationed in Molsheim.

I don't know where the counter-punch will land but the next turn is going to hurt. If he goes for the Metz rail lines he could probably dislodge the two division protecting and cut the connection. If he goes for the troops near Nancy, he could pierce my line and reach my field artillery (not reinforced yet, rather placed for the intimidation factor :P).

The plan is to take freiburg next turn, the NM loss should help a bit with combat.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Prussian cautiously attacks my line south of Metz and Strasbourg making me lose two more division. With the pincer coming down on Metz, I figure this time is good as ever at using my interior line to concentrate my force against Prussians south of Metz. I can deal with the northern group later.

Von Steinmtez brought to str 6, one corp destroyed another lowered to str 1. The southern group will be caught in poor supply and we may get the opportunity to destroy it. My opponent still have a couple of units in good supply that can provide assistance so I expect the counter-attack to be particularly nasty. Hopefully I will have enough units in good condition to enact my plan.

MacMahon troops finally capture freiburg. We destroyed a division this turn in front of Strasbourg but now Prussian accumulation is such that I've moving out one siege artillery by rail as a precaution.
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

The counter-attack was hard and harsh, I lost 2 division south of Metz (and one at str 1) and one in strasbourg. I held back at attacking right now south of Metz and refilled my troops. I had some money left over from last turn I was saving, which allowed me to reinforce almost all my divisions. I don't want to enter a slugfest with my opponent just yet because his readiness will stay low at least another turn while I can ramp mine up so that my units take more advantageous fights next turn. He has many injured unit on many fronts and won't have the money to replenish everything.

In Strasbourg I counter attacked, destroyed one division and clipped the Crown prince. Similarly this should hinder the supply situation and help me get better fights next turn.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Divisions dying left and right, it's hard to keep track. We're both so bloodied we don't have the strength to pursue wounded units (ex: my str 1 division was vulnerable but was left to withdraw in the rear). After my opponent next turn, he'll have secured all green stars but one. Pont-au-Mousson will be the last stand on which Gen. Benzaine bids his career. There is way more units that marched north around Metz than I imagined, which means I can't really pursue Von Steinmetz army group.

My last divisions have deployed now and I'm ever so slowly closing the unit gap, now I am 9 units behind the germans. NM is promising, 95% vs 73% in my favor. This may seem like much but with Strasbourg and Metz in danger, this wouldn't be enough of a cushion if I lose both.
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

After a near week long hiatus my opponent finally sends his turn. :P

Lost 2 div last turn, putting the count to 10. I destroy 1 div, 1 cav in return during mine. Generally my mpp losses are lower than his per turn but this is partly offset by his mpp income that just passed mine. Benzaine got his second pip... I almost feel bad that he'll be sacked soon now that he's finding his mexican expedition form...

Cavalry spots more troops in Metz rear than thought. 10-12 infantry div forming two hooks from Thiaucourt, one toward chambley then north and the other along its north western road. Sadly, the cavalry will probably be destroyed for its finding. Another cavalry spots a german HQ in conflans. If its still there next turn, I have moved a garde mobile within striking range. I have another cavalry roaming north toward Thionville to check if its garrisoned.

Strasbourg rail gets cut by prussian cavalry. The unit gets destroyed but this signals a slow withdrawal for MacMahon as we can't assure the safety of our supply trains.

Pont-au-mousson will likely see converging pincers strike it next turn (or maybe the one after that if the german need one more turn refitting).
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

Metz rail is cut... but french forces still stationned at Pont-au-mousson steels the defenders resolve. The enemy is in position to lunge at it or at Metz itself... either way, the next turn is going to be bloody. These are lean turn to reinforce my troops because I accepted to increase medical service last turn. I got one more lean turn just as the fighting intensifies... The next few turn may see the regime fall...
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

My opponent's stopped sending turns. I'm guessing he gave up?

We've been robbed of a potential climax...
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by BillRunacre »

That is a shame, hopefully they will return before too long.
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KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

baring that, the fog of war will be revealed when he lose automatically from inactivity and I can share some more screens on the state of the game.

Maybe his army is more beat up than I think it is? I see a lot of units but I don't know how many are full str... I still think that, despite the fact that France has averted disaster, Prussia would still have a shot at a minor victory if after getting Metz it doesn't go for Paris and secure Strasbourg and Belfort.
KorutZelva
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Re: Korut Zelva (France) Vs LeninStalin (Prussia) - Franco-Prussian extravaganza

Post by KorutZelva »

So the game timed out since my opponent never sent another turn. Fog of war is finally revealed:

You see the German in a difficult situation and in need of a operational pause. National morale was 93 to 68 in France favor. I don't consider the german position hopeless but probably requiring a pivot to shoot for a minor victory. His troops are tired but I don't have enough to chase him, just to stall him. He still has more money (more units coming down in the pipe than I have). A focused strike on Strasbourg I would not be able to stop but Metz does look like too big to bag however.
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