Planning the 1815 Campaign - maps

Quatre Bras

I am working towards is doing the 1815 campaign in 10mm for the 200th anniversary. Obviously there is recreating the battles that took place, but there is also the option of a "what if" campaign to play with.

Looking for a suitable campaign map was a bit of a challenge. I decide to look for some old board games that covered the campaign. The bonus would be getting the unit counters to plot the movement. I was not interested in playing out the combat in the board game, just using it to track movement and to work out the OOB's of the battles that took place.

Wonderfully detailed map of  "L'Armee Du Nord"

I found two suitable board games, both by Clash of Arms Games, - "The Emperor Returns" (1986)  and "L'Armee Du Nord"(1993). They were both a bit difficult to get, but some patient watching on eBay and boardgamegeek.com paid off. I got both sets unpunched and BNIB!

Both move divisions around and cover the Belgian campaign. The artwork on the maps is the same, done by the talented Rick Barber,  but the scale differs. "The Emperor Returns" is 1 hex = 3200 metres using one 34" x 22" map. "L'Armee Du Nord" is 1 hex = 700 metres using three 34" x 22" maps. They are both fantastic maps.

I think the "L'Armee Du Nord" is the map I will use as the detail makes setting up a table of terrain a breeze.

Board template to translate to tabletop

To help translate the hexes to my game board I made up a clear plastic template the size my game boards would represent using 1 mm = 1 yard. This allows me to move the template over different parts of the map to see how this would translate into the terrain I have.

One option to consider in the future is mounting the boards on a metal backing and magnetise a set of counters. This would allow the campaign to be safely stored on the wall of the War Room saving some space.

The Escape of the Black Duke - a mini campaign

I have been planning a series of linked scenarios as a mini-campaign following the Duke of Brunswick's escape to the coast in 1809. While not a full blown campaign with complete freedom of movement across a map with changing forces, this was a way to play a series of games that are linked with consequences.

I have five planned scenarios. Depending on the success of each, the Duke's forces will grow from scenario to scenario. Victory condition will be defined for each scenario with bonus depending on if it is a major or minor victory. Defeats may have consequences of a reduction in forces.

The Scenarios:

1. Capture the supplies

• A French garrison is waiting for a relief column with supplies of rifles and ammunition
• A small Brunswick force is looking to capture the supplies to outfit more battalions
• A major win will get another battalion of Line and Light fro the Black Band

2. Blow the bridge

• The French are after the Black Duke and his growing force
• The Duke has to beat a small French garrison in the village to then cross the river and blow the bridge
• A larger French brigade is in hot pursuit
• A major win will see another battalion of Line and Light join up

3. Take the stables

• In an effort to increase his calvary, the Duke has to capture three small villages and their stables
• There is a French cavalry brigade in the area, as well as the local garrisons
• A Brunswick major win will get a regiment of Hussars for the Black Band

4. Rescue the Duke's Uncle

• The Duke's Uncle has been captured by the French who are not happy at the Duke's adventures in the area.
• The Black Band must rescue the Uncle and his troops from a larger town under French control
• A major win will see more artillery and additional 6 troops (120 men) join each of the three Line and Light battalions

5. Escape to the coast

• The Duke and his men have arranged for the British Navy to take them off to England
• They must get to the Port, past the French division sent to catch them
• A small British brigade has secured the point and is sent out to assist the Duke's escape

I'm currently drawing up some maps and working out some OOB's for a reasonably balanced game. It will be slightly weighted in favor of the Brunswickers so it will flow through, but not a walk over. It also allows me to paint up the troops gradually for the later games.

I'll post the details of each scenario as I go.

Happy for any feedback or advice about making an enjoyable series of games.