Sunday 1 January 2023

AWS Campaign Update

Apologies, this has turned into a long post. In case you don't read it all, I'll wish you a Happy New Year now. All the best for 2023 dear readers.


This is going a lot more smoothly than I expected. I got in another two hours early this evening (so four in total) and I have reached the Spring of 1745.

Battle rules are based on the 'combat value' of the respective sides plus a D3. Each base has a CV of 5, less any 'hits'. A base , remember, represents about 20,000 troops. One downside of this is that if the gap is more than two there is no hope of the weaker side winning. I might change the dice roll to a D6 or average dice. For the time being, there is no difference in the CV of respective armies.

One of the things that have gone well with the rules is that battle is risky if the sides are evenly matched. At times, thinking from the point of view of the 'active player', I have held back even at the risk that a friendly fortress would be lost. Doubtless I've made some mistakes in the decisions too. But overall, this is playing out reasonably historically - a French army and the Pragmatic Army spent several months dancing around each other, not daring to risk a battle until the end of campaign season approached when there was a chance to recover losses.

The siege aspects are coming along nicely, but still have scope for improvement. The siege section has grown bigger than the battle section, which in a way is appropriate for the period. There is no real jeopardy, when all factors have been taken into consideration the siege length is determined and the clock starts ticking. There is an element of luck to the siege length, but this is determined at the beginning of the siege. I argue (to myself that this is because it is known how long supplies will last). I will consider, however, adding an element that could mean that the siege lasts a bit longer or a bit shorter than expected.

This brings me on to the question of the minor powers. Bavaria, Piedmont, Saxony and to an extent Spain. I have limited the availability of siege trains to the major powers (Austria, Prussia, the Pragmatic Army*, each with one, and France with 2 siege trains). This is a useful way of stopping sieges happening willy-nilly, but it does mean the minor powers have little 'agency'. In particular, they rely on allies to dig them out when they lose their only city. Which might actually be fine. But it still nags at me. I haven't yet found a reason or opportunity for Saxony to change sides, and it simply gives the Prussians an extra base, until the Prussians turn on them. 

Enough of the reflections, what has happened in the campaign so far?

1740-42

Prussian Theatre

After capturing Breslau early on, the Prussians managed to beat Austria a couple of times in battle. Due to losses against the French, the 'Austrian player' sued for peace in the Winter of 1741-42, ceding Breslau 'permanently' if Prussia pulled back. This allows Austria to concentrate on the French, Spanish and Bavarians. So quite historical so far.

Italy

After some to-ing and fro-ing, the Franco-Spanish (hereafter 'the Bourbons') capture Turin in September 1741. By contrast the Bourbons suffer defeats in the field. In 1742 things turn decisively I favour of the Austrians, defeating the Bourbons again in the field, capturing their siege train.

Bavaria/Austria

An indecisive 1741 is followed by a similarly indecisive 1742, but there is a bang at the end as the Franco-Bavarians capture Venice. A pro-longed campaign into the Winter (with hastily added rules on extra attrition) sees Vencie recaptured after a decisive battle. The Austrians capture the second French siege train! The Austrians proceed to Turin whilst the battered Bourbons keep their distance in order to maintain a force in being.

In the Autumn, alarmed at the Austrian successes against the French, Frederick breaks the truce and invades Bohemia and Moravia.

1743-45

Low Countries

The Pragmatic Army assembles in the Austrian Netherlands. Forces from Britain, the Dutch Republic, Hanover and Hesse-Kassel. French forces concentrate to oppose them. Throughout 1743 and 1744 nothing of significance happens until at the tail of the campaigning season, urged on by their Austrian principal, the allies attack the French near Stassburg. The allies suffer a minor defeat, but the campaign season closes and they retreat to Brussels.

Prussian Theatre

After a long siege Olmütz falls to the Prussians, then the siege train is despatched to Prague which also falls later in 1743. Disaster for the Austrians who only have a small force to oppose them. Austria starts 1744 weakened by the loss of Breslau, Prague and Olmütz. It is unable to do anything to recover lost ground. The Prussians crush the Austrians, outnumbered 2:1, outside Vienna. Fortunately before the Prussians have got their siege train to Vienna Winter falls.

Prussians besiege Olmütz.


Bavaria/Italy

In the Spring Turin falls to the Austrians. After another defeat in northern Italy, an abortive attempt to unite with the Bourbons in Italy causes the Franco-Spanish allies to seek an armistice. This will give them time to recover losses and rebuild a siege train. This suits the Austrians who want to deal with the Prussians. This also suits Charles-Emmanuele of Piedmont who recovers his capital and pay his army to take the field again.

The Austrians aim to recapture Turin while the French are advancing through the passes into  the Ligurian plain.

The Austrians, outnumber the Franco-Bavarians in the Danube region and open the siege of Munich. The siege lasts all Summer before the city is captured. The Spanish cross the Tyrol and eventually unite with the Franco-Bavarians. The combined Wittelsbach-Bourbon army offers battle, but the Austrians knowing they don't need to fight, fall back on Münich. Meanwhile the French descend on Italy again and attack the Piedmontese holed up in Turin again. Turin falls for the third time.

Having captured additional artillery, the Austrians are able to launch simultaneous sieges. Munich's days are numbered.
The Piedmontese left to their own devices as the French approach Turin



The Prussians gather around Vienna.

Winter 1744-45

The Pragmatic Army recovers its full strength at Brussels, whilst the French do likewise. This time they have a base in Italy in which to overwinter.

The gain of Munich partly makes up for their losses and the Austrians recruit to 3/4 of their maximum. Equal to the Prussians, and with 3 siege trains!

Bavaria and Piedmont are out of the game. For now. But what to do about Saxony?

Snapshot of the campaign tracker

Cities and Electorates 'controlled' by the rival powers. The side who holds the majority chooses the Emperor.




6 comments:

  1. This is really very cool Chris; a great idea and it seems to be playing pretty well - apart from the bstrd Prussians winning everywhere - my fingers are crossed the Austrians deal to them and take Berlin! The Pragmatists need to distract the French so they dont interfere with the Austrians sorting out the Prussians :)

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    1. Thanks Keith. Sorry about the Prussian thing. If I were to do it again, I would hinder them in some way compared to this game.
      You're right that Cumberland needs a rocket up his 'arris to take the battle to the French more!

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  2. It is interesting to see sieges have become a focus area for the rules. A most interesting start to your campaign.

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    1. Yes, it wasn't planned that way. It just seems to be right.

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  3. Your campaign seems to be running smoothly, Chris. I am impressed with all of the seemingly seamless interactions in this experiment. It would be especially interesting to see the triggers for the political events and how you came up with them.

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    1. Some of the apparent seamlessness comes from it being played solo. I'm able to smooth over any rough bits either by adapting the rules or just glossing over it.
      I don't have robust mechanisms for the political decisions. Sometimes I apply "what do I think would happen historically" criteria. e.g. with the restoration of Charles-Emmanuele to Piedmont. I don't think it would have been acceptable for the Austrians to keep it for themselves - it would have meant the Piedmontese becoming clients of the French.
      For the 'control' of the Electors, it's simply a case of who controls the relevant cities. Prussia and Saxony are fighting the Austrians so they support the French candidate for Emperor.

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