NAPOLEON IN RUSSIA: 1812

Welcome in this online moderated wargames campaign.

The object of this campaign is to generate possible tabletop miniatures battles within the context of Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia. I say 'possible' because an additional goal is for the campaign to be as flexible as possible. Not all battles need to be fought on the table. In fact, it is possible for the campaign to be conducted without resorting to any miniatures battles at all. The campaign is 'open source' so when tabletop battles do occur, they can be conducted using Blucher, General du Corps, Napoleon's Battles, Black Powder, etc., etc. Even skirmish rules could conceivably be introduced where appropriate.

An important concept in this campaign is one of roles. Gamers will play the role of a general leading a specific column, with whatever is happening to other, NPC led columns somewhat abstracted. This is in keeping with Prof. David Chandler's observation of the campaign: "How could one man hope to control 600,000 troops spread over a distance of 500 miles in the days before the radio?" Players will have quite detailed information on their own columns, but only a general idea about others. In this way, the campaign will have a quasi Fog of War feel to it.

The focus of the game is on generalship. Players only have to worry about maneuvering their troops. But there is a lot going on behind the scenes. In developing this, I've used Blucher (Mustapha), War & Peace (AH), and Napoleon's Campaigns in Miniature (Quarrie). I've resorted to using MSPowerpoint and two MSExcel workbooks, both with multiple spreadsheets managing full OBs for both sides. Force marching, attrition, supply and foraging, weather, Russian scorched-earth (of course), etc., etc. all play a part. But the players don't have to worry about any of that -- I'll be serving as all-purpose Chief-of-Staff, Quartermaster General, and Chief Cook & Bottle Washer for both sides, keeping players abreast of what is happening.

The campaign will use monthly strategic turns, running from May to December 1812, with this blog being updated on monthly turns. Communications will be by email.

Below is the campaign map. (Click on all such images to get a better view!)

In addition to each player leading a 'column', it is important that one French player also plays the role of Napoleon, and one Russian that of Alexander I. They can issue orders to all columns and direct the course of the entire campaign, but they still have detailed information of only their own, 'personal' command. These national leaders can lead any column they wish: so, for example, it is possible for 'Napoleon' to be personally directing Yorck's Prussian column. 

Here is list of the 'columns', for both sides, at start:

 

Movement is in 'bounds' along roads between points, two bounds per turn (three if force marching). Road capacity is 24 units, with a maximum column size of 24 units.

There is more, but that can wait ...

Cheers!