Napoleonic Scenario: Austerlitz, 1805

Napoleon's triumph at Austerlitz is a well known battle often played in 15mm and 6mm scales.  Just as I did with Borodino, I wanted to create a scenario that covers the entire battle in a way that is achievable in 28mm with a decent sized Napoleonic collection.  Of course this scenario can be easily adapted to other scales and rule systems (this is created for my own rules, Empires at War).

There is a lot of complexity to unpack for this scenario in order to make it playable.  "Flattening" out the map was a challenge - as well as the distances between the various villages/towns.  These have been normalized with "playability" in mind.  Additionally, to avoid several special deployment/scenario special rules, the initial troops dispositions are purposely skewed to reflect the challenges faced by both sides during the battle, while at the same time providing strategic and tactical options to the players within the scope of the major locations of each corps.

For example, the initial position of Soult's IV corps is such that it will quickly engage the units protecting the town of Pratzen - and should be able to take the Pratzen Heights, however the corps will be unlikely to hold it until the end of the game without reinforcements.  There is also Lichtenstein's 5th (cavalry) column to deal with - which is sure to wheel to engage the central French advance.

For the French - things are very much against them on the French right flank - which is only to be a holding action.  The Russo-Austrian army can't ignore Sokolnitz and Telnitz as they are worth VPs at games end - easily earned points with the overwhelming numbers on that side of the battlefield.  But, how much to commit to taking those objectives versus recalling units to counter a massive French advance on Pratzen?  If units aren't turned early in the game they may not be in a position to help fight in the center before the game is over.  The Austrian's have many large units while the French have several better quality units.

Can the French break the Russian Imperial Guard and take Besowitz while holding on to Pratzen?  While the forces are lopsided to begin with, corps are positioned to be able to be redeployed to critical areas of the battlefield within ~3 turns if the commanders decide to do so.  But act too late and you'll be conceding almost guaranteed VPs to the enemy ...

SCENARIO MAP

Below you will find the table layout and starting positions for all forces involved.

The table size is 16 feet by 6 feet. Each small square on the map represents a 1 foot by 1 foot section.

Stream:  The stream is fordable at all points - counting as difficult terrain.

Victory Points:  Standard VPs apply, with the following additions:

• Pratzen
  +20 points for the side that controls this feature at games end.
• All other villages
  +10 points for the side that controls this feature at games end.

LA GRANDE ARMEE

Army Command:  Napoleon

Imperial Guard (Bessieres)
1 x Grenadier a Pied (Large)
1 x Chasseurs a Pied (Large)

1 x Grenadier a Cheval
1 x Guard Chasseur a Cheval

1 x Guard Foot Artillery (Large)
1 x Guard Horse Artillery (Large)

I Corps (Bernadotte)
1 x Light Infantry
4 x Line Infantry
1 x Foot Artillery

III Corps (Davout)
1 x Light Infantry
3 x Line Infantry
2 x Dragoons
1 x Foot Artillery

IV Corps (Soult)
3 x Light Infantry
8 x Line Infantry
1 x Chasseur a Cheval
1 x Foot Artillery

V Corps (Lannes)
2 x Light Infantry
6 x Line Infantry
1 x Hussar
1 x Foot Artillery

Cavalry Reserve (Murat)
1 x Carabiniers
2 x Cuirassiers
2 x Dragoons
1 x Hussar
1 x Chasseur a Cheval
2 x Horse Artillery

ALLIED ORDER OF BATTLE

Army Command: Kutusov (Alexander I, Francis II)

Russian Imperial Guard (Constantine)
3 x Guard Grenadiers
1 x Guard Cuirassiers
1 x Lifeguard Hussars
1 x Foot Artillery (Very Large)

Russian Advanced Guard (Bagration)
3 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Dragoon
1 x Hussar
1 x Cossack
1 x Horse Artillery (Very Large)

Austrian Advanced Guard (Kienmayer)
2 x Austrian Grenz Infantry
1 x Austrian Hussar (Large)
1 x Austrian Uhlans (Large)

1 x Cossack
1 x Austrian Horse Artillery (Large)

1st Column (Doctorov)
4 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Grenadier
1 x Foot Artillery (Very Large)

2nd Column (Langeron)
2 x Musketeers
1 x Jager (Small)
1 x Grenadier
1 x Foot Artillery

3rd Column (Przbyswski)
1 x Austrian Jager (Small)
1 x Austrian Infantry
2 x Musketeers

4th Column (Kollowrath)
2 x Musketeers
1 x Grenadier
4 x Austrian Infantry (Large)
1 x Austrian Foot Artillery (Large)

5th (Cavalry) Column (Lichtenstein)
1 x Austrian Uhlans (Large)
2 x Austrian Cuirassier (Large)
1 x Dragoon
1 x Mounted Infantry
1 x Cossack
1 x Horse Artillery (Large)