Something Old, Something New

Having brought the first stage of my 1940 6mm WW2 game to a conclusion I checked the “outstanding game projects” list and found that next up was my board game campaign of the Revolutionary/Napoleonic wars, called “Conquest of Europe”

Background: While waiting for a cross-channel ferry many years ago I discovered in the shop a Risk game: “Edition Napoleon”. I was at the time a Napoleonic period re-enactor, so I bought it. It has some very attractive miniatures as gaming pieces and is based around Europe on the period 1790-1815.

I have never been a great fan of Risk, and even with the addition of fleets and commanders the game was not enough for me. But the game-board and the models were.

I have also enjoyed games of Axis and Allies, the Second World War (or half of it) game. I set to and created (still evolving) a set of rules combining the aspects of both games, and a little of Diplomacy too. Thus, in a player’s turn he/she must first consider alliances, then spend money on development or immediate conscripts, make his/her strategical moves, including invasions, resolve combats, deploy new recruits and collect new revenue.

The current rules (after some play today) are here:

As an example of how the rules work, I will play through one player game turn. Britain starts the turn with each of the four Iberian provinces occupied with 1 infantry; Ireland and Scotland with 1 infantry; North England with 1 infantry and 1 cavalry; South England (capital) with 4 infantry, 2 cavalry, 1 artillery, 1 fleet (at Plymouth) and General Hill..

The focus of battle is the expeditionary force in Belgium (Spanish Netherlands?), consisting of General Uxbridge with 3 infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 artillery, aided by an empty fortress and a fleet at Zeebrugge.

The French opposition in Picardy is 3 infantry. 1 cavalry and 1 artillery – possibly sufficient to repel an attack. Actual combat odds are 15:7, thus enough for the British to launch an attack.

But the British must also look to their rear. In the four provinces to the south and east of their European lodgment, from the Prussian army, are 2 generals, 4 cavalry, 7 infantry and 2 artillery. Prussia has already occupied French territory, and must be considered hostile.

Thus a proposition is put to Prussia. 1. A non-aggression pact within Europe. 2. Britain will be given free reign to take northern France and Prussia may take the south. 3. Britain will aid Prussia against Russian aggression in Scandinavia.

Prussia considers the offer. In terms of resources, Prussia is slightly junior with 46% against 54%. So far about 50/50. Freedom from British attack +1. Ability to attack Paris or Provence +1. British support in Scandinavia rated as negligible. A final die roll was decided: 1= no, 2-6 = yes. 3 rolled, so Prussia agrees the treaty.

Britain, with an agreed treaty, decides on spending, The treasury is €170,000. The operational plan, given the agreement of the Prussians, is for General Uxbridge to attack Picardy while General Hill leads an infantry attack from South England, supported by the Royal Navy, on Normandy. Reinforcements must be allocated to Uxbridge or Hill. It’s decided to recruit 5 infantry at €30,000 each, leaving a balance of €20,000.

Britain sends a fleet from Zeebrugge, Belgium to bombard the French fortress in Normandy. With a 6 the fort and garrison are destroyed. return fire has no effect. The force of 3 infantry with General Hill transported from south England occupies Normandy.

General Uxbridge attacks Picardy from Belgium with 2 cavalry, 1 infantry and 1 artillery, using the general bonus and combined arms bonus. 3 defending units are eliminated. The defenders reply with 1 cavalry, 2 infantry and 1 artillery using the combined arms bonus and eliminate 2 units.

A second attack is launched, scoring 2 hits against the defenders’ 2 hits. Britain occupies Picardy.

Reinforcements: 2 Infantry to Normandy (Hill), 3 infantry to Picardy (Uxbridge).

Collection of revenue. 2 new cards for provinces captured: Norway (heavy cavalry) and Saxony (artillery). These were added to the infantry card already held and traded in for €100,000. 11 provinces @€10,000 = €110,000, added to which UK @ €30,000 and Iberia @€30,000. Britain starts the next turn with a treasury of €290,000.