Napoleonic rules comparison for a particular scenario

[sultanbev]

Hi all, would like some input please!

From as many different sets of wargames rules as possible, for the following scenario:

a regular infantry brigade of 4 battalions@ 700 men in 6 companies in attack columns

attacking head on, no flank manouevres, no artillery support, not using squares

a regular heavy cavalry brigade of 2 regiments of heavy cavalry - cuirassiers or British heavy dragoons, total 900 men

On an average dice roll, what would be the outcome if the infantry columns attacked the cavalry?
ditto when the infantry roll their best dice

On an average dice roll, what would be the outcome if the cavalry attacked the infantry columns?
ditto when the infantry roll their best dice, or the cavalry their worst?

a probability list of the various outcomes is fine.

And if you have any historical anecdotes of attacks columns against cavalry head on, let me know,

thanks

Mark

[Albie Bach]

I haven’t played Shako 2 for a while, but I’ve just had a flick through to remind myself.

Two things to bear in mind with these rules:
1) Formed Infantry may never voluntarily move against cavalry.
2) Infantry outscored by cavalry are automatically broken. Cavalry beaten by infantry take a number of hits.

I'm assuming all units are in good order etc.

British Heavy Dragoons against one column would win about 5 out of 6.
British Heavy Dragoons against 2 columns would win about 4 out of 6 times  (the infantry get to throw once for each battalion. The probability I've got this correct is about 1 in 100 but the best person I know to help HATES Shako)

French cuirassiers against one column would win about 11 out of 12.
French cuirassiers against two columns would win about 10 out of 12 (again, the infantry get to throw once for each battalion)

However
If cavalry attack infantry in line or column, the infantry have the opportunity to form Hasty Square.
If the infantry do attempt to form hasty square, the die roll required to form the square depends on the distance the cavalry have charged. On average the infantry have 50% chance of forming hasty square. If they fail that test they are virtually assured of defeat.
IF they pass:
British heavy Dragoons or French cuirassiers against one square would win about 1 out of 6. So that’s 50% (for failed Hasty Square) plus 1 in 6 which is about 7 in 12.

Best bet for infantry threatened by cavalry is form square before they get charged.

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

Before digging out various rule sets do you mean the columns are advancing to contact the cavalry?  Because I know of no cases where anyone did this. 

Advancing to bring cavalry under fire is I suppose possible. 

Generally movement where it had to be done in the face of cavalry was carried out in battalion or regimental etc squares (eg the retreat at El Bodon) or by closed columns (eg Austrians in masse in 1809).  If cavalry charged the formations would halt for the infantry to face outward.  Both these approaches were extremely vulnerable to enemy artillery. 

Regards

Edward

[sultanbev]

Yes, columns actually charging the cavalry lines. I know it was rare, but it happens too often in our games.

Have found from other forums since posing the question what we have been doing wrong, and that is
a) columns fire too effectively
b) the column bonus they get against line infantry should not apply if attacking cavalry. It however should apply if attacked by cavalry, as the column can quickly make closed-up column and face the flanks outward, making a sort of solid square

Columns caught moving by cavalry should be at a distinct disadvantage, as the individual troops can move so much faster than the individual lines of the attack column, that they can get in the gaps and slaughter each part of the column in turn.

I have yet to present my proposed rules changes to our group, don't think they will be keen on all of them