Seven Years War Scenario: poor generals and bad die rolls

With our Seven Years War /War of the Austrian Succession armies nearing completion, it was time to give some of the available troops a run through. Paul had rebased his lovely Minifigs Austrians ( that once belonged to Ross three decades ago) and Ross' French were put through their paces.

We had decided that the usual head-to-head stoush really didn't cut the mustard as it lacked any forethought and didn't give us the ability to use our brilliant tactical minds ( sure..whatever). Scenarios were what was called for and we went for one called 'exposed vanguard'.

Paul and Chris were the Austrians.
Ross and I played Ross' French.

The scenario was only five turns in length and was fairly straight forward. A small vanguard of Austrians (three battalions and 1 battery) were holding a series of low hills on the far side of the table- closer to the French deployment zone the bulk of the Austrians ( 5 battalions of Infantry , 1 gun and 3 Cuirasssier units) had to get there to relieve them before they were swamped by the attacking French ( 6 Battalions of Infantry , 2 guns, 3 Dragoons and 2 Line Cavalry).  

Using the Honours of War rules, the Austrians had superior Cuirassiers, superior guns and standard infantry. The French were inferior Dragoons, standard Line Cavalry, infantry and guns but were a bit slower moving under the 'national' characteristics.

What topped it off, was the fact that the French CinC was 'Dithering' as were his senior infantry commander and his dragoon commander.

The Austrians were all Dependable except one who was 'Dashing'.

These classifications make for interesting gaming as players must roll each turn to see how each Brigade will respond.

Now the scenario was based on the French being about one and a half turns from the hills and the Austrian relief forces were 3 infantry turns away- depending on die roll.

And that's where the title of this post came in.  The French infantry 'dithered' for two turns in the first three, the French artillery rolled three ones in a row....'sigh'......whereas the Austrians tore across the table, in Turn 2 getting a double move in fact....it was basically obvious that the French weren't doing any real damage to the vanguard and by the end of turn four the French commander was facing a firing squad.

The French Cavalry, to their credit moved promptly, charged enthusiastically, fought valiantly and got beat. The infantry did NONE of those things.
( To 'get beaten' you have to get into contact with the enemy- The infantry didn't even do that)

Beginning of Turn three and the 1st French Brigade is still watching the Austrians.

The French second Brigade not advancing. The French artilley ( wround the wrong way to indicated 'limbered' was taking its cue from the Foote....and not doing much)

By Turn 4, the Austrian Vanguard, which had left one of the front hills unoccupied realised that they could take them- and win the game by being there at the end of turn five- without interference from the slothful French commanders!

Very easy.....

French 'ditherer'......doing what he does best...'dithering'.

Oh! Finally the French move......

The French Foot- and guns doing nothing....just watching the French Horse in the distance....fighting the Austrians

Finally...moving......BUT Too damned late!!

A comfortable occupation of the Hills by Maria Therese's boys.

Games end- Turn 5. The Austrians are confidently sitting on the objectives...and the French ....well the less said the better!

Paul and Chris thoroughly enjoyed the game...they were after all, the Austrians.
I was happy with the playability of scenario.
Ross offered to sell me his newly painted army for $5. Not per figure. For the lot.
We managed to convince him to hold on to them for at least one more game. I promised him an easier scenario next time!