Black Swan #27 - Leipzig PBG

So what battle has been wargamed the most?

Most people would pick one of three--- Waterloo, Gettysburg, and Bulge.

But even Leipzig is much-traveled territory with many fine games on the campaigns that lead to the town in central Germany, and many more on the actual battle itself. How would we do something different? How about using our "Pocket Battle Game" format, but instead of just ONE "post card" sized game, we could have FOUR. Each one must be playable independently, but could we construct a system clever enough so that they could all be combined as well?

We challenged Paul Rohrbaugh and he picked carefully... reproducing the entire outcome of the three day battle by noting how all the actions neatly took place in literal "quadrants" of the battlefield.

Here is what you get!

"Marschall Vorwärts!" - Dismissed at first as simply an unbelievable report, Coalition forces under the indomitable FM Blücher ("Marshal Forwards") drove into Napoleon's rear at Mockern to the northwest of Leipzig, aiming to seize control of the vital French supply routes feeding into the city. The Prussian assault pinned down a third of the French army desperately needed in the south, seriously disrupting plans for the French main attack there.

"A Matter of Honor, Sire" - The battle to the northeast of Leipzig was one of missed opportunities for the Coalition. Allied troops led by the King of Sweden (Bernadotte) arrived late and in the wrong place. With his forces applying only mild pressure at first, the King's subordinates were forced to first try goading him, and then shame him, challenging his honor, in order to get him to fully pitch in. Can you do better?

The Nations Assemble - This battlefield to the southeast of Leipzig saw units from a host of Coalition nations battling with the French Grand Army for control of the crucial crossroads, bridges, and supply depots. Napoleon's plan for victory required a bold thrust south. Thinking he was only dealing with an isolated army that he could easily crush, his thrust instead went straight at Europe's assembled might!, Napoleon soon discovered he had bitten off more than he could chew.

Trapping the Ogre - Finally, and dramatically to the southwest of Leipzig, Austrian troops advanced cautiously northwards to seal off the only practical line of retreat west still open to the French. Unsure politically if they really wanted to trap the French for a truly "Napoleonic" style victory in reverse, or merely shoo them out of Germany, the advance was hesitant. What will you do?