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Command and Control is one of the key concepts of the
Napoleonic series of games. However, in
the heat of battle it can be over looked.
There are a couple of useful tools that can help ease some of the
difficulty of keeping your brigades and regiments in command. The combination of the “Leaders on Top”
button, “Highlight Org” button and the “View” ->> “
Where are the leaders? As everyone knows, click on the Leaders on Top button found on the tool bar.
But who is who? Highlight Org button.
Ok, there we are. What about the division? Click on the various leaders (not stacks) individually, (or use the find leader or org feature – no spelling mistakes though). AMd we get:
That is the divisional leader over on the right. Must have got mixed up on the march and deployment. The two southern brigades are out of command. Better fix that considering that they are closing with the enemy. First let’s get the regiments in command range of their brigade leader. Select “Command Radius” from the “View” menu and click on a brigade leader.
Looks like the unit on the far left is out of command. Better fix that (and while we are at it get the leader out of the way of any cannon shot.)
Much safer. What about the other brigade? The skirmishers in town are detached.
We’ll detach a skirmisher to escort the leader over a bit to get all the red units in the halo. (Do not do this if there are enemy cavalry about.) Finally, how about the division? Are all the brigade leaders within command range? Will they get their command bonus from their superior officer?
Well they wouldn’t have, so lets get him on his horse and find a spot from which to direct traffic. Note that all three of the subordinate leaders are within the halo.
Things are looking good. OK. How about some “real life” examples:
Situation: Vitebesk the Pursuit. The Grand Army ahs crossed the Luchesa and is trying to establish a bridgehead under the Russian guns. IV Corps was having a rough time but the Imperial Guard has arrived and begun to tip the scales in the favor of the French, but were committed piecemeal. (Don’t mention this to Marechal Bardon.)
First, lets find the commander of the 1er Division of theYoung Guard, Delaborde, select highlight org, and see how they are shaping up.
Even without the halo, he looks to have the situation under control. (That is him in the south.) After the other moves, we’ll check him again.
What about his subordinates?
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Looks like we have had some wanderers.
We’ll just have to get them back with the program
No point in keeping Berthezene on the firing line. Drop him back from the front, but keep all his regiments on the line in a halo.
So how is Boyledieu doing with 2e Division?
Where are his subordinates? Poking around a bit finds them both mixed into a large stack of cavalry along with the infantry that got pushed back by the suicidal Russian regiment.
Ok,
here’s one
Let’s get him out of there
And the other. (He is on the same stack)
We’ll drop him back a bit to the safety of the Fusilier Chausseurs behind and generally draw back his division to reform.
So no checking on Boyledieu, we see that he can move over to rally the battalion in the center of the screen while still keeping all of his subordinates under control. Hopefully the next turn will see the division regaining good order. Before pushimg on we will want to seriously reorganize the lot.
In conclusion, you can see that the halo really makes the task of keeping good command and control easy. Position your units first, then move your brigade leaders as needed and finally your divisional leaders. Try this and you will see the rewards in less disorder, and routing as well as better results in musketry.