Campaign AAR - ER3.5

[JaM]

After NER 2.0 was released, i decided to give ER a go and started new campaign as France. Campaign difficulty set to Normal (Remind me to do something about stubborn AI at Hard, to tone it down a little bit to get more realistic), Battle difficulty set to Hard.

In first turn i spend all moneys on upgrading economy buildings across the continents, and recruiting Colonial militia in North and South America to guard cities and ports against Pirates. Fleet from North Atlantic was moved to Mediterranean to neutralize Barbary Pirates, because there is a peace with England and such small fleet would be just too weak against them anyway. University started military research to provide my infantry with bayonets and (later) canisters, while i started to reorganize my army.
Army from South France moved to Alsace (while one regiment stayed to guard Marseilles), Northern Army positioned against Dutch camped in the fort at the borders.

I have also made trade agreements with Ottomans and Mughals, as well as with Wurttemberg and Westphalia,who only accepted to trade with me combined with Military Alliance, which actually wasn't that bad idea. During AI turn Austria asked for Alliance + trade rights.

Next few turns i slowly built my economy, reinforced armies with Guard Infantry units, and line Infantry.I have also tried to diversify my trade routes, to be less dependent on north Atlantic port which is just too vulnerable and undefendable against British. Sometimes around 1705 Poland-Lithuania and Prussia declared war to my ally Austria, and i have decided it is good opportunity to train my army and strengthen my relationship with Austria. Alsace Army went on march, reinforced by Elite Musketeers De La Garde Heavy cavalry.To get them into Austria i had to negotiate military access with German Allies first, but because Bavaria didn't allowed my army to pass, i had to go through Alps which took few turns, anyway i came just in time to clash with large Polish Army trying to attack Vienna.At the beginning it didnt look well for me, and my allies had just two units which got routed very fast and left the battle. Because they had more guns i decided to send my Gendarmes to attack their gun positions, which went well in the beginning with first battery,but attacking second my gendarmes routed but at least same time as decimated artillery crew (both my cavalry men and artillery crew got several volleys from Polish Line infantry standing nearby..

Anyway, after both batteries silenced, Polish army decided to attack my positions in two waves. First hit my left wing, second went against my right wing. To not get overrun on left, i called my Guard Cavalry and routed few infantry regiments which charged my infantry (and routed one of my regiments). Attack on the right wing was not successful either, because my defending units were better positioned and couldn't be overrun because of village at far right. at the right moment i also send my best Line regiment to advance in the middle and attack one of the groups in the flank. Together with my Guard cavalry which already lost about third of men, this attack routed enemy army and it left the field.

Big victory, but my army lost about third of men, and replenishing them cost me almost half of my financial reserve.. Anyway it meant Austria didnt fell and their armies could continue fighting Prussians instead of returning back to help capital city.

Year later,things went south when Great Britain joined Prussia and started to blockade my ports in north Atlantic. Luckily i had garrison in LOrient, so they didn't destroyed my new ships which were being built there (4x 50gun, one 74gun and one 60gun Ship of the line). To my big surprise, instead of keeping blockade, British fleet (4x 50gunners, one 60gun SOL, 1x44gun Frigate, 3x 32gun Frigate and few brigs) landed with invasion force led by Duke Marlborough in Gascony.I have immediately send my North Army to meet them, anyway because they had cavalry while i didn't i had to withdraw to Paris and fortify there. Next Turn Marlborough attacked, in battle where i could loose my campaign!

Battle was fought at the outskirts of Paris, my main line was formed of City Garrison force placed in Quintrix double line and heavy artillery in first line. I have also placed my Line regiments on the flanks (right wing again was protected from enemy artillery by village. I have placed my four elite Vieux regiments in reserve hidden in small grove.

British attacked with cavalry against my right wing and concentrated infantry against my center. I had to form square to hold off cavalry but one of my Line regiments was routed by combined attack (Pikemen with cavalry). Center initially held ok, but AI send Guard Infantry regiment against left flank which routed several Garrison units and i had to reinforce first line with second line units. both my artillery batteries got overrun, Garrison battalions had enough. Situation on the Right wing was even worse with cavalry routing both line regiments (at that point i almost thought everything is lost and i will loose the game), so i had to send my guards to stop them. Several volleys made the trick and English cavalry routed and run away. because center position started to collapse, i send remaining of my Guards there just in time to clash with British 1st Guard and 33th Foot regiment. Because both units were spent after battling my Garrison Line, Petit Vieux regiments proved their reputation, fired several volleys and charged into wavering British Guard which routed them. Once Guard started to run, remaining units started to waver and were overrun by my bayonet charge with two Vieux Regiments. At that point AI cleared the field and left me victorious...

After battle reinforcement from Alsace (four Etranger Regiments) came, which allowed me to pursuit retreating British. Second battle was pure gamble from their perspective as they send everything against my center trying to break my line, while etrangeers are still marching to reinforce my army. Anyway, Petit Vieux infantry again stopped their attack while Etrangeers pushed forward on left flank which was too much for them (Duke Marlborough was killed in action by my Guardsmen) and they routed.

British army was destroyed, Duke was dead. British fleet returned to channel and blockaded my trade port again. but my fleet was almost ready, and i have reinforced it with ship of the line i had in Mediterranean. Captain of my largest ship (74gun Invicible) got promoted to Admiral, and fleet is about to clash with British in a battle that will decide who will control the Atlantic next few years...


will be continued...

(here i must end, because i had to go to work... )

[JaM]

Let me continue my AAR - Its year 1715 and King Luis XIV is dead. British are blockading my north atlantic trade ports, and my fleet is about to meet them. I have chosen line formation, and because of wind i can dictate the course of battle (at least in the beginning.) British fleet is divided into several parts, with Frigates at the front, Ship of the line at the center and small Brigs and sloops in the rear guard. My fleet has the strongest ships at the front. Upon contact with vanguard frigates, my 74gun Invicible turned on right where second ship went to left to get frigates in crossfire, while my third ship blocked them from the front. after several salvos Frigates were heavily damaged trying to withdraw but continuous fire made them to surrender. Because of half of my fleet battling with frigates, my rearguard had to sail across to not collide and attack approaching British ships. Because it took more time to get them in possition, it was too late to stop British to attack my already engaged ships. several of my 50gun SOLs got heavy beating from more experienced British crews, even Invincible was reduced to just 50 workable guns battling Hector, British 60gun SOL with experienced crew (5 chevrons!) I tried to concentrate my fleet again,but it was very hard to maneuver with many smaller ships around (who surrendered instantly after getting hit by heavy broadsides), this allowed British to engage my ships in one to one combat, where they had upper hand. One 50 gun SOL surrendered, other two were heavily damaged with only 26 guns still firing. British ships were damaged, but not as heavy as mine. after further combat, my ships started to rout and sailed away. battle was over, British were victorious. From 7 Ship of the line british captured two, rest escaped sailing deeper into Atlantic ocean, with British fleet at chase. Second battle in open ocean was very opposite with British enganing and my damaged fleet in defensive line. Instead of firing into hulls i decided to slow British fleet down and my ships fired at their sails. This time they didnt had lots of small ships or Frigates, as most of them didnt survived first battle, but again, high experience crew were too much for my crews, British fleet closed the distance and started to bombard my ships with close range broadsides. Invicible thanks to its heavier guns was able to heavilly damage two British 50 gun Ships, but Briths Hector forced my own two 50 gunners to surrender. Shootout between Hector and Invicible again was heavy, and again, my ships lost the fight where remaining two 50 gunners routed, shortly followed by Invicible. Another chase, but i noticed British also had enough, they lost lots of ships, and those which still chased me, were heavilly damaged, Third battle was completly different, with Invicible dismasting Hector, and forcing him to surrender by raking fire, while my second ship exchanged broadsides with two British 50 gunners, which due to damage were reduced to 20 guns. with Hector gone, Invicible routed them and last battle was finished. British Fleet was no more, from mine 7 ships, only two left, Invicible with 40 guns operational, and 50 gun Hebe with 8 guns still working. Because i was affraid second British fleet will engage me next turn, i decided to sail to GIbraltar instead of lOrient. Allied Spanish fleet was close and provided protection for my damaged ships. Also two Frigates from Marseilles sailed to join my ships and protect them until they get into safe harbor for repairs.

Even when i lost 5 ships, my trade ports were open, British were not able to blockade me again for some time, most of the time sending small ships, which were immediately engaged by my Frigates. Imediatly after battle i started building new 74 and 60 gun ships, definitly ditching 50gunners because of their fragility. Because my fleet was gone from Marseilles, Savoy seeing opportunity, declared war on me (they were British ally which i didnt noticed) and blockaded my port, which reduced my income significantly as majority of my trade was going through Marseilles. My North army who was resuplying near Paris went on march to South to meet with Savoys. Also my repaired ships immediatly sailed to Mediterranean. naval battle was much easier than against British, because Savoy didnt had any ships of the line, so Invicible sinked half a dozen of Brigs and sloops, while battle also made their tradeships join from nearby port, and my Frigates quickly made them to surrender. Prize was huge,almost 10000 florins. Atthe same time my Army engaged in battle with enemy army. Experienced Petit Vieux infantry made short work with their Line Infantry, and only problematic was their cavalry, because of superiority in numbers (4 regiments against 1 mine), but again my guards repeled them by deadly musket fire...

Savoy was destroyed, and i was able to estabilish alliances with Genoa and Italy states after that (probably made the math with my army still in Savoy...)

[JaM]

Almost forgot mention my Austria Army, which engaged with Poland in several battles, but more i fought them, more i realized my Guard Horse Musketeers are not enough, so i send them as reinforcements two fresh regiments of Hussars who got there pretty fast via Wurtemberg and Saxony (in Austrian hands). I have tested them immediately in battle against several units of Pandurs (didnt knew poland had them), with my army in reserve. It was perfect example why light cavalry was so popular - I have send them through woods then charged their formation from flank instantly routing three units killing lots of men with sabres. But then one of my Hussar units got into crossfire from other Pandur units, so i decided to charge them too. unit took casaulties, but damaged them enough to rout, but Hussars had enough too (lost 1/3 of men) so routed as well. Second Regiment covered their retreat,engaging remaining pandurs in vicinity. After retreat to nearest Forrest, unit reformed and helped chasing down remaining pandurs off the battlefield.

After several similar engagements, Polish asked for peace, but because Austria is still in war with them, i didn't accepted. Next turn i moved my army to Saxony to stop Prussian offensive which heavilly damaged one of Austrian armies in that vicinity..

Here my AAR ends for today, again, had to run to work, will see what weekend will bring..

[JaM]

Campaign AAR: Empire Realism 3 beta

I just started a quick campaign to test the next release ER3, chosen Prussian, H/H.

At the start, i decided to go low, started with military research, and reinforced both armies in Brandenburg and East Prussia with some more units and light artillery (sakers), most of the money went to economical and culture buildings, and because initial income was good, i have reduced taxes to minimum to boost the city growth a bit. I have also signed alliance with Hanover, and trade rights with all my neighbors, Great Britain and Marathas to have some money boost. Everything was fine, first 8 turns without any problems, but then suddenly Great Britain declared war on me, followed by their Ally Austria. Immediately also Poland Lithuania and Saxony joined same turn.. Luckily my Hanover Ally decided to help, and they send full stack army into south, effectively blocking Saxony from interfering. (good job Allied General!). Same turn Britain landed their army near my port which i had occupied with my garrison battalion to prevent enemy fleet use it for landing, so enemy army could attack me same turn. This extra time allowed me to finish with recruiting of few more Infantry regiments. Anyway, Marlborough immediately attacked my capital city, which resulted in first major land encounter.

i have decided to use strong defensive position, with light and heavy artillery in the first line together with all Garrison battalions i had. Second line was occupied by my Line infantry regiments, while my Heavy cavalry together with Elite Infantry regiment were in third line ready to reinforce most pressed part of battlefield. British army didnt had artillery,except few light infantry guns, but they had 3x more cavalry units than I had. They also had more infantry units,together with two Guard and 33rd elite infantry regiment.

Their attack started by moving their cavalry on my left flank which i was not able to prevent as they moved the cavalry through city so my artillery didnt had good line of fire. Therefore I sent one of my Line Regiments on left to form a square if they decide to attack. In the meantime, British Infantry formed two massive columns each composed of 4 Line regiments and they marched against my center and left flank. I have aimed all my artillery against one column, while i send some reinforcements to the right because i only had there two garrison battalions.

Even when my artillery caused serious damage to attacking column, they were able to overrun my front line and my guns. anyway, second line immediatly opened deadly close range fire, which routed disordered attacking British units. On Right wing they managed to overrun my flank, but reinforcements i sent, arrived just in time to form second line of defense, which allowed me to stop their guards from flanking my center. long musket volley exchange started, so i left those units and moved to my left wing, where enemy cavalry started their attack.

Infantry square stopped their attack, while my heavy cavalry in reserve engaged the damaged British cavalry and forced them to flee from battlefield. same time i sent my elite Line regiment to engage their left wing units, but because they were in good position at the small ridge, they stopped and engaged them with musket fire. At the same time my center units pressed forward and broke the enemy morale at the center. i have pushed more forward, overrun the artillery position, while sending far right unit of the center position to attack British guards who were still in contact with my right flank units. swift move in column formation, bayonet charge into the rear and British Guards ran away..

Only units that engaged my left flank were still fighting, therefore i decided to push them off their positions with my Elite regiment and two garrison battalions. Anyway, charging up the hill was not good idea, and my elite unit got repulsed, loosing almost 50% of men. Enemy got routed too, because of one Garrison Battalion sent into their flank in column formation charging them into flank. Immediately after they routed, battle ended with my Major Victory. British Army was destroyed, with Marlborough retreating with just small part of his units.

In East Prussia, Poland sent few raiding parties against my economy buildings, but my cavalry dealt with them quickly. Anyway, major Polish forces started to group at Gdansk, preparing to launch offensive against Koenigsberg. My spies also detected some Austrians moving, but only small forces, so it looks like Austrians are engaged elsewhere, probably with Ottomans.

With British Army defeated, plan is simple - destroy Saxony Army with help of Hanover's Army, while hold Konigsberg. Then send army to Silesia and force Austrians to accept peace, while destroyng Polish armies near Gdansk. Just hope once Saxony is out, and Austrians accept peace, British will accept truce as well, its always better trade with them than fight them.

(will be continued)

[JaM]

today i have small advice for you - never accept peace from Barbary Pirates... I had to learn this hard way last night. In my campaign as Britain (H/H) everything was fine, just after some time i had only two trade partners, while others didnt accept any my attempts to trade.. anyway, when Barbary Pirates proposed peace with no conditions (usually they want a lot of money) i accepted it. To my surprise, in few turns they sailed a fleet all the way from Mediterranean to Sweden just to block their main trade port, which effectively reduced my trade income to 1/3 and my fleet which usually projects my trade interests in Baltic did nothing because we were at peace.... so i declared war that turn again, but because Sweden didn't had any land units in the port, Barbary ships were inside, and i was not able to get them out, until Swedes themselves cleared the port. So, sometimes its not a good idea playing good boy and accept every peace offering you get.

[Petroniu]

Dude, could you try to add some screenshots to your AARs? Or maybe even go beyond that and do a comm video - just main points and battles, subtitles too if you're not a good talker or something! Your AARs are interesting.

[JaM]

Right now i'm having a blast with latest ER3.2 campaign as a British, while its 1712 and i'm allied to French and about half of Europe, i can see French to strengthen their positions across the America, while in Europe they are building strong navy and army.. Anyway it allowed me to economically advance the American holdings, and send an expedition to India to punish those treacherous Maratha who attacked my Portugal Ally (even though my fleet arrived too late to help them hold the Goa).. anyway just when fleet sailed away from European theater, Spain declared war on Portugal, which i had to react on. I embarked all my force i had in England (quite small, just one infantry Brigade with 2 regiments and no artillery) and immediately landed them near Lisbon. My second fleet (2x 50 gun Ships of the line)sailed to Portugal also, anyway didn't met the first fleet in time. Spanish Fleet of 5 Line ships tried to engage my fleets, anyway i had to avoid the battle because one fleet alone would not stand the chance, anyway both my fleets met near Ireland, so I will engage Spanish next turn.. In India after conquering Cyrenaica, i had to fight off Maratha Army trying to get the region back and also a revolt, which resulted in quite interesting battle between my 4 Infantry regiments and 1 cavalry regiment vs about 10 units of mob and some cavalry. While numbers were on their side, better tactics was just too much for them.. they tried to charge my positions several times, but always were pushed back by close range salvos from my Infantry regiments. Battle ended with a charge of my cavalry against their flank completely routing entire force and killing most of them.. (cavalry unit lost 2 men!)