La Bataille de Friedland et Danzig 1809

Command in the La Bataille System

Command, as devised for the Premier Rules of the original games of Marshal Enterprises, is based simply on the difference an individual can make at a decisive moment. It is the impact on the psychology of a formation of men, brought together in a crisis, which a recognizable hero can have on the troops’ fighting abilities. Oft times, the presence of such an individual will compel men to exceed their own expectations and to do things quite extraordinary.

Leaders in this game system are not administrators. Their value is not recognized by the number of forms they can fill-out in a day; or in the accuracy of the inventories they record. The leaders in this system have a value only in relation to others in their immediate presence. This value is mostly positive to one degree or another, but the value can also be negative. In the Age of Napoleon, many individuals rose from obscurity through the power of their own deeds. They were recognized not only by their own troops; but also by those of the enemy. By their uniform, a Marshal of France is recognized amongst the smoke and carnage. How often did the plumage and animal skins of Murat announce to the entire battlefield that the worlds’ premier horseman had arrived to make his contribution to the outcome of La Bataille ? The purpose of the gold overlays on his coat and the plume in his bicorn is not to assist the Marshal in assembling statistics at his desk. Napoleon understood this and placed himself often with the troops in close connection with the enemy. Napoleon’s leadership circle had become rewarded because they had this leadership ability. General Rapp’s father was a janitor, yet any unit where Count Rapp personally took command created history. The Coalition leaders demonstrate a wide variety of styles and circumstances. Most times, they had been appointed to their positions as a birthright; and their commands are merely yet another expression of the antiquated feudal system in place. This is certainly the case with the Austrian Army where the leaders operated at an emotional distance from their troops. With few exceptions, Austrian leaders have little positive impact on their battalions’ abilities or morale. Very few Austrian generals would lead the charge that broke the enemy.

The Russians represent a mix of émigré officers and native Russian princes. Their values are really dependent on how successful they had been on previous campaigns. Generals like Prince Bagration inspired troops fighting as a rear guard after Austerlitz; combating French troops at Eylau; Friedland and finally, Borodino. Although often on the losing side, generals like Bagration demonstrated their ability to their troops, the ability to survive; while others, along with their commands, perished. St. Priest and the Duke of Wurttemberg also lead troops directly; but, however, had mixed results.

Prussian generals represented the whole spectrum of leadership from the Ancien Regime to what was then being exhibited in the contemporary French Napoleonic Army. After 1806,

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