Paths of Glory AAR

Paths of Glory is one of the best known(if not the best) World War One games out at the moment. It’s a Card driven strategy where you have a hand of cards which you can play for the event on the card or a number of other things like moving units around the board and attacking.

The Actors: Kaiser Sebastien (Central Powers) and Tsar David (The Entente) lined up against each other on a bitterly cold day.

The Venue: The Old Star Free House in St James’ London

August 1914:

Kaiser Sebastien launch his barbaric hun army across the border of neutral Belgium, the Krups siege guns destroyed the fortress in Liege, the German 1st, 2nd and 3rd armies wheeled to attack the French 5th army in Sedan. The German army attempted a flank attack but the French were prepared and struck the German 5th army a heavy blow on it’s flank before the Germans were able to respond (failed German flank attack, Sedan result Fr roll of 6 Gr roll of 1)

The French responded by beginning what was to be a disastrous strategy of stripping her border fortresses by moving the 3rd army from Verdun to support the 5th army.

Russian forces attack an destroyed an Austrian corp advancing into Austrian territory.

The allies play Moltke in the hope of slowing the German advance to the west, Germany immediately results with Falkenheyn – with the bonus effect of pushing the German War status to limited war.

The German Offensive restarts with another attack against the crucial Sedan this time the French armies are pushed back but the Germans too suffer loses and as a result are unable to advance. The French leader rallys his troops and demands that they stand and die rather than giving ground (and die they do!). Sacre Bleu 2 French armies flipped.

The French appeal to the Russian allies for help to halt the German steam roller. The Tsar responds by sending two armies around the southern flank of the Austrians – they prepare to move forward but halt due to bad weather.

The turn ends with a final German attack on the western front, against the Dijon fortress – with losses on both sides but no advance. The French play a card for Replacements (which they sorely need having 4 flipped armies. )

Turn 2 – September

Much needed replacements & re-enforcements arrived to strengthen the French front line.

The September rains came and went but the Germans stayed and stayed. A new German offensive against Dijon caused huge French losses but failed to take the fortress.

On the Eastern Front Russian forces broke through the Austrian line and encircled the Austrian 3rd army. Valiant attempts were made by the Austrian forces to break through  but the attentions of Kaiser Seb were fixed on the Western front.

A further attack on Dijon caused the city to fall with the loss of the last remaining French defenders. New British re-enforcements were mobilized across the channel but it would be some time before they could play a part in the battle for France.

Meanwhile the Austrians launched a successful attack against Belgrade

The pictures below reflect the position at the end of turn 2 & 3 on the Western and Easter Fronts. As you can see the Germans have broken the French line completely. ON the eastern front the Russians have shattered two Austrian armies and threaten the rest of the Austrian position.

Turn 3 & 4

The Germans move to Limited war – the Ottomans join the war a month after they had agreed.

Heavy German attacks continue against the French with the remenant of the French fort line falling into German hands.

In the East a Russian attack encircles another Austrian army but it looks like i’ts too little to late. CP victory points are a 14.

German reinforcements and replacements begin to appear on the Western front in strength. They feed no re-enforcements to the Eastern front at all.

The British finally joint the war in strength with two British armies being shipped across the channel. In response the German high command mobilizes her last reserves (4 corps) – All Austrian and German reserves have now been called up.

In the East – Belgrade falls to the Austrian armies – a Serbian force retreats south to Nis to continue the fight.

After telegraphing their intention the BEF slowly moves in for the attack against the German front below Brussels. In-spite of the lack of surprise the British inflict heavy losses on the Germans but take some losses themsleves.

The Germans respond with a thrust against Brussels which catches the British on the hop and shatters the BEF army. By this stage the French army has completely collapsed as fighting force after a failed counter attack on Dijon. The French garrison in Verdun finally surrenders after holding out surrounded for 3 months.

There are two remaining French armies blocking the path to Paris and when their counter offensive is shattered by the German 4th army its all over for France . The German 4th army attacks Paris, but fortune similes on the defenders and the city holds out. A British army relives the French defenders and the city hold outs for another day.

A desperate Russian offensive in the East destroys three Austrian corps but fails to distract the attention of the Germans from the prize.

The smell of sauerkraut and sausages can be smelt by the starving defenders of Paris. The brave British 1st army know it’s only a matter of time before Harry the Hun is goose stepping down Haussman Blv.  Finally Gen. Gort in order to save the city for future generations surrenders to the Prussian high command.

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