GCACW Tactics: River Crossings
Campaigns in the Old Dominion were, in many ways, dictated by the major rivers that run west to east between Washington and Richmond. Starting in the north, the Potomac provided a defensive buffer to the Union. Moving south, the Rappahannock, York, James and their tributaries provided lines of defense for the South. In several GCACW campaigns, river crossings play a major part of the campaign (the Union in SLB, OTR, GTC, BTC; the Confederates in SJW)
GCACW models the defensive benefit of rivers (both major and minor) in direct and indirect ways. Rivers provide a direct benefit in defensive die roll modifiers for combat and cavalry retreat. Indirectly, rivers pose a threat to the crossing Army in a campaign game when rain can strike on any turn. Flooded rivers can have decisive effects unless both players take the appropriate precautions.
The Danger of River Crossings: Rain
Rain can suddenly make crossable fords and provisional swamp hexes impassable. This can split the army into two parts (ala Union in Seven Days Battles), each unable to cross to reinforce the other wing. The danger here is that each wing can be defeated in detail if the opposing side is in possession of a bridge. At a minimum, the wing that crossed could be isolated and attacked. Second, retreat paths for the units that have crossed will be limited (or non-existent). The primary danger here is that units will either be eliminated if forced to retreat or forced to retreat through enemy units (losing 3 MP per unit in the process). If the unit survives its retreat, it is likely to be vulnerable to further attack. The loss of an entire division can be devastating in any campaign game.
Tips for the Attacker
- Hug the River: In the turn before you cross, move as many units up to the river without crossing as possible. This may mean stacking units in a single hex in front of a ford. This makes the following two tips easier to accomplish.
- Cross in Force: Make every effort to cross with your entire army in one turn, even if several units have to march to F4. This allows you to consolidate for a better defense in case of a counter attack.
- Build Bridges: If you start the turn with units adjacent to the river, you can detach 5 MP brigades to spend the turn building bridges. You’ll have to pay a movement penalty as your units pass through the pontoon brigade but having a retreat path the turn you cross is worth it.
- Defend the Bridgehead: The turn of crossing, set-up a defensive perimeter a few hexes away from the river. This allows your units to retreat without having to cross the river. Do not plunge too deep into enemy territory on the turn of crossing. Wait until you have secured some bridges and crossed with your entire force. There are of course exceptions to this rule, namely if the defensive forces are light or non-existent. If there is the threat of a counter-attack however, proceed with caution. It is better to be careful and cross once than be overly aggressive and cross a second time. If you are thrown back across the river, it is likely that you will need to re-cross further down stream.
- Use Ferries and Bridges: If the defender obliges, utilize ferries and bridges as much as possible. In most cases, the ferries and bridges will be destroyed but if not secure them as quickly as possible.
Tips for the Defender
- Pick your Defense: It is unlikely you will be able to prevent a river crossing. There are too many fords and in order to do so, your protracted line has to cover all of them. If the attacker breaks through at one point, the entire line is compromised. Thus, defend the crossings that are strategically the best for the attacker and channel his crossing into places of your choosing.
- Counter-attack: Another drawback of a protracted line that attempts to cover all crossings is that your force is spread out and unable to concentrate for a counter-attack. Once you have channeled the attacker’s crossing options away from his primary axis of advance, allow a crossing but prepare to counter-attack if the opportunity arises. If the attacker is sloppy and it rains, look for opportunities to inflict retreat losses or eliminate units even on low odds attacks.
Summary
Against a competent and appropriately cautious attacker, the defender is unlikely to get a good opportunity to launch a counter attack. However, if the defender plays his cards right, he can force a crossing further down river than the attacker would prefer.