Franco-Prussian War using von Tschischwitz Kriegsspiel 1862

[Pete Maidhof]

I have been reading of some of the opening battles of the Franco-Prussian War and would like to try to replicate some of the small engagements. As Richard Clarke points out in the Foreward the rules address both sides, red and blue, as Prussian forces, what remedies can anyone point out to replicate the French forces? Some items to be addressed:

The French Chassepot was apparently state of the art, while the Dreyse needle gun was a somewhat older design.

The French had the Mitrailleuse "machine gun", but was organized along artillery lines, often not being in position to be effectively employed.

The Prussian artillery was breech loading and had a greater rate of fire versus the mussle loading french guns.

Opposite the Saar, the French downright neglect of using cavalry to screen and/or gain/maintain contact with enemy forces arriving to their front.

Any thoughts on how to apply to K/S?

Thanks,

Pete

[hammurabi70]

One of the difficulties of dealing with the technological upgrading of the C19.

[quote="Pete Maidhof"]The French Chassepot was apparently state of the art, while the Dreyse needle gun was a somewhat older design.[/q]
Assess impact of French fire and implement prior to the Germans.

[quote="Pete Maidhof"]The French had the Mitrailleuse "machine gun", but was organized along artillery lines, often not being in position to be effectively employed.[/q]
Have them deploy in the artillery lines and fire up to 2k with weak effect.

[quote="Pete Maidhof"]The Prussian artillery was breech loading and had a greater rate of fire versus the mussle loading french guns.[/q]
Grade with different result factors. I think the key problem was the two-set range fuses used by the French artillery. Like the Mitrailleuse the effect should be weak while the German artillery should be much more effective and, I think, have a greater range.

[quote="Pete Maidhof"]Opposite the Saar, the French downright neglect of using cavalry to screen and/or gain/maintain contact with enemy forces arriving to their front.[/q]
(1) Cavalry cannot detach troop markers for patrols
(2) Limit how far they can move from infantry

I know these are general guidelines rather than specific instructions but if you want to adapt the originals it depends on how you view these effects rather than having clear changes.