Eylau 1807

About this board game

Eylau 1807 is a two-player battle simulation of the clash between Russian and French forces in Eastern Prussia on 8 February 1807, with an approximate playing time of 240 minutes.

Published in issue 77 of Vae Victis, the game is part of the Jours de Gloire series, also known as JDG. It uses a regiment-brigade system based on a system by Richard H. Berg, presenting the battle at a focused historical scale.

• Players: 2
• Playing time: 240 minutes
• Map scale: 297 metres per hex
• Time scale: 75 minutes per game turn
• Strength scale: 200 men per Strength Point

Units are represented through Strength Points, with each point standing for 200 men. The order of battle uses formations ranging from 200–400 infantry or 150–300 cavalry per Strength Point, while artillery is represented at 2–4 cannon per Strength Point.

The setting places the action in the dead of winter, giving Eylau 1807 a distinct historical context within the Napoleonic Wars. The opposing Russian and French forces are presented through the series’ regiment-brigade structure and period battle scale.

As with other Vae Victis games, the counters must be cut out and mounted before play. The rules are entirely in French, although translations are available online. This edition was released in 2007 and offers a detailed tabletop treatment of the Eylau campaign setting within the established Jours de Gloire framework.