Hi Guys,
It has been so long since posting, the Blog software has been updated! Well, the first week in October saw a game take place that had been a long time gestating. Waterloo!!!!!!!!!
It also coincided with the final British Allied figures arriving, the Dutch Belgian Cavalry. The battle of Waterloo is going to stay on the table until at least a couple of games in 2021, hopefully January. I hope to get the next game in during December. Fingers crossed!
Waterloo needs no introduction and I'll just post some nice pics of the action. Being rusty, the Allies especially made a hasty deployment which had a pronounced affect on the outcome. But, as always, a great game.
The pics are in no set order. This shows the church at Plancenoit, the Prussians approaching from the right. The pic below is anopther of the initial action at Plancenoit with two of Bulow's Brigades committed to the attack. The defenders are Lobau.
The action at Plancenoit can be played as a separate game, as the action to either successfully seize or defend Plancenoit is quite protracted. In our first attempt, we didn't get past the first assault. Handbags all round!
Hougoumont is immediately to the left of the pic. Bachelu is middle left climbing up the ridge to their front and left. Duhesme, the Young Guard, is the block of infantry in the central position
At the same time, Foy has crested the first ridge and will soon have to repulse repeated cavalry charges. Immediatley behind Foy is Friant with the Guard Grenadier Division. The cavalry to the left is the Corps of Kellerman. LeFebvre is also present with the Guard Light Cavalry.
A close pic of Foy advancing forward over the first ridge. Artillery is also being brought up in support.
These are Dutch Belgian troops, in square, as French cavalry and infantry crest the ridge. Hougoumont is to the right and foward of the pic.
This shows the Guard advance from the British position astride the Brussels road. La Hay Sainte has been captured. Friant is to the right of La Haye Sainte. Quiot is the left of La Haye Sainte with Morand immediately behind. British battalions await the onslaught!
No write up would be complete without a pic of Hougoumont. The main "Chateau" is to the left of the pic, this shows the extensive size of the gardens and the woods on the approach path taken by the French.
Another pic just to emphasise the size of the Hougoumont feature. Jerome had the task to clear Hougoumont, British Guards supported by various detachments were defending the area. Hougoumont fell on the last turn!
Milhaud's cavalry advancing to the ridge to support the manoeuvre of Morand and Donzelot.
It was an excellent game, the French deployed historically, the Allies not far off. On the French side, Reille took heavy casualties in making the ridge and holding until the Guard, completely fresh, appeared. Jerome, especially, had high casualties amongst the best line Division in the army. Allied losses varied with the Guards taking heavy punishment.
The next few games will also be Waterloo. With the old rule of 6, we were 4 gamers and Anne and the painter and decorator! We'll see what happens next! Keep safe everyone.
