Still posting old games one using Blucher Rules this time (I gotta look at Captain Darlings Blog soon too!). This game was actually one of last years that missed out on a post 😳! The OOB and scenario details came from the old Honour Forum run by Sam Mustafa which is now defunct, I think it may be in the files of his current Facebook page (not positive as not on Facebook!).
Ney's 6mm Army deploys for action the blurry Dutch/Belgians can be see in the distance!
Game;
From the outset of the game the French knowing time was against them pushed on aggressively; using two Infantry Brigades to mask the Dutch/Belgians deployed straddling the Brussels road near Gemioncourt most of the rest of the IInd Corps with Guard Cavalry support pushed down the Main Road toward Quatre Bras, meanwhile a Cavalry Brigade was sent to secure Thyle and the nearby bridge.
Wellington short on troops but with command pips a plenty funnelled his fast arriving army straight into action! The fighting to the south of Quatre Bras was brisk and ferocious with French Cavalry forcing the Allied troops into squares which their Infantry and Artillery poured fire into!
Sweeping past the foot slugfest the French Cavalry pressed on toward their objective but Wellington foiled them getting strong formations into Quatre Bras, frustrated the French horseman charged adjacent units before they had deployed inflicting heavy losses on them but they were unable to secure the important crossroads.
To the east strong newly arrived Allied reinforcements drove the French Cavalry Brigade out of the Thyle area securing it and the crucial bridge that linked the Allied Army to their Prussian friends around Ligny.
At this point the French had shot their bolt, now outnumbered and their units worn they fell back southward from Quatre Bras, a last brief but violent action around Gemioncourt saw it change hands returning it to Allied control and seeing the French back where they started!
An Allied victory, albeit at great cost…
Some Pictures;
Ney's IInd Corps face the Dutch/Belgians!
Our battlefield, Quatre Bras is in the foreground, the Dutch/Belgians can be seen on the far side of the stream and Ney's boys can be seen on the opposite edge of the table.
Wellington poses with the 'original' Dice Shako!
Ney orders the IInd Corps forward leaving two units to deal with the Dutch/Belgians.
The lead units of both Armies columns meet south of Quatre Bra!
Allied infantry in form square south of Quatre Bras with French Lancers nearby they take a pounding from the French Muskets and Artillery!
French infantry sweep northward to the east of the Brussels road!
The French occupy Thyle...
French artillery fire on Allied units near Quatre Bras.
Ney advances with Kellerman's Cuirassiers!
Wellingtons position to the east of Quatre Bras, the Brigade to his right is 'hit' by French horse unprepared, they suffer terribly but hold their ground!
French Cavalry covering Thyle and the right flank are pushed back as more and more Allied units approach.
Summary;
Another victory to the Allied Army we have yet to have a French win with this scenario. I am actually surprised how almost every time they reach the crossroads only to get overwhelmed by the numbers they face as the game proceeds, maybe a variable arrival of D’Erlons Corps and unrestricted use of the Guard Light Cavalry might alter the balance. Mind you it shows that Blucher Rules are good as they replicate the days action well (given balanced dice rolls!).
Thanks, a fave battle of mine, very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeleteA great battle Captain and obviously a tough one for the French to win.
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