Waterloo, the iconic Napoleonic battle celebrates it's 199th anniversary this year and by way of acknowledgement a suitable game seemed in order. Using my preferred rules "In the Name of Glory" and some modified play sheets, (to reduce counters on the table and keep score of the morale level), the game was set up centred around La Haye Sainte.
The dispositions were similar to that on the day with the Divisions made slightly smaller to speed play. The French were allocated a static 'Grand battery' and opened with a thunderous pounding against the British on the rise opposite, but due to the range caused only minor loss of morale. The French right flank lost no time in rapidly advancing across the open ground. In the British turn the 95th Rifles poured into La Haye St and lined the walls preparing for the onslaught. All other British battalions held their ground.
As the game progressed, the French artillery seemed to get the best of the deal in terms of hits and time spent in re-fit.
However, the French cavalry spent a long time waiting for a gap to appear and exploit. Consequently, less squares of infantry appeared than on the actual day.
As a tentative push by Wellington in the centre saw some of the British units leave the hill, while the two flanks remained in melee.
The cavalry on both sides played out somewhat differently than the real battle, the French finally got an opportunity to charge, but due to a serious case of lethargy, the British Scots Greys and dragoons were still in their original dispositions and countered the action piecemeal. While the British formed square to protect themselves.
Meanwhile the Brunswickers held their ground and awaited the onslaught of the Old Guard. One section of the right wing Cuirassiers rode behind La Haye Sainte to support the advancing columns of guard in an attempt to rout the Brunswick brigade.
This action eventually saw off the marauding Cuirassiers
The dispositions were similar to that on the day with the Divisions made slightly smaller to speed play. The French were allocated a static 'Grand battery' and opened with a thunderous pounding against the British on the rise opposite, but due to the range caused only minor loss of morale. The French right flank lost no time in rapidly advancing across the open ground. In the British turn the 95th Rifles poured into La Haye St and lined the walls preparing for the onslaught. All other British battalions held their ground.
In the background the Old guard can be seen moving into position to exploit any British weakness.
As the two sides came into contact at the base of the hill, the Kings German Legion on one flank and the Brunswick Division entered into a prolonged firefight with the French columns. While at the farmhouse, the 95th held off repeated close combat attacks.
As the game progressed, the French artillery seemed to get the best of the deal in terms of hits and time spent in re-fit.
However, the French cavalry spent a long time waiting for a gap to appear and exploit. Consequently, less squares of infantry appeared than on the actual day.
As a tentative push by Wellington in the centre saw some of the British units leave the hill, while the two flanks remained in melee.
Meanwhile the Brunswickers held their ground and awaited the onslaught of the Old Guard. One section of the right wing Cuirassiers rode behind La Haye Sainte to support the advancing columns of guard in an attempt to rout the Brunswick brigade.
This action eventually saw off the marauding Cuirassiers
At this stage in the game, the British were getting seriously low on Morale Points and it was the action of a few cavalry charges on Wellingtons right that kept the French in check. The KGL were still hanging on, as were the Brunswick brigade.
Finally, the French will to fight broke and the centre brigade lost too many units and failed a brigade check. This impacted the French right and they wavered.
To add to the French woes, the 95th marched out of the farmhouse and took a firing position behind the guard. This proved too much, and coupled with a morale check for other routed divisions they withdrew in good order from the field. The French put up a good fight for most of the day, but they did leave the British in a mess with not enough punch to finish the fight conclusively!
Would there have been another battle - that would depend on the outcome of Hougemont and the arrival of the Prussians.