The battle of Quatre Bras fought on 16th June 1815 was fought as a prelude to Waterloo. Having played Waterloo a few years running, I felt it was time for a change. Having no Prussian forces the obvious choice was Quatre Bras. The game was played to twelve turns, simulating six hours of battle. Using the initial dispositions, the order of battle was;
French Army.
CinC - Ney
2nd cavalry Division - Pire
1st and 6th Chasseurs a cheval
5th and 6th Lancers
9th Infantry Division - Foy
1st Brigade - Gauthier; 92nd line and 93rd line, (two and three battalions respectively).
2nd Brigade - Jamin; 100th line and 4th light, (Three battalions each).
Part of 5th division - Bachelu
1st Brigade - Husson; 61st line and 3rd line, (two battalions each).
Divisional artillery
Two batteries.
Allied Army.
Brunswick - CinC - Duke of Brunswick
Line Infantry Brigade - Butler - 1st, 2nd and 3rd line battalions
Light Infantry Brigade - Olfemans - Lieb Guard and 2nd Light battalions
Dutch Belgian - CinC - Prince of Orange
2nd Dutch Division - Perponcher
1st Brigade - Bijlandt; 27th Dutch Jager, 7th, Belgian line, 5th, 7th and 8th Militia battalions
Cavalry
6th Dutch hussars and Brunswick Hussars
Artillery
Two Batteries
British - CinC Duke of Wellington
5th Anglo Division - Picton
8th Brigade - Kempt - 28th, 32nd, 79th Regiments and 95th Rifles
9th Brigade - Pack - 31st, 44th, 42nd and 92nd Regiments
Divisional Artillery
Two Batteries.
The French attack got underway very rapidly on both sides of Gemioncourt farmhouse, two battalions laying siege to the Belgian defenders. While the Chasseurs advanced quickly to engage the
Dutch cavalry, the lancers held back awaiting an opportunity on the French left flank. The French artillery undertook an early bombardment of the Dutch front-line in which following a bounced shot, the Prince of Orange was mortally wounded, his troops quite shocked became somewhat demoralised.
On the French right flank, both Jamin's and Husson's Brigades got held up by the Dutch infantry and a cavalry melee. Eventually the cavalry had enough and retired to regroup. By this time the British reserve was beginning to advance from the Namur road to meet the French threat.
In the meantime Gauthier had similar issues on the left flank by first routing the Dutch infantry and then engaging with the Brunswick troops, again being slowed by ensuing melees. Although the first regiment of lancers engaged the Dutch cavalry, they didn't last long in melee and these also withdrew to regroup.
As evening approached, neither side had any real advantage - the French were running out of steam and the Allies were holding fast. Gemioncourt farm eventually changed hands and the French garrison moved in and stayed put - mainly to deal with Dutch infantry as prisoners.
After twelve turns, equating to around six hours of battle, neither side gained anything by continuing into darkness. Not sure if it could be called a draw, but more a petering out.
So, onto casualties, Bijlandt's brigade suffered the most on the allied side followed by the Brunswick brigade of Olfeman. The British 28th and 32nd battalions were also hard hit.
Overall, Allied Dutch/Brunswick forces had 2932 wounded; 486 killed; 332 deserters, and an army morale reduced to 32% of it's original value.
The British had 442 killed; no desertion; and 562 wounded. The army morale was dented at 46%, something they would quickly recover.
As for the French, Gauthier's brigade suffered the most with the others only getting lighter battalion losses.
In total French losses were, 3086 wounded; 280 killed and 417 deserted with the army morale dropping to 49%.
Little did they know at this time what would come in the next two days.
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