Monday, September 14, 2020

Napoleonic Battle Report - 1815

This past Sunday I hosted a Napoleonic's game using my new version of Empires at War. The scenario was based on a theoretically one where Ney continues to pursue the allied army in 1815 after the battle of Quatre Bras.  The allies pull together to continue to fight a rear guard action while the bulk of the army continues on the road to Waterloo.

It was great to get the British and allied units on the table, specifically the Dutch-Belgians and the Brunswick units. The scenario ran with the Brunswick and Dutch-Belgian formations far forward of the main British position.  The two formations would fall back on the British line as they face overwhelming French forces.

Both the Brunswick and Dutch-Belgian commanders decided to hold their ground.  But, this left little room to back up as the French closed ranks with them.  The Dutch-Belgian formation got overrun, but significantly delayed the French on that half of the table.  Unfortunately, once destroyed, there was nothing to stop the French advanced on the British position.  Some of the Brunswick units made it back to the British line, but many did not.  Eventually the British/Allied army broke.

The British and Allies earned additional victory points (and command points) for each turn they had at least a single non-broken formation in the "middle" 3rd of the table. Final victory points was 46 for the French to 38 for the British and Allies.  Minor victory for the French.

Close up pictures below ...



















Phone pictures below ...






















Was great to get a game in with the crew.  I hope you are all staying safe and healthy.

30 comments:

  1. Wow that is a bunch of troops. But it always makes my day to see a French Cuirassiers on the battlefield. Hope you guys aren’t getting smoked out. Nice to see some hobbyists able to get together. I hope to try before it snows in Michigan outside in the backyard.

    Cheers Jay
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kevin. Every day is a roll of the dice on air quality. Sunday just happened to work out. :-)

      Delete
  2. Some great pictures here, illustrating a beautiful looking game...and may be bloody as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Phil - yeah, it got really bloody .. infantry taking point blank artillery. Units breaking and routing through several friendly units causing disordered. Fun times :-)

      Delete
  3. That is a brilliant looking game. That first set of shots, particularly. Nicely done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! First pics are my zoom lens on my DSLR camera :-)

      Delete
  4. Cool game Jay, great to see more multiplayer games starting to occur. Our group of usual suspects just played a large Sudan games (see Delta Coy Blog). Cheers Greg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Greg! I saw your Sudan game on your blog - excellent stuff :-)

      Delete
  5. Absolutely brilliant Jay! But why the heck didn't your led firing markers make it to the table?!?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Ivor!! I was a bit lazy - I need to replace a bunch of the batteries on the lights so they didn't make an appearance ... next time though :-)

      Delete
  6. Great looking battle. Really love the masses of miniatures. 😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Stew - big dense blocks of Frenchies :-)

      Delete
  7. Lovely looking table - you get extra points for the great little vignettes like the ambulance and artillery sheer leg hoist!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeremy - I have mounds of casualty figures and little odds and ends I try to stick out on the table as space opens up :-)

      Delete
  8. Amazing looking game! Just awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's pretty amazing - wow, well done.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful figures and terrain and superb inspiration for me Jay, especially as I have started collecting figures for Quatre Bras and the smaller action prior to it at Frasnes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pat! Ooo, perhaps another setting the scene book forthcoming? :-)

      Delete
  11. Beautiful at all levels as all note, Jay but I bet the best part was getting a game in with the friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Steve! Yes sir, real people ... no virtual crap ... it was great just for that :-)

      Delete
  12. Lovely game, and excellent to be able to use the Brunswickers and Dutch-Belgians for a game that isn't Quatre=Bras or Waterloo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yes sir, originally I was going to do a game with the Spanish, but figure it would be nice to get those guys out on the table :-)

      Delete
  13. A great looking game Jay...
    It’s always nice to see your toys in action .

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Aly! Hope you are getting some gaming in as well :-)

      Delete
  14. Hi Jay, Fantastic terrain and figures! Where did you get the playing mat? Cheers, Francois.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Impressive, appears to be a 6' X 12' table. What is your ground cloth? I only got started in Napoleonic wargaming 3 years ago, so have about half the size Battalions, 18 figs British, 16 figs for French.
    Great stuff here Jay, keep them coming. I have to get back to painting!

    ReplyDelete