Mark B took the French I Corps and IV Calvary Corps and attacked Picton's Division and the 2nd Dutch-Belgian Division, which were supported by the Dutch Belgian cavalry division, the Brunswick division (which saw no action), some British light cavalry, the Hanoverian cavalry and a few extra troops (I'm still mustering the allied forces).
One of Picton's brigades is holding La Haye Sainte and was left well alone. The other two came in for some rough treatment and routed. The French held the ridge.
Jacquinot and Durutte attempt to cross the Smohain Brook (or is it a stream?) Fording takes time even with a bridge and Wellington saw it coming and was able to interrupt their progress, even though the British cavalry ended up recklessly charging off to meet the Prussians.
Allied counterattacks re took the ridge.
Even though we were just having some practice we still had an interesting time, with lots of indecision about the best course of action. We played five or six turns and it was proving hard going for the French.
My recent reading of Waterloo from varying sources (none too extensive, mark you) has been suggesting that even without Prussian intervention, a French victory was going to be problematical - dearly bought at any rate. With the diversion of between a sixth and a quarter of his infantry, how was Napoleon to break through enemy infantry little short of his own entire infantry strength?
ReplyDeleteHis superiority in horse and guns ought to have dome the business, if sufficiently well handled. That was the trick, of course...
The game I'm planning leans towards a simulation (as far as possible with the rules) and except for the time limit it will be interesting to see what develops.
DeleteOf course the players have the eye of God along with hindsight and a good idea of the odds.
13 June is the big day.