What follows is my biased, one-sided view of the game.
A lead battalion of the Ist Voltiguer Division marches (literally) through the village of Chaumesnil.
The 5th (or maybe the 6th) Heavy Cavalry Division power through the allied lines splitting their army in two.
A close up of some of my boys putting paid to an enemy battery. Sadly they went on to ruin themselves on an enemy square (wouldn't have happened in Napoleon's Battles do I hear you say?).
The Young Guard advancing and about to stop the Allied army of Bohemia dead in its tracks. Three and a bit units of my infantry figures in this picture (the basing style is the clue), although one of the units (just mounting the hill next to the cavalry was painted by young (at the time of painting) Brenton. Come to think of it, my figures were painted by a much younger version of me.
Over three turns we had at least eight melees each turn. It was very bloody with a good number of encounters seeing the opposing force eliminated (especially when things had thinned out and we could get our infantry and cavalry into combat together to combine arms).
The fighting continues with the Young Guard having punched a hole in the Bavarian lines (or it might have been between then and Wurtemberg's Corps.
Brenton's lads in fancy square claiming victory.
At this stage on this side of the battle both armies had run out of steam. The French had a significant amount of cavalry that was still fresh (I had been more careful in this game and had learnt not to do break through moves unless really favourable and was content to keep pulling my cavalry back - no going uncontrolled like in Napoleon's Battles). Only the Young Guard remained as a fighting force; the other two infantry divisions had suffered heavy losses. The Allies still had a division of Bavarians in good shape on the table and one in reserve (off table).
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a Napoleon's Battles chauvinist, so playing something other than these rules for a game this size produces a stream of comments from me like "That wouldn't happen in Napoleon's Battles". I tried not to comment too much (self censorship) and was able to be positive on a few occasions by supporting the Shako rules when the use of Napoleon's Battles would have produced or allowed for similar results in situations that created debate amongst the ANF Shako aficionados.
Regardless of rules, games of this scale are massive undertakings both in collecting, researching and playing.
I am proud I was able to take part.
Well done lads of the ANF!
A great report Maréchal that only whets one's appetite to read about the game in full (ha, ha)! Despite your cheeky comments about the rules and something called... Napoleon's Battles?, not sure what this means, your performance in not only holding, but pushing forwards on the eastern flank was phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteWe are happy to have broad-minded chauvinists, such as yourself, join us anytime. Of course, now that you are a fundamental part of the ANF "family" you are expected/obliged to join us and regularly!!
Email on its way re interest generated by the game regarding planned Napoleonic battle projects.
Delete