A game of Blucher

French Ist Corp advances over the hill supported by artillery

We ran our first napolionic game of the year using our French and British armies last weekend in a 300 point battle. I opted to use the armies from 1812 and picked 2corps of French infantry and two corps of cavalry, I had decided to field a all French army with no allies for this game.

"A hard pounding gentleman" the French artillery devastates the Highland brigade as Picton arrives on the scene to rally the under pressure scots.

For most of the game both players rolled very low MO points so coordinating attacks was difficult to do. I had planned on using my left centre to throw a diversion attack by committing half the 1st Corp into attack, I hoped this would grab the attention of my dad and he would commit his reserves to reinforce this sector while the rest of my 1st corps brigades would use a reserve move to move right around to the right flank to support my actual main attack. 

The 1st Corp commits 4 brigades against the Britsh centre right and immediately puts the British line infantry under pressure.

My dad revealed the troops he had as part of his reserve and he committed his cavalry Corp which moved into a position to threaten my advancing 1st Corp. I had achieved part of my objective as I had committed his reserves but the problem was I had been unable to activate the remainder of the Corp to get them into support of my right flank attack. In actual fact these 3 brigades in reserve didn't move all game as each time I went to activate them I ran out of MO points as I was to concerned about my front line troops!

Dutch-Belgian and the British guard horse cavalry brigades sweep around to threaten the French centres flank

On the right flank my attack had been launched and the French light cavalry Corp had stalled the British advance. Although the horse artillery and supporting infantry made in roads against the defensive lines of the British I really needed the reserves to arrive in support to push home any advantage I had, but this was not to materialise.

"Steady lads hold your formations"..the British prepared infantry stand firm in front of heavy fire from the horse artillery at canister range

My French second Corp was heavily involved in the fighting against the British right flank and managed to break a couple of British line brigades, however the second line of British were made of sterner stuff as it was made up of the Guard brigade and heavy artillery and I was to make no further progress on this flank...oh where was myreserve 1st Corp troops when I needed them!

All alone..the KGL brigade is all that remains of the British front line on the right of centre but puts up a heroic defensive and beats back attacks from both the French line and elite brigades.

With my attack stalling on the right flank my decore attack had become somewhat isolated. After its initial sucess the presence of the British cavarly core had prompted me to become prepared and at the mercy of the British horse artillery and massed battery on the hill, I was also involved in a fire fight at close range with a brigade of British infantry which with their fire trait is not the best of ideas. Once my leading French brigades had been softened up my dad sent his heavy cavalry in and despite my infantry been prepared they were no match for the British heavies as they broke two brigades and swept away a supporting artillery unit along the way.

"Sire it's the British they are in the woods"...the British cavarly core and guns getting into position to wreak havoc on the French infantry.

"Onwards for the guns boys".. Not content with defeating a unit of French Dragoons the British guard cavalry overrun due to been impetuous towards the prepared infantry and guns on the hill guarding the French left flank

"Fix bayonets".. With the British cavalry regrouping the British infantry and allied Nassauers brigades charge into the remains of the French 1st corps

A supporting French infantry brigade is caught in flank by the Dutch Militia brigade whilst already engaged to the front,this flank attack proved to much for the French and they broke.

With my 1st Corp under mounting pressure I released my heavy Calvary Corp in the form of 3 Currasier brigades to help balance the fight. The sight of these currasiers got the attention of the British cavalry and one unit of hussars who had run down a French battery was caught out of position and broken by

One Of these brigades. Also a British infantry brigade fresh from defeating the French line infantry was caught not prepared and as a result were run down and broken. This helped balance up the French left flank but with time drawing to an end the battle looked like it was heading for a stalemate.

The French Currasiers didn't need a second invitation at the British infantry presenting themselves unprepared.

With no infantry support and the British and Dutch troops well prepared the French cavalry stay back out of musket range.

And we had reached that time of day where the battle drew to a close. At the end of the game I had lost 3 units to my dads 5 (I think it was around them totals) with both of our break points been 7. However I had a few units who were very close to breaking so the game was very much in the balance both armies still had enough fresh troops to influence the game. In the end a draw was a fair result IMHO and once again had shown the tactical problems you face choosing which of your troops to activate and in what order, not knowing how many motivation points you have to play with can put the best laid plans in disarray. Great game again though :-)