Scenario 5

The scenario set up taken from the defenders (British) side.

TURN 1

The French advance on the left flank and receive two casualties from artillery fire.

French lancer advance in the centre threatening the British foot, supported by French Infantry that have taken the hill overlooking the village of Poissonneux.

French advance all along the line.

The British artillery become shaken from the French batteries on the high ground.

The British right flank defending the village of Les Moulins.

French Infantry brigade advancing on the stream.

TURN 2

The British general takes to the field to organise an emergency square formation.

The British line holds firm while the French advance, despite the loss of their supporting artillery that has fled the field in the face of the combined French battery fire.

The Hanoverian Militia Brigade arrive on the British far left flank.

The village of Poissonneux under attack.

The French attack on Les Moulins has been halted by the British musket and artillery fire.

The French lancers attack the square in the centre while their horse battery support the french left flank.

The square holds firm and causes the French lancers to “stagger” backwards.

A British infantry battalion in line with flanks supported by the square and the infantry garrisoning the village.

TURN 3

The French left suffering more casualties (the green die represents permanent losses that cannot be rallied and the blue die represents current strength).

French infantry amass to cross the stream.

Having done their work of forcing the British into square the French lancers have retired in favour of their infantry.

TURN 4

French infantry charge and rout the Hanoverian Militia (Nassau figures).

The village is of Poissonneux is attacked with the aid of sappeurs and taken as the British flee.

With victory gradually slipping away the British go on the attack to the left of Les Moulins, and are charged by the French 1st Regiment. An upset victory due to a 6 to 1 dice roll routs the highlanders.

The shaken French infantry (only 1 strength point remaining) on the left flank are attacked by the British across the stream who are repulsed by the French.

The situation in the centre at the end of turn 4.

The Hanoverian militia hold firm on the British right flank (better than the British troops have fared!), but more was to come!

TURN 5

The British finally win one of the skirmish encounters and the militia go on the attack, routing their French opponents with a 5/1 dice swing.

The second Hanoverian militia (Brunswick figures) try to retake the village of Poisonneux and with another massive dice swing the French are routed. Comments were heard from the British high command that he would prefer Hanoverian militia over British regulars any day!

TURN 6

British infantry destroyed by the combined French batteries.

French infantry advance on the British artillery and are destroyed by cannister fire.

TURN 7

With both supporting infantry units on the right flank destroyed the British guns are now in a vulnerable position.

Having just been repulsed by the British square again the French Peninsula regiment is charge by the Portuguese cavalry and routed.

Having routed the French infantry the Portuguese cavalry were now halted in front of the French guns. The mass of cannister and round shot caused them to break despite their recent victory.

Thanks to the Hanoverian militia and the brave sacrifice of the Portuguese cavalry the game was now in the balance as night was about to fall. The British were still in control of all three objectives, but were running out of defenders.

TURN 8

A full strength French Infantry battalion take the objective of Poisonneux, but will they be able to hold it.

The French finally take the town of Les Moulins despite a dogged fight by its British defenders. The British lances charge the Brunswick light cavalry in support, but are repulsed.

The British square is the sole defender left in the centre of the battlefield.

The situation around Les Moulins at the end of Turn 8.

The Hanoverian infantry that was previously successful at repulsing French troops in Poisonneux attacks again in a last ditch attempt at victory. With the French troops at full strength the attack was in vain, leaving the French in control of both villages as night began to fall.

The game was very close and in the balance right up until the last charge of the game when the Hanoverians charged Poisonneux. The French ended up with two of the three objective giving them victory.

This was another great game. Although it was a late night, the fact that we finished the scenario shows that we are becoming more familiar with how the game works. We only needed to clarify a few points during the game which sped things up considerably.

The Hanoverian infantry were indeed MOTM. The significant advantage in artillery following the early loss of one of the British batteries proved decisive for the French.