Waterloo Warm Up Games - Part 3 - They Came On In The Same Old Way

I decided to re-run the same braod scenario as per the last game, but with a few tweaks. Namely:

• Pre-game bombardment for the French with their heavy 12 pdr guns.
• The French have a few Inspiring commanders.
• The French have one Inferior infantry unit and one Superior unit.
• The British 95th Rifles are classed as Superior all round.

So onto the action!

The same layout as before, but French ave weighted their attack to their right wing.

The French 12 pdrs in the middle, flanked by Company Columns.

The British take some hits from the preliminary bombardment.

The 95th deployed and waiting.

The French advance immediately starts to take hits from the artillery and deployed Light Battalions.

The 95th gets to work.

The artillery is rather effective on the left hand Company Column.

The Light Battalions pull back as the French deploy part of their force into Line.

The French push on as the Heavy Cavalry arrive in expectation of exploiting any gaps in the line. On the extreme right the French assault the British line.

The left flank struggles to move forward.

The French close in on the ridge.

The Company Column assault goes in but the neighbouring Line Infantry fail to support the assault with musketry.

The French are pushed back and morale saves keep them in the game.

More attacks go in and although the French are taking hits, the British Line is coming under pressure.

Suddenly the action on the right and centre leads to three routed French units and one British.

The French attack struggles but the British Line is under pressure too.

Any hope of a French breakthough evaporates next Turn as the French left disintegrates.

The French left routs.

The French right now lacks enough mass to effect a breakthrough.

The British Line was under pressure, but morale saves kept them in place and able to fight.

Post Game Thoughts.

Another fun and interesting little game to keep trying out the rules. So what did I learn this game?

• Both sides managed to do quite a few important morale saves to take hits off units to keep them in the game. The British had slightly better die rolls, but the odd failed one here and there could have led to a rather different outcome in front of the French right wing.
• The pre-game bombardment was good and not too effective, but enough to aid the French, which if theire shooting had been better, might have made the difference to the result.
• Counter Battery Fire is something that I used more in the game, given that the French 12 pdrs outranged the British artillery. Again some better die rolling might have led to the loss or at least falling back of the artillery, thus allowing the French infantry an easier chance of breaking the British Line.
• Again the Superior British firing was enough to make a difference throughout the game.
• The French should move into Line earlier to allow them to bring great firepower to bear, then move into Company Column for the assault when the British are Weakened.
• Closer to the enemy, it is better to move a half speed to avoid the penalty for a Significant Move.
• Unfortunately for the French, neither of the Generals managed to mkae a double move, despite having two rated as Inspiring. Allowing them to close very quickly with the British Line, thus reducing the amount of fire taken would make a difference, thus helping them to have a better chance of breaking the British Line.

Next game time for something different in terms of a scenario. Probably a sort of Hougoumont or La Haie Saint assault on a fortified building could be good to see how this works out games wise. Plenty to think about for sure.

So until next time, stay safe and keep healthy!