The Battle of Piacenza North Italy 16th June 1746

This article is my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

Through Political chicanery, the Piedmontese Monarch Charles Emmanuel  and his Ministers had managed to wrest control of their territory from Spain and fool the French.

The Austrians, having been forced into a Peace Agreement with Frederick of Prussia, were now free to concentrate on their holdings in Northern Italy. Having lost Silesia, the Empress was in no mood for any peace talks with the Spanish.

The Spanish troops made for Piacenza, because General Gages was under strict orders not to give up the City-State. The younger son of the Spanish Monarchy should not loose his Kingdom.

The French were still tied to the Familial Treaty and the French General Maillebois had been given orders to second Don Philippe.

Camped south of the glassis of the Piacenza defenses, Gages knew that battle was imminent. The defensive walls of the city were in a bad state of repair.

 Therefore he bent all his efforts into fortifying the camp. The Spanish troops under his command numbered 25,000 men. Disease and desertion had taken its toll.

When the French Army arrived, its numbers diminished in a similar fashion, Gages could muster about 40,000 men in total. There were 10,000 Piedmontese trailing the French with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for direct battle.

With this in mind, Maillebois  persuaded Gages to go on the attack rather than sit on the defensive. Battle commenced on the morning of 16th June 1756 with the rising of the sun illuminating a Franco-Spanish advance………..

AUSTRIAN ARMY OF ITALY ; 45,000 = 45 Points.

C-in-C  Joseph Wenziel, Prince Lichtenstein   @ 1 point.

( Lichtenstein was ill on the day therefore General Browne took charge.)

General Ulysses Von Brown.  @ 1 point.

3 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point  = 3 points.

5 stands of Line Infantry  @ 2 points = 10 points.

2 stands of  Grenadier Infantry  @  3 points = 6 points.

General Antoniotto Botta d'Adorno  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Light  Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

5 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 10 points.

1 stand of  Grenadier Infantry  @  3 points.

The Cavalry; General Bernklau; @ 1 point.

3 stands of Dragoons  @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand of  Hussars  @  1 point.

FRANCO-SPANISH ARMY ; 

THE FRENCH ARMY; 15,000 = 15 points.

Jean-Baptiste Francois Desmarets Marquis of Maillebois @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadiers  @ 3 points.

4 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 8 points.

1 stand of Light Infantry  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Light Artillery  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Light Cavalry  @  1 point.

THE SPANISH ARMY; 25,000 = 25 points.

Jean Bonaventure Thierry du Mont 1st Count of Gages  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadiers @ 3 points.

7 stands of  Line Infantry @ 2 points = 14 points.

1 stand of Light  Infantry @ 1 point.

2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

2 stands of  Cavalry  @ 2 points = 4 points.

Note: After I wrote up this article,I found a paragraph online that said that there were 3000 Spanish Cavalrymen on foot with the army. This would not be unusual as the Spanish Mounted arm suffered from a constant lack of horses. Therefore one stand of Spanish Cavalrymen can be replaced with two stands of dismounted Cavalrymen at 1point each. They would still have the yellow Coat and trousers and may have replaced their riding boots with leather gaiters ( French : boutines?). They are classed as Light Infantry for movement etc

THE BATTLE;

* The Franco-Spanish army moves first and fires first on every Game-Turn.

* The French and Spanish artillery can move but must stay within the defenseworks.

* The Austrian stands controlled by Browne can move forward over the Refudo from the start of Game-Turn 4. Those stands commanded by Adorno and Bernklau can move but must stay behind the defenceworks.

* The Austrians keep the Initiative Point for the entire battle. 

* The hedges along the river bank do not impede movement or firing.

* Any stands being moved into any of the rivers must stop moving. They can be moved out of the river on the next Game-Turn. 

* Any Spanish or French stands firing whilst standing in the River Refudo must deduct two points from their firing die in addition to a 2 point deduction when firing at a target behind the defenseworks.

* The French and Spanish Infantry stands have one point added to their Close Combat die roll. ( to reflect their bravado born out of desperation and despair).

The River Po can only be crossed by moving through Piacenza.

* All the field defenses count as " Trench" for Firing and Combat.

VICTORY;

The Spanish and French have it all to do in this battle as they are on the attack. Therefore;

* The French and Spanish must attack for the entire Eight Game-turns or until their morale points reach Zero.

* Should their Morale points reach Zero before the Eight Game-Turns are complete, the game ends.

*If the Franco-Spanish army has 12 stands left on the battlefield including both Generals at the end of the Game. it is a draw

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Historical Note.

This is a hard Game for the Franco-Spanish Army. The Austrian Generals seem to know what Gages had decided to do, and let the terrain and the numerous drainage ditches do the work for them. Gages maintained that the Austrians had spies in his camp.

At one point General Maillebois himself was in the front line, fighting with his men to try and maintain their morale.

The Austrians did not follow up their victory with a pursuit, letting the Franco-Spanish army retreat through Piacenza and across the Po River. The victory assured any potential enemies that the Austrian Empress was still prepared to fight for her realm!.

The 5th Century in Britannia part 11; Arthurs 9th Battle ; "The City of Legions" [ Caerleon, Southern Wales ] June 489 AD.

 This article is my personal interpretation of events at this time. any mistakes are my own.

Having lost the previous battle of GUINNION FORT, Arthur,s army retreated back toward Caerleon. Units of Light Archers and Cavalry provided a rearguard forestalling any immediate pursuit. They were helped by the restrictive terrain.

Sending a messenger at the gallop to warn the Garrison, Arthur holds a brief Council with his Generals, Owain, Cadwy and Rogatainus. The decision is made to make a stand on the western bank of the Afon Lwyd, two hours distant from Caerleon.

The Britons have one day to prepare before Scouts arrive, warning of the approach of the Picts and the Riatans, [ the Scots-Irish ].  Arthur orders  materials bought from the fortress and his men manage to build a rough barricade across the front of the army.

After twelve hours, the enemy army arrives. Arthurs Commitatus is drawn up each side of the road behind their barricade, facing east. Across the river, the Scots and Picts fan out and form up on the eastern bank. Both armies watch each other through the night. The Picts and Scots sit around their campfires. Arthur,s men sleep under arms.

In the darkness some of the Britons press for an attack.  Arthur will not countenance such an action. if it went wrong the Britons would be caught disorganised, in the dark on the wrong side of the river. Some wonder why they don’t retreat to Caerleon..

Arthur holds another brief Council in the darkness. He wants to maintain the chance of maneuver.To sit behind the walls would only embolden the enemy. Those Kings who disliked Arthur would not help. It would be a slow death. Better to fight in the open. Victory or death were the only options……

As the sun rises, the Holy Men of both sides invoke their respective Deities for victory. The leaders of the Allied Tribes browbeat their warriors into line promising great riches when they sweep the Britons aside and sack Caerleon.

Within the Briton Commitatus, the bucinae are sounded and the ranks are formed. Arthur is proud of his soldiers. They might not be the Legions of old, but they uphold the fighting spirit of those auguste formations.

The shouting and thunder of spears on shields reaches a crescendo as the Picts and Scots build themselves up for the charge. As this is happening, Arthur canters up and down the line bellowing his Warcry "DEUS ET PRIDAIN!! " which is taken up by the men as they raise their weapons in the air.

As both sides shout their defiance at each other, the Picts and Scots launch their assault. The fate of the Briton Kingdoms hangs in the balance........

THE BRITON COMMITATUS.

5000 = 5 points x 8 = 40 points.

Arthur  ( The Pendragon )  @  3 points.

4 stands of Veteran Infantry  @  2pts = 8 points.

3 stands of Auxilliary Infantry  @ 2pts  = 6 points.

2 stands of Light Archers  @ 1pt  = 2 points.

Cadwy  @  1 point.

Owain  ( Cavalry Commander )  @ 2 points.

Iddon’s Militia:

Rogatainus  @  1pt.

2 stands of Militia Light Archers  @ 1pt = 2 points.

3 stands of Militia Infantry  @  2pts = 6 points.

2 stands of Auxilliary Cavalry  @ 2pts = 4 points.

Arthur’s Bucellarii @ 3 points.

THE SCOTS-IRISH:

3,000 = 3 points x 8 = 24 points.

Laun Mac Eric  @ 1pt.

3 stands of Archers/Slingers @ 1pt  = 3 points.

9 stands of Warriors Infantry  @  2pts = 18 points.

THE PICTS:

3,000 = 3 points x 8 = 24 points.

Briacat @ 1 points.

7 stands of  Warriors  @ 2 points = 14 points.

3 stands of Seaxon Warriors ( Saxons) @ 2pts =  6 pts.

3 stands of Light Archers/ Crossbowmen @ 1pt = 3pts.

THE ACTION:

* The Britons keep the Initiative Point for the battle.

* Any tied results go to the Britons.

* On Game-Turn 1, the Scots-Irish and Picts move first.

* From Game-Turn 2 onward, both sides die to see who moves first.

* Stands cannot be moved once they enter the river. They can only be moved out of of the river on the movement phase of the next Game-Turn. On each Game-Turn the stand is in a river it can be moved one square along the river.

* Stands cannot fire or throw weapons while positioned in the river.

* Stands being under attack in Close Combat, or attacking in Close Combat, while positioned in a river must deduct 2 points from each Combat Die.

* On the Web, the River Lwyd has been known as the Torfaen, " The Breaker of Stones" because it was prone to surges. The Picts and Scots-Irish may not have been aware of this.

* Morale Points; the Britons have 20 points. The Picts have 12 points. The Scots-Irish have 12 points.

* As a stand becomes a casualty, its points  will be deducted from its respective Army morale total.

VICTORY;

The game finishes at the end of eight Game-Turns and/or  when one side suffers a morale collapse.

With the Scots-Irish and Picts, should one group suffer a morale collapse, that part of the army will retreat regardless of the state of the other half. The Saxons go with the Picts.

THE HISTORY;

As before, this article is total conjecture. Apart from the title of the battle given by Nennius, and that it was at, or near Caerleon, no other details exist. Therefore, once again I turned to the Ordnance Survey map of Roman Britain and Topographical maps on the net.

The battle site I chose seemed the most logical, and seemed to offer the best defensive capabilities. The Afon Lwyd does suffer from surges depending on the amount of rainfall.  In moderns times the river has suffered from Industrial pollution which local groups have worked hard to clean up.

It seems that the 5th century was a "wet" era with intense rainfall all over Europe.

 Given the time it takes to cover the distances involved [ according to the Net ], this would give Arthurs army time to prepare.

One of Arthurs main assets was his small Cavalry force which he would want to use to its best advantage. The numbers of troops I've given are my own estimates, taking into account losses from the previous battle.

I leave it to you dear reader to decide wether I have done justice to it all.

The Battle of Waterloo: ( Fr: Mont Sainte Jean.) ( Pr: La Belle Alliance.) Belgium June 18th 1815.

This is my personal interpretation of this battle. Any mistakes are my own.

For nearly twenty years Napoleon, his Generals and his armies had dominated European warfare. Coalitions had been formed by various Nations in order to fight this Corsican upstart. Each time they had failed.

Finally, in 1812, Napoleon over reached himself. Russia would not play the part of supplicant in a proposed trade deal.  Partly in a state of hubris, Napoleon led 600,000 troops in an invasion of the Russian homeland. As winter set in, the French Army could not win any outright victory. When they reached Moscow. there was nothing left. Anything of value had been removed and the rest burnt.

As the weather worsened, Napoleon decided to retreat back to France. Huge numbers of the French army were lost due to freezing temperatures, frostbite, starvation and disease along with constant harassment from the Russian Cossacks. Allied troops started to desert. At the battle of Leipzig “ The Battle of Nations”, the final blow was delivered. After this Napoleon fought on with a small army in France but despite his brilliance could not stop the Allies from invading the mother country.

In 1814, at Fontainebleau, Napoleons Generals led by Marshal Michel Ney talked the Emperor into abdicating, something he didn’t  want to do. But he had no choice. In a subsequent Council the European heads of State decided to banish Napoleon with a personal Guard of 1000 men to the island of Elba off the coast of Italy.

One year later, Napoleon escaped from the Island and landed in mainland France. His arrival wasn’t  universally celebrated. Many villages had been devastated by Napoleon’s conscription methods which left many places with no young men.

The Vendee ( pro: Von-Day ) area of France was Pro- Royalist, and rose in Revolt at Napoleons return.

With much of France being rural it had caused great hardship amongst the farming communities. Despite this, within a few weeks Louis the 18th had been deposed and armies had been raised. There were still men in France who would fight, older veterans who had been in captivity, officers who had lost their commissions and young men eager to prove themselves for the Emperor.

Most of Napoleons old Generals joined him, however there were two men who were to have a major influence, one by his absence and one by his presence. The former being Marshal Berthier the latter being Michel Ney…..

Marshal Berthier had been Napoleon’s chief of Staff in all his previous campaigns. He was very adept at interpreting the Emperor's sometimes garbled instructions to his Generals in clear and concise terms.

Ney was a loose cannon. Napoleon had not forgiven him for his actions at Fontainebleau, and the other Generals distrusted him. Nonetheless he was loved by the rank and file and was renowned for his bravery so, the Emperor took him in.

 As soon as news of Napoleons escape had traveled around Europe, armies were on the move toward the French border..

Napoleons strategy was to try and defeat each allied army before they could unite. The two that were closest to his troops were the Prussians alongside the British Army which had gathered in the Netherlands ( modern day Belgium).

On the 16th of June 1815 Napoleon attacked the Prussian army at Ligny. Winning the battle, Napoleon entrusted General Grouchy to pursue the Prussians North and East, while he turned on Wellington,s army at Quatre Bras. ( This action was not as straightforward as it sounds ). The battles at Ligny and Quatre Bras were hard fought actions for both sides with heavy casualties.

Wellington was very lucky he wasn’t caught napping. Intelligence gathering had convinced him that the French were not likely to attack at this time. His Roaming Officer, Colquhoun Grant  was sent behind enemy lines to gather intelligence.

Wellington would only move on Grants information. He had given little credence to the messages received from the Prussians and other Cavalry patrols that French troops were massing for an attack. One of the Kings German Legion Officers carried a message from Grant not realizing its importance.

It was down to formations of the Dutch Army led by General Constant-Rebecque, making a stand at the Quatre Bras crossroads that gave the British, Hanoverian, Brunswick and Nassau troops time to get organized. Wellington also sent Picton’s 5th Division to bolster the defense.

As the Prussians at Ligny were forced to retreat, there was anger amongst the Staff who were expecting Wellingtons Army to fall on the French left flank. They did not know that the Allies were themselves under attack. Nonetheless, Wellington sent a message to Blucher, promising to make a stand if at least one Prussian Corps could reach him. As the Prussians went North, Wellington also managed to extricate his troops from Quatre Bras and retreated north to the ridge at Mont Saint Jean.

In the previous year whilst out hunting in the area, Wellington noted the ground east and west of the Brussels road. As the Allied army retreated in order to maintain communications with the Prussians, Wellington knew where he would make a stand while he waited (and hoped) for the Prussians to join him.

Wellington’s dispositions at Waterloo are a bit of a headache. Instead of grouping the troops into national formations he interspersed the brigades across the line. The Corps system does not seemed to have been adhered to as Wellington preferred Brigades and Divisions, with the Brigade formation being the tactical unit for manoeuvre. 

Therefore, I’ve detailed each stand to give some idea of the “ patchwork quilt” of Wellingtons position. I’ve split the army into two halves using the Brussels road as a dividing line 

THE ALLIED ARMY;  49,608 Infantry = 49.608 points or 50pts r/u.

12,408 Cavalry = 12,408 points = 12 pts r/d

156 cannon = 156 x 50 gunners = 7,800 gunners = 7.8 pts r/u = 8pts.

C-in-C ;  Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington @ 1point.

General of Cavalry;  Henry Paget, 1st Earl of Uxbridge @ 1 point.

“ 1st DIVISION” The Prince of Orange @ 1 point.

( the right wing of the army )

1) Grants British Hussars: 1 stand @ 1 point.  2) Halkett’s Hanoverian Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

3) Mitchell’s British Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  4) Adam’s British Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 2 points.  5) 95th Rifles Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  6) Du Platt’s Kings German Legion Line Infantry; 1 stand @ 2 points.  7) The Prince of Orange @ 1 Point.

  8) Dornburg Kings German Legion Dragoon Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  9) Union Brigade Scots Greys Cavalry: 1 stand @ 2 points.  10)  Somerset’s Household Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  11)  Byng’s 2nd Guards Infantry: 1 stand @ 3 points.  12)  Maitland’s 1st Guards Infantry: 1 stand @ 3 points.  13)  Halkett’s British Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

14) Kilmansegge’s Hanoverian Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  15)  Kilmansegge’s Hanoverian Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point. 16)  Ompteda’s Kings German Legion Line Infantry: 1 Stand @ 2 points.  17) Kings German Legion Horse Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  18) British Light Foot Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.

GARRISON OF HOUGOMONT:

19) Guards Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  20)  2nd Guards Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  21) Nassau Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1point.  22) Luneburg Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

A“ 2nd DIVISION” Thomas Picton/ James Kempt @ 1 point. ( Picton perished in this battle and Kempt took over.)

( the left wing of the army).

23) Ponsonby’s Dragoon Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  24) British Horse Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  25) Vandaleur’s Light Dragoon Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  26) Vivian’s Kings German Legion Hussars: 1 stand @ 1 point.  27)  Kempt’s British Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 2 points.  28) Pack’s Scottish Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 2 points.  29)  Best’s Hanoverian Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  30)  Best’s Hanoverian Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

31)  Vinke’s Hanoverian Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  32)  British Horse Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point. 33) Bijlants Dutch Line Infantry: 1 stand  @ 1 point.  34)  Bijlants Belgium Militia: 1 stand @ 1 point.  35) Bijlants Belgium Militia: 1 stand @ 1 point.  36)  Kings German Legion Foot Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  37)  Baring’s Kings German Legion Rifles Light Infantry; 1 stand @ 1 point.  38) 95th Rifles Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  39)  Nassau Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.   40)  Nassau Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

MONTE SAINT JEAN RESERVE:  Major Von Rausenplatt @ 1 point. ( The Duke of Brunswick had perished the day before at the battle of Quatre Bras ).

41)  Brunswick Jäger Light Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  42)  Brunswick Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point. 43)  Brunswick Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1point.  44) Brunswick Light Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  45)  Brunswick Hussar Light Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.   46) Merlen’s Dutch Light Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  47)  Ghigny’s Dutch Light Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  48)  Tripp’s Dutch Heavy Cavalry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

“3rd DIVISION” BRAINE LALAUDE:: General David Hendrik Chasse  @ 1 point.

49)  Dutch Light Foot Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  50) Dutch Light Foot Artillery: 1 stand @ 1 point.  51)  Dutch Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  52)  Belgium Militia Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  53) Belgium Militia Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  54)  Dutch Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.  55)  Dutch Line Infantry: 1 stand @ 1 point.

NOTE:

Bijlandts Brigade had suffered many casualties the day before at Quatre Bras where they had fought well. Once again, on the front line,  they had been positioned forward of the Ridge where they were exposed to the fire of the French Artillery. Suffering even more casualties they finally broke.

The Kings German Legion and the Hanoverians were one and the same. The King of Britain was also the Duke of Hanover. When the French army overran the Duchy in 1803 many Hanoverians were conscripted into the French army. About 4000  managed to make it to Britain. Equipped with British weapons and uniforms, they became The Kings German Legion.

The Hanoverians and Dutch had only recently regained their independence and there was a mixture of the old French uniform and equipment. and new issue. The Hanoverians wanted to fight united but Wellington was a bit dubious of their staying power facing their former allies.  Apart from one unit of Cavalry ( The Duke of Cumberlands Hussars ) the Hanoverians fought with distinctions.

The Prince of Orange was the overall commander of the Netherlands ( Dutch) formations. However he stood back allowing Wellington to take control.  As with the Hanoverians, Wellington had his doubts but the Dutch stood their ground. It’s why Wellington dispersed the German and Dutch troops amongst the British. As it turned out some of the British Units were a bit shaky being newly raised!.

 

THE FRENCH ARMY: 50,700 Infantry = 51 points r/u.

14,390 Cavalry = 14 pts r/d.

252 guns x 50 gunners = 12,600 gunners = 12.6 or 13 points r/u.

( I’ve concentrated on each Corp rather than individual Divisions as the French army was a homogeneous force. I’m not sure of the numbers of actual troops types and so the following is my best “guesstimation”.)

 

REILLE’S 2nd CORPS ( left wing).

16,000 Infantry = 16 points.   1,700 Cavalry = 2 points r/u.  46 guns = 2 points.

1 General, Honore Charles Reille @ 1 point.

1 General, Jerome Bonaparte @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @  3 points.

8 stands of Line Infantry @ 1 point = 8 points.

3 stands of Light Infantry @ 1 point = 3 points.

2 stands of Light Cavalry @ 1 point. = 2 points.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

D’ERLON’S 1st CORPS: ( right wing).

16,200 infantry = 16 points.  1,400 Cavalry = 1 point.   46 guns = 2 points.

1 General:  Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Compte d’Erlon  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Infantry Grenadiers  @  3 points.

5 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points. = 10 points.

2 stands of Light Infantry @ 1 point = 2 points.

1 stand of Light Cavalry  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery  @ 1 point = 2 points.

LOBAU’S 6th CORP. ( central reserve)

Note; this was another problem. As far as I understand, LOBAU’S Corps initial position was on the left and then got moved to the right so that’s where I positioned the figures.

6000 Infantry = 6 points  30 guns = 2 points.

1 General, Georges  Mouton, Count of Lobau  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Light Infantry  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery  @ 1 point = 2 points.

KELLERMANN’S 3rd CAVALRY CORPS: ( Kellerman is not represented) 3,200 troopers = 3 points.

1 stand of Cuirassiers @ 1 point.

2 stands of Dragoons @ 1 point = 2 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

DOMON’S  3rd  Cavalry Division  ( 900 ):represented by 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point.

SUBERVERIE’S 5th Cavalry Division (1,090 ): represented by 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point.

Note these Generals are not represented. The stands are positioned with Lobau.

MILHAUD’S 4th CAVALRY CORPS: 2,600 troopers + 12 Guns. ( Milhaud is not represented ).In reserve behind D’ERLON’S Corps.

3 stands of Cuirassier Cavalry @ 1 point = 3 points.

1 stand of Light Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

THE GUARD: 

12,500 Infantry = 12.5 or 13 points r/u.   3,500 Cavalry = 3.5 or 4 points r/u. 

94 guns x 50 gunners = 4,700 = 4.7 or 5 points r/u =

2 stands of Heavy Guard Artillery @ 2 pts = 4 points.

1 stand of  Guard Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

C-in-C Napoleon Bonaparte @ 1 point.

1 General Michel Ney  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Old Guard Infantry  @ 3 points.

2 stands of Middle Guard Infantry  @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Young Guard Infantry @ 2 points.

1 stand of  Guard Infantry Chasseurs @ 2 points.

1 stand of Chasseurs Cavalry  @ 2 points.

1 stand of  Polish Guard Lancers  @ 2 points.

THE PRUSSIANS: ( elements of 1st and 4th Armikorps). 14,000 = 14 points.

1 General, Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr Von Bulow   @ 1 point.

3 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.

1 stand of Light Infantry ( Schutzen )  @ 1 point.

2 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points = 4 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

1 stand of Foot Artillery @ 1 point.

( The Prussians are not shown in the initial set-up).

FIGHTING THE  BATTLE:

* The French retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle. However., the Game-Turn precedent is still diced for to see who moves and fires first.

*  The French win any tied results.

*  The battle is played for 8 Game-Turns.

* Attacking HOUGOMONT:  The attacker will deduct 3 points from any firing or close combat die rolls when moving against the walls of the chateau ( excluding the open area north of the garden.).

*  When firing into the wood South of Hougomont , 2 points are deducted from the firing die result. Any stand IN THE WOOD being fired on from the chateau CANNOT CLAIM COVER.

* LA HAYE SAINTE, PAPELOTTE AND PLACENOIT:

When firing on these sites, 2 points is deducted from the attackers firing die roll. The area is counted as “ TRENCH” for Close Combat.

* FORMING SQUARE: I use a former made of plastic and green pipe cleaners. To claim a stand in square this must be done at the beginning of a Game-Turn, before either side moves. The Stand must be on flat ground and must not have any enemy stands in adjacent squares.

*  A square ,firing, must have 4 points deducted from its firing die.

* Cavalry attacking a square will have 4 points deducted from its combat die, and, cannot claim the 3 points for attacking Infantry in the open.

* Artillery firing at  a square at 2 squares range will add four points to its die roll when firing on a square.

*  THE OHAIN-WAVRE ROAD ( THE SUNKEN ROAD).

Stands being moved over this road, will be moved one square less than normal. On this occasion, Cavalry and Artillery can be moved through the hedgerow.

Normally, artillery stands would not be allowed to move into a square that has an enemy stand in  an adjacent square. However, artillery stands are allowed to occupy squares next to the Sunken Lane if the enemy stand is on the opposite side of the Sunken Lane.

When firing across the hedgerow that runs along each side of the sunken lane, 1 point is deducted from all die rolls.

Note: the sunken lane was not as deep as depicted in the film but it still impeded movement and disrupted volley fire. At the point where the sunken lane crossed the Brussels to Charleroi road, the ground dropped about 20 feet as the main road was also in a cutting.

This was where some French Cuirassiers got pushed sideways over this drop by British heavy cavalry ( who were counter-attacking ) rather than moving forward as depicted in the film.

VICTORY CONDITIONS:

*  If, at the end of Game-Turn 8, the French hold : Hougomont, La Haye Sainte, Papelotte and The Ridge. They have won the game.

* If, at the end of Game-Turn 8, the Allies still hold Hougomont and The Ridge they have won the game.

* Before beginning the battle both sides note their Morale totals. The French is 39 points and the Allies are 35 points. As stands are removed, their points value is removed from their respective morale totals.

If neither side has achieved their victory conditions by the end of Game-Turn 8, the side with the lower morale tally looses the battle. NOTE:  ANY REMAINING PRUSSIAN STANDS ON THE TABLE ADD THEIR POINTS TO THE REMAINING ALLIED TOTAL. 

IF THE ALLIES STILL HOLD HOUGOMONT AT THE END OF GAME-TURN 8, THEN ADD 10 POINTS TO THE REMAINING ALLIED TOTAL.

*  ALLIED REINFORCEMENTS;

The Brunswickers can be moved from the start of Game-Turn 3.

Chasse’s Dutch at Braine Alaude also move at the start of Game-Turn 3.The stands cannot fire or be fired upon until  stands are moved beyond the trees onto the road toward Hougomont.

There was a a road running from Braine Alaude to the left flank of the French Army. However neither side used it. So, neither side may fire or attack through the trees to the South of Braine Alaude. ( see Maps )

( The Netherlands artillery in Braine Allaud and the Brunswickers  at Mont St Jean were called forward to protect the area around Hougomont ) so, they will move via the road to Hougomont.

PICTON: it’s not important to the battle but just to reflect a piece of history. If any stand adjacent to the figure representing Picton is removed from play. Picton himself is also removed. Kempt is put in his place.

THE PRUSSIANS:

2 stands of Line Infantry. @ 2 points. = 4 points.

4 stands of Militia Infantry. @ 2 points=. 8 points.

4 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points = 8 points.

2 stands of Foot Artillery. @ 1 point. = 2 points.

2 stands of Horse Artillery. @ 1 point. = 2 points.

2 stands of Light Infantry. @ 1 point. =. 2 points.

2 Generals @ 1point.  =. 3 points.

 The Prussians are placed on the Eastern edge of the table at the start of Game-Turn 6. ( 4:30 to 5:30 ). They are placed by the Allied player at the start of the Allied Movement phase. They can move and fire within that Game-Turn.

* The Prussians get 2 extra point added to all their die rolls ONLY DURING GAME-TURN 6.

NOTE: about 40, 000 Prussians made it to Waterloo, but only 28,000 were actually engaged.

CREDITS:

Firstly, to my Wife Joyce for painting the majority of the British and French Line Infantry. Most of the figures are from Irregular Miniatures with the remainder from Essex Miniatures and a few from Minifigs.

All the scenery is scratchbuilt from cardboard and pan scrubbers. Most of the hill are homemade from cork tiles with some from Brian at Essex Miniatures. The road is made from thin card.

The gaming mat came from Deep Cut Studios and the hedgerow from Pendraken miniatures. The little trees are from Amazon. The bases are 40mm square cut from picture framing card. The round 40mm MDF bases are from Minibits.

The Table is 3 feet (90 cm) x 2 feet (60 cm)

If you wish to read about the battle, this is one of the best, or the best: The book not only covers Waterloo, there are also chapters covering the actions at Ligny and Quatre Bras. A first class narrative history.

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END NOTE:

I started wargaming “proper” in 1970. The film was a major influence but, apart from a short stint in the 80s when I painted a 28mm French and Austrian army ( which got sold to pay the bills) I haven’t touched Napoleonics being an 18th century man. 54 years later, here we are. I consider myself very lucky to have got here……..

HISTORICAL NOTE.

I have read a number of books about Waterloo. From a personal perspective, Wellington did everything he could to make his position on the ridge as secure as possible.

I don’t think that Wellington was prepared for the ferocity of the French attack. By late afternoon both sides had taken a complete battering, with Wellingtons army being close to collapse. If the Prussians had not appeared when they did it would have been all over for the allied army.

As Wellington said after the battle: “ it was indeed, a close run thing”

The Battle of Kesseldorf, Saxony, 15th December 1745.

 This article is my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

The War of the Austrian Succession was not a straightforward affair. France and Spain were linked via their respective Monarchies. However, they did not always work together. France had been an enemy of the Hapsburg Monarchy for Decades. When Frederick of Prussia declared war on Austria, the French government saw a chance to humble their constant enemy by yoking themselves to the Prussian war wagon. However, Frederick was not adverse to dumping his Allies if it suited his plans.

Austria was allied to the Italian Kingdom of Piedmont in order to protect its possessions in Northern Italy. Having lost the battle of Bassignana, the Piedmontese army became besieged within its Cities by the French. There was no force capable of stopping the Spanish army from entering Milan, thereby taking Lombardy for their own. The Austrian  General Lichtenstein promptly left the Piedmontese to their fate and made some hard marching eastward to Mantua before they were cut off from the homeland.

The Austrians were annoyed with Britain. This nation was not directly involved but King George was not only King of Great Britain, he was also Elector ( ruler ) of the Kingdom of Hanover. He disliked the Prussian King intensely. The British Government wanted to stop the French from gaining total control of the political situation in Europe. ( French was the diplomatic language of Europe. Even Frederick spoke better French than his native German).Therefore Britain was bankrolling Austria.

To combat French influence, Britain signed a secret alliance with Prussia. Part of this deal was to recognise Prussia’s conquest of Silesia. To that end, Britain was now putting pressure on the Empress of Austria to accept!  Needless to say this went down like a lead balloon with the Austrian Monarchy. France was in the same situation, equally angry with the Prussian Kings duplicity!..

At this point of the war both France and Austria realising that their political situations were similar,  started sending Envoys to each other’s Court. Having been major enemies for some five hundred years, they were now Allies!..

This was a huge upset to the established  political order of the western Monarchies  and became known as the “ Diplomatic Revolution”..

The two countries recruited Saxony to the cause. They then contacted the slumbering giant to the east…. Russia.  The idea was that Austria and Russia distract the Prussian forces while Saxony invade Prussia.  King Frederick was watching events with growing alarm.He desperately wanted his conquest of Silesia to be recognised by all of Europe. He was also uneasy about the possibility of Russian troops on Prussian soil.

As Frederick set his troops in motion, the Russians reneged on an agreement to support Saxony. ( At the Russian Court, the British Ambassador had managed to cast the French ambassador in a bad light and got him expelled thereby stalling any effort from that direction). Frederick moved his forces into Saxony and started taxing the populace!..

Austria was not prepared to countenance the loss of another ally. The Empress ordered Prince Charles to move the army into Saxony. The ruler, ( another Frederick ) was not the stamp of his father so, to strengthen his resolve, 46,000 Austrian troops lumbered into the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Prussian General Prince Leopold leading 35,000 troops and King Frederick with another 25,000 were moving toward Dresden, the Saxon capital.

General Grunne,s advance guard of  10,000 Austrians managed to link up with the Saxon General Rutowski and his 28,000 men in order to defend the Saxon capital.

As these armies manoeuvred around in the bad weather trying to find each other, Prince Leopold’s Prussian troops blundered into the left flank of the Saxon army anchored on the village of Kesseldorf. After a number of attacks in difficult terrain the Prussian troops were repulsed. To get to the grips with the Saxons, the “ Old Dessaur “ ( the old warhorse) marched his army around to the front of the Saxon army positioned on the opposite ridge. Once the army was in position and only pausing to offer up a prayer, the Prince signalled the attack and the formations slipped and slithered down to the Zschoner Bach…..

THE SAXON ARMY = 28,000 = 28 pts:

13,600 Infantry = 13.6 or 14 pts r/u = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2pts.

4,896 Grenadier Infantry = 4.896 or 5 pts r/u = 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 2 pts + General Rutowski @ 1pt.

1,600 Heavy Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 pts = 1 stand of Heavy Cavalry @ 2 pts.

1,200 Dragoons = 1.2 or 1 pt = 1 stand of Dragoons @ 1 point.

1,600 Chevau-Leger = 1.6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Chevau-Leger Cavalry @ 1 point.

( Chevau-Leger were a cheap form of Light Cavalry on ponies).

1 Regiment of 24 heavy guns each with 50 gunners along with 500 engineers/ miners:

24 x 50 gunners = 1,200 + 500 = 1,700 = 1.7 or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 pts.

33 Battalion Guns = 33 x 50 gunners = 1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

AUSTRIAN ARMY 10,000 = 10 points:

4,000 Line Infantry = 4 points = 3 stands of Line Infantry @ 1 pt + 1 General ( Grunne ) @ 1 point.

864 Infantry Grenadiers = 0.864 pts = 1 point = 1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @ 1 point.

1,600 Grenz  Infantry = 1,6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Infantry @ 1point.

1,600 Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 points = 2 stands of Dragoons @ 1 point.

12 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 600 = 0.600 pts = 1 pt r/u = 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

PRUSSIAN ARMY: 35,000 = 35 pts.

21,000 Line Infantry = 20 points = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points + 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 3 points + 1 General ( Prince Leopold of Anhalt Dessau ).

9,000 Cavalry = 9pts = 4 stands of Cavalry @ 2 pts ( 2 stands of Dragoons + 2 stands of Heavy Cavalry ) + 1 General @ 1 point. ( General Lewaldt ).

33 Field Guns x 50 gunners =  1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points.

66 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 3,300 = 3.3 pts or 3pts r/d = 3 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1point.

Fighting The Battle :

* The Prussian Army moves first on the 1st Game-Turn. All other Game-Turns are diced for as usual.

* The Prussian Army retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The Prussian Army wins any tied results.

* All Cavalry move at 2 squares only.

* Artillery move at one square only.

* Kesseldorf is regarded as a FORTRESS WALL: Therefore the Attacker will deduct 3 points from all Die rolls on top of any other deductions.( example: 2 points for attacking uphill + a further 2 points. )

* The Zschoner Bach does not impede movement but stands cannot fire while positioned in the stream.

* The Elbe cannot be crossed by any stands.

HISTORICAL ACTIONS,

* During the battle, the Saxon Grenadiers were more than holding their own within Kesseldorf. However, when the Prussians attacking the village retreated, the Genadiers left their positions to pursue them. This proved to be their undoing. Therefore:

* If any Prussian Stands are forced to “ move-back” as part of a close combat result on attacking Kesseldorf, the Saxon Grenadiers WILL BE MOVED TOWARD THEM. This action take place prior to the commencement of the next Game-Turn.

THE AUSTRIANS:

For some reason, the Austrians never moved from their position to aid the Saxons. However, players may wish to include them in the game. Therefore:

* At the start of Game- Turn 3 onward,  If the Saxon player rolls a “1”  during the roll to see who moves first he/ she may start moving the Austrians.

* The Saxon player may move EITHER the Saxons or the Austrians at the start of the Game-Turn. He/ she may not move both although ALL stands can fire and engage in Close Combat if able to do so. ( This is because there doesn’t seem to have been any cooperation between the two groups. )

MORALE.

I found that it is best to use the Morale system during this battle. The Saxon and Austrian Morale totals are kept separate.

WINNNG THE BATTLE:

* The battle will last until either:

A) one sides morale total collapses to Zero. The Austrians are Not included in this. Only the Saxons and the Prussians

B) At the end of 8 Game-Turns the side losing the most number of stands, looses the battle. ( In this situation the Saxons and Austrians Are added together.)

CREDITS:

The figures are a mix of Miniature Figurines and Peter Pig. The commercial buildings are from Total Battle Miniatures and some are from a Bring and Buy of unknown provenance.

The fortress is from Battleground Miniatures ( which I think is owned by Caliver Books?). I converted one end with a gatehouse. The inner building is a vey old Grenadier Models Fantasy house.

The trees are from various manufacturers. The represented villages are scratchbuilt. The hills are partly homemade and commercially by Brian of Essex Miniatures.

The snowfield is all cardboard as is the river. The snow effect rocks are Christmas decor from Wilkinson ( before they went bust!)

FOOTNOTE:

As stated at the start of this blog the above is my personal interpretation of this battle. However should you wish to explore this battle further there is a book available( at the time of writing). The title is:

Kesseldorf 1745 Decision In The Fight For Silesia by Alexander Querengasser available from Helion and Co.

Those Buildings.

This article is of my personal observation of the hobby.

Buildings in Wargaming can be both a blessing and a bind. Currently there are companies making some beautiful buildings in Resin, MDF and 3D printing.

The main photo shows three different styles which I use with mainly 15mm figures.

Three are scratchbuilt, the fourth is from Total Battle Miniatures.

 Some players like the buildings on the edge of a table for decoration. Those that have the space, include them directly into the battle, especially for skirmish gaming. However for larger battles and, in order to accommodate the larger footprint of the building, the table has to be correspondently larger.

Of course, this is fine if  you have the space for a large table. If you haven’t and you do need to include buildings there could be a problem.

The late veteran Wargamer Paddy Griffith said something along the lines that, the worst part of wargaming was the figures that we use because they distort distances.

Buildings cause a similar problem. Years ago in a magazine article the author wrote that it was better to have buildings a scale smaller than the figure to give a better perspective. Facing the same problem, I took an idea I used in the scenarios with the paper solders to telescope the buildings down.

Here are the rules for such items in the system I use

Example 1:   The building blocks line of sight between these opposing stands.

Example 2 : The British stand cannot fire on the French stand because the building covers the front of the British stand.

However, the French stand can fire on the British stand because the British stand is within the French arc of fire.

In this next photo, both sides can exchange fire.

In this next example neither the French or British can fire on each other.

Now the British and French can exchange fire.

In this example both sides can exchange fire. The French can claim cover because they are already in position.

If both sides survive the Firing phrase, this situation is covered by the “trench” rule in that both sides can engage in close combat over the wall.

This next illustration shows another dwelling type that I have started using. Both opposing stands can fire at each other and both can claim cover.

The following illustration shows both opposing stands within the village. Both sides can fire, and both sides can, once again claim cover from fire. If both sides stay in position without retreating,  Close Combat will take place as normal.

The next illustration shows an attack on one end of a village. The French can only fire on the British stand to its front. The British stands can fire, but must deduct points for firing at an enemy stand in cover. If both sides stay in place, Close Combat will take place with the wall counting as “trench”.

In the next picture, the  British stand  ( marked with a yellow token ) can only fire on the French stand to its front. The French stand ( marked with a red marker) can fire on the British stand. The “ building” in the middle of the village stops the British stand firing at the stand ( marked in yellow). In Combat, the French stands can claim “ support” from each other.

The rule system I use does not allow artillery pieces within a village. However, should you wish to, or the scenario calls for it, then this is the rule I would use:

The gun within the village must remain static in that it cannot be realigned to fire on a different fire arc, or be removed from the village. If the gun suffers a “ move-back” it will not move but will deduct 2 points from its Firing die when returning fire. It will be destroyed by any less-than-half score from enemy artillery or, from Infantry fire or Close Combat with Infantry.

I hope the above will be of use in your wargaming activities. The figures are from Miniature Figurines. The cannon is from Peter Pig.