Friday, October 22, 2021

Baptism of Fire

The 42nd Foot was taking their turn at providing an escort for the Royal Artillery battery posted on a small but steep hillock overlooking the main road. As the morning mist began to clear,  the beat of drums heralded the approach of a French attack. A courier was quickly sent back to call forward the main body while the advance guard braced themselves knowing that the French would be there long before the supports could come up.

The first assault was slowed by heavy and accurate fire while a rash charge up the steep slopes by the Black Hussars was easily thrown back by the Highlanders.



The French artillery was also slow and they barely got off one road before The York Hussars, eager to  show their metal in this, their first fight, rode them down,  


Undeterred by their heavy losses, the French infantry pressed forward overrunning the British guns and forcing the Black Watch back. They had taken too long though and the allied reinforcements were on hand before the French could consolidate their hold on the hill.


In minutes it was all over. 



22 comments:

  1. Ross, you capture the most dynamic action photos. Inspiring stuff.

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  2. A spirited action the British Hussars did well for their first battle - the French ones less so .

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    1. I was rather worried as I cast their first dice but they came through. The French hussars are veterans now with a good record and after drawing a fight with the British hussars, they did a good job covering the retreat of the infantry.

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  3. Exciting game, looks great and huzzah for the hussars!

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  4. Never like the thought of the guns being over run (exOTC RA subunit) - trust they spiked them?) - still, they got them back, so all's well that ends well!

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    1. Spiked!? With a British battalion rapidly advancing to recover the guns and hill? They just grabbed the rammers and linstocks as they ran and returned to cannister the final French assault.

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  5. Always nice to get the new lads on the table.

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  6. A splendid baptism of fire for the York Hussars…

    All the best. Aly

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  7. Very nice! Good to see the York Hussars were successful in their first action. That bodes well.

    Eric

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    1. I suspect that regardless of how the rest of the war goes for them, the officers shall toast that day for years to come.

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  8. I take it the French lingered too long over breakfast again?

    All this gourmet food is fine and dandy but one is always a little behind and a tad bloated and sluggish I find.

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    1. N0t sure the hastily conscripted revolutionary peasants would have been able to lay hands on enough gourmet food to get bloated on but 1/2 rations for long enough might have a similar effect.

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  9. Great fun Ross and a fine first outing for the new hussars.
    Regards, James

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