While the Germans and Emigres were tackling the redoubts, the British infantry enveloped two sides of the central village while leaving a clear line of fire for the Royal Artillery.
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| The fight for the town was bloody and sustained while the opposing cavalry units eyed each other. If either had charged and won, the victorious horsemen could turn the tide in their side's favour but if they lost, all might be lost. So it was that neither General ordered them in and the opposing cavalry stared at each other, ready for pursuit if their infantry triumphed, or to cover their army's retreat if needed. |
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| A balloon's eye view of the battlefield, 1/2 way through the day. |
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| With the redoubts cleared, the General ordered his left wing to detach a battalion to join in the attack on the village. He also ordered the redcoats to side step to give the artillery a clean line of fire to the stone house. The Black Watch, having suffered heavy casualties was ordered to fall back and guard the flank of the infantry in case the French cavalry charged. Slowly, the allied infantry fought their way into 1/2 the houses in the town. |
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| On the far left, the German battalions stormed the town and, despite heavy casualties, they drove the French out with the points of their bayonets. The Republicans themselves had taken even heavier casualties and there was no chance that they could attempt to take the town back. The Republic still held two of the objectives and the sun was sinking low. Was it time to gamble with the cavalry? |
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There was no need. The allied infantry manged to take most of the town and after very heavy losses, the remaining Republican infantry broke and ran. The Republican cavalry covered their retreat and the Duke decided not to risk his cavalry in pursuit when there were so many of these French Republicans to fill the ranks of their infantry. (ps this was the 3rd last turn.)
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Up next? hmmm....
The unrufflable redcoat (and his mates) have won the day once more...huzzah!
ReplyDeleteAlways waiting till near the end before they win.
DeleteThat was a furious affair Ross. The success of the powerful and sustained attacks on the two bastions of defence supports the notion of going in hard from the outset. Marvellous looking game. An engrossing one for you to play, I'd imagine?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, James
It was. Things were not going well for the Coalition for much of the game.
DeleteSustained pressure works... bit of a slog but looks quite satisfying.
ReplyDeleteIt was.
DeleteThat scenario has been tense every time I have used it. Looks like it was a good game!
ReplyDeleteIt was! I've been trying to remember if we'd ever run this scenario at a Con with the NQSYW.
DeleteYes, at least once. You may have been co-GM in the time that the most memorable incident was when a kid on the defending side decided that, since the cavalry he was facing hadn’t moved all game, it never would, and was shocked when he marched out from the redoubt presenting his flank and got charged…
DeleteNice to see a classic again. But as for the Duke's decision, I was reminded of an officer in another revolution--a White Russian cavalryman--who observed that the Red infantry was terrible--but that it got a little better with each campaign. He was lecturing in exile in Paris c. 1925, still thinking there was going to be another round of the Russian Civil War.
ReplyDeleteWhen you beat an enemy but don't destroy him, there's always the danger that he'll learn something.
He wasn't wrong really. 100 years later and they're at it again. Hopefully this time the Ukraine can maintain its freedom.
DeleteHurrah ! Confusion to the Jacobins!
ReplyDeleteShhhh.....I have to be totally impartial....as far as the figures know....
DeleteLovely report, Ross, and very engaging…right to the wire, like all the best games.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I agree about going right to the wire, makes the best games.
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