Tuesday 17 May 2022

 Napoleonic game at the "tute"

The day had arrived at last. We had eagerly been waiting to play an 1815 game on a huge table in order to field mine and Dave's 100 days campaign figures.

At a reasonable cost, I was able to get the main hall in a beautifully decorated building local to the village.

A sharp start at 9 o'clock, we had the cars unloaded and tables set up. Chris drove from Yorkshire and Michael headed south to join John, Brian and myself. 

Thanks to Janet (my better half), Dave and John for the drinks and more than enough food for all.

French and Allied troops were placed into their positions for a good old ding dong!

The table prior to play, Michael Dave and Chris were French and Brian, John and myself Allied.



The Allied right flank with de Plat's 1st KGL & Adam's 3rd Brit Inf Brigade and the Neth Cav Div.


Allied centre - 3rd Hanovarian Militia Brigade bolstered by 5th British Inf Brigade
and supported by Somerset's Household Brigade.


Brian commanded the left and had 1st Dutch Belgian Inf Bgd supported by Hussars & Lt Drag cav.


French infantry brigades supported closely by Cuirassier and dragoon brigades. Oh and Grande 12 lb artillery batteries of course.



The battle opened with a heavy bombardment and huge attacks on the farms on either side of the centre.

Both Chris and John threw their cavalry forward where they tussled back and forth all game. 

                                         

The British stood firm on this flank but had to form square for most of the game

Meanwhile the French launch another huge attack on the left farm and central position.

Guns pound the Allied artillery and pave the way for the columns attack



The French launch a twin cavalry attack to support the infantry. A counter attack by Sumerset stalls the French forcing the infantry to form square .... but for how long?

French numbers overpower both of the farms to increase the pressure.







Confident ?



Action across the entire table











Counter attacks to regain the left farm to no avail


French attack the Dutch battery and are then charged by British cavalry.

Meanwhile in the centre


The French are stalled for now!

Oh great look who's coming to the party!








After a fantastic day of action we started to box everything up. 9 until 6 is tiring, 
Exhausting.
Well done everyone a thoroughly enjoyable day and well done Dave for the hard work!

9 comments:

  1. So good to get your collections on table - yours, Dave’s and Mike contributed. Know you’ll need a bigger table next time ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. And top photography skills my friend. See you soon! Chris

    ReplyDelete
  3. James Shepherd18 May 2022 at 22:18

    Fantastic! Me some mates have done similar games in halls, nothing to beat the visual impact!
    I know for me what spurred me on, was as an impressionable, seeing those black and white and blurry images of big games, by Chas. Grant, Don F. and the other pioneers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed, visual impact is what appeals to me. In my case it was Peter Gilder games

      Delete
  4. Not one mention of my Contribution of the most Vital Element TEA BAGS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had one of those! Dave H

      Delete
    2. Well done Paul,great write up and great photographs-how did you get them developed so quickly,I thought it took at least a couple of days!!
      johnc

      Delete
  5. James Shepherd20 May 2022 at 18:54

    Where are the lettuce and marmite sandwiches tho?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. James-Brian has a wind problem with lettuce,so we keep well clear of the stuff!!
      johnc

      Delete