The opposing commanders had to plan thier battle and issued orders to thier subordinates, who could not vary from these orders unless they received instructions from the CinC. By chance each commander deployed completely opposite to the other, each deploying their cavalry on their left and infantry to the right.
The Bavarians and Spanish deployment
The Austrian and Dutch deployment
The French started the game, advancing a brigade against the Austrians.
The Austrians moved to counter the French advance.
While the Bavarian and Spanish moved to control the right flank
The Franco/Spanish cavalry waited an opportunity to advance.
The English lines advanced unopposed at a very leisurely pace.
The English guns deployed
The Austrians and French drew closer...
...then clashed
The French infantry stumbled...
...and two battalions on the left of the line were driven off and disoersed.
The English, Dutch and Austrian cavalry arrived opposite the Bavarians.
They attacked the Bavarians...
...breaking one of the Bavarian battalions, but were halted by the Bavarian second line.
The English cavalry then attacked the second French brigade, but were beaten off.
But a gap opened in the Franco/Bavarian line that the Austrian cavalry rode through eventually dispersing the French artillery.
Meanwhile the Bavarians and Spanish drove off the rest of the English cavalry and took control of that flank.
In the centre the remnants of the French cavalry pushed back the Austrians, but could not break them.
Soon the remaining Austrians destroyed the last of the French troopers.
Belatedly the English formed up on the French left and advanced.
On the Franco/Bavarian right the Bavarian and Spanish, now free of the English cavalry formed up to face the distant English line.
Here the game ended with both armies having turned each other's right flank. The French, Austrian and Dutch commands and all the cavalry were all but destroyed.
Here the game ended. Neither force managed to destroy the other.
Below are the final positions.
Fantastic looking game Mark.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stu. It kept six of us out of mischief for a day.
DeleteGreat report and pictures Mark - I have just completed my effort, including snide asides about the lack of British support!
ReplyDeleteI'll head over to your's now...
DeleteBeautiful game! I often consider starting a WSS project (don’t laugh) but have thus far resisted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jonathan. I take no credit for setting up the game. I was merely a player. It is a wonderfully colourful era though and strongly recommended. I you do go down this track I strongly recommend the Ebor range - possibly the most complete range on the market and sculpted by Paul Hicks
DeleteI do like Hicks’ work but I think 10mm would look good en masse.
DeleteIf you think 10mm would look good in mass, check out the second oartvofvthis report http://stracmark.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/five-games-in-five-days-part-2.html
Delete50 infantry battalions, 30 cavalry regiments, all 28mm. The French battle line was one of the best sights I have ever seen on a gaming table.
Lovely colourful game,sounds like loads of fun too!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks Iain. Yes it was fun, that odd mix of agony and ecstasy...the former when someone has a bad die roll and the latter when someone has a great roll!
DeleteHooray for the British a perfect well executed plan. Plus plenty of tea and crumpets while on the march to victory. Lol
ReplyDeleteIs that why it took the English so long to get into acion...baking and brewing up?
DeleteLooks great, WSS one I contemplate on a semi-regular basis too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark. I think this era always look so good because of the linear nature of the battles. They have an almost orderely appearance that is in line with the genteel manner of the time.
DeleteYes indeed. Also the uniforms are colourful and elegant, but often a bit simpler to paint than Napoleonic uniforms I think. Plus the overall scale is more manageable.
DeleteElegant is an excellent term for the era...the detail on the lace work can be a chore to work with, particularly on the various guards units and officers, and especially on the wonderfully detailed figures from Ebor. But nonetheless it is still one of my favorite periods of play. We did a huge game a few years back that involved 50 infantry battalions and 30 cavalty regiments - the table was fairly groaning under the weight of lead.
DeleteA great-looking game Mark. Was it a clear draw when you stopped, or was there a feeling that one side may have eventually gained the ascendancy?
ReplyDeleteThe English contingent had not really engaged. The Bavarians and Spanish had been slightly engaged but were still in good shape. But rhe French and Austro-Dutch infantry were spent and both sides' cavalry had been driven from the field.
DeleteThe game could have gone on, perhaps as a second day.