Ligny 1815

This was a Command & Colours game played at Sheffield on 29 July with my 15mm toys and Hexon terrain.  Real life megalomaniac Jerry played the Emperor while John - a real life pipe smoker and probably none too steady on a horse - was Blucher.  The photo above shows the field of battle from the French left/Prussian right.  The scenario can be seen here:  link.

 French cavalry and foot on the left flank...

 ...facing Prussian forces which included a battery which fits just nicely in this farmyard.

 The French left poised to advance.

 The village of Ligny. Firmly - at the start of the game - in Prussian control.

 Blucher and a windmill.  Blucher is the one on the foreground.  Windmill provided by John.

 

 French infantry surging across the bridge to assault the village of La Haye*.

These particular French were painted for me many years ago by Steve Briddon.  He subsequently ran off to the North American colonies. I hope it wasn't something we said.

 The scrap for La Haye continues.

 Some great pointing by John as the French artillery strikes.

 French cavalry join the scrap for La Haye...

 ...but don't hang around for long!

 I'd clearly missed a turn or two here, as the French right looks a bit knocked about...

 ...though the Prussians are looking a bit thin here too.

 The Prussians seem to have saved La Haye

 The French making a determined attempt on St Amand in the centre... 

 Another French attack on La Haye fails.

The assault on St Amand fails, and Blucher claims victory.

So enraged was the Emperor that a rematch was requested.  Stay tuned...

*not to be confused with the farm of La Haye Sainte near Waterloo, as immortalised by filmmakers and Airfix.  But you knew that already, right?