We return now to Waterloo, and more gratuitous 54mm toy soldier porn. Beginning with this regiment of French lancers.
You want more lancers? Happy to oblige...
French infantry getting stuck into - and in some cases breaking - the main Allied line.
But who is this in the distance? Is it Grouchy? No, 'tis Blucher. Suddenly those French lancers look a lot less cocky.
It's all still to play for at this stage though - with the ridge being defended by Allied cavalry charges and plenty of French infantry still present.
North of La Haye Sainte the French are threatening to roll up the Allied line. The situation - to say nothing of the umpires - was confused!
Further west, French infantry are beating off Allied counter attacks.
The French right (I think) preparing to see off the Prussians....
...of whom there were by now rather a lot.
A splendid sight - the British Union Brigade sweeps down off the ridge.
By now it was 8.30pm (game time, 1515 real time) and we called a halt. The three leaders were called upon to say why they thought they had won.
Napoleon claimed that as he held LHS and had broken the Allied line, he had won.
Wellington claimed he had won because Blucher had turned up.
Blucher claimed he won by rescuing Wellington.
I'm saying nothing!
All in all, a very successful game. My thanks again to DWG for making visitors so welcome.
Well, since they all looked spendid, I think they can all be considered winners.
ReplyDeleteSplendid Battle Tim- sounds as though Napoleon had the upper hand- hard to choose a winner.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac
ReplyDeleteQuite right Ross!
Kev Robertson
ReplyDeleteFrom the Emperor’s point of view, looking North the scene was generally positive. But the view to the East was obscured by a large Prussian army.....
The Centre was in the balance but the Emperors right and less so left flanks were looking very iffy so I think he still loses.
ReplyDeleteTim, thanks again for umpiring! This was my first go with 54s, really impressive scene when everything is laid out. I was actually feeling nervous seeing big blocks of infantry heading towards my patch on the allied left.
ReplyDeleteI feel it necessary though to highlight that the French lost 3 generals to pinpoint accurate cannon fire, against Wellington's orders! Not an allied general lost...
Oh, and whilst Napoleon broke through the allied centre and mounted the ridge at Mont St Jean, his flanks had collapsed and his position was untenable!
Hobbitomm
ReplyDeleteI’d agree with that - but on the day it felt safer to let the players reach their own conclusions!
RichardTJ
ReplyDeleteThe battle is over - the battle of the memoirs continues!
I’m glad you enjoyed the game and the ‘one true scale’ - we must do it again!
The French were way outnumbered and achieved the best result possible in breaking the Allied centre. The flanks were secure as Plancenoit was no where near threatened and the Allied left remained in stasis throughout. If ever Napoleon could have won at Waterloo, this was it!😉
ReplyDelete