Post by zuludon on Jun 20, 2022 2:47:38 GMT
Every Waterloo game I have played in or run resulted in a game where, to quote Welllington: "They came on in the same old way and we defeated them in the same old way." This is because the French commanders all want to get into the action and the result is separate uncoordinated attacks all along the British line which are easily held off with the usual British defensive tactics. This time the French commanders tried something new. The players on the left and the center played holding actions or at best demonstrated against their respective British opponents. The commander on the right mounted a strong infantry attack that was supported by almost all of the French cavalry.
On the left the French advanced into the woods surrounding Hougoumont but were thrown back by the defenders. The rest of their infantry advanced between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte and stopped to allow the artillery to fire over their heads on the British and allies who were visible on the ridge. In the center, the main French artillery blasted the British left in preparation for the infantry attack. The massed columns on the right made steady progress up the hill towards the British line.
Back on the left, French and allied light cavalry fought a duel that ended with the British in undisputed possession of the hill behind Hougoumont. In the center the French were able to force the Rifles out of La Haye Sainte and the advance on the right continued, with the addition now of the Old Guard.
.JPG)
On the left the French advanced into the woods surrounding Hougoumont but were thrown back by the defenders. The rest of their infantry advanced between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte and stopped to allow the artillery to fire over their heads on the British and allies who were visible on the ridge. In the center, the main French artillery blasted the British left in preparation for the infantry attack. The massed columns on the right made steady progress up the hill towards the British line.
Back on the left, French and allied light cavalry fought a duel that ended with the British in undisputed possession of the hill behind Hougoumont. In the center the French were able to force the Rifles out of La Haye Sainte and the advance on the right continued, with the addition now of the Old Guard.
There was much action on the French right when the columns came within musket range of the Belgian units in the front line on the crest of the hill. One Belgian unit was destroyed by volley fire and the other lost a melee against three French units. The British Guard cavalry next charged into the French column and took out two French battalions but it was then blown and routed from French close range musket fire. Too late the British commander in the center sensed the danger and tried to maneuver his foot and cavalry units to reinforce the left but he was stuck in a log jam trying to exit the reverse slope. We called the game a French victory after the French Dragoons overran a British battery and the Old Guard, Cuirassiers and Carabiniers had reached the top of the slope, ready to plow down the flank of the British.
