Monday, August 16, 2021

3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - replay

It took a bit to get back to the action, but I reset my playtest and engaged my friend Mark to see how the latest modifications to the rules played out.  The action quickly focused on the areas of the Gemioncourt and Pierrepont farms as the French advanced onto the field in force.  We played with command pips as the number of units engaged grew.

The French left is held up by stubborn Allied resistance.  Gemioncourt  is already being hit hard with Artillery and determined French infantry assaults and won't last long without reinforcements.



The allied right begins its withdraw into the Bossu wood and the French choose to pursue. 

Gemioncourt falls and the French press their advantage toward the crossroads. French artillery has played a big role in keeping pressure on the allies as it did during the original battle.


The first British units to arrive on the field have advanced just beyond the crossroads with the hope of aiding the defense of Gemioncourt but French cavalry ranging wide to their right have forced them to form square and defend in place aided by some Dutch Belgian cavalry




Significant British and Hanoverian troops begin to approach the battlefield and the French cavalry are unable to break the British squares. 

This is where we halted as it was going to be a long time before the bulk of the French met the bulk of the Allies.  The tide was beginning to turn toward the allies as they were massing troops pretty quickly at this point.  The Brunswick contingent had not yet made it's appearance but can be seen in the lower left board edge. 

All and all a great game.  I'm sure I'll be repeating this every June now.  I did discover I'd forgotten to paint up the necessary British command stands including Wellington himself, but I'm working on those.  I also have a few new tweaks and decisions to make to the rules.  Trying to keep them to a one page QRS.  





Monday, June 21, 2021

Command and Colors - Plancenoit - Father's Day treat

What better way to celebrate Father's Day weekend then a good game of Command and Colors Napoleonics with your son.  This is actually the first time We've played with the Prussians and it was a great game.  Fighting for Plancenoit during Waterloo week was a treat.  

The French got tons of cards for the Center and had a good hold on the village hexes but the Prussians managed to pry them out late in the game as French forces on the Right and Center just melted away.






Game over for the French


3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - Action at 2:00 pm

Around 2pm the French begin their attack towards the crossroads in earnest.  French columns advance toward Gemioncourt and Pierrepont.  Allied reinforcements are on the way while Dutch and Belgian troops try to maintain a line anchored on the Gemioncourt farm.
French columns advance toward Gemioncourt and Pierrepont.
The French assault on Gemioncourt commences.

The French begin to take casualties and have not breached the farm yet.

Marshall Ney makes an trip forward to assess the situation.
The attack on Pierrepont begins. 
The attack on Pierrepont turns into a firefight. 

Thursday, June 17, 2021

3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - Opening Moves

The morning arrives with the allies in possession of the crossroads and arrayed for battle. Looking south towards Gemioncourt.  I've gotten a little busier than I expected this week so a proper AAR may take a bit to deliver.

The crossroads looking south.

The crossroads looking south

Gemioncourt looking south at the French forming up for the attack.


Gemioncourt looking southwest at the French build up 


The fields around Pierrepont at the edge of the Bossu wood.


Tuesday, June 15, 2021

3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - The Quiet before the Storm

The peaceful fields of Belgium await the coming storm.

Quatre Bras looking south toward Gemincourt Farm


Sunday, June 13, 2021

3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - French Imperial Guard Light Cavalry Division

Imperial Guard Light Cavalry Division commanded by Gen Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes.  Red Lancer Regt and Guard Chasseur Regt.  The Lancer Regt. also contained the Polish Lancer squadron from Elba.  Mamelukes were attached to the Guard Chasseurs.

Imperial Guard Light Cavalry


3mm Battle of Quatre Bras - French Artillery

French Foot Artillery deployed for action and limbered up.