Caldiero 1805

 

Waterloo 2021, Pt. 2

With the British right flank bent back, Hougomont taken by the French, Picton’s division holding the center, La Haye Saint and Frischermont still occupied by the allies, and the leading Prussian elements on the field, it was time for a dramatic measure. 

The Attack of the Old and Middle Guard

The British in the center had repulsed D’Erlon’s attack, but were fatigued and weakened. Lobau’s VI Corps had succeeded in attacking in conjunction with D’Erlon. The British position in the center was becoming precarious. Napoleon (played brilliantly by Jackson) then made the decision to commit a division of the Old/Middle Guard and the Guard heavy cavalry to puncture the center. The remainder of the guard would mobilize to the French right to help counter the Prussians. 

The Grenadiers a Cheval and the Empress Dragoons struck first, sending the allied infantry backwards. The artillery of the Imperial Guard also opened up as the bearskin-clad guardsmen marched up the ridge. Uxbridge, seeing the center buckle, began to siphon cavalry to help bolster the position around La Haye Saint. The fighting was fierce, but the French guards prevailed and Picton was forced to retreat and La Haye Saint was taken by the French as well. 

 

Allied troops brace for the impact

British cavalry counterattacked but the commitment of the Guard prevailed. The center was pierced and the right flank was reeling backwards. Only Cole’s small command remained unmolested at Frischermont.

The Prussians Advance

Meanwhile, Blucher’s leading elements had emerged from the Bossu du Paris and were engaging Kellermann’s heavy cavalry. French infantry from D’Erlon’s Corps and Lobau’s command were reforming against the Prussians while the French Cuirassiers and Carabiniers fought to buy time. Brilliantly, the Prussian cavalry overwhelmed the French with the loss of only one formation. Fierce fighting punctuated the Prussian advance. As the infantry began to deploy out of the woods to face the fatigued French, the game was called as Wellington ordered a full allied retreat. 

The Prussians were making substantial progress by this point, but had 2 lines of French infantry to fight through before reaching Plancenoit. Coupled with the arrival of the rest of the Old/Middle Guard infantry, it was determined that, no matter the outcome in this sector it would be a long fight. With Wellington’s troops out of the action, it was meaningless to continue the fight against Plancenoit. 

The climactic battle was over. After calculating Victory Points, it was determined that the French had over a 25% advantage, therefore the game was considered a Major French Victory. 

Thanks to all of the Tidewater Warriors, Doug Kline of Battlefield Terrain Concepts for donating a portion of the terrain, Bradley Elliott for his extraordinary painting skills (many hours ), and Mark Bruce’s donation of British heavy cavalry and Highlanders. 

We really put Et Sans Resultat through the ringer and the system was up to the task. We look forward to using these fantastic rules in the future. 

 

Waterloo 2021, Part 1

During the weekend of June 18-20, our local gaming group simulated the legendary Battle Of Waterloo. We used the grand-tactical rules, Et Sans Resultat (ESR), at the 75 yard per inch scale. Our gaming table was 12.5’ by 6’ and we featured every unit down to the battalion level. After 14 hours of action over a two-day period (not counting deployment time on Friday evening), we got a result. The ESR system worked well; two practice games prior to the big battle enabled almost everyone to learn the rules well. 

 

Most of the gang at the conclusion of battle

 

The gaming table

The battle itself was scored using a combination of geographic objectives and retreating/ broken formations making up the available victory points. Hougomont, La Haye Saint, La Belle Alliance, Plancenoit, and Frischermont made up the geographic prizes.

The British deployed with Picton holding the center, supported by Uxbridge’s cavalry Corps. The Prince of Orange held the right flank, while Hill anchored the left flank at Frischermont. 

The French deployed Reille’s Corps against Hougomont and the British right flank. In addition, Milhaud’s cavalry Corps, the Young Guard, and the light cavalry of the Imperial Guard were added here to add power to the main attack against the Dutch-Belgians. D’Erlon’s I Corps held the center and the French right flank. The Imperial Guard, Lobau’s VI Corps and Kellermann’s cavalry Corps were held in reserve in the center. 

Elements of D’Erlon’s Corps at Plancenoit

Reille, Milhaud, and Ney commanding the Young Guard gear up for the main thrust

The Old and Middle Guard in reserve

The crew in action

Action commenced on the 1120 turn as the French attack on the British right began in full earnest. A well-placed grand battery on the ridge between Hougomont and La Haye Saint repulsed two French divisions of Reille’s Corps with bloody losses. Seeing this strong British position, Ney held up the advance of the Young Guard. Shortly afterward, the Young Guard was redirected  to continue the attack on the British right. The Dutch-Belgians, along with Cooke and Alten’s British troops, began to give ground and the Dutch-Belgian cavalry had to committed. D’Erlon advanced, but only to pin the British center and left flank in place. Bombardment from both sides in this sector yielded minor casualties. 

 

The action in full earnest

 

The French attack on the Dutch-Belgians

 

Allied cavalry attempt to save the right flank

 

Milhaud’s Cuirassiers attack !

 

The battle was intense at this point

As the British right flank was giving ground, Wellington made the decision to shift Uxbridge’s cavalry to that sector. The French, in turn, launched Milhaud’s heavy cavalry and the Guard Chasseurs a Cheval against the Dutch-Belgians. Hougomont was attacked and changed hands multiple times. 

Seeing the British cavalry shift to the flank, D’Erlon then launched his Corps against the center. The Brunswick division and Clinton’s command melted away as the the French took Papelotte. Picton held his ground though, then counterattacked, and repulsed D’Erlon’s attack. The Highlanders especially covered themselves with glory! D’Erlon fell back in good order to reform.

The action at Hougomont saw the Young Guard take the chateaux, but were then forced out by British Foot Guards. 

 

French Cuirassiers in action

The Imperial Guard begins to stir

 

Dutch-Belgians giving ground

 

Reille’s Corps regroups

Action on the British right saw the Guard Chasseurs a Cheval burn through the flank, but eventually countered by the Scot Greys. Milhaud’s Cuirassiers launched multiple attacks as well. The damage was done, as the British right was beginning to buckle. Hougomont was in French hands. The British held onto the center ridge and La Haye Saint, while the French occupied Papelotte. Hill still clung onto Frischermont and anchored the British left flank. 

By this time, the Prussians were approaching the battlefield. It was time for something dramatic ! 

Next: The attack of the Old and Middle Guard. The Prussians arrive !