Andy and Dave kindly invited me back to the Aylesbury Wargames Club, and after some discussion about which armies/rules to play, we came down on The Franco-Prussian War.
I volunteered my 10mm troops, and Black Powder, using my stats here. When I got there, the gents had kindly set up the beautiful terrain for me, and it was nicely neutral to boot. So, the objective became to take the two road junctions. I also left my dice and tape measure at home, so thanks Dave for the lend. You will also see jelly beans acting as 'disordered' markers, so no shooting or moving while disordered. Also, it was Andy and Dave's first game with Black Powder, so I did not take many photos as were also were laughing too much!
The Prussians, played by me, 19th Division advanced quickly, coming up the road and 20th Division was swinging right of the two copses, supported by 5th Cavalry Division. My Corps artillery were on the left hand hill, whereas 20th artillery was on the rise to the right. The French kept Lapasset's brigade in reserve, their cavalry was coming on the left, and the two infantry divisions of Frossard rolling over the hill and circumventing the woods on the right.
The French centre advanced the Corps artillery onto their rise efficiently. while Verge's infantry stalled magnificently, holding up their cavalry too!
19th Division act truly Prussian. Leading the advance, their guns hold the junction while the one infanry brigades swings left to deal with the French threat while the other brigade swings right to threaten the central junction .
19th Division, having advanced confidently, taking the first junction and positioning their guns at the fore, stall under fire. The French cavalry general Valabregue got their cavalry to the road, which worried the Prussian corps artillery. Trying to advance more, 19th Division was faced by massed French guns and Chassepot rifles opening up, stalling and disordering the advance there with their longer ranged rifles.
On the right, a French brigade of infantry from Bataille's Division, with support from the Chasseurs a Pied, a 4 pounder battery and a mitrailleuse were hitting the leading Prussians of Wedel's brigade hard. The Prussian cavalry's attached artillery was tasked with supporting the centre while the heavy horses advance in support.
The Prussian 16th Dragoons from 20th Division, seeing an opportunity, charged the French gun line between the woods. (Jelly beans mean disordered), while the Jagers looked on, vaguely impressed as the two batteries are swept away.
At the same time, one of Wedel's brigade manages to charge in against the French line. Their colleagues, unfortunately, are pinned in place.
However, it was not to be. All Prussian infantry assaults failed to dislodge the French, and Wedel's brigade fell back off table. 20th Division's only success was to deal with the French gun line. The French proved to be a stubborn as anything, but also could not advance too take advantage of the beaten up Prussians, leaving the dirty work to Chassepot bullets at range instead. Lappeset's Brigade was the most aggressive, driving off a Prussian regiment. This meant the Prussians had effectively lost 20th Division, plus a regiment from 19th Division.
Technically, a French battlefield win, but knowing the French, they will retire back, leaving the Prussians to the field.
Great game, Andy and Dave both liked the rules and the period flavour, and many of their club mates complimented me on my figures, taking photos, which gave me many warm glowing moments. We will have another sometime in November.
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