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Monday 17 February 2020

Action dans la vallée de Plattville

South West France in 1814 the British and French are locked in combat. With each side manoeuvring for an opening the important of the pass through the Valley at Plattville is realised by both high commands.

Both sides despatch forces to take control of the valley and the small bridge across the River Belle Lona.  Each side has 5 bttns of foot, 2 companies of skirmishes, 2 guns and a cavalry brigade consisting of 1 light and 1 heavy Cavalry  regiment.


The French Leger advance whilst the light companys prepare to cross the Belle Lona and ascend La Colline de la Taupiniere. 


General Du Pont leads the Leger across the Belle Lona. Flags flying and drums beating. A cry of Vive La France can be heard across the valley.


Marshall Ney leads forward a Brigade of infantry in attack column. They splash across the Belle Lona and also ascend the Taupiniere.


The British are not slow to react with Picton leading forward the Fusilier Brigade supported by a battery of artillery.


The village of Plattville is occupied by the 9th Prussian Reserve Infantry.


Whilst the British Lifeguards begin a long flanking march around Plattville.


On the British right the 95th cross the Wheatfield to threaten the bridge.


Murat arrives and leads the French cavalry Brigade over the Bridge.


Without pausing to dress ranks they charge straight ahead against the lighter Brunswick Hussars. The melee is short and the heavy Carabiniers send their lighter opponents back pell mell towards their base line. Things look to be going well on the French left.


In the centre and left however the British are poised to strike. Their first artillery shot hits and with a 6 rolled for effect the French lose a battery. Not a good opening.


The British are able to concentrate whilst the French Columns struggle forward on the Taupiniere.



The Lifeguards force a French Battalion into square before advancing past them to form up in the French rear.


The French launch their cavalry at the Nassauers who are hit in the flank. Although a victory for the French cavalry they are too far away from the critical action on the Taupiniere.


The French Columns form line and advance to close range in the hope they can beat the British Infantry before the Lifeguards can reform and attack them in the rear.


The Chasseur Flanker are routed after only losing one stand. (Yup I threw a 1)


The French now trade musketry with the British. This should be deadly at close range. But not when you throw dice like this!


The last hope for the French is to rally the Chasseur Flankers. They have only lost one stand and this is the first rally attempt. A 3 or more is needed. You guessed it - another 1.


The Lifeguards hit the French rear whilst the British Infantry pour close range musket into the front of the French infantry. The game is up. Another victory for my son Max.

16 comments:

  1. I was about to comment upon a certain General Jubal de Bonneheure, but then realised the French were playing the Union role of Featherstone's original scenario. Great to see all these figures in action!

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    1. I have played the Plattville scenario in a number of different periods and it always gives a good game.

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  2. In my best Al Murray accent "Proof that the Dice God is British".

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    1. My son has a reputation for good dice rolling which does not help. I threw a lot of low dice rolls for morale particularly.

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  3. A bad day for the French but a great day for your son. Sounds like a pretty good trade! I recognize some Les Higgins French line troops. What make are the French Voltigeurs? I like them!

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    1. He has now played 2 games in as many weeks and he has enjoyed them. Victory is sweet.

      The French Voltigeurs are Douglas Miniatures.

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  4. You'd think your troops would be more considerate to their creator, Mark, by handing you the victory. The ungrateful little wretches did exactly the same to me recently against the Prussians.

    A cracking report, and beautiful soldiers.

    All the best

    WM

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    1. The newly painted Chasseur Flankers have performed poorly in their first 2 outings. Perhaps I should remove their standard to 'encourager les autres'.

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  5. That looked fun, except I was rather dismayed to see eth Brunswick hussars being swept away by those Carabiners. This confirms my thinking that smaller games are perhaps the way to go, albeit they leave you hostage to a few bad die rolls.

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  6. These small Dining table games set and play quickly particularly using the Charge rules. Any longer and I think my son would lose interest.

    I introduced simple Morale rules and they worked well. The Brunswickers rallied and in one of the last actions of the game attacked the French Huussars winning 4 melees out of 7. Their honour was upheld.

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  7. The small games are often the best. I think your French could do with the Imperial Guard to help change their fortunes!

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    1. I do have a unit of Old Guard in the painting queue. Plus 3 old guard cavalry units. I think I should paint these next.

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  8. Gorgeous new header picture - the colour just burned itself into eyeballs when I clicked on to your blog to see if there was anything new to enjoy.
    I saw you comment on Prometheus' blog (no Google Account, no comment) and echo your point about CHARGE! I do however like the combat, shooting and morale tests in WRG but never liked the game sequence. I took the bits I liked and wrapped them into the Piquet game sequence and morale accounting. It's all a case of what you enjoy and Piquet is a real Marmite system - I love Marmite.

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  9. Great looking game with lovely figures. Look forward to seeing more.

    Paul

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  10. A splendid and shiny looking game... Mark.
    The Plattville scenario is still one of my favourites... when I have enough shiny Napoleonics painted it will probably be high on the list to do.

    All the best. Aly

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  11. To me this is the perfect size for an evenings battle. A mix of all three arms and enough units to make it interesting, but not so many that it is overwhelming. Jolly good show; despite the verities of Chance.

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