Fontenoy - the action

A short report of the action at Fontenoy played using the Charles Grant rules from the War Game. 

Infantry units consisted of  36 figures and light infantry 18 figures. Cavalry have 16 Sabres per regiment.  I do  not use separate officer figures instead their casualties are marked using a D6 at the rear of the unit. 

Hungarian Infantry launch an attack on Fontenoy. They are racked by musketry and artillery fire. 

There assault reaches the defences but after a short melee they are thrown back in disorder

As the assault goes in French reserves are rushed into support the defenders. Additional Allied units can be seen moving up to support the Hungarians. 

Fresh Allied infantry advancing into the Fontenoy Maelstrom. These are in fact GNW Saxons  

To relieve pressure on Fontenoy the French Cavalry launch a holding attack. After a drawn out melee both sides with withdraw exhausted to rally. 

As the Allied attack on Fontenoy ebbs the Allied commanders decide to a launch an attack on the French centre. With flags flying and drums beating British Infantry supported by Austrian Cavalry start a slow methodical advance towards the French centre

Gentleman of France Fire first!!!  

The British continue to advance with range closing the volleys become more deadly. The French also pour canister into the tight British ranks. The British pass one morale check, but with 3 officers down they fail the second one and retreat. 

 In one final effort the British launch one last attack. But after a short melee the attack is halted and the British retire.  

A hard fought fun game that is certainly a challenge for the Allied players. 

Battle of Fontenoy - the set up

Its been a while since I played the Battle of Fontenoy.  In fact I last played its was in 1975 on my mothers white carpet using hordes of unpainted Spencer Smith figures. My brother played the Allies and I the French. It was one of my most handsome victories. 

Anyway fast forward to 2011 - some 36 year later and the battle is back on.  We are going to use the War Game, using the copy of the book I received as a Christmas present in 1971 - and still in good condition.   

I am using a range of different Tricorn types including SYW, GNW as well as some of my old school 30mm figures. I used Wargaming in History - Volume 2, by Messrs Grant and Olley , for the set up. My units are 36 men for Infantry and 16 for Cavalry. 

The Allied centre advances through the early morning mist. Cavalry and man handled artillery leading the way.  The Artillery is from my GNW Russian collection.  

I have very few French figures so my SYW Prussians make up the bulk of the French army.  Here the ranks of infantry supported by cavalry make up the French centre.

French Cavalry deployed in reserve. In all the French have 3 heavy and 1 light cavalry regiments

The Allied centre is lead on to the field by Heavy Austrian Cavalry. Front Rank figures

The  village Fontenoy is well defended by French Infantry - in this case a unit of Prussians from the excellent Elite range.

A close up of the defenders.



Facing Fontenoy the allies have deployed 3 regiments - lead by a unit of Hungarian infantry

Between Fontenoy and Antoing the French have to redoubts. The first is defended by 18 figures from the Erbprinz, Stuck to cardboard bases for this game using blue tack.  

And finally the French second line with the Bois de Barry (Lyndon) in the distance. 

Full report of the action to follow

Erikssonville the action

Its is a bright spring morning as General De Cassoulet mounts his horse. He can feel that today's work will be hotter still as the Imperial troops under his command represent some of the Duchy of Calvados finest troops not to mention the presence of the Royal Field Kitchens.

The advance begins with the Ducal forces moving towards the bridge over the River Holger and the town of Erikssonville. Two companies of the Royal Boursin are followed by the Grenadiers de Calvados

The Livarot are ordered to secure the ford and attack the small hill north of the town.  General Cassoulet

young ADC is keen to earn his spurs in his very first action an opens up with the heavy artillery against the Electoral artillery south of the town before it can fire on the heavy infantry columns. The dice roll a hit - the dice is re rolled for effect - a 6 - the electoral gun is bowled over with the very first shot of the game.

 Although I am using The War Game rules I played the artillery rules from Charge  as these are simpler and I don't have any of the artillery sticks and cones made up.

 

As the Imperial troops advanced the leading regiments form line. The Royal Boursin break into 2 companies  creating a nice gap for the Grenadiers to charge across the bridge.  

Although it has lost an officer from the first round of artillery the Livarot form line - an imposing sight for the company of the Liebgarden depending the hill - who open fire at long range supported by canister from the other electoral gun situated on the hill. This combined fire was to dog the advance of the Livarot who reach 50% casualties and turn and fall back in disarray.  

With the Livarot retiring the fight in the centre reaches a crescendo. The Royal Boursin and Sbrinz trade musketry across the River with the Imperial guns supporting the attack.  

With casualties mounting on the Royal Boursin General De Cassoulet orders the Grenadiers forward. Storming across the bridge....

......the Grenadiers melee the Sbrinz and after a short fight force them to turn tail and retire.

The Sbrinz only lose 2 men but with the grenadiers only losing 1 giving victory goes to the Imperial forces.

With the village taken the Elector of Fustenberg-Lederhosen finest troops finally arrive - the Dolcelatte Dragoons. They face a smaller number of then the lighter Bechemal hussars across a small field. 

After a swirling melee of trust and counter thrust the Dragoons emerge victorious sending the Hussars packing. With this flank stabilised and with single company of the Leibgarden still full of fight the Calvadorian forces decide that the delights of Holger are more to the taste that the fields of Mars.  The action is over with both sides claiming victory.   

My son Max played the game to completion and enjoyed rolling the dice and knocking over the soldiers.

Action at Erikssonville (Set Up)

I have set up my first game on my newly painted table.  The River Holger flows along much of the frontier between The Duchy of Calvados and the Electorate of Fustenberg-Lederhosen. It is a fast flowing river and is difficult to cross except at a few bridges and fords. 

The small village of Erikssonville is one of the smaller bridges across the river but is a vital passage and has seen many an invader cross into the Electorate via this route.  Whilst the river is deep a little further up and downstream the river is also fordable care. 

The Calvadorian forces are keen to break the frontier and use the bridge to bring its heavy guns and stores across into the Electorate to build a magazine and supply depot ready for a further advance into the late spring. 

The Elector Maximillian aware of this risk has posted some of his small army to contest the crossing. 

The scenario is loosely based on the the Bridgehead teaser form the excellent Raid on St Michel by Messrs Grant and Olley - available from only the finest purveyors of war game paraphernalia 

Here are some photos of the initial set up. I will be using the War Game for this game. My son Max wants to join in and I hope to play the game when I return from a holiday in the Duchy of Calvados no less.  

The Livarot in close column. Standards to the fore and drums beating.

The Royal Boursin in Column

The village of Erikssonville bristling with the bayonets of the Sbrinz ready to defend the Bridge.

A small unit of local militia light infantry ready to ambush the Calvadoria troops if they should attempt a river crossing

The Ille Flottante Heavy Artillery take up their position ready to support the attack.

The newly recruited Liebgarden defend the hill south of the town.

Supporting the Roysal Boursin are the Grenadiers de Calvados and in the distance the Bechemal Hussars.

One unit not seen in the photos is the Dolcelatte Heavy Cavalry which is hastening to the action in support of the Electoral forces.

Standards

Here are the standards of the Electorate of Furstenberg-Lederhosen. Each on my units has 2 flags. The first 2 are the Sbrinz whilst the last one is the Leibgarden.

And here are the Duchy of Calvados standards. The first is the Colonels colour for the Pont L'Eveque (although I a may name this unit Coutance as this the French town in Normandy twinned with  Ilkley). We then have the 2 colours of the Livarot and finally the those of the Royal Boursin.

Cardboard Soldiers

I had a couple of games of Command and Colors on Friday - Battle of Vimeiro. This got me thinking

of knocking up some counters for some Old School Gaming. I copied some top down images and quickly created  some samples. Here is a full Infantry unit for the War game including the central

command stand.

A slightly closer look at the unit. Perhaps Mollwitz is doable after all???  

It you fancy a go then open and copy these files. I use paint to edit and print. All I need is to make some paper terrain and I have a nice easy to carry light weight game.

Paint it Green

Well I have finally taken the plunge and painted my 10 by 6 table a nice Old School Green. I used Dulux paint- Tarragon Glory No 2. The table has a clean feel and I am pleased with the colour.  I am looking forward to setting up a game and giving the table a good christening.