Another 'Scenario for all Ages'

Yesterday my son and I played another battle pulled from the excellent publication ( I'd really forgotten how good this book is)

This time it was 'Flanking Force' and is loosely based on the Battle of the Boyne.
The French ( commanded by moi) had 9 regiments of foot, 8 squadrons of Horse and 2 batteries.
Of this 3 regiments of foot, 4 squadrons of horse and a battery had been detached as a flanking force to cross by a Ford and outflank the allied position.
The remaining infantry were deployed in two waves prepared to assault the village - this being the objective to force the allies from the village and hence make their position untenable.
The river is crossable in front of the village and part way along the straight.

The Allies had 6 regiments of foot, 6 squadrons of horse and two batteries.
Major General David Graham surveyed the deployed French army before him, he assigned 3 regiments of foot to hold the village, two more were ordered to deploy along the banks of the fordable river facing the enemy Cuirassiers. Two squadrons of Horse Guards were deployed to their rear.
Marching to the flank to face off against the enemy flanking force were 4 squadrons of  Horse and one regiment of foot.

The Buffs occupy the outskirts of the village two more regiments are advancing in support

Looking out from the French left flank

The British flanking force is moving swiftly to prevent the French deploying in strength

French cavalry cross the ford in an attempt to out flank the British line

The British cavalry begin to deploy their oders are to prevent the French from deploying in force.

Major General Graham decides to send only one regiment of foot to the flank the other he turns to line the river to counter the threat of the French Cuirassiers.

As the French Infantry assault goes in the cuirassiers advance! their orders were to keep the British Infantry pinned, buying it with their blood.

Three regiments of the Irish Brigade push forward through  cannon fire and close to musket range

early engagement of the cavalry on the Allied left was evenly matched although the Swiss Regiment with its opening long range volley obliterated a whole Allied squadron (an incredible number of 5's and 6's from Diesbach )

The Irish Dillon regiment got the better of the Buffs early on causing them to break, Bulkeley to their right was trying to force their way into the village.

The cavalry melee on the allied left hots up and the Horse Guards are dispatched to lend their support.

The action on the allied left continued to swing to and fro Diesbach and the 36th exchanging volleys and casualties, a lucky charge by the British dragoons caught the second Swiss regiment before it could fully deploy

The French cuirassiers continued to pose a threat and die for the pleasure

The fight in the village rages on under a hail of cannister Dillon presses forward causing casualties on the Artillery and causing the survivors to flee, however with further volleys from the supporting British foot Dillon fell to below 50% and was forced to abandon the attack

They were replaced by Perigod who advanced forward to resume the attack as they advanced Officer casualties mounted to the point the regiment faltered by this time all three regiments of the Irish brigade were in retreat and the French second line were pressing, La Marine to the left of Perigod had fought their way into the village and Royal Italian to Perigod's right were offering support but paying a heavy price.

Perigod could take no more their loss of Officers causing the to retreat at the same time the British opposing them had thrown incredible morale dice all game but eventually they fell to below 50% and had to withdraw.
On the Allied left the French had reformed the third Swiss Regiment Sallis had deployed, the artillery battery had deployed and the remaining squadrons reformed.


Opposing them one battered English regiment a little over 50% and two and a half squadrons of cavalry.

Both sides had fought themselves to a standstill, however La Marine was firmly ensconced in the village and Major General Graham decided he didn't have the strength to try and retake the position so he called a general retreat.

This game swung back and forth with extreme dice throws on both sides. One of the bloodiest battles I have fought and certainly a Pyrrhic victory for the French

A thoroughly enjoyable game for both of us. We shall be returning to the 18th century again in the not too distant future and using more scenarios from the publication.