Vintage Waterloo (Part 3)

This is the section of the Allied line on the ridge to the right of La Haye Sainte. British battalions are lining the hedge and Hanoverians (I think) are in support. This must be about turn four and so far these troops appear untouched by shot and shell.

Further to the left are the Highlanders - the Gordon's with my own Black Watch to their right. Below the ridge a fierce fight is raging as a result of Lord Hill ordering Bylandt's Dutch/Belgians forward into D'Erlon's advancing columns. I have to confess that I missed the detail of this action as I was involved at the other end of the table but I'm sure His Lordship wasn't merely using his Allies as cannon fodder.

A closer view of Bylandt's brigade from the Allied lines. The RHA batteries appear to be making a dent in the advancing French columns whilst light cavalry pass their flank. Some Prussians are just coming into action as well.

Meanwhile in La Haye Sainte, Barings brave lads are holding on.

Bylandt's men are taking casualties and that red marker denotes the fact that a Colonel has become a fallen leader. This will put the Dutch/Belgians on a minus 2 for morale ('C' class troops with fallen leader). This is only going to go one way.

Here is a better view of the Prussians arriving. We allowed 5 units of Prussians with a gun and some cavalry to arrive on the flank of the main table. The bulk of the Prussian army was at Plancenoit and they were not allowed to cross to the main table until they had captured the village.

The Brandenberg Uhlans did quite well on what was their first outing making short work of these French lancers.

The view of the action involving Bylandt from the French side of the table. The unit being blasted by canister courtesy of the RHA are the Poles from my own collection. I know there were no Polish regiments at Waterloo but I wasn't going to leave these off the OOB, although I bet they wish that I had.

Moving slightly to the left we can see the 95th Rifles engaging a French line regiment that sensibly chose to deploy from column into line.

Beyond the riflemen the French are trying to batter down the gates of La Haye Sainte.

The Old Guard making ready to advance against the Allied centre. There are five battalions here - a sixth was fighting in Plancenoit. The unit in the foreground are the 2nd Grenadiers from my own collection.

The Emperor watches as his 'daughters' pound the Allied line in the hope of softening up the defenders.

The French line just to the left of La Haye Sainte. Some of Lobau's battalions are moving forward while a cavalry melee develops in front of them. Guard lancers are engaging some British heavy cavalry.

The French heavy cavalry reserve advances to the right of Hougoumont (and to the left of the Guard infantry). On the hill in front of them you can just make out the British rocket battery.

The French are pressing hard at Hougoumont - it must be just a matter of time before it falls?