Blessed with a calm sea and helped by the fact that
Nelson was chasing his tail in the Caribbean, The Armee d’Angleterre was successfully
transported to Bournemouth where it made an unopposed landing. The Emperor
wasted no time in getting his troops on the move. Nansouty and Poniatowksi were
immediately ordered to scout the road towards Southampton where they found Uxbridge
with his cavalry Brigade. In the face of superior French forces Uxbridge
sensibly withdrew.
Meanwhile D’Hilliers was scouting north with the 5th Lancers towards Andover where he discovered Ponsonby and the British heavy cavalry supported by Moore with the Naval Battalion. D’Hilliers decided to wait at Salisbury whilst Ney and Massena moved their infantry divisions up in support. However, the British were not prepared to await the French advance and chose instead to attack them at Salisbury.
So, we have our first battle with an interesting mix of forces (which is exactly the sort of game I was hoping for). The British force is made up almost entirely of Heavy Cavalry whilst the French are all infantry except for the Lancers.
I had expected a French advance towards Salisbury and conjectured it would be Ney (who else to lead a vanguard?) and D'Hilliers. My Intelligence officers were delighted to proven so accurate when both were in fact found there! However, Massena also being there was something they hadn't foreseen and the odds no look a little stickier!
ReplyDeleteNever mind British pluck should (?) see us through - HUZZAH!
Rob, so far I can tell you that the British cavalry have performed exceptionally well, but can they keep their heads?
ReplyDeleteStryker you tease! To say such a thing with no pictures or details - oh the calamity!
ReplyDeleteThe British cavalry will probably carrying on charging until the reach the coast!
ReplyDeleteOne naval battalion against four veteran French. No sea. They’re all going to die....
ReplyDeleteDavid, don't worry they'll be plenty of pics to follow!
ReplyDeleteMatt, yes but which coast?
ReplyDeleteNigel, you may be surprised by the outcome of the game!
ReplyDeleteThe chap that runs the Salisbury Model Centre is ex army, so he will lead the South Wilts Fencibles to victory...
ReplyDeleteJeffers, that will only work if he stocks 20mm vintage figures!
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting situation with unbalanced forces. With all that open terrain I wonder if it is Salisbury Plain. The French Infantry may indeed find this hard going against all that British cavalry.
ReplyDeleteMark, the game has indeed turned out to be a tough one for the French!
ReplyDeleteI am feeling like the moment in Zulu when the Impis appear on the horizon. Or, as spelllchecker has it, the MP3s. Good grief, those French battalions have M & M musketry rules and the ready ability to form square in their favour. Mind you, with Moore in charge, for Albion, I guess the initiative rule could do for them. Ian, you have played a blinder in tension building.
ReplyDeleteNigel, it turned out to be a game full of thrills and spills but you'll have to wait until the next post to find out the result!
ReplyDeleteBound to be loads of British cavalry present. The Royal Dragoon Guards are in Battlesbury Barracks, for a start.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeffers but I won't tell Rob.
ReplyDelete