The Battle of Bournemouth – The Game

The British cavalry advance with Rob's stirring order ringing in their ears "The enemy Cuirassiers will be seen off by our Heavy Cavalry!"

The Brunswick Hussars had their own orders to "...disperse enemy skirmishers if an opportunity offers". Well it did, however the skirmishers evaded which resulted in the Hussars ploughing into the 45th regiment who failed to form square.

The Inniskillings charge the Cuirassiers but lose the first round of melee and become disordered. No worries though, the Blues and the Greys are in close support.

The French artillery found themselves under counter-battery fire that continued for the whole game. However the last French gun was only silenced on turn 8.

To add insult to injury the 45th lost their eagle to the Brunswickers right under the nose of  Marshal Ney.

Opps, now this was NOT in the script - the Inniskillings are running away.

The British infantry are advancing steadily in line but the Higlanders are coming under fire from the French artillery and skirmishers.

The 49th Foot reach the church whilst the Rifles (out of shot on the other side of the building) pop away at the French in the cottage.

Hang on, this is DEFINITELY NOT in the script - Murat's Cuirassiers have just routed the Greys!

With all that cavalry milling around the French have wisely formed square.

This one is for Nigel - the 85th standing firm in line (the only French unit not to lose a single casualty).

The situation at the end of turn 4 - those white arrows indicate the direction of rout for the British heavies.

WHAAAT? Yep, that's the Blues being seen off - if only I'd had two units of Cuirassiers.

This one is for Lee - the 30th Cambridgeshires advancing in line.

And this one is for Goya - Mainwaring goes down (it was just a scratch).

Finally some cavalry who know how to fight turn up and see off Murat. You just can't get enough Brunswick Hussars I find.

Fortunately for Wellington the British cavalry all managed to rally and save themselves from total disgrace.

The French squares were coming under fire now and it was all too much for the 105th regiment.

Nearing the end and the Brunswicker's come forward one more time to claim one of the VP locations.

The French have had enough and take to their heels.

"This way mon ami, my horse will have no problem swimming the channel!"

Rather cruelly, in the dying moments of the battle poor Davout takes a tumble.

"Forward lads and complete your victory!".

The situation at the end of play. The final score was 18 to 6 to the British but you have to say some credit must go to Murat and, of course, the Brunswick Hussars. 

So, the Battle of Bournemouth draws the campaign to a close and I think we can say that the British won. I’ve enjoyed playing the campaign as it’s resulted in some fun solo games that otherwise I would never have been motivated to play. My thanks to Rob for entering into the spirit of things and for his merciless dedication to pushing the French back into the channel.

I’ve got some ideas on how to improve the campaign system (and make sure the French win) and we may play another one later in the year.