Monday 31 May 2021

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.

26 comments:

Rob said...

Hiding in houses or huddled in square? Those Frenchies just don't want to come out and play when faced with British cold steel - they don't like it up 'em. Of course one has to acknowledge that when encased in French steel they do seem to be a very different, and more dangerous, sort of beast.
Despite restricting the allied presence to a token unit leaving all the glory for John Bull, those Brunswick Hussars do seem to have upstaged us somewhat. I shall have to see if I can find a nice posting for them in the West Indies.

Stryker said...

Rob, they’ll be egg on some faces at horse guards, best to ship them off quietly as you suggest!

Rob said...

It's those pesky foreign hussar who will be sent on foreign service - it really doesn't do to show up Horse Guards in front of the home crowd.

Stryker said...

I’m sure you’ll be able to write them out in the ‘official’ history!

Jeffers said...

Not quite the rout I expected but made it a lot more interesting! Absolutely superb; thoroughly enjoyed this series and hope more are on the cards. Time to liberate Normandy…? 😉

MSFoy said...

Just excellent - great pics and a fine story line - have enjoyed this greatly, and hope you do more of this once the blackout ends. I fear the French were a little unlucky at times, though of course I feel a patriotic thrill that the Foreigner Johnnies were sent packing - now that's history as I was taught it!

I would hesitate to offer any criticism here - lack of qualifications to do so being a big factor - but I'd like to suggest that keeping the eagle underneath Marshal Ney's nose might have been tactically unwise. Anyway - super show. I'm going to rewind a bit and follow the map movement more carefully. There are lessons here for all of us.

That's the way to do it, though the Emperor must be disappointed; if he has a crest, it will be fallen.

Stryker said...

Thanks Jeffers, I hope that the Emperor will strike back!

Stryker said...

Tony, one lesson learnt is possibly not to make the rules up as I go along! Glad you enjoyed the show.

Matt said...

Thoroughly enjoyable campaign reports, stirring British victory and a sound bloody nose for Old Boney!

(However I have read in an piece form the "Oprah Republique" paper that as per all Droney's bad decisions it turns out they are all his dad's fault so we should cut him some slack, apparently).

David said...

My goodness but those Cuirassiers almost turned the tide! A delightful read and a marvelous execution of a great idea. Thoroughly enjoyed this campaign!

Wellington Man said...

This whole campaign has been just glorious, Ian, and what an exciting finish.
Do please share your thoughts on the campaign system and how it might be tweaked. I'd love to try this sometime using the North Germany maps.

Stryker said...

Matt, poor old Napoleon, it’s tough being an over privileged tyrant in the public eye!

Stryker said...

David, glad you enjoyed the campaign!

Stryker said...

WM, I will put together a post on the campaign system. The Murat maps are very inspiring and I already have an idea for the next theatre of operations but need to paint more Cuirassiers first!

Mark Dudley said...

This has been a most enjoyable series of games and reached a fitting climax.

Are you sure this was a major operation for Napoleon and not a side show masking his real intentions.

the Archduke said...

So Black is the new Leib. Will the entire 85th now claim asylum?

What’s left to say? This campaign has been sheer joy from end to end. Well done Ian and Rob.

Stryker said...

Mark, glad you enjoyed it - there are rumours that the Emperor’s real objective lies somewhere along the Danube!

Stryker said...

Nigel, apart from the Old Guard the 85th were the only unit to escape without a scratch from this campaign. I believe Wellington has now exchanged them for a shipment of good Bordeaux!

Aly Morrison said...

Cracking stuff Ian…
The Greys running away… Fake News!


All the best. Aly

Stryker said...

Thanks Aly, you had to be there to believe it!

lewisgunner said...

A fine example of retirer pour mieux sauter. !

Seems like the British cavalry lived up to their reputation for headlong charges and then loss of control.

Stryker said...

Roy, yes a good day for the steady ranks of the Cuirassiers!

Norm said...

Lovely blog, nicely supported - following and looking forwards to more and also to dipping back, thanks.

Stryker said...

Thanks Norm, glad you like it!

James Fisher said...

Entertainment plus Ian! A rollicking, great fun report all set in time to your lovely, lovely figures and terrain.
Regards, James

Stryker said...

Thanks James, it was fun but now it's time for some more painting!