We've been wanting to play this one for a couple of years now, Quatre Bras 1815. DBN rules again, big base, also using the KISR Quatre Bras scenario (free download). I bought the Cigar Box Battle Mats, Quatre Bras mat a while back. It roughly covers 6x4 feet, the KISR scenario covers 3x3 feet, so we had to do some alterations. However the table we have in the 'bunker' is just shy of 4 feet wide. In gaming terms, we had to 'remove' a portion of the battlefield. We both agreed that the roads leading south to Quatre Bras, had to be 'sacrificed'. This just meant the Allied reinforcements arriving 1-2 turns later than they should. Download the scenario & you'll see the schedule....
Both sides have a C-in-C, one CaP die each. It would be tough, managing the troops around the table. Yours truly took ze French & Marshal Ney. Spav played the Allies, the Prince of Orange & Wellington (when he arrives). Both sides would also have 'Super-Numery' Commanders, Reille for the French, Brunswick & the Prince of Orange later in the game. These would have a built in CaP point, that would allow local attacks. The Allies would have 3 Strongpoints with a fixed Garrison, Gemioncourt, Pierrepoint & Piraumont. If you are a Napoleonic buff, then you should know Quatre Bras. The key to this one for the French, be aggressive & keep moving forward!
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| Ney leads forward the French 5th Division, straight at the line held by the Dutch Militia |
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| View looking west across the battlefield |
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| The splendid looking Nassau's. |
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| Gemioncourt, with the Dutch Militia & a Horse Artillery Battery. |
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| Forward the 5th Division! |
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| Reille takes the attack on Gemioncourt, Ney leads the rest of the 5th Division. |
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| The French 9th Division arrives. |
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| Reille & the Light Infantry attack. |
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| Success! |
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| The Nassau's launch a counter attack... |
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| The Dutch Horse Artillery take losses from the French Foot Artillery. |
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| Overview at this point, the CaP dice are good for the French. |
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| The Dutch unleash a volley at the French, but don't stop the column. |
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| Attack! |
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| The Dutch Light Cavalry Brigade arrives. |
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| More losses for the Dutch Horse Artillery.... |
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| The French 2nd Cavalry Division arrives... |
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| The Nassau attack is repulsed. |
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| Where to send the French Cavalry?? |
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| Ney with a whopping combat bonus, leads the French against the Dutch. |
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| The Prince of Orange faces off against Ney!! |
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| The French win the combat, Ney wounds the Prince & off he goes. 'Hors de combat' for a few rounds. |
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| The path to Quatre Bras is open! |
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| Reille races across the field to lead the 9th Division. |
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| Another Nassau attack is repulsed, it's not going well for the Allies. |
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| The French Light Cavalry are on the move... |
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| Good CaP rolls for the French, poor rolls for the Allies... |
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| OOOh my! Look at those poor Nassau Troops.... |
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| Reille leads the attack on Piraumont. |
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| A mighty Grand Battery is formed. |
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| Forward! Forward! Forward! |
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| Piraumont falls to the French. |
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| It can't be any better at this point for the French. Spav is praying for reinforcements... |
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| Jerome arrives... |
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| Aaaaaggh! The French Cavalry movement comes up just short! |
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| Quatre Bras is taken by the French 5th Division. |
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| The Nassau's unleash a volley at the French. |
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| At last, Wellington arrives.... |
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The British 5th Division arrives.
Though it's Wargamers Bane, 'battle at the edge of the table' |
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| More elements of the British 5th Division. |
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| Forward go the French Light Infantry. |
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| The French Light cavalry finally engage. |
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| Jeromes Division is halved. |
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| A spark of hope for the Dutch, as the French Lancers are repulsed. |
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| The French Chasseurs destroy the Nassau's. |
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| No chance for the Dutch Light Cavalry.... |
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| Nearing the end of the turn, a magnificent French Victory is on the cards. |
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| The Highland Troops attack! |
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| Wellington berates the Prince of Orange, who is now reduced to commanding the shattered Dutch Horse Artillery. |
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NOOOOO!!!! The British re-capture Quatre Bras.....
SPAV sings a rendition of 'Donald, where's yer Trousers', just to rub it in. |
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| A 'Grand Thumping' is avoided, it will be a mighty scrap from now on. |
Great stuff, though looking at the reinforcement schedule, it's going to be hard going for the French now. Until next time...
KISR Quatre Bras Downloads ==
http://dbnwargaming.weebly.com/uploads/1/6/5/7/16577496/quatrebras.pdf
http://dbnwargaming.weebly.com/uploads/1/6/5/7/16577496/quatrebrasmap.pdf
5 comments:
A stirring battle report!
It makes me want to get my Napoleonic figures out to replicate this battle ... but at present I can't as I haven't quite finished renovating and basing them.
All the best,
Bob
Cheers Bob
It's a cracking scenario, well worth the effort. I'm sure you will finish those Del Prado troops soon, good luck with them. Keep up the good work.
All the Best
MrF
Lots of nice pictures and snappy narrative supported by descriptive arrows on the photos. All made for a very enjoyable read. Thank you.
Cheers Peter
We ended up playing the scenario twice, back to back. Different outcomes in both.
Keep up the good work with your blog!
All the best
MrF
How I miss these historical scenarios even though this game is 5 years old.
They inspired me to get back into DBA tho' I chose 28mm ancients!
Maybe I will get into Napoleonics in a next life.
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