Waterloo in 2mm

 Part 1

The actions around Hougoumont.

I have always wanted to play an epic game to refight Waterloo, with near accurate troop numbers.  The acquisition of a preprinted 6 x 4 cloth map and a pile of 2mm figures from Irregular Miniatures provided the starting block.  I also purchased some buildings from Brigade Miniatures that were about the right size.  

I organised my units as Brigades, each with three or four regiments.  Four or five brigades, with artillery and cavalry formed a Corps of two divisions.

Here is the start point.  The French are closest to the camera, with the Anglo Dutch forces on the ridge beyond.  Hougoumont can be seen at middle left, La Haye Saint on the road in the centre and Papalotte farm on the far right.  Most of the French artillery is deployed forward on the French ridge with Reille's Corps on the left and D'Erlon's on the right.  Lobau's Corps is sitting further back in the centre, with the Imperial Guard behind that:

A view across the field showing part of the French army. La belle Alliance can be seen left centre near the edge of the table.:

The battle kicks off with a French bombardment of the allied lines, primarily to degrade the allied artillery.  The French have some success causing casualties amongst the allied gunners:

The allied artillery responds, although they are heavily outgunned by the French.  They do have some success damaging some of D'Erlon's artillery.  Napoleon's HQ is nearby:

The exchange of artillery goes on for several turns, after which Napoleon orders Reille to turn the allied right flank.  Reille oders one of his divisions to move around the left against Hougoumont:

Meanwhile, the French artillery continues to pound the allied line, reducing considerably the allied artillery (viewed from the allied positions):

Battle is joined at the North Gate of Hougoumont. Two French brigades are halted but the third manages to overwhelm the allied defenders

The battle in the Chateau grounds continues.  The allies order two Brunswick brigades forward to reinforce the position, but the timely arrival of Pajol's cavalry blocks the Brunswickers forcing them to form squares.  At the same time another of Reille's brigades pushes around the east side of the Chateau.

Seeing the danger the Allies order Vivians's cavalry forward to counter the French cavalry threat:

However, as this is going on The Chateau is overwhelmed and falls into French hands. French artillery bombards the exposed Brunswick squares. Rielle orders his second Division to advance and requests further cavalry support.

The battle will continue in Part 2.