Battle for the Crossroads 1815

 The French army is on the move and the allies are deploying to counter the French advance.  At a small crossroads in Belgium elements of a Dutch brigade make preparations to stem the French advance. The battlefield consists of a small village that sits where two major routes converge.  On one flank there is a large dense wood, while on the other sits a walled farm and smaller wood. The land rises on both sides up to low ridges. 

It is vital that the French do not gain control of the village and the crossroads.  Leading the advance is Marshal Ney with a combined arms corps.  Rushing forwards on the Allied side are more Dutch and Nassau troops as well as the complete Brunswick Black Corps.  The questions is, will they arrive in tome to check the French?

French light infantry are in the vanguard and have orders to capture and hold the large wood on the left:

French light battalions working their way through the woods.

The first Brunswick and more Nassau troops begin to arrive behind the village

As the French light near the far end of the large wood they are met by Nassau infantry who fight hard.

The Nassau troops begin to halt the advance of the French light as fresh Dutch and Nassau battalions arrive in the field.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the French line infantry arrives and occupies the low ridge along with some artillery.

At the same time more Brunswickers can be seen approaching the farm complex.

The French, having been unable to force a way through the woods make a move in the centre, advancing three battalions with cavalry and artillery support.

After a brisk battle the churchyard dominating the crossroads falls to the French, however, the village on the other side of the crossroads is strongly held by Brunswickers. Dutch artillery and small arms peck away at the French defenders.

Several Brunswick artillery batteries with infantry cause problems for the French in the centre, so some French cavalry regiments are pushed forward to counter the threat. The Brunswick Hussars, led by the Black Duke himself and supported by horse artillery mounts a counter attack.

Regrouping the French Hussars move forward again.  The Brunswick Hussars are destroyed but a charge by the Brunswick Lancer squadron causes more damage.   The French light cavalry are driven off once more.

A second French cavalry brigade arrives on the field and a clash with the Brunswick Lancers takes place. The Lancers do well but are overwhelmed by the French and driven off.

The French deploy more artillery but casualties around the church and village are mounting.  The battalion that successfully took the church is forced out and destroyed.  Another French battalion moves forward to take the church back, while the French cavalry, reorganises itself.

The battle in the large wood has become a stalemate, with neither side being able to make progress.

The number of casualties around the crossroads mounts.  All of the Brunswick cavalry are now destroyed but the French cavalry are badly mauled too.  Adding to the French woes, two commanders are unhorsed and leave the field, including Ney himself!

The French emphasis now shifts over to their right flank.  French skirmishers are ejected from the small wood by Brunswick light and Jaegers moving around the walled farm:

However, a massive French infantry assault is building up.

This leads to another battle in woods, this time on the right flank.  Once again the French make little progress and several battalions are seen streaming to the rear.

With casualties mounting and time running out the French try one last ditch attempt to force the allied right and push several fresh battalions into the large wood:

A Brunswick horse artillery battery is destroyed and a Brunswick and another Nassau battalion are destroyed but it is not enough.  Nassau troops cling on to the woods and as evening sets in the French call it a day.  The score is 11 all, however, the Brunswickers remain firmly in charge of the crossroads; the stalemate giving them a victory.

Battle Report - Ligny 16 June 1815 - Command and Colors

This battle turned out to be an epic struggle for control of Ligny brook and the villages along its banks.

The action became divided into three distinct battles; being fought on the left, in the centre and on the right. Each action saw fortune swing one way then the other, each time casualties mounting.

The French kicked off the battle with an attack in all three areas, but the cards dictated that initial emphasis should focus on the left flank, with a French attempt to take the village of La Haye:

The Landwehr units holding the village were quickly overwhelmed and La Haye was soon taken by the Young Guard:

French Chasseurs a Cheval charged forward and destroyed a Prussian battery:

Meanwhile Prussian counter attacks are beaten off by the Young Guard, who are now attempting to break out of the village:

However, a counter attack by Prussian cavalry and more infantry sees the Young guard being overwhelmed and the French desperately cling on to La Haye:

 Eventually the French are forced out, but they take a heavy toll of Prussians as they depart.

In the centre there is a similar story with the battle for St Amand and the wood to the east. Initially the village is held by Prussian line infantry and jaegers:

 The French take a battering as they approach the defending Prussians

 An assault by the French finally pushes out the Prussians

 However, the Prussians push more reserves over the river to retake the village.

 The French hang on destroying many of the Prussian units, although all French units are also severely weakened..

On the right flank the action around the village of Ligny follows a similar pattern, with French attacks being beaten off:

 The Prussian Jaegers are soon overwhelmed and the French take the right flank buildings;

 Once again the Prussians counter attack

 But are driven off

 Further French assaults destroy much of the Prussian infantry on the right flank and there are few Prussian reserves, having been committed to the action in the centre.

 A Prussian cavalry charge forces French guns to retreat, but has little effect on the French advance:

 And as Napoleon launches the Imperial Guard Prussian casualties tip the balance.

The heavily depleted French win the day - just! The score is 11 - 9 to the French, although the left flank and centre were very much Prussian victories, but the massive French assault on the right swung the battle in favour of the French. This was an epic struggle and great fun to play.  The battle could have easily gone the other way. Here is the map towards the end:

Ligny 16 June 1815 - Command and Colors

Having enjoyed the Waterloo action and built up experience of using the C&C rules, it seemed a good idea to have a go at another scenario. Ligny, which I found on the G&G website, looked inviting and potentially a real slogging match - needing 11 points to win.

It was also a good opportunity to use my very old Prussians, that have not been out of their box for decades!

Here is an overview of the battlefield, which is cut in two by Ligny stream, that loops across the table. The village of Ligny is on the right, with the two bridges:

The Prussian defending the top of the field are deployed into a string of villages and woods straddling the stream. The bulk of the Prussian army sits in the centre behind this defensive line. The Prussians are mostly Ros 25mm, supported by a few Hinchliffe and a smattering of Minifigs and Warrior figures.

Looking at the Prussian position in detail, the left flank is held by (old Hinchliffe) Prussian riflemen. across the river opposite Ligny:

Ligny itself is in the hands of Ros Prussian Line infantry:

And the village and woods of St Amand have both Ros Prussian line and light troops defending them:

The Prussian centre has the bulk of the cavalry and infantry drawn up in reserve:

Meanwhile on the left the French have noticed with interest that the village of La Haye is held by Militia (Hinchliffe) - a potential weakspot?

The French forces, made up of a mix of Warrior, Minifigs and a few Ros figures have the bulk of their forces on the centre right. This is where the Imperial Guard is also located:

On the left, the French have a good mix of infantry, cavalry and artillery, including the Young Guard:

The French have significantly more artillery, with five batteries, as opposed to two Prussian. The stream is fordable, but reduces battle effects and the built up areas are worth two majority victory points - meaning that the Prussian start off with a two point advantage.

This battle will likely be played out over the next couple of days, as time permits. A battle report will follow.