1815 Paint-and-Play Campaign Report #2

2019 is Black Powder year at our wargames club LMG! Six fearless generals take on the challenge of fighting a four-battle campaign. For each battle they are required to supply a newly painted unit. General Danny couldn’t make it this time, leaving the Allied command to generals Erik and Sikko. The French were led by generals Leendert, Mats and Boris. You can find the first report here.

After the chaotic skirmish at Bontekeur both sides send their cavalry forward to try the bridge at Teereziel. The French have a head start due to their earlier victory. To compensate for their half-strength cavalry regiment they are also given a battery of twelve-pounders. These will prove decisive in the battle to come.

The French quickly take up defensive positions on their side of the bridge and open fire on the advancing Allies. Undeterred, they swing through the town and immediately charge! The first regiment of Scots Greys thunders across the bridge and into a French square. Some unfortunate break tests later sees both units wiped off the field.

A firefight then erupts across the river between the lines of infantry. Although the Allies have positioned their infantry better for this fight, their casualties are beginning to mount under the relentless bombardment of the twelve-pounders. Two British battalions cross the bridge followed by the remaining cavalry. The Light Dragoons are promptly blasted to pieces by enfilading artillery. At this point it looks like all is lost for the Allies.

Then sounds the cry: “Charge, the Scots Greys! Scotland forever!” The second regiment of Scots Greys attacks and wipes out the second French square. Full of blood-lust they break through into the last French line (somewhere, “waaagh!” is heard). Here the charge falters on the tips of French bayonets. At the very last moment the British cavalry is repulsed and the attack on Teereziel is broken.

Thanks again to all participants! We’re taking about six weeks to paint new units for part three. See you then!

PS: During this game we made a lot of mistakes. Cavalry can’t normally charge squares, enfilade fire is far more restricted than we thought, and we read the scenario map upside-down. We had a fun and tense battle anyway so we’re OK with it!