The Battle of Waterloo in 6mm Part 3

1.00pm - 2.00pm 

A note about how I dealt with the Grand Battery barrage. Wellington instructed all his units apart from Artillery and Skirmishers to ensure they were behind the ridge and they were to lie down (cavalry dismounted). I had Bylandt withdraw from the front of the ridge at 12.30pm and he formed up between Pack and Kempt's brigades as done historically. 

The Grand Battery was ordered to fire on the ridge and in a 30 minute period they expended 3,600 rounds of ammunition inflicting approximately 500 casualties. Not many for such a heavy barrage. A combination of cannon balls burying themselves in boggy ground rather than bouncing, and most of the allies were out of view lying prone no doubt limiting the damage caused. 

I therefore allocated a stretch of ground in front of each battery which was to become their target area. If an allied artillery battery was in view and in that area then they would be the target. For all others behind the ridge a die roll would be made for firing with a -4 applied (equivalent for against skirmishers) to allow for the hard cover occupied by the allies and the fact they could not be seen.   

The Grand Battery opens fire:

Continued ...

The results:

The 6lb Guard Battery on the left clearly had got it's range first round. A double six generates a risk to General and a potential 'falter' effect on the unit suffering casualties. There were 3 units in this battery's zone. I threw a dice to see which was on the receiving end and determined the salvo had landed on the prone 5th KGL Line. As it was long range for the 6 pounders casualties were halved resulting in 1 1/2 figures lost. A further die role to deal with the fraction failed so only 1 casualty was sustained. Another die roll determined that the 5th KGL had indeed faltered and the nearest General within 9cm, Kielmansegge, was lightly wounded. At this stage of the game neither of these results would have any impact.

Of the rest, the double 1 result would normally indicate 'low on ammo'. The Grand Battery had ample supplies of ammo so I overruled that result on this occasion. A total of 5 more casualties were inflicted. 

The most notable was on a half battery of Dutch Horse Artillery on the Ohain - Wavre road (the road along the allied ridge and indicated here by the white micro dice). It suffered 2 casualties generating a morale check which it subsequently failed causing it to retreat. In the next compulsory phase it will have to limber up and conduct this move.

Overall a poor initial result for the Grand Battery. It will have to do better next turn if it is to match it's historical equivalent. 

The allied batteries did not reply with counter-battery fire. Wellington had issued orders that they were not to indulge in this practice (it tended to be wasteful of ammo compared to the limited results it achieved). 

Over on the French left, several assaults were made on Hougoumont. 

The first involved the 3/1st Line of Soye's Brigade (column on the left). It focused on a section of wall defended by a company of the 1/2nd Nassau. As the French battalion charged it received fire from the wall and also from another company occupying the great barn and cowsheds firing through loopholes. It lost a figure but continued to charge into melee with the Nassauers. Once again the dice was against them losing another figure but inflicting 1 on the Nassauers. The French were obliged to retreat. 

The 1st and 2nd battalions of the 1st Line charged towards the Gardeners House (middle of photo) occupied now by MacDonnell's two companies of Guards. The Guards fired inflicting a casualty on each of the battalions who charged into contact in an attempt to gain entry.

The result. The 1/1st Line (the dice to the right) also got the outnumbering modifier of +2. This became the result for the French. The Guards however gained +2 for Guards and +3 for defending a significant building (Chateau / Church etc.). Another victory for the allies. 2 casualties on each side sustained.

At the Orchard the 2/2nd Light had recovered sufficiently to mount another charge. It was too close to the Guards for the latter to respond with a volley and the 2/2nd charged home. The company of Nassauers faltered in the face of the charge but the 2 Guards companies held firm.

Another melee and yet another strong die roll by the allies. To make it simple I did not include the Nassauers in the melee as in their shaken state the Guards have taken it upon themselves to deal with the charge. The end result was not quite enough to rout the French but it did cause them to retreat. They lost 2 casualties (losing one stand) inflicting 2 in return. The double six in melee could mean the loss of 2 more casualties, and crucially also the loss of the eagle. Fortunately for the French the subsequent die roll did not inflict on them this additional humiliation. There could have been a risk to a General but none were within 9cm (Bauduin was busy rallying units some distance away).

The 2nd battalion of the 2nd (Coldstream) Guards enters Hougoumont through the north gate to reinforce the garrison.

In the compulsory move in the next turn the defeated battalions of Soye's Brigade retreat. In doing so they cause two battalions to their rear to become unformed (they interpenetrated them in the first half of their retreat move).

Bauduin's Brigade prepares itself for the next attack.

In the charge phase the only battalion in Soye's Brigade in good order and in a position to attack was the 3/2nd Line infantry. It charged the narrow section of wall between the barn and the Gardeners House on the west side of Hougoumont (middle of photo). It was defended by a lone company of Nassauers. The other troops having pulled out of the barn meant that only the single company were able to fire on their attackers and unsurprisingly, they fail to register any hits. The confident veteran French battalion charged home and in the desperate fight for the wall the following was thrown:

When the modifiers were added it resulted in yet another allied victory causing the hapless 3/2nd Line to retreat and losing a casualty.

In the move phase, Lobau was ordered to the right flank to intercept the advance of the Prussians:

The 6th Corps are lead by Domon's and Subervie's light cavalry Divisions.

Dubois Cuirassier Brigade moves out to screen the left flank of 1st Corps.

Durutte's 4th Division on the right of 1st Corps advance. Brue's Brigade (middle of photo) peels off towards Papelotte. Jacquinot's cavalry division moves ahead to screen 1st Corps.

The main movement on the Allied right was that of Kruse' Nassau Brigade (the 3 columns left of centre). In a break from history they have been ordered to support the allied left.

Allied right flank.

The 2nd Battalion of the 3rd (Scots) Guards moves to reinforce Hougoumont. The Colstream Guards have already entered the main building complex and have begun occupying buildings. As companies of Nassauers are relieved the latter rejoin their parent unit manning the ornamental garden wall.

Bauduin's Brigade goes once again into the wood ready to assault the south face of Hougoumont. From left to right, 3/2nd, 3/1st and 1/1st Light. On the right of the line the 1/2nd Light advance towards the orchard.

On the allied side the 1/2nd Nassau combines its companies in the ornamental garden. As more companies become available it extends its line along the east facing wall. They have been joined by the light company of the 2/3rd Guards.

The Grand Battery opens fire for a second time.

The results are rather mixed. The Old Guard Battery on the left have excelled again throwing an '11'. The trajectory of the shot places the columns of Kruse' Nassauers in the firing line. As luck would have it that is where the salvo landed. Unfortunately for the French, The long range lessened the impact and even with a bonus for firing on a column, the result was only 1 casualty.

The overall results was poor with only the '11' near the end on the right scoring 2 casualties on a Hanoverian battery. An overall result of 9 casualties over the two salvos. Not very impressive. Equivalent to 180 casualties compared to over 500 on the day. 

The 3 British artillery batteries overlooking Hougoumont fire again at Bauduin's Brigade but only cause a single casualty. In the foreground the 2 Guard Heavy Cavalry horse artillery batteries fire on the British artillery causing a hit on Beane's battery.

In the final morale phase of this turn the attempt to rally the retreating half battery of Dutch guns fail and they rout from the field. A small but useful victory by the Grand Battery. That is 2 less cannon to fire on the 1st Corps!

1.30pm:

At Hougoumont the 3/1st Light Infantry attacked the walls and again the Nassauers prevailed causing the French battalion to retreat. It had suffered heavy losses, 10 out of 30 of it's number. When it attempted to rally their confidence collapsed and the battalion routed from the field.

The 1/2nd Light infantry charged the two Guards companies holding the orchard (right in the photo). The Guards opened fire but with no hits. The 1/2nd charged home and in the subsequent mellee:

The Guards got +2 for Guards and +1 for defending the hedgerow. The 1/2nd light received +2 for charging and +2 for outnumbering the Guards by more than 100%. At long last a victory for Bauduin's brigade. It only resulted in a push back of the Guards but that was enough. They had been ejected from the orchard suffering 3 casualties with no loss to the French. The French also succeeded in their formation test so remained formed for the next turn.

Elsewhere the advance of the 1st Corps is underway. Here Charlet's Brigade advances on La Haye Sainte.

The main columns gradually clear the Grand Battery and advance towards the allied ridge.

A note here about the French columns. They were unusual in that instead of battalion columns, each battalion formed a line one behind the other to create large Divisional sized columns. In the case of Bourgeois and Pegot these were Brigade sized columns. This is not covered in the rules. Accounts relate how they were unwieldy and it was difficult for battalions to maintain their dressings. I therefore had them move at line rates rather than column. It is believed that those senior commanders who were veterans of the Peninsular ordered these formations the morning of the battle believing they would have a better chance against the British lines. The theory being that they could deliver a full volley of musketry in response to the British without having to change formation. 

I have represented this here hoping to capture some of the spectacle of those columns. As for the effectiveness of these formations I am not confident of their success!

Brue's Brigade of Durutte's 4th Division advance on Papelotte.

Jacquinot's Cavalry Division moves further forward.

6th Corps continues its movement towards the French right.

Kruse repositions to the allied left (middle of photo) 

Vandeleur's 4th Light Cavalry Brigade moves to clearer ground and to support the allied left. 

Whinyates Rocket battery moves to the front line.

From the allied ridge above Hougoumont, Ramsey's, Bull's and Beane's artillery batteries disobey Wellington's orders and fire on the two French Guard batteries that have been causing them grief. As the British have the initiative this turn they get to fire first. Ramsey is first off the mark with a double 6! At this long range only one crew is killed but a test has to be made for additional effect. The result is a fail for the French. Another 2 casualties are caused and the battery has to limber up and retire 12cms in a faltered state. Also a Risk to General. The nearest General within 9cm..... Bauduin, again! The test is the same as before, another light wound. Off he trots to get patched up, probably from the same medic. Definitely not his day!

Bull fires and misses. Then Beane fires on the remaining Guard battery. Result..... double 6!! The same procedure is followed with the same result. 3 casualties and retire faltered. This time the Risk to General is Foy! Fortunately for him the cannon ball misses him, but not so fortunate for his ADC who is on the receiving end.

Don't mess with the Royal Horse Artillery!

In the next turn there is a lull in the action around Hougoumont. The Scots Guards have relieved the 1/2nd Nassau at the wall who have been given the responsibility of holding the hedgerow and providing a reserve. The Guards line the two walls.

In the orchard the 1/2nd Light Infantry form a line ready to assault the walls on a broad front. Bauduin's Brigade aligns it's battalions ready for the next assault. 

Pire's cavalry division on the extreme left of the French position slowly advances screening Soye's brigade. Its artillery battery fires on the British light cavalry scoring no hits. A British battery fires back also missing their target.

Brue's Brigade closes on Papelotte. Saxe-Weimar is taking a chance stood in the 

lane outside Papelotte's gates!

Gardiner's Horse Artillery battery opens fire in support of Papelotte causing a casualty to a 

French column.

Charlet's Brigade launches it's first attacks on La Haye Sainte. He joins the 1/55th Line battalion as it attacks the west side of the farm. The 2/55th attacks the south side. In the ensuing melees both French battalions are pushed back with no casualties to either side.

The allies form squares in response to the close proximity of French Cuirassiers. The latter suffer 2 casualties from British artillery.

As the huge columns approach the ridge line, they come under increasing fire, with 3 of the 4 columns now in canister range. Casualties mount but so far the two large Division columns maintain the steady but slow momentum.

Bourgeois Brigade on the right in photo, are not so fortunate. Having come under fire from the 95th rifles in the sandpit and behind a hedge which caused 2 casualties, they are now within canister range of Rogers Foot artillery battery. The 2 companies of the 95th have withdrawn to the main hedge line leaving the path clear for canister. Rogers unleashes a devastating canister salvo directly into the packed column. 4 casualties are inflicted on the first battalion the 1/105th Line with 2 more on the 2/105th immediately behind them. Added to the casualties inflicted by the 95th the 1/105th Line battalion has suffered 25% casualties. They fail the subsequent morale test causing them to retreat.

In the next move, Pire's Cavalry Division continues it's gradual advance supported by two batteries of horse artillery (top right). Opposing the French is Grant's light cavalry brigade (bottom right). The artillery fires on each other's cavalry with no casualties caused. One British battery fires on the French horse artillery battery from the 12th Cavalry Division which is limbered. A casualty is caused but it fails to disorder the battery.

At Hougoumont the veterans of the 1/2nd Line infantry attack the south side of the main building including the Gardener's House (middle) defended by 4 companies of Coldstream Guards. The result:

A catastrophic throw by the French. They lose 4 casualties and are comprehensively routed by the Guards who lose 2 in return. This rout causes all battalions within 12cm to take morale tests in the morale phase. The 3/2nd Light Infantry next to them in the woods retreats. 2 battalions falter. Soye's Brigade had to take a Brigade test which they passed.

The French have the intiative allowing the 1/2nd Light infantry in the orchard to fire first at the Guards manning the garden wall of Hougoumont. They inflict 2 casualties but suffer 4 in return. This requires them to take a morale test which they pass.

Out of the far right of the French position, Brue continues his approach on Papelotte. Jacquinot's artillery battery opens fire on Smohain killing a couple of Nassauers.

All along the allied ridge smoke erupts from cannon and muskets as volleys are poured into the head of the infantry columns.

Working from right to left for each column:

Marcognet's column (right) - The British 3rd Battalion of the 1st Line regiment opened fire with devastating results (a double 6 was thrown). A total of 5 casualties was inflicted on the 1/45th Line and it caused them to falter. Grenier suffered a light wound and retired to the rear. A Hanover artillery battery opened fire with canister inflicting a further 4 casualties on the 1/45th with 2 on each of the two battalions to their rear. The 1/45th was finished as a fighting force and dispersed from the field. This generated a brigade morale test and without it's commander the brigade broke. Marcognet's column was now in serious difficulties.

Donzelot's column (centre) - The 7th Belgian Line and the British 1/28th Line fired their volley's into the huge column causing 8 casualties on the 1/17th Line. The French battalion held it's nerve in the subsequent morale test.

Bourgeois's column (left) - No less than 3 British artillery batteries poured their fire into this column. Rogers' battery was first up firing canister causing 4 casualties. Whinyates fired both his rockets which went whizzing over the startled French column before zigzagging their way into the distance. His 2 x 9pdrs though fared better causing 4 casualties. Then Ross' battery fired it's canister causing a further 3. This combined firepower destroyed the 2/105th Line the survivors of which dispersed. The brigade passed it's test but with just 2 out of 4 battalions in the column, it was barely a column at all. The only good news for Bourgeois was that the 1/105th Line had successfully rallied and was now reforming to his rear.

More photos of the action around the 1st Corps columns:

La Haye Sainte:

At La Haye Sainte, the 1/54th Line charged the south side of the farm and was promptly repulsed. The 2/54th attacked the main gateway and the east wall. After a tightly fought melee the companies of the 2nd KGL Light infantry were pushed back allowing the French to gain entry to the courtyard. A desperate fight was now taking place inside the confines of the farm.

 British foot artillery on the ridge to the west of the Genappe road.

Two views of the Household Brigade working its way past the squares. 

The Union Brigade advances to the rear of the allied front line.

It is now 2.00pm. From now on I will be wargaming this fully and apart from the arrival of Chasse's Dutch/Belgian Division and the Prussians, all other movements will be what I have decided to make rather than that occurred historically.