The Battle of Waterloo in 6mm Part 9

7.00pm - 8.00pm

The 7.00pm turn began with a significant number of command failures across all 3 armies and one in particular would have serious ramifications.

The Prussians again won the initiative followed by the Allies and then the French.

The Guard artillery battery within Plancenoit had been seperated to two half batteries. Each fired canister into the advancing columns with 4 casualties inflicted on the 1/15th Infantry and 3 on the 1/11th Infantry with the latter faltering as a result.

Continued

Merlin in command of the 11th Chasseurs rolled a 'Hold' result in the command and control phase and therefore could not initiate a charge. They were at the mercy of a battery of artillery (to the left out of camera shot) and Prussian infantry situated in a wood (bottom right). The Prussian foot artillery battery in the foreground could not fire this turn as it had unlimbered. The battery could not fire canister due to the close proximity of friendly units but nevertheless inflicted 2 casualties. The 2 companies of the 2/1st Pomerania Landwehr lining the wood excelled themselves and inflicted a further 2. This generated a morale test for the Chasseurs which they passed.

The 2nd Lancers of the Imperial Guard saw an opportunity to create a little havoc in the Prussian lines. On seeing the 2nd Pomerania Landwehr cavalry unformed with blown horses, The Lancers launched a charge towards them. The Landwehr fell into a retreat which exposed the 1/2nd Silesia Landwehr of the 16th Brigade (middle right of photo). To the right of the 2nd Lancers of the Guard, the 1st Lancers of the 5th Cavalry Division joined in the fun! They charged Schwerin's deployed battery of horse artillery who hurriedly limbered up and evaded contact. The 1st Lancers continued their charge into Braun's 4th Corps Reserve Howitzer battery which was limbered (middle of photo). The result of which was the total destruction of the battery. The 1st Lancers would conduct an uncontrolled charge in the next turn.

The 2nd Lancers contacted the 1/2nd Silesia and promptly wiped them out completely with the loss of only 1. They concluded the melee with a Superb Discipline pursuit test result.

The 2nd Neumark Landwehr cavalry of Sydow's brigade charged the isolated French 6pdr foot battery of the 20th Division (middle of photo). The artillery crew stood their ground but were no match for the cavalry who rode them down destroying the battery.

Lettow lead the 1st and Fusilier battalions of the 10th Infantry towards the defensive line north of Papelotte. The 2/27th Line of Thevenet's Brigade who were lining a hedgerow were the target. (middle of photo). The French battalion fired off a weak volley which did not deter either of the two Prussian columns who charged home. The melee was very one sided with the heavily outnumbered French dispersed for the loss of only one on the Prussians.

Two views of the 2nd defensive line the French are building to the west of the Prussians and in a line roughly with Plancenoit.

Kraft's Prussian 6th Brigade arrives to reinforce Blucher (bottom right). 

Various views of the Prussians advancing in the area of Papelotte.

The Chasseurs of the Guard reform into one large unit.

To the east of the crossroads the 1/4th Grenadiers of the Middle Guard charged the 4th Dutch Militia who retreated in response. Unfortunately for the Dutch the Guard battalion continued their charge into contact which was an automatic victory for the French. The militia lost 4 to the Guards 2 with the former continuing to retreat (middle of photo).

To the west of the crossroads, Merlen leads the 2nd Dutch/Belgian light cavalry brigade forward to support Lambert and to counter the French Dragoons.

To the west of Merlen, Specht lead the 3 line battalions of Brunswickers in their first charge in an attempt to block the French advance. The 3rd battalion (nearest the camera) charged 1/3rd Grenadiers of the Middle Guard who counter-charged. The 2nd battalion charged the 1/3rd Chasseurs of the Middle Guard who also counter-charged (middle of the 3 Brunswick battalions). The 1st battalion charged the unformed 2/3rd Grenadiers who retreated before contact could be made.

The Brunswick battalions lost both melees with both retreating. 

Near the top middle of the photo can be seen the British 2/1st Foot Guards. Maitland had rolled an 'Attack' result in the command and control phase and he lead the Guards on a charge towards the 2/93rd Line of Gauthier's Brigade who retreated in response.

Ramsey's Battery could not believe their luck. In their desire to deal with allied cavalry who had destroyed much of the French left flank, the Grenadiers a Cheval of the Guard had ventured into canister range of Ramsey's battery. The tiring RHA crews were no longer rolling the high die rolls of earlier but still managed a respectable 8. When adding the +4 for canister and another +2 for enfilade the blast of canister had cut down 5 of the Grenadier cavalry initiating a morale test for the French which they passed.

Ahead of the Grenadier Cavalry, Grant had launched a charge of the 15th Hussars towards the unformed 8th Cuirassiers. The latter faltered in response and the Hussars charged home (middle of photo). A combination of the formed charge and superior mounts helped the light cavalry overcome the Cuirassiers and push them back inflicting 4 casualties for the loss of 1. The Hussars horses had become blown.

Cramm saw the first moment of glory for the Brunswick 2nd Hussars. He lead them on a charge towards the flank of the 1st Chasseurs who managed to manoeuvre to face the Hussars but was contacted at the halt. What followed was an extremely rare dice result:

This meant a risk to both Generals with Cramm receiving a light wound. For Hubert it was pretty academic. The momentum was with the Brunswickers and they won the melee. The large numbers of Hussars told with the 1st Chasseurs suffering 11 casualties to the Hussars' 1. This lead to the destruction of the 1st Chasseurs which meant that Pire's 2nd Cavalry Division no longer existed.

Elsewhere on the Allied right flank, Arentschild with the 3rd KGL Hussars continued to roam to the west of Hougoumont clearing away any French resistance he finds. On this occasion they rode down the 6th Division's 6pdr foot artillery battery adding it to their tally.

I am now going to return to the east of the crossroads where two incidents occurred that will have serious ramifications for Wellington.

The Union Brigade had been positioned at the rear of the ridge ready to counter-charge any cavalry that threatened this flank. The Scots Greys had a half battery of Dutch horse artillery next to them ready to give any charging cavalry a blast of canister before the counter-charge was launched. Ponsonby, to the alarm of all those in the vicinity, ordered his two remaining cavalry regiments to charge! (He rolled an 'Attack' result in the command phase). The Inniskilling Dragoons had nothing to charge so cautiously advanced. The Scots Greys though had the 5th Cuirassiers of Fanine's Brigade to their front. 

The Dutch artillery crews were bemused when, having loaded their guns with canister and ready to fire, the Scots Greys moved across their target area as they cantered towards the Cuirassiers. They had already suffered significant casualties during the course of the day so it was no surprise that they faltered during the charge. The Cuirassiers thundered down the ridge ploughing into the unformed Scots Greys. The Scots had no chance as they were comprehensively put to the sabre. 

With the demise of the Scots Greys, Ponsonby took a Brigade morale test which he failed. As this was the second time the Brigade had broken they routed from the field. Which in this case was the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons.

To the right of the Union Brigade, Detmer's Dutch/Belgian Brigade, who had been supporting Kempt against the Middle Guard, also had to take a brigade morale test. He failed and 3 of his battalions who were already either retreating or routing, dispersed.

Kruse's Nassau brigade that had been positioned behind the Union Brigade gradually dissolved as their morale collapsed on seeing most of the units it had been supporting stream past them. Detmer's Brigade, already broken, collapsed completely and fled to the rear. 

The ripple effect accelerated as more and more units broke. The whole of D'Aubreme's Brigade who had been marching to support Detmer and Kempt, broke as one and taking with them Halkett's Hanoverians. Merlen, who had been wounded and was receiving medical attention, saw his cavalry brigade stream past him followed by Lambert's British Brigade. The whole of the left and centre and now collapsed. The allied right flank who had been enjoying a great deal of success, could not believe their eyes as formations dissolved to the east of them. With French units surging towards the panicked allies, the right flank cavalry commanders ordered their withdrawal which quickly descended into a panicked flight.

A handful of units maintained good discipline. Picton retired in disgust with the 1/79th Highlanders providing his personal guard. In the centre, Ompteda with depleted 1st and 2nd KGL Light battalions formed a line in the vicinity of Mont St Jean. Wellington himself with his staff retired screened by the 2/1st Foot Guards and the 2nd Life Guard cavalry. Adams' Brigade was almost whole with the 2nd and 3rd battalions of the 95th Rifles and the 1/52nd Foot retiring in formation along with General Hill.

Other units still in good order consisted of Best's and Vincke's Hanoverian Brigades, and Saxe-Weimar's Nassau Brigade. They were all intermingled with the Prussians when the Allied army broke and they took confidence from the Prussians who, at this stage, appeared to be steady.

On the far left allied flank, Vandeleur with the elite 12th Light Dragoons also maintained formation as Trip's Dutch/Belgian Cavalry Brigade galloped off into the distance. 

In reality, these units would be only of little benefit to the Prussians as their command structure had collapsed resulting in their formation commanders having to act on their own initiative. Potentially the most useful unit for them, the 12th Light Dragoons, had already suffered significant casualties and it was doubtful they would be able to take too much more punishment.

The cause of the allied calamity - the collapse of the Union Brigade and the loss of several battalions in Detmer's Brigade added significantly to the overall allied losses. Their total reached 68, 17 above their break test point. That equated to +5 to be added to a die roll and if the total = 13 or more they would break. Wellington rolled the dice, and:-

The French though were not off the hook. Thevenet's Brigade dispersed from the 6th Corps and the 7th Dragoons failed in their rally test and also dispersed. Their total was now 71 with 72 being the trigger for break tests.

However the French did witness this-

I now had to make a decision whether to call it at this with Blucher disengaging, or carrying on to see what the Prussians could achieve. I also bore in mind that there were just 7 turns left of play before darkness descends.

Blucher saw with great alarm the allied forces break but he was also aware that he had already shattered several French units with relative ease. They were in disarray and falling back. If he could break through he might just be able to prevent a ruinous pursuit of the allies allowing them to reform, hopefully before they get to Brussels.

His Generals urged caution warning him that he risked becoming trapped between Napoleon and Grouchy. But hell, this is Blucher! He had more French to kill. He sent out an order to all his Brigade Commanders. "Vorwarts".

Before I continue. A word about the French Break Point. I took the view that having seen the whole of the allied army break it would have given a significant uplift to their morale. The Prussians are currently 25 losses away from their break test point so I decided to even it up a little. I increased the French to 90 in total, or 19 more before their break point is reached.

Given this change in circumstances, Blucher shifted his focus to the Ohain Road with the aim of driving a wedge between the French and the routing allies. The 1st Corps would therefore target the area north of the Ohain Road. The 2nd Corps will drive along the Ohain Road and the area to the immediate north and south of it. The 4th Corps will drive west on a broad front with the 14th Brigade concentrating on Plancenoit.

For the French, realising that the Prussians were far from leaving the field of battle, establishing a second defensive line which would in effect become their new front line, is now a priority. The 6th and 9th Divisions with supporting cavalry will pursue the routing allies. The 5th Division will join the 1st Corps units relocating to the new defensive line. The Heavy Cavalry of the Guard will relocate from the original left flank towards the new French position. The 6th Corps will retire as quickly as possible and act as a reserve. Napoleon calculated that his best chance of holding or defeating the Prussians would be in his advantage of artillery and cavalry.

The artillery were to be instrumental in forming the new defensive line and Napoleon hoped that his guns would neutralise much of the Prussian infantry threat. His cavalry were to initially counter the Prussian cavalry and thereafter act as a reserve taking opportunities whenever possible of launching attacks on any unprepared Prussian units.

The urgency in which the Prussians had to defeat the French lead to problems with coordinated attacks. Here the two detached battalions commanded by an ADC surge ahead of two other Prussian infantry columns, one of whom had faltered and the commander had ordered the halt. This left the two advancing Prussian battalions at the mercy of the French Guard artillery battery defending Plancenoit who was able to concentrate its firepower purely on these.  With 2 guns firing canister on each of the Prussian battalions, the losses were considerable. The 1/15th Infantry (middle right of photo) sustained 4 casualties and the 1/1st Silesia Landwehr (middle of photo) lost 3.

Merlen, in command of the 11th Chasseurs (middle left of photo), had failed a command test and ordered his cavalry to 'Hold'. This was deeply unfortunate for the Chasseurs with 2 Prussian artillery batteries within canister range (the 2nd battery is off camera to the left). The combined firepower of both batteries utterly shredded the 11th Chasseurs inflicting 8 casualties. They subsequently dispersed.

The Frrench 1st Lancers (middle left) had launched an uncontrolled charge towards the faltering 2/2nd Silesia Landwehr. They inexplicably failed to charge home letting the Landwehr battalion off the hook. They in turn failed to form a square so recovered from falter and angled their column towards the French cavalry threat.

To the left of the 1st Lancers, the 2nd Lancers of the Guard (middle of photo) was altogether more successful. Although the ADC in command of the Lancers had also rolled a 'hold' result, the Prussian 1st Pomerania Landwehr of Sydow's Brigade did the job for them and charged. This was the trigger for the 2nd Lancers to counter-charge and in the subsequent melee the Pomeranians were slaughtered losing 10 to the French 1. These casualties took them significantly passed their dispersal point signifying their demise. The Guard Lancers concluded the melee with another Superb Discipline pursuit test result.

Lettow's 18th Infantry regiment were proving to be one of Blucher's most successful formations. Here the 1/18th Infantry battalion charged the French 1/5th Line of Bellair's Brigade. A Guard artillery battery fired a particularly accurate long range salvo on the Prussian battalion inflicting 3 casualties. Unfazed by this they continued their charge into the 1/5th Line. The Prussians defeated the 1/5th causing them to retreat and inflicting 4 casualties for the loss of 1. They had though become unformed.

Lettow's 1/10th infantry and Thile's 2/3rd Silesia Landwehr jointly charged the 1/95th Line defending a hedgerow next to Papelotte. The French battalion fired a volley of musketry at the charging columns but only managed to inflict one casualty on each. They charged home with the 1/95th retreating prior to contact. Both Prussian battalions occupied the position of the 1/95th.

To the far right of the photo, Thile's 3/3rd Silesia Landwehr charged the courtyard walls of Papelotte. The occupants fired an effective volley as the Landwehr approached inflicting 2 casualties. This was enough to cause the Landwehr to falter.

Elsewhere the 3rd Silesia Landwehr cavalry had manoeuvred to flank the French 2nd Lancers of the Guard. But in doing so it presented it's flank to two batteries of Guard 12pdr guns (the 'Beautiful Daughters'). Although long range this was a fatal error by the small Prussian cavalry unit. The 12pdr shot raining down on them utterly destroyed the unit and inflicted a further 2 casualties on a Landwehr battalion next to them.

The Prussian 11th Hussars of the 5th Brigade (middle of photo) leading the 2nd Corps advance inadvertently placed itself within canister range of the French 1st Cavalry Division's horse artillery battery (lower right). A devastating salvo of canister swept away 4 or their 9. Despite the crippling losses they passed their morale test.

Vandeleur's pride at the 12th Light Dragoons maintaining good order amongst the allied carnage was short lived. A Guard horse artillery battery fired a round of shot into them inflicting 3 losses taking them beyond the dispersal point. They did though pass their morale test meaning that they left the field in good order.

The Prussian advance was still dogged by traffic jams. Here Treskow ordered his cavalry brigade to halt leading to a bad tempered exchange with Sohr who was trying to lead his cavalry brigade into clear ground (middle right).

Two views of the 2nd French defensive line hurriedly assembling. The French Divisions travelling from the left flank were using Tactical Marches to speed their movement. In the rules a limited number of brigades, or in this case divisions, can make tactical moves providing their are no enemy within 20cms. This roughly doubles their movement rates -  18cms for infantry and foot artillery, 24cms for cavalry and horse artillery.

In the morale phase Vinot's 12th Chasseurs failed their attempt to rally from retreat and dispersed. Another unit lost to the 6th Corps. For the Prussians, Sydow similarly lost the 1st Neumark Landwehr cavalry who also failed to rally. Sydow's Brigade faltered in its Brigade morale test.

7.30pm

Frustratingly for Blucher there were widespread command failures among the Prussian army with many formations being placed on 'Hold'. With the defence of Papelotte and the actions of the French 2nd Lancers of the Guard causing him further problems it's the last thing he needed.

The Prussian Reserve 12pdr batteries open fire on the church in Plancenoit killing one of the occupants. An attack by two battalions of the 11th Infantry and the 1/1st Silesia Landwehr was broken up by the defending artillery battery firing canister at 2 of the 3 battalions. The 1/1st Silesia and the 1/11th Infantry, who had targeted the guns for attack, retreated having lost 4 and 2 casualties respectively. The 2/11th Infantry lost 2 casualties to musket fire from one of the buildings in Plancenoit. The Prussian battalion charged home (middle of photo) and the first melee ensued in Planenoit. The Prussians fought hard breaking into the building and pushing out the defending 1/1st Tirailleurs of the Young Guard. The 11th Infantry battalion inflicted 4 casualties on the Young Guard for the loss of 1 and pursued them into the village.

In the morale phase both the 1/1st Silesia Landwehr and the 1/11th Infantry failed to rally and dispersed.

The 2nd Lancers of the Guard charged Watzdorff's 8th Hussars who counter-charged. This was a crushing defeat by the Prussians who lost 10 and only inflicting 1 in return. This destroyed the Prussian Hussars who dispersed.

The centre of the Prussian line who were still struggling to advance beyond Papelotte.

The two small French battalions of the 85th Line have been given the task for holding Papelotte for as long as possible to further delay the Prussian advance. In the middle of the photo Thile's 2/3rd Silesia Landwehr attack the southern side of Papelotte defended by 4 companies of the 2/85th Line. They are pushed back for the loss of 1 casualty but they did succeed in killing 2 of the occupants.

To the north of Papelotte the hapless Prussian 11th Hussars of the 5th Brigade receive another blast of canister from the French 1st Cavalry Division's horse artillery battery. This is enough to disperse the Hussars.

The French were not immune from command and control failures. Here, much needed 4 battalions of the Middle Guard are halted by Morand delaying their relocation to the 2nd French defensive line.

Two further shots of the French 2nd defensive line assembling. The massed batteries are beginning to have an effect firing long range shots into the Prussians.

The tentative advance of the Prussian 1st Corps. Treskow weighs up the odds as his brigade is confronted by several French cavalry formations.

Blucher is faced with the problem of the need to engage the French as quickly as possible but in so doing his attacks are going in piece-meal. He feels that with so little time left he must throw caution to the wind and orders an all-out attack with the hope that luck will be on his side.

The next turn saw the Prussians attempt to reinforce the 2/11th Infantry who had fought their way into the village. The 3/2nd Pomerania Landwehr (middle left) charge the guns at the entrance to Plancenoit. A round of canister inflicts 4 casualties causing them to falter. A Young Guard battalion, the 1/1st Voltigeurs (top left) wheels in a position to fire on the 3/2nd Pomerania and inflicts a further 2 casualties on them.

 Within Plancenoit, the Prussian 2/11th Infantry lead by Reichenbach, pursued the 1/1st Tirailleurs into the village maintaining contact. The 1/3rd Voltigeurs had been in reserve immediately behind the buildings to the front, piled into the Prussians reinforcing the melee. The lone Prussian battalion desperately needed support if they were to capitalise on it's success. They nevertheless performed well in melee with the 2 Young Guard battalions. The result was a draw and the melee would continue in the next turn. The Prussians lost 4 inflicting one each on the 2 Guard battalions.

The 2 small squadrons of the 2nd Silesia Landwehr cavalry of the 13th Brigade, had been positioned on the high ground at the top right of the photo. The 2nd Lancers of the Guard (middle of photo) had been withdrawing back towards the new French defensive position. Having seen the destruction the 2nd Lancers had caused and the arrogance in which they nonchalantly rode back to their lines, the Silesian cavalry commander became incensed. He immediately called his troops to charge the rear of the 2nd Lancers. As they rode down the slope the 2nd Lancers about faced and counter-charged the Silesians. It was a brave attack but ultimately a very foolish one. The Silesians were utterly wiped out losing all 9 of it's strength only inflicting 1 in return.

Just in view at the very bottom of the photo is the French 1st Lancers of Colbert's Brigade. They had been charged by Schwerin leading the 1st Uhlans. The Lancers declared they were going to counter-charge. The Prussians rolled a double '1' and retreated. The Lancers rolled '3' to carry out their counter-charge and they also retreated!

Over in Papelotte, it was the turn of the 3/3rd Silesia Landwehr to attempt to break into the building. They were joined by Thile himself as they assaulted the courtyard walls and gate defended by 2 companies each from the 1/85th and 2/85th Line battalions. The melee was a draw and continue with each of the battalions involved suffering 1 casualty.

To the north of the Ohain road, the 2nd and 5th Dragoons of Treskow's Cavalry Brigade charged the Chasseurs of the Guard. They all passed their tests to charge home and a melee ensued. Lefebvre lead the Chasseurs and he hoped the sheer size of his unit would overcome the two smaller Prussian regiments.

At last the Prussian Cavalry had something to celebrate. Despite the odds the Prussian Dragoons defeated the Chasseurs causing them to retreat with the loss of 8 troopers. The 5th Dragoons lost 2 and the 2nd Dragoons 1. The former would pursue the Chasseurs and the latter had blown horses.

Elsewhere the French 2nd defensive line continues to take shape. 

The Prussian 1st Corps continue to advance westwards. 

 Krafft's Brigade struggles to advance onto open ground.

The Prussian centre.

An overview of the battlefield as the clock ticks to 8.00pm

The last of the allied army about to leave the battlefield with the rearguard attempting to hold off the French pursuit.

The total French losses were now 73 to the Prussian 14. Each were 17 away from the Army Break Test trigger.

With just one hour of daylight left, Blucher contemplated defeat. If the French were left in command of the battlefield he would have no choice but to reunite with the rest of his forces at Wavre and retreat to Prussia. He just had to hope that a moment of inspiration from one of his commanders, or a stroke of luck would turn the tide in his favour.