The weather had improved briefly, brief enough to see whole squadrons of light cavalry were mown down by the Russian batteries, the village of Serpallen was taking a severe mauling, the Russian veterans that had rushed into the village had delivered a short range unformed volley into the French battalions outside the village. Unfortunately they had taken short range volleys from at least three battalions before they fired and had lost over 25% of their effectives before delivering their unformed volley.
Russian Centre Grand Battery
The nearest battery are Hinchliffe models.
The French charged in the next turn, Russians either side of the village tried to draw as many reserves from the French as possible. This would be the final throw of the dice here, many French battalions from Desjardin’s division of Augerau’s corps had been drawn into the fray.
Soult's Guns after the Canister
You may remember me mentioning the poor unfortunate battery that became a target after the blizzard eased.
Soult's Guns and Infantry, before the canister
The battery is one of the Connoisseur models, very nice.
While the 14th Division and the supporting 5th Division prepared to repel them. Davout inched forward but any advance was severely checked by the Russian Cavalry Corps under Prince Galitzin.
The Centre, Soult and The Russian 4th.
The centre of the battlefield saw the French Cavalry reserve under, Groughy, Klein, D’Hautpoul and Wathier thunder forward unopposed. The Russian infantry had been pinned by the retreating battery and many battalions were caught in column due to the press of men where troops retreated.
The Cuirassier breaking the line.
The French Guard Light regiment was the first to hit the Russian lines, quickly followed by Grouchy and Klein’s Dragoons, the Gendarmes d’elite were used as a substitute for Carabinier (they look nice!) I know the Carabinier regiments were not at the battle, but a little poetic licence for the keen gamer has to be made every now and then. These heavies were ultimately joined by the squadrons of the French Cuirassier under D’Hautpoul.
The Russian Centre, with the French Guard Cavalry in the distance.
More of our new Front Rank Figures in the foreground. Connoisseur Guard Cavalry in the background.
The Russians battery breaks in front of the 5th Division
Did I tell you about the new Front Rank, all painted by Reinforcements by post
Smashing into the Russians just as Legrand’s division made contact and pushed the first Russian line back. This confusion allowed D’Hautpoul’s Cuirassier to ride down several battalions of infantry. The Dragoons joined in the fray riding down many more.
The advance of the French Imperial Guard, heralding the end.
At this pivotal moment the Russians in Serpallen list their nerve breaking and streaming east!! Davout would now be free of his nemesis Galitzin and the Russian left began to collapse.
Troops in front of Serpallen.
The skirmishers are from the Victrix range. The Light infantry are Elite Miniatures.
Some of the Italian infantry battalions outside Serpallen.
These are Victrix (Italian) and French light infantry from Perry Miniatures.
All was lost! The Russian army began to look for a withdrawal plan. Bennigsen would need Galitzin to delay the French pursuit…….
Unformed the battalion got short range, 8 figures firing and knocked one out of the saddle. It was just enough!
Next week there will be an all new programme for the weeks pictures.