October 2011 - Page 5 of 5 - War Games Holiday Centre

The allied right began to descend into carnage with volleys being exchanged all along the banks of the Little Gheete.

The line of battle — Actually taken during the early stages of Saturday afternoon, the lines can clearly be seen.

Over on the Allied left the Bavarians wihdrew from Franquenay, forming a second line of defence with the survivors of the garrison of Franquenay being heralded as heroes on their return to the lines. Of the four battalions in the garrison only one remained at full strength, the others being sent to the rear.

Cuirassier and Carabinier — The Bavarian Garde and the Cuirassier move into the line.

The cheering diminished however at the sight of the Allied line advancing with the bloodied Danes and Dutch manoeuvring into battle lines and advancing upon the Bavarian troops.

The Dutch advance. — Dutch troops deploy into line to advance on the Bavarian defending line.

The Bavarian cavalry moved into the line to bolster the troops, Cuirassier and Carabinier forming battle lines to face the Danish and British Horse. Supporting the Cuirassier were the much vaunted Bavarian Garde du Corps! The fighting was about to pick up a pace.

Bavarian Carabinier — The Carabinier of the Bavarian army look to engage the British Horse

The clash between the two flanks was becoming more and more bloody. Marlborough still had his central reserve to deploy, there appeared to be very few troops in the Franco-Bavarian centre, some cavalry and a few Irish mercenaries, could the time be right for a thrust.

The battle of Ramillies raged on, the fighting aound Offus, and Autre-Eglise picked up a pace, with Orkneys troops of the right wing deploying in lines to exchange volleys with the now advancing French infantry.

The British battalions deploy into line ready to give fire to the advancing French.

The Gardes Francais moved up in columns behind the front regiments of French foot, ready to deploy into the line in their turn.

French line deploy forward of the advancing Garde Francais.

The Battle of the Horse was conducted on the extreme right of the Allied line, Dragoons from both sides exchanging volleys, their success was limited here though, with very few casualties. The British brought forward two of their medium guns, to a close range in order to support the infantry duel.

British Dragoons move forward to give fire to their French counterparts

It was during this period that the French Horse brought forward the Cuirassier du Roi, the idea being a rush to remove the artillery threat.

The French got across the Little Gheete stream in fairly good order and began to press the British Line. The cavalry and Infantry duel began to take it’s toll! The artillery began to lob shot into the cavalry and infantry in front of them.

The Duke of Marlborough looks to deploy the Central Reserve,

On the Jandrenouille, Marlborough deliberated on where to send his central reserve!

Blenheim was a hard fought battle here at the Wargames Holiday Centre and Ramillies started off with no difference.

British Line infantry forming up on the Allied right in front of the village of Autre-Eglise.

The deployment for the battle was fairly historical, Orkneys brigade was deployed in front of Autre Eglise, they would be looking to drive out the French from both here and the village of Ramillies in the French centre. Overkirk took the responsibility of clearing the Bavarians under the Elector from the villages of Franquenay and Traviers!

Bavarian line deployed to the right of the French line, behind Franquenay.

The centre for the allies was held behind the huge plateau of Jandrenouille, so remained invisible to the French centre which was predominantly held by the French royal cavalry.

The Danish Guard file past the village of Franquenay after it’s fall.

The battle started with the Allies advancing on their flanks, the Danes advanced on Franquenay, which was held by four Bavarian battalions. On the allied right Orkneys battalions advanced on the village of Autre-Eglise.

Initial bombardment from the guns seemed to be quite ineffective and the Danes, with the support of a couple of medium guns opened fire on Franquenay and it’s defenders. The return fire from the village was quite devastating initially the Danes suffering heavy losses as they advanced to effective range, they held their nerve though and the return fire proved to be just as telling, the defender losing ten percent of the garrison.

Hanoverian Horse supporting the Allied right wing

Over on the Allied right Orkney advanced toward the stream of the Little Gheete, to his surprise the French advanced to meet him, under the tutelage of Marshal Villeroi, Le Garde Francaise advanced on the British between Autre-Eglise and the village of Ramillies, colours flying four battalions of Frances finest stepped through the stream and engaged fire with the British line.

French Line engaging the British Line in support of the Garde Francais.

The British sent three battalions of their Grenadiers to Autre-eglise, supported by four regiments of British horse and two regiments of Hanoverian Horse. The French met them with Dragoons and their own horse.

The Danish Troops push the remaining Bavarians out of the village of Franquenay.

Well the Peninsular Campaign went very well, new ideas were tried by the combatants, the British wanted to see if they could take on the French without the Spanish initially and found that it was a tough nut to crack.

Spanish Line defending a wall,the figures are from Front Rank Figures and i think the sculptor has captured the whole look of the Spaniard about them.

They faired much better with a Spanish army in support. The French avoided grouping any of their Corps beyond two corps to avoid attrition, (although this wasn’t for the want of trying) which seemed to work well. The Spanish were very aggressive, which is commendable and this seemed to work better with the British support!

French assault on the Allied centre, the majority of the figures are Connoisseur and Elite Figures.

A French Battery softens up the Spanish lines.

The manoeuvring to and fro resulted in the guys fighting at Talavera and at Salamanca twice, I guess these are quite strategic places after all! The battles were hard fought, the Spanish acquitting themselves very well. Honour remained even after the two battles though.

Spanish line cavalry takes on French lancers, the Spanish are Front Rank, while the Lancers are Connoisseur.

Spanish infantry in Square supported by a battery of their artillery.

Overall though the French definitely held the upper hand in the campaign. The northern territories were held by Soult and Ney while the central Spanish provinces remained in French hands. Madrid was threatened twice but the French beat this off!

Spanish squares in close up, the infantry in the fore ground I believe are Old Glory miniatures, however these have been tweaked slightly by Bill Gaskin.

The week was a great success all ten players have put themselves down for next year already. Don’t worry though, there is still four places left for the week, so you’ll get your chance.

Spanish infantry assault a French strongpoint in the line, figures are Connoisseur mostly.

Spanish foreign regiment prepares to repulse a French assault.

Spanish infantry in squares, a close up of the fantastic head gear.

The French Defensive line in one of the latter battles.

Spanish Heavies and French Lights melee.

Marshal Ney oversees the placement of his Dragoon division.

Wurzburgers from the German division assault a ridge, this is one of Doug Masons specials, he painted and tweaked two battalions of these for the W.H.C.

Tomorrow some of the pictures from Ramillies!

Month: October 2011

Actually taken during the early stages of Saturday afternoon, the lines can clearly be seen.

The Bavarian Garde and the Cuirassier move into the line.

Dutch troops deploy into line to advance on the Bavarian defending line.

The Carabinier of the Bavarian army look to engage the British Horse

The British battalions deploy into line ready to give fire to the advancing French.

French line deploy forward of the advancing Garde Francais.

British Dragoons move forward to give fire to their French counterparts

The French Cuirassier du Roi rumble forward

The Duke of Marlborough looks to deploy the Central Reserve,

British Line infantry forming up on the Allied right in front of the village of Autre-Eglise.

Bavarian line deployed to the right of the French line, behind Franquenay.

The Danish Guard file past the village of Franquenay after it’s fall.

Hanoverian Horse supporting the Allied right wing

French Line engaging the British Line in support of the Garde Francais.

The Danish Troops push the remaining Bavarians out of the village of Franquenay.

Spanish Line defending a wall,the figures are from Front Rank Figures and i think the sculptor has captured the whole look of the Spaniard about them.

French assault on the Allied centre, the majority of the figures are Connoisseur and Elite Figures.

A French Battery softens up the Spanish lines.

Spanish line cavalry takes on French lancers, the Spanish are Front Rank, while the Lancers are Connoisseur.

Spanish infantry in Square supported by a battery of their artillery.

Spanish squares in close up, the infantry in the fore ground I believe are Old Glory miniatures, however these have been tweaked slightly by Bill Gaskin.

Spanish infantry assault a French strongpoint in the line, figures are Connoisseur mostly.

Spanish foreign regiment prepares to repulse a French assault.

Spanish infantry in squares, a close up of the fantastic head gear.

The French Defensive line in one of the latter battles.

Spanish Heavies and French Lights melee.

Marshal Ney oversees the placement of his Dragoon division.

Wurzburgers from the German division assault a ridge, this is one of Doug Masons specials, he painted and tweaked two battalions of these for the W.H.C.

Actually taken during the early stages of Saturday afternoon, the lines can clearly be seen.

The Bavarian Garde and the Cuirassier move into the line.

Dutch troops deploy into line to advance on the Bavarian defending line.

The Carabinier of the Bavarian army look to engage the British Horse

The British battalions deploy into line ready to give fire to the advancing French.

French line deploy forward of the advancing Garde Francais.

British Dragoons move forward to give fire to their French counterparts

The French Cuirassier du Roi rumble forward

The Duke of Marlborough looks to deploy the Central Reserve,

British Line infantry forming up on the Allied right in front of the village of Autre-Eglise.

Bavarian line deployed to the right of the French line, behind Franquenay.

The Danish Guard file past the village of Franquenay after it’s fall.

Hanoverian Horse supporting the Allied right wing

French Line engaging the British Line in support of the Garde Francais.

The Danish Troops push the remaining Bavarians out of the village of Franquenay.

Spanish Line defending a wall,the figures are from Front Rank Figures and i think the sculptor has captured the whole look of the Spaniard about them.

French assault on the Allied centre, the majority of the figures are Connoisseur and Elite Figures.

A French Battery softens up the Spanish lines.

Spanish line cavalry takes on French lancers, the Spanish are Front Rank, while the Lancers are Connoisseur.

Spanish infantry in Square supported by a battery of their artillery.

Spanish squares in close up, the infantry in the fore ground I believe are Old Glory miniatures, however these have been tweaked slightly by Bill Gaskin.

Spanish infantry assault a French strongpoint in the line, figures are Connoisseur mostly.

Spanish foreign regiment prepares to repulse a French assault.

Spanish infantry in squares, a close up of the fantastic head gear.

The French Defensive line in one of the latter battles.

Spanish Heavies and French Lights melee.

Marshal Ney oversees the placement of his Dragoon division.

Wurzburgers from the German division assault a ridge, this is one of Doug Masons specials, he painted and tweaked two battalions of these for the W.H.C.

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