Afternoon Folks
Last Monday the shed hosted a Black Powder Napoleonic Game with a slight twist. The game featured more Cavalry units than Infantry. To be precise each side fielded 24 regiments of Cavalry apiece and a dozen Infantry Battalions. With each Cavalry unit at a full strength of 12 figures per unit we calculated that there was almost 600 horse on the table ! It looked epic.
We'd been discussing the fact that amongst the group we all had several units of cavalry but had never seen them on the table at the same time. More often than not the Infantry dominate the field and our cavalry actions tend to be part of the side show. That Monday night things changed.
The scenario was based in the peninsular with the French facing off against an allied army of British, Portuguese and Spanish. Prussian, Austrian and Russian units were pressed into service as Portuguese and Spanish forces. Both sides were matched numerically and had an almost equivalent mix of Light and Heavy Horse. The quality of these troops however varied with the powerful British (ferocious charge) compensated by the wavering Iberian forces. Oh and the French had lancers - lots of them.
The scenario itself was simple - fight it out and a winner declared at the end of the evening. Our table was flanked either end by small villages and a few roads and woods scattered the field. In the main the battlefield was flat and empty. Perfect for cavalry charges !
Troops were assigned to players with the French lead by David, John and Mark, whilst the Allies were commanded by myself, Sven and Vince.
The action was fast and furious with both sides hammering at each other across the centre and the Allied right wing. Each side captured a village but the more numerically stronger French infantry on their left wing soon attacked into the British defence.
Across the field charges and counter charges ensued with horse guns delivering deadly salvoes at close range. Buy the end of the evening the French had delivered a stunning victory having defeated the Allied left flank and centre.
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| The Victorious French (can you spot Boney !) |
Great fun and worthy of a repeat at some time. The added bonus that it looked and felt epic.
More soon
What a splendid cavalcade of cavalry! No, make that a cornucopia of cavalry. Quite an amount of horseflesh, indeed. Could you note table size and aspects of the rules that worked best? Did you and your associates add any scenario rules?
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. Given the size represented in the photos, it must have taken an hour or more on either end to set up and clear away.
Table is 17ft x 6ft - no special rules. Army lists taken from Albion Triumphant - thank you
DeleteWhat an incredible display!
ReplyDeleteFantastic looking game. Love all the cav!
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor must have been pleased. How many other famous commanders were present?However, as "Duke of Baylen", I hope the Spanish cavalry didn't disgrace themselves. It must have been fun for players to bring their contingents into such epic forces of horse. Were the special advantages - furious charge, lances etc. particularly effective? Who was the regiment of the match?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the report and all the photos.
Stephen
A player in our HMGS chapter did a very similar thing one year at several conventions -- giant Napoleonic cavalry scrum. It was indeed quite the spectacle, as was yours!!
ReplyDelete