In 7 hours today with a short bar break we played 9 moves in the game getting us to about 2:15PM in game time. Great game....
As Napoleon I decided to play the game relatively historically launching D'Erlon supported by 2 cuirassier brigades against the ridge east of La Haye Saint whilst Reille's corps attacked Hougomont but also manuevred to its west.
Poor command rolls held up both attacks especially the maneuvre west of Hougomont. After a long struggle with losses the French captured 2 of the 3 Built Up Areas that represented Hougomont. The advance west of Hougomont ground to a halt in the face of a massive move of allied troops to that flank. A success!
D'Erlon's attack made headway capturing part of the hedgeline and engaging the troops in the sunken road. His left flank brigade lost heavily to artillery fire and allied cavalry attacks which were driven back by the supporting cuirassiers. Part of Lobau's corps and 2 reserve light cavalry brigades are moving slowly to support D'Erlon's attack which seems to be stalling.
On the allied left a series of cavalry melees largely ended in draws except for a single British hussar unit which broke through the French lines and after blundering to return is now well on its way to Plancenoit.
All my photos with descriptions at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill26048/sets/72157634008989879/
D'Erlons corps nears its objective - artillery in action
allied troops await the inevitable attack
Move 5 French take the walled garden of Hougomont - En avant!
View from allied left centre. To left D'Erlons corps heavily engaged. To right part of Lobau's coorps are engaging La Haye Saint. On ridge behind rest of Lobau's corps is positioning ready move forward to strengthen D'Erlon.
More to follow tomorrow.
12 July 2014, 09:15:20 PM