Battle of Waterloo

I called over to a friend's place last Friday, to play Waterloo using Vive L'Empereur. He has a great setup there, with Kallistra hexes and a large 15mm collection.


10am to 12 noon

Napoleon surveys the battlefield from la Belle Alliance



The French Grand Battery aims towards le Haye Sainte



The attack on Hougomont begins



French Hussars make a gallant attempt on the guns north of Hougomont



But are driven back with dreadful losses, and later are driven from the field by well-aimed English musketry



The French under Reille advance through Cornfield just east of Hougomont



French infantry advance in the centre is supported by artillery



and also supported by the threatening movement of Cursaissiers



The first Prussians arrive just south of Frichemont



French infantry advance into the guns holding the centre of the English lines



Massed English cavalry advance behind Papelotte



Lobau leads the attack on le Haye Sainte



More Prussian infantry arrive



along with Prussian cavalry who join their English allies



French Lancers fall on the Prussians



D'Erlon leads the attack to drive back the Prussians



D'Erlon forms square against the Prussian cavalry



12 noon to 2pm

Even with the Grand Battery and cavalry in support, D'Erlon looks isolated



and under pressure



The attack on Hougomont breaks down



as Reille is left trying to rally broken units



French battery has worked its way close to the English line in the centre



Reille leads heavy cavalry against the English in the cornfields



The attack on le Haye Sainte is blunted



Newly arrived Prussian artillery pours fire into flank of the French infantry



French heavy cavalry complete the charge on the guns despite fearful losses



Renewed effort against the English near Hougomont



Brave French infantry stand their ground



2pm to 4pm

French cavlary see off attackers



English advance to edge of ridge in centre



French take le Haye Sainte



French centre reinforced to expoit their success



Spirits are high in the French centre



Those valiant French infantrymen continue to hold out against Prussian attacks



D'Erlon begins to contract his lines against renewed Prussian pressure



Clinton outflanks French infantry outside Hougomont



English counterattack in centre




English infantry face French artillery fire



4pm to 6pm

D'Erlon holds out against Prussian lancers



Reille advances towards cornfield at Hougomont once more



French clear central ridge of English defenders



but charge by English cavalry reserve exacts heavy toll



French troops in le Haye Sainte under pressure



French take Hougomont



French forced to retreat from le Haye Sainte



French hussars successful charge against blown English heavy dragoons



The battle hangs in the balance. The French right is virtually cut off and must be overwhelmed soon, without any reasonable hope of relief. They have bled the Prussians dry though due to their aggressive defensive stance.

The French left has fought over Hougomont and has held its own, but is unlikely to be able to take more than a holding role.

The French centre has been thrown back, but the Guard remains, and a well-worked attack there, supported by the heavy batteries could be decisive...