Mini Blenheim !

After our return from the Wargames Holiday Centre Blenheim game, Steve Clarke and I continued our "fix" by setting up the area from Oberglau to Lutzingen at my War Rooms - and I forgot to "blog" the action, so here it is belatedly.

Steve took the part of the Franco-Bavarian army, I had the British & Allies.

We carried on using the amended Black Powder rules used at WHC.

British on the left facing Lutzingen

Prussians and other Germans on the British right flank

and this is Oberglau on the British left

We also carried on using unit sizes as at WHC- collectively, the brigades still look impressive.

French right of the line

Still lots of "First Fire" stickers in evidence !

The Germans attack Lutzingen in force - a tough nut to crack as before.

British troops tangled up by marshy ground in the centre

And the French gunners make the most of it !

Oberglau under attack

Grenadiers cross the fields to get at the enemy behind Lutzingen

Despite being attacked by these big numbers, the Bavarians held on to the village for hours

Another view of the French centre - Austrian Croats have had to be drafted in to make up the numbers 

The British attacks went on

Prussian Grenadiers - old Minifigs !

British troops crash into the French lines on the left of Oberglau

The British really have got bogged down in the centre !

Gunners fire at Lutzingen from an advanced position

The Germans & Prussians head for the French & Bavarians behind Lutzingen

This is the over view as the shadows are drawing in.

A French brigade has been broken on their right.

The British brigade commander in the centre is trying to untangle his units from the swamp

The French centre still looks strong.

British troops are now even behind Oberglau attacking

No such luck against Lutzingen

Despite artillery support

Some units are looking shaky from the fire they have received both from the village and ahead.

More artillery unlimbers and fires at the village.

French infantry advance towards the British guns

and their supporting infantry is not in great shape after being pounded by the enemy on high ground

At last the British commander has managed to send in attacks towards the French centre, by-passing the swamp.

Allied cavalry now arrives to exploit the gap created on the left where French troops have fled.

This wing is clearly won by the British.

They need to break the enemy centre and/or left to gain a clear victory.

Prussian grenadiers attack on cue

but the foolishly too advanced British artillery are shot up by advancing French troops, causing major problems.

The attacks left of centre go in against disordered enemy infantry

If they can break this brigade, the day is won

and more British units move up to help

The British gunners have all gone and British infantry having to shore up the position left of Lutzingen as the French keep coming.

All hangs in the balance over on the Allied right, beyond Lutzingen

Its not plain sailing on this wing

We had to call a halt as night came, but playing out a few more bounds solo the next day, it became clear the British would break the French centre, so only Lutzingen holding out spoiled the British having a complete victory.

So there you have it. Better late than never !