Bar Sur Aubes - but bigger !

Today's club game was Black Powder, Bar Sur Aubes, organised and umpired by Mike.

Graham, Steve and Ian took the French and Allan, Rafael, Les and I had the Austrians, Russians & Wurttenburgers (Austrians had to be substituted for these as none of us have such an army)

Here's the view along the line at the start, French on the right with their backs to the river. The only crossing point is where the village is, top right of the picture

Massed French columns on their left wing

with a cavalry brigade in the centre supported by artillery

Russian troops with Cossacks out front

The "Wurttenburgers" have two artillery pieces as part of their brigade (Allied right wing)

Here's the French brigade tasked with defending the village and the river crossing

Beyond the Russians, on the Allied left wing, Austrian cavalry and infantry 

The Allies start to move forwards - the guns get onto high ground

the assembled commanders - Ian is in charge of the Waggonwheels !

He also has this strong brigade (eight battalions strong plus artillery)

The French cavalry consists of Dragoons, Lancers, Hussars and Chasseurs

Also in the centre, most of the Allied cavalry - Cossacks, Lancers, Cuirassiers and Hussars

The French brigade protecting the village is also eight battalions strong

Austrian Dragoons advance alongside the Russian infantry

The Cossacks sweep forward to attack the enemy guns

The attack on the village will have to wait

a bird's eye view of the French lancers

The French gunners view of the approaching Cossacks

The "Wurttenburg" artillery is now unlimbered on the high ground ready to fire

and fire they do causing disorder to a French column

Cossacks v artillery

supported by cuirassiers

- and they lose ! The Cossacks flee leaving the cuirassiers dumbfounded !

Behind you !

This prompts a charge by the French dragoons against the cuirassiers

The cuirassiers flee, as the French dragoons do a sweeping charge against the next in the line, Austrian lancers

Its a clean sweep for the French, the Austrian lancers lose and flee the field leaving a gaping hole in the Allied lines. Wisely, the dragoons withdraw whilst they are still in good shape

Now the Austrian dragoons try a charge but fall short of hitting the French cavalry

The Wurttenburg infantry charge the French infantry on the Allied right

well supported

a quick look across the board shows the village situation hasn't changed

Austrian and Russian cavalry licking their wounds

No enemy in front of the village !

The Wurttenburg charge is a disaster - half the battalions have broken and fled leaving a broken brigade - even the guns will have to pull back

This is why - French victory in melee

The Cossacks try their luck again - charge !

The Wurttenburg brigade commander tries to slow down the retreat

but if the French infantry keep coming, he will have no option but to retreat

The Cossacks are tackled by French cavalry

and this time the Cossacks are firmly defeated - they are gone

Now the Austrian dragoons are in melee with the French cavalry

at last Allied infantry drive forward to assault the village

but the French are so strong here

Luckily for the Wurttenburgers the French brigade commander fails two command rolls so they are unable to take advantage of the Allied broken brigade 

A right mess in the centre !  Allied infantry attempt to cross through the middle of the Austrian dragoon brigade as they are in melee !

The French cavalry win again and Austrian cavalry are sent flying leaving the infantry exposed

Some of the Russian infantry form square as the rest of the brigade try to join the attack towards the village

Another cavalry melee

Pressure is beginning to mount on the defenders of the village - the Russians are on the high ground

Attack !

the victorious French lancers seek new prey

French columns steadfastly defend the village

support arrives for the lead Russian column

Two battalions charge the French infantry

The French dragoons now tackle the second unit of Austrian dragoons

Probably the climax of the battle - the Russians attack the French defenders

Broken Austrian cavalry - another big gap in the Allied lines, this time left of centre

The Russians fail to break the French resolve and they lose yet another melee (not one went in favour of the Allies all day)

Where did it all go wrong ?  Allied commanders consider their defeat watched by a sympathetic umpire !

Quite a compelling game though with lots of toy soldiers to play with !