18th Century Black Powder - another lock down game with Michelle

Michelle chose the British army so I had the Prussian one plus some mercenaries.

British on the left, Prussians right. Prussia wins the toss and starts first.

You'd think Frederick would be happier than this !

British commanders discuss tactics

The Prussian light cavalry commander has no such dilemas - he declares charge !

and four regiments of hussars supported by two of dragoons hare across the table

they are met by Austrian dragoons (allied to the British)

supported by hussars

despite their +1 bonus for charging

the Prussians manage to lose and bounce back leaving their support units rather bemused

A brigade of mixed Prussian allies enter the woods

as the British cavalry commander sends his men up to take advantage of the Prussian misfortune

a British infantry brigade has smartly marched up to the hill beyond the recently cut corn field

and British grenadiers are ordered to take the village, supported by a Scots brigade

Fine looking fellows these

but the Prussians have got there first - Grenadiers have taken three buildings in the village before the British arrive

the Scots focus on the gap between the houses and the church

British light infantry and gunners have occupied the hill on their left flank - and horse grenadiers have swept past towards the enemy

they have spied enemy dragoons by the woods

the Prussian left wing cavalry has evened up the fight by breaking some enemy hussars

but both sides lose cavalry in this fight

the fight continues

clash in the woods ! Two infantry brigades meet head on

Prussian Frei Korps move up towards the British brigade heading for the high ground

the Prussian cavalry commander has now committed his heavier dragoons to try and stem the tide

in the corn field beside the village, a Prussian brigade advances

and another brigade marches towards the church

the horse grenadiers have charged the Prussian dragoons

the Scots have never seen so many senior officers !

Royal Artillery open fire

the Prussians are getting the better of the cavalry fight out on the Prussian left wing

and the Prussians are having some success in the woods -  British battalions have broken

a sorry sight for the brigade commander

the horse grenadiers have disordered the Prussian dragoons

one unit flees but in the sweeping advance made by the horse grenadiers, they in turn are broken

they gallop past the gunners

its honours even at this stage

as the British infantry gain the heights, the Prussians open fire

British grenadiers have taken one house in the village but are repulsed by the Prussians from the big white house

Out on the Prussian left flank, the British cavalry have blundered and retreated two moves off the battlefield, leaving the flank wide open

the Frei Korps know they are going to be charged

the centre of the battlefield is firmly Prussian as the woods and large field are in their hands

the Scots charge the church where one battalion of Prussians is harboured (three are behind)

this tussle lasts for hours

but the Prussians have as many troops as the Scots

rallied British infantry try and charge the woods again

they are unaware that their rear is threatened by masses of Prussian cavalry

battle rages in the village - the Prussians have the church and three other buildings - the British only one.

the fight for the woods shatters the British again - this brigade has had it.

British infantry charge down from the hill

as another British brigade attacks the big field

the Prussian cavalry have attempted to charge their flank but run out of steam !

a highlight for the British - Prussian troops flee from the church leaving the Scots in control

the Frei Korps have broken a British battalion

Prussian cavalry try to charge the gun as well as infantry but get shaken and disordered in the process

British light dragoons charge the Prussian infantry beside the church

another glimmer of hope for the British - a unit of Prussian light infantry breaks from the fight

but the British grenadiers in the one house they had taken break after being hit time and again by Prussian artillery

the British brigade "over the hill" has broken as three battalions have been shattered

Prussian hussars have charged the infantry and gun

and the Prussians beside the church have broken the light dragoons charge

unbelievably, the Prussian hussars are defeated and thrown back shaken - this means the whole cavalry brigade is broken and will have to leave the field

but it will not save the British infantry - they now lose the battle for the big field

Irish & Swiss mercenaries jeer as the Prussian hussars slink off

the only intact British brigade - the Scots

the remaining British grenadiers are ordered to try and rescue the situation by the big field 

these are the Prussians that fled from the church but their brother battalions are still fighting around the building

the Prussian cavalry commander on the right wing spots an opportunity - he charges the remaining dragoons around to hit the Scots in the rear

they break and another battalion has retreated disordered and shaken from musket fire

Prussian cavalry are still streaming from the field out on the left flank

but with all her infantry brigades broken and the Prussians firmly in control of most of the battlefield, Michelle admits defeat

BUT not a bad first time at playing Black Powder.

We will play again next week.