Encounter at Matz

For our regular Monday game this week Phil and I had settled on a small SYW game, using Black Powder 2 as the rules driver. For a change Phil opted to fight the French cause, leaving me as the British commander. The French begin the game in their encampments, the cavalry away to the west, the infantry to the east. The French Commander, the Comte du Merde, is only just arriving on the field (in Turn 3). The vedette from the Hussards de Bykli are stationed at the crossroads in the hamlet of Matz. The French in Turn 1 must despatch the vedette to alert one or other of the camps to the British presence. In their Turn 1 the British can only make one move onto the table, if they pass their order test that is. From this point the action will evolve, with neither side being assured of getting into action as quickly as they might like. Read on now to see how our respective little lead alter egos managed their forces...

The hussar on vedette makes his way slowly towards the French cavalry encamped to the west to raise the alarm.

The larger of the two British infantry brigades makes its way slowly. The spring rains have been heavy and the going is slow.

Full of vigor, the British cavalry advance boldly on the French cavalry encampment but soon come under artillery fire.

The second British infantry brigade makes its belated arrival from the north west. It finds the going slow at first on the muddy roads.

The alarm is finally raised and the French cavalry deploys to face the British. The Dragoons can be seen in the background moving towards the inn.

Over on the British left the lead regiment of the brigade is devastated by French artillery fire from its flank and flees the field in rout!

Away on the right the British drive off on French cavalry regiment and sweep forward to attack the French dragoons!

The 8th Dragoons engage the Orleans cavalry! It's looking as if the British cavalry will get the upper hand for once!

I spoke too soon! Both cavalry melees favour the French and two British regiments break in rout! Oh dear, and it all looked so promising. The British infantry are bogged down on the roads and are moving too slowly into position to attack the French infantry still struggling to deploy from their encampment.

In the face of heavy artillery fire and with two regiments in rout the British cavalry falls back on its supporting artillery. Will the French attack?

The French are finally deploying for battle as the British infantry make their way steadily into position. It may be too late for the French unless their artillery can delay the British advance.

As the French deploy in number at last the Regiments Normandie and Royale Deux Ponts come under fire from the British infantry. French artillery replies with devastating effect allowing Normandie to deploy into line. Deux Ponts though is caught still in column and falls back in confusion.

At the rear of the larger British brigade the combined Grenadiers have faltered. The Grenadiers de France and the Grenadiers Royale are seen advancing in column trying to turn the British flank. Can the Grenadiers save the British position?

Finally the last British regiment arrives just in time. "Follow me boys!"

The Grenadiers are Shaken and Disordered! Can the late arrivals save the day?

It may be too late to save the army anyway as one cavalry brigade is Broken and flees the field.

The Royal Irish, having endured long periods of heavy infantry and artillery fire on the British left flank, finally break, joining the Welsh Fusiliers to break another British brigade!

Eight out of twelve game turns played and the British have lost! With two Broken brigades out of the four being enough to signal a withdrawal. The game was always going to be close, especially given the appalling Command rolls by both of us and the complete ineptitude of the cavalry on both sides, who after early exchanges spent most of the game rallying off shooting hits from artillery fire. Nevertheless, a grand way to pass a Monday!