Rhänsbadden, a SYW battle

The most recent encounter here in GHQ for Phil and myself saw a return to the SYW with the fictional battle of Rhansbadden fought between the French of the Comte du Merde - yours truly- and the Allied army lead by Duke Philip of Ränzkastel. Really just an excuse to get almost the whole collection out on the tabletop battlefield! As ever, an annotated photomontage to hopefully carry the interested visitor down into the action ~

Massed British cavalry hold the Allied left, supported in the centre by two Brigades of Foot,  with the Foot Guards in reserve ready to deal the death blow to the French!

The Allied centre right is held by the Hanoverian contingent of the army.

While the far right is held by a small Brigade of Brunswickers supported by two batteries of artillery.

The French centre and left comprised a number of infantry regiments making a colourful show, if nothing else...

Masses of cavalry dominate the French right supported by a battery of heavy artillery. They French plan to drive off the Allied cavalry and take their infantry in the flank. A bold, aggressive plan not entirely without risk!

The leading regiment of Grenadiers Royale are charged by Hanoverian Heavy Cavalry.  They stand firm in the face of the charge and level their muskets.

A dreadful volley crashes out dealing out death and destruction and the remnants of the cavalry flee!

The leading squadron of the French Cuirassiers du Roi crash into the Scots Greys and sweep them from the battle!

With their dander well and truly up they sweep forward and smash the remainder of the Greys. All this while the rest of the French cavalry calmly look on.

On the French left the Scots contingent comes under attack from the Brunswickers. Volleys crash out and casualties mount on both sides.

The firefight extends further to the left as the French seek to hold up the Brunswick assault. 

Back on the cavalry flank the horses of the Cuirassiers du Roi are blown and destroyed by a smart counter charge while their supporting squadron is caught as the British victors sweep forward. Not at all how the French commanders planned this!

As the cavalry swirl around in ever more bloody combat the British infantry finally engage their French opponents in the centre.

The masses of French cavalry sweep forward in support of their infantry and things are looking tight for the Allies in this sector of the battlefield. 

Faced with the French onslaught the British infantry stand in stoic lines with muskets primed and ready,  steadied by the arrival of the Foot Guards in their support.

Back on the French left the Hanoverian grenadiers are sent packing by a devastating volley from front and flank. The Brunswick infantry though has moved up to flank the Flying Geese ready to deliver their own devastating fire.

French Dragoons charge the converted British grenadiers whose calm close range volley shatters them!

Despite their numerical advantage the French cavalry assault is being at first blunted, then turned back. Merde!

As their cavalry attacks are being thrown back so are the infantry in the centre being shattered by close range volley fire from the British foot.

Death and destruction are the fate of the leading French regiments smashed by devastating volley fire at close range, their own fire proving ineffective.

The French left has broken, joining the cavalry on the right in fleeing the field. It's all up for the Comte du Merde and he concedes the field of battle to the Duke of Ränskastel!

A great tussle swinging back and forth for 9 Turns in the best traditions of Black Powder games here in GHQ! At times it seemed the French might win the day, only for it to slip through their fingers...