Action at Thönghausen

I had somehow forgotten that Phil and I had decided on a SYW game for this week's set too here in GHQ and was happily clearing last week's game away when his text reminded me! Lucky for me that! I reorganised the terrain slightly and laid out two armies for a straightforward pitched battle, the fictional Action at Thonghaüsen of the title. As ever now, on to an annotated photomontage hopefully carrying you right down into the unfolding action ~

The Allies advance in their centre and on their left in Turn 1.

On their right the Hanoverian brigade steps off smartly while the Brunswick brigade is held in reserve.

The French Grenadiers advance in the centre while the Wild Geese hesitate to step off.

On the French right infantry supported by Dragoons move past the farm complex to block the Allied attack on their flank.

Their advance is supported by the Hussards a Bykli.

The French commander, the Comt du Merde, does not hurry preparing for battle. Although he does have his carriage readied for a hurried departure, just in case you understand.

On the French left the Wild Geese and Grenadiers have begun to form firing lines as the Allied advance slows.

Fire is exchanged in the centre to little initial effect!

On the French right the Scots move to contest the farm complex as the first Allied troops hurry into position to block them.

Fighting erupts around the farm as both sides hurry reinforcements forward to gain the upper hand.

The Allied centre looks ominously strong as waves of British Foot sweep forward.

Opposing this attack the Grenadiers Royale and the Grenadiers de France shake out into firing lines supported by fire from the batteries of artillery to their rear.

The Hanoverian brigade has faltered as its advance runs into French fire on two quarters. Du Merde feels his left is more than strong enough to deal with their threat.

Infantry in his centre readies itself to exchange volleys with the hordes of British infantry - the battalion guns marking them as Large units with additional fire and melee dice.

Fighting for control of the farm complex has reached a stalemate. Du Merde feels his flanks are secure at this stage, the centre will decide the outcome of the battle in his view.

Things change quickly in battle though, the Hanoverian Hussars rout De Bykli's, opening up an opportunity for the supporting Heavy Cavalry to attack!

Sure enough they sweep forward and their flashing sabres make short work of the Scots!

The King's Dragoons move forward to block further advance as the Hanoverian Heavy Cavalry seek to exploit the opportunity presented by their Hussars victories!

Du Merde feels things are still largely moving in his favour at this stage, all along his line the French are holding their own.

The first Hanoverians finally break under heavy fire but the Brunswick brigade, lead by a line of skirmishing infantry, has moved onto their flank to press the Grenadiers de France. The Hanoverians though have lost their brigade commander in the rout!

The contest for the farm complex is still far from being decided in either side's favour! Casualties are mounting but neither will give way!

Disaster strikes Du Merde's cause, the first Battalion of the Grenadiers Royale can take no more and breaks under heavy and sustained fire!

Looking along the French line casualties are rising now as heavy fire from the Large units of British Foot takes its toll. Disorder resulting from this hampers Du Merde in his attempts to shore up his battle lines!

All is not lost though: the Hanoverian advance has faltered on the loss of their commander and the fire from the Grenadiers Royale breaks the leading Brunswick Battalion!

The Fortunes of War are cruel though. In the next Turn the French leftvsuffers catastrophic losses as the Grenadier brigade cannot take any more! The 'Dice Gods' have turned against the French!

The Wild Geese are similarly broken in the next Turn! With their capitulation the will of the French army is Broken. Du Merde rufully mounts his carriage and departs for his Estates, leaving his subordinates to salvage what they may of the army...