Attack at Gelderhöf

Paul expressed his preference for a Black Powder game for our monthly meeting in GHQ, so after some reflection I chose a SYW theme for the game, the Attack at Gelderhöf. The game is set at 12 Turns for the Allies to defeat the French by capturing the defences in two of three sections or causing the army to retire. Paul commanded the Allies and I took control of the French defenders ~

The French are encamped around Gelderhöf during a lull in the early stages of the Spring campaigning season when they are surprised by the appearance of a large Allied force of five infantry Brigades.

The French commander the Comt du Merde rouses himself from his ablutions to direct a hurrid defence of the outer perimeter of the camp.

The French hurry to get into position in the face of the imminent Allied assault developing rapidly before their eyes. The Allies have caught the French with their pants down so as to speak...

A British brigade is tasked with assaulting the left flank of Gelderhöf, supported by a Brunswick brigade attacking the right flank of the position.

Two further British brigades assault the centre of the French defences while a Hanoverian brigade on the right flank of the Allied assault is confronted by the Wild Geese!

The French centre is defended by Grenadiers: Grenadiers de France supported by Grenadiers Royale and two batteries of heavy guns. So, the scene is set,  on to the subsequent action now...

A small French brigade of Dragoons is held in reserve to protect the right flank.

The Allied attack stepped off smartly with only one Brigade failing its Command Roll. Thus the French defenders were unable to inflict the casualties they hoped for.

The centre Allied brigade  of the 11th,12th, and 19th Foot makes good progress to assault the French grenadiers deployed in hastily erected defences.

They come under heavy fire and the 11th falter, leaving the 12th to close on the French grenadiers. In the background the Hanoverian brigade can be seen closing on the Wild Geese!

Converged Grenadier companies lead the assault on Gelderhöf. Leading Small elements of Grenadiers prepare to throw their grenades!

The Wild Geese confront the leading elements of the Hanoverian brigade. Both sides exchange volleys to no real effect!

The attack all along the front makes little headway by Turn 3, galling fire from the defenders inflicts Disorder which disrupts the Allied plan of attack. Although outnumbered the French are putting up stiff resistance. 

The leading elements of the Converged Grenadier brigade cannot dislodge the stout defenders of Gelderhöf. Disordered and Shaken their attack is beaten off!

The Wild Geese are similarly holding off the Hanoverian attack on the French right, driving back the Shaken Grenadiers in Disorder. Their supporting British Foot also find the French defenders disinclined to give up their position.

Despite losses and Disorder the Allied Foot keeps pressing the French centre held by the Grenadiers de France and the Grenadiers Royale. There is little respite for the defenders as the battle heats up!

On the French left flank the stout hearted Wild Geese are toe to toe with the Hanoverians. Crucially the Supports will sway the outcome in the next Turn.

The 33rd breast the works having driven off the defending Grenadiers. Suddenly events take a turn in favour of the Allies after a lot of heavy fighting.

Meanwhile the Wild Geese make short work of their Hanoverian foe. They have no appetite for the cold steel. "Ils naiment pas ça!"

But they were counting their chickens it seemed as fresh volleys see first one and then the other regiment sent fleeing for their lives! The French left is crumbling fast! Merde!

Over on the right the fighting for Gelderhöf is intense. Fresh troops from the Brunswick brigade drive forward to exploit a gap in the French.defences.

Despite galling enfilade fire the Converged Grenadiers leading the Brunswick brigade break through the French lines.

They swiftly form line and beat off the attack from the Dragoons du Roi. Their gallant stand buys time for the supporting regiments to flood into the gap.

The Grenadiers de France are put to flight and the Grenadiers Royale pushed back by weight of numbers. The French position is crumbling away...

More Allied troops sensing victory pour firwardcto seize Gelderhöf as the French army crumbles.

The last action for the Grenadiers Royale sees them soundly beaten in the close combat, subsequently joining the Army's rout!

And all captured in glorious oil colours by our resident war artiste, Paul de Gornale, artist to kings and princes! A grand game decided in eight turns with the usual Black Powder swings of fortune. Tomorrow sees a second SYW battle here in GHQ, more on that by the weekend hopefully...À Bientot mes amis!