Wednesday 2 June 2021

Battle for Hougoumont

To try out the Fistful of Lead: Bigger Battles rules for Napoleonics we used our new Hougoment castle terrain, recently aquired from Sarissa Precision

The nicely painted figures were British and French, including Grenadiers, Light Infantry, Marines and Riflemen from the collection of my club mate Dean. 


The stats were modified from the suggested Horse and Musket era examples in the rule book. 


I made the French army trait Quick, to represent the rapid French maneuovre and the British had Deadeyes to represent their famed prowess in shooting.

Lost French units were replaced with fresh units to represent the waves of attacks throughout the day.  We were only trying the rules, so played to the time we had but if this were a scenario I would set a limit.  Maybe 12 turns.


 Our game was not really historical but the redcoats held the castle as they did in 1815.  

Although there were some dicey moments.  An attack on the side gate was only just held by the rifles and the French Marines twice drove back the British fron the front wall.

 

The remnants of the French Grenadiers run from the Riflemen after a very bloody melee.

The FFOL reload rule works nicely in Bigger Battles to represent the first volley and making use of 'sixes' to reload can be vital.  You can't always wait long enough to play the six on the right unit though and the difficult turn decisions ramp up the tension.

The game was lots of fun and I expect we will try another, perhaps with cavalry next time.

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