Aughrim 1691 (Part 5): "Take the Hill and Break their Army Sir!"

The climax of the battle approached. The local Irish Skirmishers faced up against the "elite" Skirmishers of the Dutch Guards William III had brought with him from across the sea (see below):

The Irish lads to their credit "gave them hell" and many a Dutchwoman is now a widow as testament to their accurate marksmanship (see below):

The Dutch Guards however are no paper soldiers and responded to the "first volley" with stoic courage then returned a truly devastating fire back. Irishmen fell all around and acrid smoke filled the air. The Irish ranks were thinned (see below):

The thought of another round of devastating fire from the Dutch was too much for these brave Irish defenders. The Dutch were already the winners and seen actively loading their muskets for another fusillade. This battle had bloodied the Irish too much, too many officers fell and too many horrors confronted the raw lads. They simply broke and melted away (see below): 

The Irish right flank was now in peril as the Dutch and British Skirmishers outnumbered the remaining Irish defenders 2:1 and the local cannon battle was going against the Irish too (see below):

The Dutch and British cavalry were fixed on exploiting any chance of a breakthrough, tying down the Irish remaining "good regiments of horse" (see below):

This turn of events however was eclipsed by the action in the centre. The full weight of the Dutch and British infantry bore down upon the Irish infantry defending the hedge line. It was an imperative that the Irish "first fire" was devastating (see below):

Although many in scarlet and white uniforms fell they seemed insignificant in numbers to effect the mass that was propelled forwards against the hedge line (see below):

What was more, was that the Dutch and British order was good, the officers controlled the men's movements with clear cadence and when called upon to do so, delivered a devastating return fire that clipped the hedge to pieces and left men sprawled on the ground as corpses (see below):

The Irish defense of the hedge line was broken. Irish regiments of line were swept away leaving only one broken and shattered regiment in. Outnumbered 3:1, with their comrades in arms fleeing, it was agreed by all they were the bravest (but most foolish) men on the day. They stood and fought another punishing round (see below):

As the rest of the Dutch and British scrambled over the hedges these noble Irishmen delivered a "high" return volley before being routed by a massed return of fire that crackled mischievously in the air (see below):

All to the Irish was now lost. There were more Irish soldiers routing than standing. The clash of cavalry could be against heard of the Irish left flank (see below) and their right flank was in the process of crumbling (albeit slowly in comparison to the rest of the battlefield). The Irish Jacobite Army was routing and no longer under control of the Generals. Pockets of resistance were isolated acts of heroism so those finely dressed Irish Generals chose their fastest horse and mounted them for an undignified getaway (see below, instead of a line a "deadly L" was formed which always precipitates the moment of disaster):

Thus ended the 1691 Battle of Aughrim (re-fight) decisively in favour of William III of England (or should that really be Holland).

Aughrim 1691 (Part 4): "Sing Lads Sing, I want them to Hear you in Heaven but Fear you in Hell"

My force now focused on the taking of bridge, or at least to secure enough pressure on the Irish Right Flank so it could not assist the Irish Center in any effective way. There was an increasing sense of despondency coming from the Irish Command. The only clear way of retreat for the Irish lay along that road that followed the bridge, but to any coherent appraisal the Irish Army already looked lost (see below): 

The British and Dutch Skirmishers moved towards the river line and the cannon was ordered forwards. The Horse could but merely parade until the bridge was uncovered (see below):

Two additional line regiments were sent to assist but because of the nature of the terrain they would be a long time coming (see below):

These regiments undertook a steady muddy march, along the way inspecting the various species of native fauna and wildlife that inhabited the Irish bog in the year 1691 (see below):

Meanwhile the main bulk of the British and Dutch infantry were now emerging from the worst of the Irish bog onto dry land in the centre of the battlefield. Note: "Dry" has always been a rather relative term in Ireland (see below):

Over on the Irish Left Flank the British and Dutch cavalry had completely occupied the original starting positions of the Irish Forces, pushed them back into a "do-or-die" last defensive position. There seemed prudence in now waiting for the central infantry push to be felt before committing forces for the final attack (see below, this is the Irish left flank but none of these troops are Irish):

As seen from the top of the "Irish Hill" at Aughrim. The Irish Command tent is ablaze with "bad" and "disturbing" news. The mass of British and Dutch infantry can be seen approaching in teh distance. The sound of fighting to the Irish left can be heard. However the trouble with getting accurate 'bad news' is that the Irish Commander does not have any more troops to replace the ones he has already lost. It is only a question of how long they can last rather than if they can win (see below):

Meanwhile my Skirmishers are getting into position although the cannon had not been deployed (see below):

The Skirmishers eye their opposite up. The Irish Commander would dearly like a "draw" on this flank as he has already lost the other and seems unlikely to win in the centre (see below):

There is furious pushing pulling of the light gun to get it finally into place. The "Horse" have merely watched all day, yearning for the chance of a breakthrough and gallant "charge" (see below):

Meanwhile the British and Dutch infantry are relieved to be finally on dry ground, out of the boggy mess but grimly assessing their chances of storming the hedges and taking the hill. It would be formidable in defence if they were tasked with holding it but the Irish seem to have hurt themselves by not adhering to standard recognised infantry formations. Regiments were left exposed and unsupported. The general works (or rather hedges) seem to be defended too far forwards pinning their troops in exposed positions but not massed to contest key parts of the hill (see below, the long lines of red are impressive): 

The cannon have done their part and the infantry, the "Queen of the battlefield" must take possession of the enemy positions.

Next: The matter is settled

Aughrim 1691 (Part 3): Off to the Warres with the Song of the Cannonade

One can get engrossed in your part of a battle to the point where you forget you are but part of a much "bigger battle". Chance had it that I looked up from my small corner. The other English and Dutch canon had been engaged in the same interplay against fortifications and redoubts. There had been six medium and heavy field guns causing havoc. It had been a day of "good artillery dice" and the smoking Irish ruins told the tale for itself. The enemy guns were all silenced and any exposed infantry "troubled with shot" so it was with great confidence that the British and Dutch were now about to cross the stream and emerge on the "Irish side"of the bog with the intent of taking the hill (see below):

My enemy was but four stands of Irish Skirmishers by comparison but they would have to be out-shot from covering the bridge. Another four or five turns of "hot work" I thought (see below):

The Irish right facing me were looking very jittery and had decided to race a light cannon to the aid of skirmishers (see below, bottom left). I had a suspicion that it was not only to 'delay my advance' but also to try and hide their one remaining gun from the pounding their other cannon had already experienced (see below):

I then noticed a most peculiar sight. Irish troops on the far right were seemingly moving in the wrong direction. Then under closer inspection I realised the that the position of these troops near the Irish baseline was misleading, they were in fact British and Dutch advancing at an alarming rate. A spectacular success had been achieved by some daring feat of arms. The British and Dutch cavalry had already expanded and hemmed in the Irish to but one small corner of their flank (see below):

The British horse were marching in column past the ruined redoubt that had hung the hopes of the Irish defenders. They seemed to have hung back and not defended the bridge at the banks of the river. The British and Dutch cannon had been so successful in clearing the Irish Artillery Redoubt that the Forlorn Hope had been a staggering success. Then to top it all the ruined castle had fallen after the briefest of fights (see below):

The reserve Irish horse fell back upon themselves seeking a safe hilltop position, but were exposed to more murderous gunfire. For but a few unfortunate British and Dutch souls the whole flank had been taken by storm. The British and Dutch cavalry hemmed in the Irish fugitives and patiently waited for the main infantry attack to deliver a blow to the Irish center. They would then be perfectly placed to simultaneously sweep round into the Irish rear (see below):

The last Irish hope was their centrally placed infantry. Yes there was plenty of fight in the regular regiments but the newly raised troops were seen to be melting away under the continuous cannonade. Those fortunate enough placed themselves carefully under obscuring hedgerows (see below):

The slow and ponderous advance of the British and Dutch infantry was a marvel to watch. This tortoise pace was an inescapable feature of the terrain but they endured it with stoic professionalism (see below):

Meanwhile I was drawn back to my Irish friends at the river, I needed to address their "departure" (see below):

Was this curious "about face" by the Irish skirmishers a cunning trick learned from the ancient Spartans? The fabled "fake retreat"? (see below):

I was given support by two regiments of line that were to cross the river and not let the Irish Commanders draw troops from their right flank to support the 'soon to be pressed' center (see below):

Whatever happens elsewhere my men were to use their powder and attempt to drive off the Irish covering the bridge with the sideshow of an entertaining artillery duel of light guns. My intention was to fix the four fresh regiments of Irish horse to this flank by threatening a breakthrough. The fife and drums played.

Next: The matter is seems is to be settled by the bayonet after all!

Aughrim 1691 (Part 2): Bombardment then Advance!

The Irish Skirmishers face out from the fortified hamlet putting a brave face on their predicament (see below):

There is now a ring of British and Dutch Skirmish infantry, backed with horse and a light cannon in a position to bombard the hamlet. The attack will "go by the book" - A is for Advance, B is for Bombard (see below):

The isolated nature of the Irish position is shown here, nothing in support (see below):

The other Irish defenders are content holding the banks of the swollen river, They managed to claim a fleeting enfilade on the passing Royal Dutch Skirmishers but otherwise remain impotent  (see below):

Gradually the cannon does it work and masonry falls, in the far distance the regular British and Dutch infantry "tread the bog" to slowly get into assault position (see below): 

There is no need to rush the affair, from yonder parts of the battlefield the crash of other cannon is heard. The reports however come mainly from the British and Dutch lines (see below):

Several turns into the battle and the hamlet is reduced by two thirds (see below, note the green dice indicating 4 hits [from a total of 6]):

The Regiment of "British Blues" Skirmishers looks upon the smoldering ruins of the hamlet (see below):

The Royal Dutch Skirmishers position themselves for the assault. Angered by the ungentlemanly flank shot by the skulking Irish by the river the Dutch have bayonets fixed and are not likely to give 'quarter' (see below): 

With the cannon's job done, the next phase will be a job for the infantry. Normally storming a (previously fortified) hamlet is not a job for skirmishers, but the defending garrison are all skirmishers too so the playing field is "level" and the attack is viable (see below):     

C is for close combat. The Dutch and English stage the fight at two to one odds, with the "quality gauge" in their favour (see below):

The contest is short and brutal, but in a nutshell the regulars simply outfought the composite bunch of passionate Irishmen and the result is inevitable (see below):

The hamlet is taken the next phase of operations begins, to the riverbank (see below):

However events have moved on. There are loud noises coming from other parts of the battlefield. The screams and cries mean that the hounds are loose and the dogs of war are at play.

Next: T'was but a soldiers day!

Somewhere in Ireland (Part 1) A Beautiful Big Battle (Aughrim 1691) alate New Year Xmas game!

And it came to pass that a large elaborate table (please note the very impressive hill which was a work of art on the left hand side and authentic 28mm handmade buildings scattered around) was laid out with lead and plastic soldiers and a grand battle did take place earlier this year (just slightly "after" New Year, but well after Xmas but we called it the "Christmas Battle" nevertheless):

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Aughrim

In fact this represented the last chance of the Irish Jacobite Army to face down William III and try and defeat him in open battle; it was the year 1691 at Aughrim, in Ireland (see below):

I was an Englishman and I commanded the left wing, five regiments of horse and two boisterous bands of skirmishers (one of which was the Royal Dutch "elite" Guards) and a light gun (see below, my "combined arms"!):

Facing me was a disruptive river (certainly to the horse to whom it was not fordable), crossed by a small bridge. The bridge was overlooked by a small hamlet garrisoned by Irish skirmishers. The opposite banks of the river were lined with more Irish skirmishers, behind them (off camera to the left) were four regiments of regular Irish horse (see below, as the enemy viewed my position):

To my right were lines and lines of English and Dutch infantry regiments, facing across the most boggiest of grounds I had ever saw, facing an enemy on a hill behind the cover of hedges. Luckily we were provisioned with four pieces of good artillery that were soon to be used to good effect (see below, a flooded stream with both banks horrendously "boggy"):

The Irish were about a quarter less in number, but with the uphill advantage and defensive works. However their troop quality was of dubious quality in parts. Yes there were "Irish Guards" but many a line regiment had been supplemented with a draft of naive peasant farmers armed with no more than scythes and pitchforks. Certain regiments were poor;y positioned and did show "bodies of men" in full display of the English and Dutch guns (see below, a fortress or graveyard?):

On the far right an aggressive looking force of skirmishers, a line regiment, a light gun and several regiments of cavalry. The the skirmishers are drawn up in a "Forlorn Hope" column that seemingly wish to "rush" the bridge. Ticked behind then is an engineering party with crude bundles of straw to fill the bog and let the passage of horse and foot go unhindered. An ambitious ploy that would need a certain amount of luck to succeed (see below):   

The Irish troops facing them seemed to put all their trust in a defensive artillery position and fortified church manned by skirmishers. Behind them lay a reserve force of cavalry. Not seen off camera were yet more skirmishers manning the ruins of a old fort covering the bridge, which made the prospects  of the "Forlorn Hope" seem unappetising. The English and Dutch in this sector did however possess a distinct advantage in artillery (see below):

Meanwhile I surveyed "my lads". They seemed good enough for the tasks that lay ahead. As I were not facing any "regular infantry" the two regiments of line to my right would not be immediately needed, but offered as a reserve if needed. I thanked the Lieutenant-General kindly (see below):

First I had to wrest possession of the the "hamlet that was on the wrong side of the river". The light cannon would have to be brought into position to reduce the place to rubble then I could send in my skirmishers 2:1 odds. The "elite" of the Dutch Guards should take the day. The cavalry would be in place to stop the enemy making a run for it or reinforcing the position. The Irish lads already in the hamlet were already lost but did not yet know it. Then it would be a matter of a skirmish at the bridge and forcing a passage. My duty was to tie down this flank while the British and Dutch regular infantry assaulted the "hill" unmolested from Irish horse (see below):

I awaited upon my General's signal to advance (see below):

Next: Bombardment and Movement to contact