Ramillies 1706

Well I managed to get a couple of big games in during December, one of which was Ramillies, a great Marlburian bash of epic proportions in 15mm (see below, a confident [Umpire Driven "Bot"] French General surveys his dispositions - he may be facing the feared British but he has two line of solid French infantry defending a water obstacle, backed by fortified villages and with "life" insurance of the finest French cavalry behind them - over to his right securing flank is the Elector of Bavaria and his army, what could possibly go wrong?):

John Churchill meanwhile has it in mind to unsettle the Frenchman with his superiority in artillery to both counter battery and bombard the French strongholds before his "obvious" assault with his dreaded British infantry (see below, this activity completely transfixes the Frenchman): 

Meanwhile the Duke of Marlborough has amassed the most cavalry seen on a European battlefield facing the Elector of Bavaria's forces. He intends to smash the Bavarians while the French stand transfixed at the British flags; the French haunted by the thought of Blenheim and fixated by Louis XIV's instructions to defend sturdily against the British - aka not be beaten by "them" (see below, the Allied cavalry will soon hurl themselves forward in a desperate gamble): 

There are columns of Allied infantry to back up the cavalry by assaulting the Bavarian held fortified villages on the Allied left (see below, a lot depends upon the tenacity of the Dutch infantry):  

Meanwhile the British artillery continue to pound away (see below, they are keeping the French artillery quiet with some "good rolling"): 

In fact the defenders of Ramillies find themselves situated n a place far too hot and give way to fear and panic (see below, the [yellow counter indicates a] routed unit disrupts the unit [indicated by an orange counter] behind it - in so doing "fixating and worrying" the French commander away from the Bavarians plight, somehow the village needs to be garrisoned again): 

Meanwhile the Allied cavalry are trading blows with the Bavarian cavalry away on the other [Allied left] flank (see below, the disruption this leaves the defenders in will be seized upon by the next fresh Allied wave of cavalry): 

Before the French can re-garrison an Allied infantry unit takes opportunely enters Ramillies (see below, the French commander in incensed and it will be immediately counterattacked): 

All hell has broken loose on the Bavarian flank. Ramillies is being fought over in the background but the Allied infantry have stormed the far right Bavarian village and flanked the Bavarian cavalry line to make a crushing "L" (see below, the Allied cavalry have the upper hand and Elector of Bavaria commits his reserve and hastily sends a note to the French commander pleading for additional help): 

The Bavarian flank must hold or the combined French/Bavarian army is lost. The Bavarian infantry has been forced to hold defensively against the cavalry in square which is perilous given the proximity of the advancing Allied infantry - in particular an elite Dutch regiments (see below, the cotton wool smoke indicates how much of a battle there is, all along the line, the majority of it being a head on cavalry-on-cavalry engagement): 

The battle swings back and forth. Ramillies had been re-taken by the fierce French infantry counterattack (see below, routing [yellow] and disordered [orange] Allied infantry stream away from Ramillies, however note, the battalions of red coated Danes forming up to the left of the routers. They have secretly countermarched from the Allied right flank to the Allied centre and will again attack Ramillies - another testament to the brilliance and planning of the Duke of Marlborough): 

The Bavarian infantry is fighting at hopeless 3:1 odds and the first line of Bavarian cavalry has been swept away - the Bavarian reserve is committed but is ground down by waves of fresh Allied cavalry. There were even sightings of the Duke of Marlborough himself leading the attack in (see below, at last the French commander has sensed something is amiss with the Bavarians - so he is committing French reserve cavalry in, but alas it is only in "penny packets" which is too little too late. By the time it takes to reach the Bavarian flank it will be all over): 

The Bavarian infantry breaks and routs away and the remaining cavalry (French and Bavarian) are hopelessly outnumbered as fresh Allied cavalry are ready for a third attacking wave (see below, the second column or rather lined mass are ready to attack Ramillies the hinge of the Bavarian/French line): 

The Allied infantry in the centre retake Ramillies (for the third swap in ownership for the day), this time it is the brave Danes who unpack their suitcases and take up lodgings (see below, the French seem to fear every form of "Red Coat" in Marlborough's army): 

The Bavarian side of the battle is where all hangs in the balance. Confusion and disruption reign on both sides of the battle lines, the only difference being the Allies can pull their disrupted units out and send in plenty more fresh units (see below, over half the French cavalry will not move or engage in a meaningful way today as it is in the "wrong" place whereas all bar a token force is exactly where John Churchill needs it): 

The Elector of Bavaria stands transfixed as powerful formations of  Allied horse hold him in square and a line of fierce Red Coats (again not strictly British but lead by an enigmatic character some swear was the Duke re-horsed from a "previous adventure" with Bavarian cavalry) assault the Elector in close quarter fighting (see below, the Bavarians in a tight spot, vexed with both numbers and tactical dispositions against them): 

The Bavarians are crushed, the Elector falls badly wounded and is captured, this event causes the first of several French/Bavarian morale checks as the Allies have delivered to date, through crushing routs and combat losses, that are 20% of the total French/Bavarian forces (see below, this game mechanic is an additional "line of sight" morale check that makes some "Fresh" units go to "Disordered",  "Disordered" to "Rout" (see below, for atheistic reasons I really think there really should have been more "cotton wool" used at this point to convey the tragedy of the situation): 

The Bavarian right flank (aka the Allied left) has crumbled and "gone". It no longer holds any of the fortified villages, its general has been captured, most of its infantry has routed off table and further resistance depends upon reconstituted "disordered" units outnumbered 4:1 (see below, the writing is well and truly on the wall and in actual fact running, kicking and screaming off the battlefield): 

The next round causes another army level morale check (25% and 30% checks come in quick succession). The Allied cavalry have pushed the Bavarians completely off the battlefield (see bottom left of the photograph) while Ramillies itself is convincingly held by the fierce Danes and the British infantry (although outnumbered) are now walking up to the water obstacle unopposed (see below, as the French Army now starts its withdrawal in a completely different direction to the Bavarians (see below, this is a strategic disaster, the French King Louis XIV will be most displeased [sent into a fit o rage], even if his "orders" were followed "to the letter" by his Marshals):

The battle of Ramillies thus falls into the strategic category of an Allied "major win", as per history which felt right. The rules were a house rules set and are designed to play very quick (combat and morale factored into one spreadsheet driven dice roll) - in total it took five hours to play the game, so it was able to complete the battle  in a single Saturday afternoon (which I consider a major accomplishment). My previous club attempt of refighting Ramillies using "Under a Lilly Banner" rules in 25mm literally took months of actual calendar time (the battle area left set up) and had a playing time of weekends and evenings that tallied in upwards of twenty plus hours. Although that was a beautiful spectacle, "doing the deed" in an afternoon is an Olympic Gold result IMHO ;)  

Wargaming Project - WoSS target date December 2018 - Malburian, Ramillies in 28mm

Note to self: Malburian Battle Reference Site

http://obscurebattles.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/ramillies-1706.html

I intend to contribute a painted unit of 28mm French (actually Spanish Walloon) troops [18 painted figures] - the Grimaldi Brigade for Ramillies which sounds like a low-end supermarket to me (see reference below):

Wish me luck this is my first WoSS 28mm painting project in this period!

The Walloons apparently like coats of "Green" ;)

PS: Any handy tips for painting this period appreciated!

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!