FPW - Battle of Drouvile Part III

So to the final entry of this encounter. The French needed to hold out for at least 5 more turns to secure their victory conditions. III Corps was trying to grimly hold on to Drouvile, but the pressure was increasing. They had already faced repeated assaults from the Prussian 11th Division, who seemed reluctant to call off their attacks despite heavy casualties and kept throwing their brigades in. Manwhile the Bavarians were approaching from the west, driving off the few defenders protecting the Drouvile-Nancy road. To try and ease the pressure, the french threw in their cavalry against the advancing Prussian columns, but it wasn't enough. The cavalry were decimated after repeated charges. 

French cavalry attacking a Prussian cavalry

Bavarians surrounding Drouvile

Pressure on Drouvile building

Let's charge again and see if the result is different. It wasn't

Prussian guns begin their cannonade

In the centre, there was little movement. The Prussian 12th Division was pinned down in front of the French 2nd and 3rd divisions. Casualties were building and there seemed to be a reluctance from the Wurtemburgers to leave the shelter of the woods and face the Chassepotte at close range. Over on the right wing, the Prussian and French cavalry put in repeated charges, eventually the Prussians driving off their opponents and pushed through to Valhey, threatening the left wing of XII Corps. It was at this critical point disaster struck for the French. the 2nd Division from the newly arrived I Corps, failed to advance to relieve the pressure on XII Corps. The 1st division also struggled to move before finding its lead brigade pounded by mass Prussian artillery. With both wings capitulating the French commander called off the defence, ceding the field to the Prussians. 

Sorry for the lack of photos, I got so engrossed in the game. When totalling up the victory points it ended up a 28 points to 25 points, minor victory for the Prussian 3rd army. It could have been so much better for the Prussians. The Bavarians decided to skirt around the woods towards Crevic before swinging back north, this delayed their arrival against Drouvile. This left the Prussian VI Corps to advance straight into the French position with little support, especially when the Wurtemburgers also remained in the woods. It suffered horrendous casualties. Of its 8 brigades, 1 was destroyed, 4 were spent and the last was worn, the regiment of dragoons and the Jagers were also destroyed. The Baden division also was reluctant to advance, relying on its artillery to hit the french at range. It was only the advance of the french cavalry that brought the Prussian horse forward.

Well the players enjoyed the game and all are looking forward to the 3rd battle. I need to give myself a few weeks to paint up the Hessians and allow Thom to complete the French I Corps