The Battle of Saint-Clement Part 3

Finally we reached a conclusion to the game as night drew in and forced the Prussians to call off their attacks and for the French to fall back to a new defensive position. Not as many photos this time as both armies seemed to move very little as they delivered heavy blows to each other. The French III Corps was under a heavy artillery barrage from Bavarian and Wurtemburg artillery for most of the night, Soaking up some heavy casualties, but still able to deal with any enemy infantry that got too close. However by the end of the night their right flank had been turned. The loss of Clerambault's cavalry division proved costly.

Over on the left flank, XII Corps was getting the upper hand against the Prussian VI Corps. The 11th Division suffered badly. In their eager advance from last week, without support of the artillery, they came in range of the deadly Chassepot at close range. The deadly fire saw the division smashed. 3 of the 4 brigades were well under half strength. Only the eventual arrival of the 12th Division and the artillery that they managed to hang on. The Prussians eventually grouping their artillery, dealing with some pesky french cavalry before turning on the infantry as the game drew to a close.

In the centre, the Bavarian 1st division and french 3rd division of III Corps had a gruelling struggle in the woods with neither side gaining the upper hand. The french in this sector were free from the Prussian artillery and used the Chassepot to its fullest potential

French cavalry swept away by Bavarian and Wurtemburg horse.

Prussian VI Corps driving into the french

French Marines pour in deadly fire, hammering the Prussian 11th Division

Prussians struggling to advance under a hail of fire 

The fight for the woods in the centre

XII Corps artillery catch the Prussians trying to leave the woods

The timely arrival of part of the 1st division of XII Corps

Prussian 12th division finally bring up the guns

After dealing with Wurtemburgers, the french right prepares to receive the Bavarians

The struggle for the woods continues

Prussian artillery turn their sights on the french cavalry

Prussian 11th division slowly being driven back

Relieved frenchmen see off their Prussian counterparts

So the game drew to a close. It was a closely fought affair with both sides having chances to win it. Even after 3 club nights fighting the battle the players never lost their enthusiasm which was pleasing. Thoughts are already turning to a follow up game. The French will be reinforced with the 1st Division, XII corps. I think this one will be a set piece battle.

FPW French Regiments

With the game in full flow, I decided to add a couple more french infantry regiments to bring the 1st division of XII Corps. These are the 58th and 79th regiments. The figures are from Lancashire miniatures, part of a test purchase I made. They are slightly chunkier than the Outpost figures I have, but will mix in with the rest of the army.

To complete the Division I just need to add a mounted commander, a mitrailleuse and artillery piece. These are all currently on the painting table. A mix of Essex, Outpost and Lancahsire miniatures

Battle of Saint-Clement Part 2

So this week we continued the battle. We did though have some new players due to illness and Andy, the erstwhile commander of the Prussian Cavalry division that was hammered last week turned out to be a Frenchman this week, commanding french marines and cavalry. George and Phil also took command of a division each, both old chaps were new to the rules and period. Once again Mitch's face told its own story as overall commander of the Prussian Third army (Should really get some pictures). The pictures tell the story.

Prussian VI Corps advances on French XII Corps

Bavarian 2nd Division advances through the woods in the centre, trying to dislodge the french Chasseurs who had dealt with the Prussian cavalry

A french cavalry division swing around some woods on the french right flank to threaten the advancing Wurtemburgers.

French marines arrive in the distance ans the Prussians begin to put the pressure on XII Corps

Over on the French right, the 1st Division, supported by artillery, begins to pour heavy fire into the advancing Wurtemburgers. Eventually destroying an infantry regiment and some Jagers.

With a second Prussian division arriving on the french left, the pressure begins to build on XII Corps. Those marines better hurry up.

French Zoauves put up stiff resistance against two Prussian columns

French marines advancing at the double with a cavalry division in support

After some heavy fighting the French Zoauves are evicted from the woods

French 2nd Division, XII Corps under increasing pressure as more Prussian troops and artillery arrive.

In the woods in the centre a bitter struggle takes place. French Chasseurs now supported by a couple of line regiments grimly hang on to their position.

On the Prussian left, they begin to mass their artillery and begin pouring heavy fire onto the french positions. The French cavalry division takes heavy punishment. Not good against approaching Wurtemburg and Bavarian cavalry.

French cavalry is swept away by the hard charging Bavarian and Wurtemburg cavalry.

So the game is still in the balance after a couple of hours of game play and we move on to week 3. Despite being in a strong defensive position, the loss of the french cavalry and some of their artillery will hamper their ongoing efforts. The Prussians have learned the benefits of combining their artillery. The massed guns are causing heavy punishment. Nest week should be the finale.

Battle of Saint-Clement Part 1

So with the build up to the game complete, it was time to push little lead miniatures across the table for the fictitious battle of Saint-Clement. So Thom and Neil G, commanding the French would attempt to hold off the Prussians, commanded by Mitch, Robbo and Andy. Yours truly was umpiring and taking a lot of enjoyment out of the facial expressions of the Prussian Commander in Chief, Mitch when his subordinates attempted to carry out his orders for an aggressive advance on the French positions to knock out the 2 defending divisions before fresh troops began to reinforce their position.

The Prussian cavalry division, commanded by Andy began to push past Saint-Clement, while the Horse artillery deployed within the town, to begin firing on the french position at long range. It was at this point very early in the game that things began to somewhat unravel for the Prussians. The lead regiment came under fire and halted in disorder. After rallying they entered the woods to the right of Saint-Clement to try and engage the french chasseurs. However the Chassepot began to show its prowess, disordering the second regiment before the rear two regiments about faced and decided to ride back around the woods to come up on the french position. Meanwhile the Wurtemburgers under Robbo slowly advanced forward before pushing his cavalry and Jagers forward between Saint-Clement and Leibseviller. Robbo also deployed his 4 batteries to support the Prussian artillery in firing upon the French in Lunevile.

Prussian horse artillery deployed

Wurtemburgers move forward with the Bavarians making an appearance

As the Wurtemburgers slowly plodded forward they started to make room for the arrival of the Bavarian I Corps. However as they pushed further North West they also came under fire from Chasseurs. They did however reveal the position of the french 1st Division of II Corps to the west of Blamville. Now the advancing Germans were facing 3 french divisions.

1st Division of III Corps

Wurtemburgers pushing forward

Meanwhile the dithering Prussian cavalry Division was being slowly shot to pieces. 2 regiments trying to force their way through the woods were being picked off. Eventually both became so badly mauled from the french skirmishers that they broke and routed from the field.The other 2 regiments though did manage to swing around the roads and began to advance towards the french 3rd Division. However their journey also revealed the position of the 2nd division of XII Corps, dug in across the road to Blamont. The French though decided not to be idle and the 2nd division left their fortifications to advance upon the Prussian horse.

2nd Division of XII Corps

German troops getting bottled in

2nd division begins to advance

Prussian cavalry swing by the woods

The Prussian cavalry yet again met with disaster. As they came around the woods they also entered range of french artillery and a Mitrailleuse. Both firing in support of the Chasseurs hiding in the woods began to inflict more heavy casualties on the  Prussian cavalry. Meanwhile to the west of Luneville, a french cavalry division made an appearance and began to threaten the advance of the Wurtemburgers. Robbo wasn't fancying facing 3 french cavalry regiments with just 1 of his own. Luckily the 2nd division of the Bavarian I Corps had also arrived and swung west to reinforce the Wurtemburgers. Sending 3 regiments of cavalry from their reserve to support the Wurtemburg cavalry. Between Luneville and Saint-Clement both sides concentrated on counter battery fire with pretty desultory results for both sides.

The only other action on this flank was a battle between some Chasseurs and Jagers exchanging fire in the woods before the Jagers decided to fix bayonets and charge in. The Chasseurs were quickly swept away, yielding the woods to the victorious Jagers.

French infantry 

Overview of the action

French Chasseurs

Jagers capture the woods

AS time began to draw to a close, the lead elements of the Prussian 11th Division from VI Corps began to arrive on the field, having taken the road to Badonviller before advancing towards Ogreviller.

11th Division , VI Corps

So the game is all set for next week. After a lot of manouvering the Wurtemburgers, supported by the Bavarian I Corps will begin their assault on the french positions from Luneville to the west. The Prussian VI Corps will also be in a position to put itself in between the french III and XII Corps. The French however are still in a strong defensive position, waiting  for their enemy to bring the fight to them.All the while the rest of XII Corps gets nearer to the battlefield.

Barricades for the game

Finally completed the last bit of preparation I needed for the game in 2 feet of barricades for the French to use. They are simple affairs using modelling sticks, matchsticks and some modelling clay. The clay was meant to dry in 24 hours but took over 35 hours before I could then add some sane. They were given a quick spray of chocolate brown and a dry-brush with a sand colour. Each piece measures 6 inches.

Also my figures arrived from Lancashire games, enough for 2 infantry regiments and 3 artillery batteries. Size wise they are not a bad match, height wise with the Outpost miniatures in my collection. I took a comparison photo against an Outpost marine I had left over.

Though the bases are a little thicker, I am more than happy with them and will likely add more if I continue to build the forces. My thoughts are already mulling over adding the 4th infantry division for the French III Corps and the Baden Division for the Prussian XIV Corps

FPW - Final prep and set up

With the game approaching and the final orders in from the respective commanders I got a rough map drawn (excuse my handwriting) and sent to the players. On theirs I marked their respective deployments. I then went down to the club and got the armies sorted out and those that can be seen on the table.

The game will begin after the Prussian cavalry under Prinz Albert reported that he had engaged and pursued some Franc-Tireurs just north of Baccarat and continued the pursuit until he came under fire from French troops dug in south on Luneville. He immediately called up the Wurtemburg Division to support him, hoping the rest of the army would march to the sound of the guns. Prinz Albert estimates he has around 2 Divisions of French infantry to his front and it is his belief that the rest of the French army is in the area.

My badly drawn map

The troops that can be seen by either side are now deployed on the table ready for the start.

Prussian Cavalry and Wurtemburgers

Their view north towards Luneville and the French

French 3rd Division, III Corps

French 2nd Division, III Corps

Looking south to Saint-Clement and the Prussian cavalry

The rest of their troops are on trays ready for deployment. The French will have two more divisions on the table, just at the moment the Prussians cannot see them.

Remaining Wurtemburgers

Prussian VI Corps

Bavarian 1st Division and Corps troops

Bavarian 2nd Division

French XII Corps

French 1st and cavalry Division, III Corps

I now just need to finish painting up 2 ft of trench works to cover some of the French infantry and to help represent them as dug in. Looking forward to the game now.