The Battle for Gilly 1815

On Saturday we convened at Eds' place for a game of General D'Armee 2 with our recent 6mm Napoleonic collections, my Prussians featured in my last post.

Ed had laid out the table as the Battle of Gilly, but we would use the "Divisional Organisation" lists from the rulebook.

Ed and Liam would attack with the French electing to:

• Add the 7th Cavalry Brigade
• Upgrading 2 Light Infantry in 2nd Brigade to Grenadier and one Dragoon in 7th Brigade to Grenadier
• Adding a small Horse Artillery Battery to the 7th Brigade
• Upgrade 7th Brigade to Battle Cavalry

Mark and I would defend with the Prussians. I chose to:

• Add 5th Infantry Brigade
• Add small Foot Artillery Battery to the 5th Brigade and make it 12-pounders
• Upgrade 4th Brigade to Battle Cavalry

The Prussians had a great roll on their C-in-C ability and drew a Incomparable, while the French Campaigner was non too shabby. Both sides both had a Bold brigadier, both choosing to assign to the cavalry. 

The French had a rather splendid set of scouting rolls and two Infantry Brigades were deployed on table before the French deployed. 

The French went with two infantry brigades centre left and a cavalry brigade on their right, the remaining cavalry and infantry brigades in reserve. The Prussians also placed their cavalry in reserve.

The remaining Prussians were placed on their starting positions.

 

Early moves saw the Prussians attempt to redeploy their infantry against the cavalry threat in their left, if the French horse could push up, their reserves would swarm that side of the table and we needed to be ready.

The French infantry in the center came on at a steady pace facing somewhat desultory Prussian artillery fire. The French Legere stormed the bridge at Gilly ejecting the Prussian Landwehr who had drawn the short straw defending it.

As the battle developed the French cavalry brigade forced a crossing at the ford and the Prussian reservists were forced into square to await reinforcements. 

The fight in Gilly continued with the French holding on against determined attacks, but the Prussian artillery was coming more into play and the French casualties were mounting.

The French reserve on our left arrived at the same time as the Prussian troops redeploying to face them started to form a second line, despite the ongoing battle for the village, the focus would shift to our left flank.

The 12-pounder battery supporting the Prussian reservists was having a great effect against the French and as they advanced were sorely tested by the heavy gunfire. 

The cavalry charged and charged again but without any decisive victories going to either side. Both sides also suffered terribly with plans thwarted by brigades refusing to obey their orders.

On our right, the Prussian Line holding the stream line were being thoroughly battered by the opposing French artillery, as the French columns came on the Prussian lines facing them started to suffer gravely.

On our left the Prussian reserves started to tell on the French and what initially looked to be a imminent disaster was shored up and the French were in no position to push on their attacks.

Back in the center, the Landwehr again threw themselves into the village and were successful in dislodging the French Leger.

However disaster on our right, as the French columns closed on the thinned lines another round of artillery rained down, a Destiny result saw the brigade faltering at the most inopportune time. The French slammed home driving the Prussians back in great disarray. 

We did not get to the full number of turns, and as neither side was broken we totted up demoralizations, declaring a small victory of 8:5 in favour of the French.

A great day out with Ed, Liam and Mark, cannot wait for the next set to!