Anyway- the scenario chosen was the Battle of Crabbendam, the second battle in the Helder campaign of 1799. To set the scene a little; the British have successfully landed the first wave of their invasion force, taken the town of Helder and captured the bulk of the Dutch fleet. Many have speculated that if the British commander, Abercromby, had struck at Amsterdam it would have fallen easily and perhaps have precipitated the counter revolution his government had been hoping for. As it was he chose to err on the side of caution and dug in along a line of dykes and canals to await reinforcements.
As he waited the Dutch Republicans, the Batavians, received reinforcements from their puppet masters in France in the form of General Marie Brune and a Brigade of French troops. Hoping to drive the British from their foothold (and show the Dutch a thing or two no doubt) Brune decided to attack at once.
What followed was a bloodily repulsed attack on at least partly prepared (and largely impregnable) positions along the dykes. Without proper preparations the attack stood no chance but there was heavy fighting in some of the villages that defended the bridges into the British position. The whole battle wouldn't make much of a game so I concentrated on a small affair concentrated on the village of Crabbendam itself which was defended by the 20th foot. The small numbers lent themselves to my rules and the larger figures. Those wishing to know more about this fascinating campaign should immediately rush out and secure a copy of 'A Waste of Blood and Treasure' which details this battle and the others in the campaign.
The general position - the French and the hotch-potch of Prussians and Hessians pretending to be Batavians are on the right...
The 20th Foot stand ready - they were composed largely of new recruits fresh from the militia but performed admirably.
The Franco-Batavians advance.
The British reinforce the position- guardsmen rush across the canal
The Batavians launch the first attack.
Prompting further reinforcements- These are old 25mm Hinchliffe highlanders from my father's collection (owing to a lack of suitable British figures)
The position is outflanked.
... And the French burst through the gates after overwhelming the defenders with a successful melee round.
Meanwhile, the brave 20th sally out to prevent the position being completely enveloped.
But... they are facing fearsome odds and numbers soon begin to tell.
Things aren't all gloomy for the British as the Guards halt the French advance into the village. .
Out on the left wing the British deploy into line to give the approaching light infantry a taste of their superior musketry.
Here too they are outnumbered and in danger of being outflanked- A lively fire-fight ensues.
Back in Krabbendam, the Franco Batavian troops are pouring in through every gate and side alley and a confusing melee breaks out.
Having wiped out the 20th, Vandamme's 'braves' attempt to get around the right of the position but are engaged by British (well, Hanoverian actually) artillery.
Battle royal rages in Krabbendem as the Gordons rush over the bridge but the British are forced back to the outskirts. A further push-back the following turn gives the Franco-Batavians possession.
This was a nice little game with a very different feel from my usual battles. It was a lower level than normal and I felt captured the see-saw nature of this battle quite nicely. wasn't entirely happy with the rules but feel that with a few tweaks they will serve.
