Lets consider it a recap:
This is the fourth battle of the Helder campaign in 1799. Led by General Herman, The Russians set off too early, overwhelm Groote and crash on towards Schoorl. The figures are old Esci Prussians, Italeri Russian Grenadiers and HaT 7YW Prussians with bicorns made out of Milliput - what pain that was!
The French hadn't played a large part in the campaign up till this point. They had been sending reinforcements of dubious quality as fast as they good to boost their Batavian 'allies'.
The Russians crash through them anyway and rush on to Bergen without guarding their flanks. US General George Patton didn't think commanders needed to worry about their flanks - he was wrong of course.
Just as in the historic battle, the French drew the Russians into Bergen whilst working round their flanks causing a panicked retreat in which Herman was captured.
.
Whilst the French tried to outflank them again.
There is much skirmishing in the dunes but with little result.
But on the left the British have appeared! 20mm Irregular Miniatures AWI range.
Same again...
The French launch an attack on the Russians. Hoping to defeat them before the British can make their presence felt.
The British on their part are struggling with the terrain (which has led to random movement) but get stuck in when they can. (Irregular, Accurate & Strelets Light Dragoons)
Ok- so that is pretty much where we had got to last time. At the end of the game in scenario terms it wasn't looking good for the allies. Nothing much had actually happened so I played on the next day...
The French moved out of Bergen in large numbers,
'En Avant Mes Braves!'
On the other side of the battlefield the Batavians and the British clash (more Esci Prussians).
The battle wasn't much more interesting than the opening stages so here are some gratuitous shots of my Batavian cavalry - More Irregular Miniatures - this time from the Early Napoleonics range.
More fighting on the Russian side as the French advance
British Light Dragoons do what cavalry is supposed to do and take advantage of a wavering enemy and override them.
The Batavians retake an artillery position and move onto the flank of the 2nd Guards
But that was it - the Anglo-Russian force lacked the strength to continue- I called it a day.
It took me a while to get to this Phil, but I am pleased that I did. Lovely photographs. The home-made bicornes are fantastic, well worth the effort!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you sir - there will be more frequent posts now I'm not silly-busy any more...
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