Battle Photographs
The following photographs illustrate some of the
battles fought using Carnage&GloryII system products. Click on a thumbnail for
an enlarged view.
At Cold Wars 2004 I made a decision to refight
the four major engagements from the Belgium, 1815 campaign. Each battle would be
re-fought in my basement using purpose built terrain and figures from my own 6
mm collections [Heroics and Ros]. Andy Zartolas would be the Emperor Napoleon,
Mark McLaughlin would be Field Marshal Blucher and Frank Luberti, Jr. would be
the Duke of Wellington. The results of the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras and
Wavre would determine the composition of the forces engaged at Waterloo. The
following represent images from these events.
Home
Waterloo: June 18, 1815 [Re-fought September 25,
October 9, 2004]
Waterloo,
12:45 PM: [View from the rear of the French assault on the Anglo-Allied right
flank and Hougoumont]. Not restricted to the historical pre-battle disposition
of forces, the French have determined to take full advantage of the apparent
openness of the Anglo-Allied right flank in the vicinity of Hougoumont. For the
flank attack, Napoleon
has concentrated two infantry corps, and Kellerman's heavy cavalry corps.
Remaining in reserve, are the
majority of the Guard, Milhaud's Cuirassier Corps and Lobau's VI Corps, many hidden by folds in the terrain.
To oppose the massed French flanking force commanded by Ney, Wellington has
deployed the two divisions of Dutch-Belgian Infantry, with Picton responsible
for the defense of Hougomont. The French combined arms assault against the Dutch
Belgian divisions is fiercely resisted, as the allies launch counterattacks with
supporting allied heavy cavalry, but the pressure is strong, and slowly they are
forced back from the ridge to the north of Hougoumont. Meanwhile, D'Erlon's I Corps has
steadily positioned itself ready to deliver it's own assault on the important
position of Hougoumont.
Waterloo,
1:45 PM: [View from the allied left flank looking towards Hougoumont at top
center]. The Dutch-Belgian forces facing the French flank attack are beginning
to fold. Stedman's division diverted from Hal with Prince Frederick, to replace
losses suffered at Quatre-Bras, has just collapsed. Stedman himself has just
been mortally wounded. Wellington has ordered Hill to prepare a second line of
defense to defend the vital Charleroi-Brussels road. Hougoumont is still in
allied control, but is fast becoming more isolated. But is not too bleak for the
allies, in the center between La Belle Alliance and Hougoumont, the French had
deployed the Guard Light Cavalry division. It had sat idle all morning witness
to the developing French flank attack by Reille and Kellerman, and had become
complacent.
Suddenly,
British Heavy and Light cavalry flooded into the valley to their fore. The
deployed Guard Horse battery successfully evaded, but to the incredulity of
Napoleon the allied horse met the Guard Chasseurs and Lancers flat-footed and
forced them to withdraw with loss. Meanwhile coming into view on the Ohain road
are the advance guard elements of Bulow's Prussian IV Korps. Having marched
further to the north these troops have not been slowed by the terrain in the
region of St. Lambert and Lasne.
Waterloo, 2:45 PM [View from allied left flank]. D'Erlon has finally
overwhelmed the Cameron Highlanders who have stubbornly defended Hougoumont.
Lefebvre-Desnoettes leading the Polish Guard Lancers on an assault in the center
has been mortally wounded. Lt.Gen. Hill commanding
allied
II Corps has also met his untimely demise on the ridge whilst valiantly
attempting to rally a contingent of allied infantry. Jerome Bonaparte leading an
infantry assault has had a horse killed beneath him, whilst the allied general
Lambert has lost two horses in the intense arena to the north of Hougoumont.
Milhaud's cavalry has restored the situation for the French in the center after
the British heavy cavalry charge of the early afternoon, and both the 'Blues'
and Dragoon Guards have lost standards to the Cuirassiers. Reille and Kellermann
have continued to push their flank assault, and are now hammering at the allied
forces determinedly defending the Brussels-Charleroi road. Kellermann's cavalry,
however, is completely exhausted at this point, and Reille's similarly fatigued
troops are beginning to meet fresh British, Hanoverian and KGL units. The
Prussian VI Korps is arriving in force, consolidating the allied position on the
ridge and deploying in the region to the south of La Haie and Papelotte facing
towards Plancenoit.
The Anglo-German forces, so far, have managed to hang on by the skin of their
teeth, but the French still have many troops in
reserve, poised and ready to face the developing threat from the Prussian
hordes.
To be continued........
Wavre: June 18, 1815 [Re-fought August 21, 2004]
Wavre, 5:00 PM. Blucher has ordered Pirch I with 2.Korps to defend the region
between Wavre and the Bierge Mill and Thielemann with 3.Korps to defend Limale
and Limelette. Pirch I carefully deploys his battle hardened veterans throughout
Wavre with the approaches to the town covered by multiple deployed batteries.
Grouchy is content to see the presence of two Prussian corps which outnumber his
forces significantly. More Prussians at Wavre means less at Waterloo. Grouchy
determines to ignore Thielemann and concentrate his efforts against Pirch in the
belief that they are weakened after their exertions at Ligny two days before.
Grouchy is to be surprised by the stubborn tenacity of these 'weary', 'defeated'
Prussians.
Wavre, 6:30 PM. Grouchy leads with Gerard's IV Corps. Three divisions of
infantry are committed to the assault on Wavre. A preliminary artillery
bombardment has set alight areas of Wavre, and an initial attack on the southern
section of the town has been successful and forced back elements of Tippelkirch's Brigade. Gerard now has the daunting task of charging the two
bridges that cross the Dyle river. Crack Prussian troops are deployed in
column to the rear of the town awaiting to counter-attack the French attack.
Wavre, 7:30 PM. Repeated French attacks have been repulsed against both the Pont du Moulin and the Pont du Christ.
Generals Pecheux and Vichery,
leading assaults against the bridges, are both wounded. Grouchy has directed artillery to counter-battery the Prussian artillerists lining the banks of the Dyle,
and further fire was directed against the Bierge Mill setting it alight. But
Grouchy and Gerard have drawn the conclusion that continuing the assaults
against Wavre would be futile. Strategically the Prussians are pinned, further loss of
French life seems unnecessary. Neither Vandamme nor Exelmann's
corp's have been engaged, Thielemann too has seen no action. Tactically the
Prussians claim a minor victory against the French, but undoubtedly the
strategic victory belongs to the French. Grouchy has pinned superior Prussians
and kept them from influencing the battle at Plancenoit and Mont Sainte Jean.
The French Armee du Nord [-] has suffered
losses of:
[ 7%] 2192 men of all arms
incl.[ 0%] 118 prisoners of all arms
[ 9%] 2162 bayonets
[ 0%] 0
sabres
[ 1%] 30 artillerists
Honors: [ 160] 111e Regt.de Ligne
Losses include 2 General[s]:
[ 122] Baron Pecheux - Severely wounded
[ 123] Baron Vichery - Dressing wound
The Prussian Army [-] has suffered losses of:
[ 2%] 1190 men of all arms
incl.[ 0%] 384 prisoners of all arms
[ 2%] 1014 bayonets
[ 1%] 42 sabres
[ 5%] 134 artillerists
2 cannon[s] lost
Honors: [ 739] 1/25.IR
Quatre Bras: June 16, 1815 [Re-fought June 5, 2004]
Quatre Bras, 3:00 PM. Marshal Ney is advancing towards the allied positions,
leading with Division Foy and Bachelu, whilst Pire's cavalry division sweeps to
the west of the Bois de Bossu. The 2nd Dutch-Belgian division is holding the
Bossu wood, the village of Tyle and the farm of Gemioncourt. Merlen's
Dutch-Belgian cavalry are deploying from the Nivelle road to confront Pire's
horsemen, and 5th British Division is arriving in march column from the
direction of Genappe and Waterloo.
Quatre Bras, 5:00 PM. The French are now beginning to exert heavy pressure on
the Anglo-German formations. Pire's cavalry has defeated Merlen and has engaged
with Brunswick's cavalry. Foy has orders to contain the allies within Bossu
wood, whilst Jerome begins to turn the allied left. The threat of Pire's cavalry
has resulted in many of the allied units being forced into square formation,
which the French artillery target unmercifully.
Quatre Bras, 7:00 PM. The French have now forced the allies back onto the
Brussels highway which they are defending tenaciously. Repeated combined arms
assaults are crippling the allied strength. But more and more allies pour into
the arena in a valiant attempt to bloody the French attack. The Prince of Orange
is captured in combat on the outskirts of the Bossu wood at the head of the
2.Nassau Regiment. General's Alten and Perponcher are mortally wounded as is
Baron L'Heritier. The Duke of Brunswick is severely wounded as is Baron Bachelu.
The 8e Cuirassiers capture first the Kings and then the Regimental standards of
the 2/69th Regiment of Foot to the east of Quatre Bras. General Picton
stubbornly defends Quatre Bras with first the Cameron Highlanders and then the
28th Foot. Both armies are exhausted, but slowly but surely the allied hold on
the field begins to break. As D'Erlon's corps arrives in the direction of Tyle,
and with no immediate reinforcements anticipated by the allies, Wellington
orders the withdrawal - northward towards Genappe and then to the ridgeline
before Mont St. Jean. His army may be battered but their spirits remain high.
Napoleon considers his dual victories at Ligny and Quatre Bras the equal of the
glorious defeat of the Prussian armies at Jena-Auerstadt in 1806, and a good
omen for the campaign.
Quatre Bras: June 16, 1815 [June 5, 2004] - Major French Victory:
The French, Armee du Nord has suffered losses of:
[ 11%] 4628 men of all arms
incl.[ 1%] 608 prisoners of all arms
[ 13%] 3974 bayonets
[ 8%] 620 sabres
[ 1%] 34 artillerists
Honors: [
222] 1re Chasseurs a Cheval
Losses
include 2 General[s]:
[ 145] Baron
Bachelu - Severely wounded
[ 151] Baron
L'Heritier - Mortally wounded
The
Anglo-German Allied Army has suffered losses of:
[ 39%]14312 men of all arms
incl.[ 20%] 7234 prisoners of all arms
[ 40%]13012 bayonets
[ 20%] 400 sabres
[ 50%] 900 artillerists
25 cannon[s] lost
Honors: [
511] Dutch HA Battery, Bijleveld 6#
Losses
include 5 standard[s]:
[ 503] 3/1st
Foot Guards
[ 504] 2/Coldstream
Guards
[ 507] 2/69th
[S.Lincolnshire] Foot
[ 516] I./2nd
Nassau Regiment
Losses
include 8 General[s]:
[ 503] HRH
William, Prince of Orange - Captured
[ 506]
Stephen G. Adye - Mortally wounded
[ 507]
Charles, Count Alten - Mortally wounded
[ 508] J.S.
Williamson - Captured
[ 509] Baron
de Perponcher-Sedlnitzky - Mortally wounded
[ 511]
J.B.van Merlen - Lightly wounded
[ 514] Herzog
Friedrich Wilhelm - Severely wounded
[ 515] von
Heinemann - Severely wounded
Ligny: June 16, 1815 [re-fought May 8, 2004]
General view of the battlefield looking from the
east towards the center of the Prussian position. Ligny is in the foreground,
and Wagnelee in the distance. The Prussians have deployed I and II Armee Korps
to defend this section of the line. Both regular and landwehr troops are bracing
themselves for the defense of the villages along the Ligny river.
General
view of the battlefield from the west with the French 3e Corps d'Armee in the
right foreground. The French concentrated their assaults on the villages of La
Haye and St. Amand in the near and middle distance. Both villages were quickly
set alight by incendiary fire from French howitzers, and although stiff
resistance was offered by Prussian regular forces the landwehr were less than
heroic, and ultimately failed to delay the French columns in their passage of
the line of the Ligny.
View
of the French flanking force, formed of the Imperial Guard and Milhaud's cavalry
corps. Napoleon detached the Guard Heavy Cavalry to observe the Quatre Bras/Namur
road, thus securing his left flank from Allied forces in the direction of Quatre
Bras, and then massed his elite reserve against the Prussian right flank in the
region of Wagnelee. This, however, was only a demonstration as Napoleon always
intended that Gerard's 4e Corps d'Armee would deal the crushing blow against the
Prussians at St. Amand. The ploy was successful as Blucher directed all his
cavalry and several infantry brigades from the center to face the threat at
Wagnelee. The Imperial Guard artillery wrought destruction on the Prussian
formations, and the cuirassiers charged repeatedly crippling the Prussian
defense. The 2e Grenadiers a Pied successfully assaulted Wagnelee with some
loss. Napoleon now unleashed the fresh artillery and infantry of Gerard's forces
against the weakened Prussian center. The Prussian situation was hopeless,
Gneisenau ordered the withdrawal northward whilst the roads to Wavre, threatened
by the Imperial Guard, were still open. Napoleon had won a crushing
victory, but he had failed to eliminate the possibility of a concentration of
the Anglo-German and Prussian armies to the north.
Ligny: June 16, 1815 [May 8, 2004] - Major French Victory:
The French, Armee du Nord has suffered losses
of:
[ 8%] 5800 men of all arms
incl.[ 0%] 482 prisoners of all arms
[ 8%] 3846 bayonets
[ 12%] 1662 sabres
[ 5%] 292 artillerists
8 cannon[s] lost
Honors: [ 164] 8e Chasseurs a Cheval
Losses include 2 standard[s]:
[ 170] 7e Regt.de Cuirassiers
[ 172] 5e Regt.de Cuirassiers
Losses include 1 General[s]:
[ 114] Baron Lefol - Dressing wound
The Prussian, Army of Lower Rhine has suffered losses of:
[ 26%] 21580 men of all arms
incl.[ 7%] 6264 prisoners of all arms
[ 26%] 17702 bayonets
[ 27%] 2696 sabres
[ 21%] 1182 artillerists
52 cannon[s] lost
Honors: [ 732] Westfalisches LKR
Losses include 1 standard[s]:
[ 784] 1/6.Kurmarkisches LKR
Losses include 6 General[s]:
[ 704] von Reiche [I.Korps.CoS] - Severely wounded
[ 705] Lehmann [A.I.Korps] - Severely wounded
[ 709] von Donnersmarck [4.I.Korps] - Captured
[ 715] von Krafft [6.II.Korps] - Severely wounded
[ 716] von Brause [7.II.Korps] - Mortally wounded
[ 718] Wahlen-Jurgass [K.II.Korps] - Severely wounded
Waterloo, 1815 - Photographs taken from an earlier event in 2003. Using Heroics & Ros 1/300th figures
General view of battlefield from West, Hougoumont is in middle foreground
View from rear of Allied left flank, Papelotte/La Haie is mid center
View of climactic assault of French Imperial Guard against the Allied left
center
Waterloo,
12:45 PM: [View from the rear of the French assault on the Anglo-Allied right
flank and Hougoumont]. Not restricted to the historical pre-battle disposition
of forces, the French have determined to take full advantage of the apparent
openness of the Anglo-Allied right flank in the vicinity of Hougoumont. For the
flank attack, Napoleon
has concentrated two infantry corps, and Kellerman's heavy cavalry corps.
Remaining in reserve, are the
majority of the Guard, Milhaud's Cuirassier Corps and Lobau's VI Corps, many hidden by folds in the terrain.
To oppose the massed French flanking force commanded by Ney, Wellington has
deployed the two divisions of Dutch-Belgian Infantry, with Picton responsible
for the defense of Hougomont. The French combined arms assault against the Dutch
Belgian divisions is fiercely resisted, as the allies launch counterattacks with
supporting allied heavy cavalry, but the pressure is strong, and slowly they are
forced back from the ridge to the north of Hougoumont. Meanwhile, D'Erlon's I Corps has
steadily positioned itself ready to deliver it's own assault on the important
position of Hougoumont.
