Sunday, April 5, 2015

The Battle of Toulouse - Loosely

The Battle of Toulouse. Wellington commences operations on April 10 (Easter Sunday), 1814. Soult holds until April 11, and then evacuates the city. Wellington enters Toulouse on the morning of April 12, by afternoon he hears of Napoleon's abdication. These are mostly staged shots while working out the scenario using simplified Black Powder rules - removing stuff like Shaken and Disorder which tend to make me think too hard. Basic movement and ranges are reduced, and Blunder and Break Tests are simplified to three results each. The El Perez (or El Perry) scenario in the main rule book could be followed, with the French making the retreat off table instead of the British. However, it could just as well be an attrition scenario.
View of the French cav leading the attack with the St. Sypiere Redoubt to their rear right, and the Languedoc Canal and the outskirts of Toulouse to their left rear.
View of the Allied advance from the north. Their left flank composed of Spanish and Portuguese troops - actually Russians, Prussians, Austrians and several other types as stand-ins.
A view from the east of the battlefield proper.
The French cavalry at this battle actually only consisted of the 2nd Hussars (these are 9th), and Chasseurs a Cheval. But in the spirit of the rules, all available cavalry are thrown into battle - including Dutch Lancers, Dragoons, Cuirassiers and Carabiniers! At least the latter three are in small units.
The British have two good cavalry units - the 1st King's German Legion Hussars and Life Guards; both present at the battle.
The Russians...er, Spanish also provide several cavalry units, including heavy and light cavalry. Oh, and those may look like Prussian Landwehr and Russians, but I assure you they are Spaniards. They were notorious in coming up with uniforms which are poorly documented.
The Spanish holding the Allied left - oh, and check out the spiffy uniforms, which almost look like Bavarians. The militia/guerrillas next to them prove they are all Spanish; Or possibly Portuguese.
The British right - 95th and 60th Rifles out front screeing - as well as Royal Horse Artillery. The 3rd "Buffs" in line, with the Coldstream Guards leading the 79th Highlanders and 28th Foot in column. The 42nd Highlanders in the center in line, with a small unit of Royal Welch Fusiliers behind them; and the 71st Light Infantry in column on their left. All of these units, except for the Coldstream Guards, were present at this battle.
Back to the French. Here is their left flank forward the canal.
Neuchatel Battalion and French Voltigeurs remain inside the city's fortifications, while the 9th Legere cross the bridge towards the battlefield. In the foreground and distance are other French infantry - including the 4th Swiss furthest away. Of course both the 4th Swiss and Neuchatel Battalion no longer existed in 1814. The 4th Swiss virtually wiped out during the Russian Campaign, and the Neuchatel Battalion during the 1813 campaigns.
The 9th Legere, who were present at the battle, cross over the canal. A lone vivandiere, unfazed by battle, plying her wares in the shadow of the church.
View towards the north with the approaching Allies in the distance.

39 comments:

  1. OMG! pattern of the report to which I aspire! Great terrain and fantastic miniatures! Big Congrts! Cheers fanatics:)!

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    1. Thanks Michal! I enjoyed setting it up and sharing the images. Warm Regards, Dean

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  2. Absolutely wonderful sight Dean! Great looking fig's and terrain!

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    1. Thanks you Rodger. These haven't been out of their barracks for a couple of years (maybe more). Best, Dean

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  3. Amazing terrain ( love the buildings) and beautiful pictures...and glad to see vivandiere on a battlfield, realistic detail!

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, Phil. The church is from Old Glory's stucco building range, and the other two are sold by Brigade Games (although I got these as "payment" for some painting for a buddy). Regards, Dean

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  4. Love your work, superb terrain and lovely figures.

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    1. Thank you kindly. Appreciate your visit and nice comments. Warm regards, Dean

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    1. Thanks, Vincent! Appreciate the visit and kind words. Best, Dean

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  6. Cool looking game Dean, some really lovely pics!

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  7. "Almost look like Bavarians?" My God, Man, those ARE Bavarians!

    Great looking set up and fantastic collection. These fellows should see action more often.

    Is this a rehearsal for an Enfilade! game?

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    1. Thanks, Jonathan. Not this year's Enfilade!, but possibly the next.one. Most of those small units are made up of Foundry figures which a generous TMPer gave me as part of a trade a few years back. Figured why not include them in the Spanish contingent with their varied uniforms. Warm regards, Dean

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  8. Great AAR along with with great looking figures, terrain and photos!
    thanks for sharing Dean!,

    cheers,

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    1. Thanks, Phil. My pleasure - I enjoyed getting the troops and terrain out after an all too long leave of absence. Regards, Dean

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  9. Remarkable photos of remarkable figures

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    1. Thank you very much! Your recent SYW game was very inspirational. Warm regards, Dean

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  10. Fantastic looking game, love it!

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    1. Thanks, Steve! Appreciate the visit and nice comments. Best, Dean

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    1. Thank you very much! I'm glad you liked the images. Regards, Dean

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  12. That's a great looking game Dean! Thanks for sharing...

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    1. Thanks, Michael! Appreciate that. Best, Dean

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  13. Fantastic looking game Dean!

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  14. Impressive collection and wonderful buildings used for the terrain setup.
    I'm quite inspired by your amendments to the Black Powder rules. They do offer a nice and scaleable toolbox for wargaming, right.

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    1. Thanks, Soren. Basic mvmt is 4" for infantry; 8" for Cav & limbered arty; 24" for cdrs. Ranges are: 18" muskets; 24" Rifles; 36" cannon. Combat dice range from 5 (heavy cav) to 2 for arty crews & small units; Shooting dice 3 (-1 for small units); Saves range from 3+ - 6; Max casualties range from 4 to 1 (small units). 3 results each for Break Tests and Blunder Table. Oh, and the table size is 10' X 6'. Warm regards, Dean

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  15. Just adding to the awestruck chorus Dean--superb!!!

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    1. Thank you very much, James. I appreciate your visit and kind words. Warm regards, Dean

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  16. Very impressive looking game Dean :)

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    1. Thanks, Scott! Appreciate the kinds words and visit, as always. Dean

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  17. Stunning looking game, terrain and minis are lovely.

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    1. Thank you very much for the visit and nice comments. Warm regards, Dean

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  18. That's really a great looking game Dean!

    Christopher

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    1. Thank you, Christopher. I really appreciate that. Warm regards, Dean

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  19. Wonderful table and collection - very inspiring :)

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  20. With 28mm, it's difficult to get the right amount of troops and still have space for moving. Looks like an impressive setup and would be nice to see at a convention.

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