Ulster Wargames Society - General d'Armee 2 'mega' game !

UWS meeting today and I played GDA2 with Andy (who wanted to try the new version) using his huge 28mm collection of British and French.

Scenario based around an action in southern France in 1814 (Nivelle ?) with me as British and he using his French.

Andy put on a massive game with just the two of us playing (but with enough kit for easily 3-4 a side)

It was essentially a multi-Divisional/Corps battle (think I had in region of 6 Divisions with maybe 10-12 Brigades !) although not having read the Corps Level Rules we just used the Divisional system and 3 CinC Commands each and a bit of muddling through.

Indeed I kept half my forces off-table (no real room for them at start) and never deployed any to the table (3 Cavalry Brigades a British foot Division and a Division of Brunswickers).

French were nominally the defenders and also had huge force (again several Divisions and numerous Brigades).

Several units were surrogates (Brunswickers standing in for Spanish and some French Guard units making an appearance) 

Whilst this may all sound OTT it was in fact fine and we got a good workout with rules (and indeed physically running around the 12'x 6' table).

A very fun game was had even though the on table British ended up rather outnumbered.

French foot had little impact on game as unable to cross halfway (and never used any re-deploy) except when attacked by my lot.

But Andy launched what seemed an relentless number of cavalry charges which my cavalry managed to soundly defeat or my foot formed square to thwart them. 

By games end (ie when we ran out of time) he had one mounted Brigade completely Dispersed and three Faltering (another had used 'Stand With Me' to recover) whilst I had a Cavalry Brigade Faltered after a previously victorious unit succumbed due to reaching casualty limit.

I did launch an Infantry assault near one of his Redoubts but this failed to close to combat.

All in all we completed 6 turns which was quite impressive considering the numbers of Brigades and units we controlled but may have been different had we implemented the Corps Level rules or indeed had other players taken part.

Ton of pics (mine and Andys). Andy had printed out several sheets with all the OOB/Stats but I cannot recall the details/names of most units.

View from French center as Old Guard Cavalry arrive along road as reinforcements (as if needed !).

One of several cavalry engagements as House Hold (?) Cavalry and Carabiners (?) clash on French right, with Brits pushing back two Brigades before falling to a third

Similar scene on French left (The French mounted were completely mullered here) as I use 'Post of Honour' to enhance chances

Both sides have just Reformed ready for next encounter on French right

French center as British Guard Brigades approach alongside Hanovarians (these went into square as several Cuirassier appeared).

French redoubt on left later repelled British infantry assault.

Yup its horsie action again on French right just as the French light cavalry Brigade was forced to Retreat and Falter (it subsequently Dispersed after failing its Falter roll despite having a Brigade re-roll)

More French lights on their left are outclassed by Elite British cavalry

So much French cavalry..............yikes

Central French redoubt remained untouched throughout

British cavalry rushed forward with a Forwards order as Skirmishers and Artillery pin French foot

French Battalion defends stream

View from British left (yours truly photographing right flank action )

British cavalry (who saw off two French Brigades but lost out to third) advance along side infantry

View down French lines from their right

Elite British heavy cavalry whose impetuous 'Charge On' nearly got them in trouble, but thankfully my dice were good today (I know who would have thunk !?) got them out of the proverbial.

Early view from French left

And from British right

The Brit heavies certainly look impressive

French defend the town and stream

How my single cavalry Brigade managed to stymie this lot is the stuff of legend

Thankfully this further mass of French mounted had little room to deploy and was forced to replace Retreated Brigades.

British foot forming to conduct unsuccessful assault on foreground redoubt 

Hanoverian and British foot prepare to form square as more Cuirassier cross the stream

This foot Brigade took casualties from long range French artillery with central Battalion soon being charged by Cuirassier but they managed to pass test and formed Square to repel the French

British Foot brigades (including some Highlanders) on my left were slowed by several Hesitant results

My leading cavalry unit enters combat with Glory and Elan whilst mates meet a French charge. Thankfully I won both these combats flinging enemy and supports back

Eyeing the redoubt position with Brigade deployed in depth 

Skirmishers have just reformed at rear after being forced to flee from French mounted

28mm are certainly a sight to behold especially when seen in such numbers

Also at club were other games, with Phil doing a WW2 game, Dave P and Adam played a small WW2 Battlegroup game and the 'Two Daves' had another FOGR bash but I had no time to see any details or take any pics.