Dec 5th Quatre Bras part 2- resources

The battle is my favorite. Not as grand as Wagram, Waterloo, Borodino or even Ligny , it is the quintessential meeting engagement which pits a sliding numerical superiority first against the Anglo-Dutch force and later against the French. The terrain is deceptive, being tough to defend or maneuver in control.

Add in some units performing heroically on both sides, some blunders made by commanders on the field (and I don't mean D'Erlon's Corp) ...you get a real hammer and tongs game situation if you get enough factors correct.

Resources are abundant. I like and drew from these secondary works in making suggestions to the store staff on how hey could model the game:

 

There are a lot of Germans in the army arrayed against the French. Some came from Duchies such as Nassau and Brunswick to fight under their own leaders. Some came from the newly reformed Kingdom of Hanover.  Hofschrorer's book details some of the contributions made by these units present.

 

 

Of course without the French, there would be no campaign, no battle. The French in Rielle's Corp and Pire's Cavalry Division came off the strung out positions occupied the night before, formed up and attacked an unknown foe, fought valiantly, fell back , only to advance the day after to appear at Waterloo on the 18th. Rich in details of the orders given, the plans and ultimately the frustrations of the day.

 

The battle was fought in the Belgian border area of the dual kingdom of the Netherlands, a construct of the peace treaty written up mainly by the victors of the 1814 campaign.  Great detail about the command staff and leaders, units and special situations of the Dutch-Belgian forces.

The Osprey title gives good detail, some details about the British (and Scottish) units and some excellent maps. A good feeling for the muddle for the reinforcements on the roads from Brussels and Mons/Nivelle and others.