New Years game 02/02/2014 (part 1)The battle of Sainte Foy: 1760-04-28. in 54mm

The French had lost Quebec after the battle of the Plains of Abraham in September 1759.

French commander-in-chief in North America, the chevalier de Lévis staged an expedition to retake the city before the arrival of the British fleet and reinforcements.

The British garrison at Quebec had suffered from winter, almost half of their effectives lost.

Colonel Murray British commander at Qeubec decided to confront the French force on the battlefield.

The battlefield was the same as for the battle of the plains of Abraham, making it a rematch, with the reversed roles.

The British battalions numbered less than 300 men each, 2 times 4 battalions in a brigade (Fraser/Burton)and two battalions in reserve. There were field 20 guns spread over the units. There were also two battalions of light infantry and a company of rangers. Totaling about 3.400 men.

The French had double that number, but with a major part consisting of militia and only a few field guns, divided into 5 brigades.

As it was early in the year, there was still snow on a great part of the field.

Playing the battle : We used "About Bonaparte" wargame rule .
The chevalier de Levis had send grenadiers to occupy the windmill and surroundings. The British light infantry is close to them. As al British battalions numbered less than 300 men, we gave them all 6 figures. The French numbered about 350 to 380 for the regulars, so we gave them 8 figures per battalion, except for the marine battalions that numbered about 500 men, so we raised their number to 11 and 12 figures. The militia units also numbered in average 270 men, so we gave them also 6 figures per unit. Al the British are veteran. In the French army, only the Marine units and the grenadier unit at the windmill are veterans. The British have 4 batteries, of which one is medium, the others are light. They have all just enough ammo to fire 4 turns, this due to the poor state of the roads limiting transport. The French have one light guns also with limited ammo.

Figures are from Steven

British order of battle for the game

Right flank commanded by Ronny

Dalling's light infantry (“General” and officer 2x6 veteran figures if light infantry-

Burton's brigade(general +ADC + 1 light battery +1 medium battery)

48th Webb's Foot 6 figures – veteran +1 officer

15th Amherst's Foot 6 figures - veteran

58th Anstruther's Foot 6 figures - veteran+1 officer

II./60th Royal American Foot 6 figures - veteran

Left flank , and reserve commanded by Steven assisted by Ryan

Fraser's brigade general +ADC + 2x light battery )

43rd Kennedy's Foot 6 figures – veteran +1 officer

47th Lascelle's Foot 6 figures - veteran

78th Fraser's Highlanders 6 figures - veteran+1 officer

28th Bragg's Foot 6 figures - veteran

Hazen's Rangers 4 figures – veteran -skirmish

In reserve behind the centre Murray (General + ADC)

35th Otway's Foot 6 figures - veteran +1 officer

III./60th Royal American Foot 6 figures – veteran +1 officer

French order of battle for the game

French right commanded by Patrick VDB both brigades coming out of the woods

Royal Roussillon brigade General

II./Royal Roussillon (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)

II./Guyenne (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)

Berry brigade general

II./Berry (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)

III./Berry (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 6 figures militia)

Indian Allies 1 unit of 8 figures + “chief”

French left command by Geert

La Sarre brigade General

II./Béarn (officer +1 bn 8 figures veterans(grenadier) and 6 figures militia) at windmill

II./La Sarre (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)

1 light battery + officer

French center – command by Dirk

CIC : Chevalier de Lévis general +2 ADC

Compagnies Franches de la Marine brigade general

(Officer + 2 bns: 1 of 11 figures , 1 of 12 figures – both veteran)

La Reine Brigade General

II./La Reine (officer +1 bn 8 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)

II./Languedoc (officer +1 bn 7 figures regulars and 5 figures militia)

The game

The British had a good position, and in contrast with the real battle remained on their position.

Ronny pulled the light infantry back to cover his flank from an advantaged position.

The snow in the lower parts of the field limited the movement by 3/4, 

So the progress of the French was slow, Patrick kept his regulars in column to go faster.

Steven reinforced the left flank with the reserve units.

The British batteries kept silent due to their limited number of shots, waiting for the enemy to come closer and having a better effect.

The French strategy was to concentrate on the left flank against Ronny.

Geert waited with his grenadiers to leave the protection of the mill until the remainder of the brigade joined them, first limited musketry exchanges with Burton’s brigade. Once the La Marine brigade was in range, they became the target of 2 batteries and 2 battalions. The first battalion in line sustaining heavy casualties.

On the right, the Royal Roussillon kept advancing in column, taking casualties, but charged the battery. The battery was destroyed, but the 

Royal Roussillon reduced to one stand was also removed from play. 

On the French far left, the grenadiers pushed back the light infantry, and also the La Sarre battalion, made progress on the hillock , One British unit being destroyed. Ronny made his light infantry charge the grenadiers, but the latter stood firm and one light infantry unit was destroyed.

In the center one of the La Mairne units was reduced to one stand and remove from play, the second La Marine, followed up, and tried to weaken the enemy with musketry but the firing was poor, and casualties mounting. The La Reine Brigade took position to the La Marines right, but was targeted by 2 batteries and driven back, luckily with minor casualties.

On the French right, also the Berry brigade tried to fight her way on the hillock, but was driven back to. The regulars almost wiped out. One militia unit of the Royal Roussillon was charged and broke, the Indians nearby also took to their heels. The French right was wavering. Against his nature, Patrick had to start playing defensive to avoid destruction.

Ronny turned all his units to face the threat of the La Sarre brigade. But by now his battery had run out of ammo. It was the signal to make the charge with the still very fresh La Reine Brigade, supported by the remaining La Marine. The battery was overrun, and the breakthrough charge came into the flank of one of Ronny’s units, the latter also being destroyed. Ronny’s lines were broken. To late, Steven had diverted the reserve units towards Ronny, which command was broken the next turn.

The British had to retreat to avoid annihilation.

Conclusion
 Fantastic game with the outcome in balance untill the last turns.
The rule proved perfect: tactical decisions and erros made the difference between winning and loosing  in a game that lasted just over two hours.

More details of the battle at kronoskaf.com

http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1760-04-28_-_Battle_of_Sainte-Foy