The Battle of Faux-Illy, 15mm Franco-Prussian Wargame Part 1.

The Rejects (Surjit, Postie, Smithy, Lee, Richard, Dave and myself) gathered on Saturday at Richards in Faversham for a fictional take on part of the Battle of Sedan during the Franco-Prussian War, 1st September 1870.

The French Imperial Army, after a week of marching to and fro with the aim of relieving the siege of Metz, has been caught by the Prussians and forced to offer battle.For much of the day the Prussian army has been slowly gaining the advantage and has been enveloping the increasingly desperate French.

As the afternoon draws on into evening, the Prussians have almost completed surrounding the French and need only take the heights of Faux-Illy to dominate with their superior artillery.

The French, for their part, are set the task of stopping the envelopment and provide a conduit through which their army can escape during the night. The situation for the French is critical. However, the Prussian infantry have advanced ahead of their artillery. Can the Prussians afford to await their arrival? Night will arrive soon and time is of the essence.

Victory Conditions:

French: Keep a conduit through the centre, must hold the hill.

Prussian: Capture the hill and place artillery on it, and push the French into the big woods in the centre.

French Army: Commanded by Surjit and Postie.

French forces consist of a makeshift under strength division comprising 9 infantry battalions (1 chasseur a pied, zouaves, guard grenadiers and line infantry), 2 batteries of 4 pdr artillery, 2 mitralleuse batteries and two regiments of cuirassier and two of dragoons. (298 figures)

There is the chance of reserves but they will be Garde Mobile.

Prussian Army (East Wing): Lee and Smithy.

Bavarian Brigade comprising of 6 battalions of line infantry and one battalion of Jagers.

Prussian Brigade comprising of 7 battalions of line infantry.

Two to three 4 pdr artillery batteries (depending on how well you did with your question)

Prussian Army (West Wing): Dave and The Lurker.

Northern Brigade comprising 7 battalions of line infantry, 1 chevauxleger regt and a dragoon regt.

Southern Brigade comprising 7 battalions of line infantry and 2 regts of lancers and one of cuirassiers.

Two to three batteries of 4 pdr artillery again depending on how we answered our military history questions.

There may be reserves but will be line infantry. (620 figures)

The rules used are  They Died for Glory and the table was 8ft by 4ft. (Above words from Richard)

An explanation of the war can be found here Franco-Prussian War

The table at the beginning before the French were allowed to redeploy.

My Prussian forces, no redeployment allowed.

The hill mentioned in the brief is on the left of the picture and the woods are in the centre. 

Instructions received by all Prussian players.

Northern and Southern Prussian Brigades and the unholy of all that's wrong (warm cream soda).

The genial host and umpire Richard, a gentleman among us and flattery gets you nowhere.

The redeployment of the French.

Prussian forces on the East wing. (Smithy)

Bavarian forces on the East wing. (Lee)

French cuirassiers and dragoons await.

The French forces await the Prussians.

The Prussian Northern Brigade. (Dave)

Tomorrow the armies clash.

Happy 4th of July to our American friends.