Ulster Wargames Society: Battle of Oudenarde.

Game of the War of Spanish Succession, Anglo-Dutch vs French, 11 July 1708.

Using Field Of Battle 3 in 10mm.

Organized, using terrain and models and umpired by Gary.

AAR by Gary.

Players

Anglo-Dutch : Ian and Gary.
French : Bryn and Ivan.

Society meeting today (our December meeting delayed to today) and at last minute I decided to put on a Malburian game with my 10mm toys.

I selected scenario based on Battle of Oudenarde 1708 and trusty old FOB3.

French were commanded by Vendomme (Bryn) and Burgundy (Ivan) whilst Allies led by Marlborough (Ian) and Eugene (my ownweeself) with reserves under Lottum (arriving on Move card 2) and Overkirk (move card 3) to be allocated as they appeared (Overkirk on left flank and Lottum on base line).

Burgundy had option to place up to 6 units on a flanking maneuver (on French left on 3rd Move card) which he choose to accept placing his 4 units of Horse and an ADC into said reserve, his on table troops unable to utilise 1st Move card.

Allies had 32 Morale and an extra 'Rolling Fire' card (allowing their Platoon firers an extra re-load) with a Superior deck the French had 36 Morale and an extra Melee card with a Poor deck.

The town of Eyne (in Allied rear) I allocated +10 Morale for its capture (in hindsight +5 Morale would have been better).

Allies set up first with Marlborough on left and Eugene on right then the French deployed massing both Vendomme and Burgundy on their left (I did not restrict them to historical placement) i.e. facing Eugene trying to avoid the forces under Mr Churchill.

And so it was to the fray and as ever a great game with FOB.

Vendomme led the advance taking some licks from Allied artillery (both sides had 4 Batteries each) but getting quickly (good Move rolls) into Eugenes force, and I lost both my guns tout suite.

Burgundy advanced in march Columns with his foot and also with his Horse when it appeared.

Marlborough was sluggish (poor Move rolls) trying to swing to his right with Overkirk in support whilst Lottums force came on to aid Eugene (boy did I need it as mass of French foot to my front).

Vendommes horse were roughly handled by Overkirks Dutch foot and were pulled back.

Burgundys horse were also slow getting into posistion as they tried to ride from the left flank they had appeared on to their right (simply no room forward with French foot massed).

A tough old fight took place around Eyne with Eugenes Imperialist foot holding on initially but then suddenly folding and Eyne fell giving French a huge Morale boost.

I did try to re-take the town but could not dislodge the new tenants.

Allied losses were mounting a somewhat faster rate than French and Marlboroughs faith in victory waivered but fortune did swing back toward Allies for a short period before their Morale was fully depleted and despite passing an Army Morale check we decided to yield the field to the bloodied but victorious French.

One notable feature of battle was the Guard and Elite units on both sides were uniformly pants with most ending up Routed or Destroyed.

The fleecy type mat I used seems to change colour in the following pics but is in reality much greener

How the game played out.

Imperial troops under Eugene deploy around Eyne.

French foot push forward.

Vendommes forces to fore with Burgundys foot in columns behind.

Eugenes force deployed up to Dieonbeek stream.

Marlborough on Allied left facing a field devoid of the enemy at start.

Later in proceedings as French foot massed in front of Eyne with Marlborough trying to come from left, initially held up by Vendommes horse but these were pushed back beyond Groenwald (town on right).

Things getting hot and heavy at Eyne and French have managed to deploy all their artillery as a sort of massed battery.

Both sides taking losses and disorders.

Marlboroughs and Overkirks forces starting to get to grips but in piecemeal fashion.

Meanwhile British and Dutch Guard in center (the 2 units forming the 'L') about to both Rout unhinging the defence of Eyne which thereafter soon fell to French assaults. This is closest to true colour of the mat.