Here is the last of three games I played on the dining room table (five feet by three feet) some months back. This one was Nordlingen, 1634, with Sun King figures and rules. It proved to be a bit of a squash to fit what was, for that time, a large battle onto this size table, even with reducing the terrain to the very basics and the opposing sides to an approximate ratio of those present. It is also a very difficult battle for the attackers - the Swedes/Germans in 1634, the French in my version - to win if played according to the original deployment, which is what I did. The Swedish/German plan was flawed from the start, while they were facing a stronger and well-entrenched enemy. I think if I played it again, I would keep the Imperial/Spanish deployment (I used my Dutch & German Allies for this game) but allow the attackers to redeploy their units. Anyway, the game was hard fought, but the French attackers could make little headway against the defences and their cavalry, hastily redeployed on the table as the action progresses, failed to beat the opposition's mounted troops.
The two sides deployed, with the French to the right of the picture, Dutch and Allies to the left.
From behind the Dutch and Allies' line of battle.
The French right wing, their main line of attack.
The French centre.
The French left wing.
The Dutch and Allies' left wing.
The Dutch and Allies left centre.
The Dutch and Allies right centre.
The Dutch and Allies' right wing; the dismounted dragoons are in the farmhouse.
The Dutch and Allies' far right wing.
The French are underway, advancing and manoeuvring for position.
The French left wing advancing to challenge the Dutch and Allies' right wing cavalry.
French right wing cavalry can be seen heading to their left wing from the start of the action.
They were very much in the wrong place!
French artillery in action. They made little impression on the defences on the hill.
Whereas the Dutch and Allies' guns fired very effectively on the attacking French foot and horse.
The cavalry action on this side of the battle proved to be a see-saw engagement, but in the end the Dutch and Allies gained the advantage and defeated their French opponents.
French cavalry trying to get to their left wing, screened by their slowly advancing infantry.
Musketry fire all along this side of the battlefield.
The gallant French foot made several assaults up the hill against the defences, but were decisively repulsed on all occasions, with the defenders barely losing a figure.
Some Dutch cavalry in difficulty on their right wing, attacked in front and flanked.
French dragoons facing off against Imperial Hussars.
A lull on this side of the table, with some regrouping going on.
The French right wing cavalry still trying to get to their left wing; their own artillery has fallen silent to allow them to pass.
The French left wing cavalry have almost got out of the way, while their foot are having a hard time against the Dutch and Allies' defences.
More cavalry manoeuvring.
The French right wing is struggling to achieve anything on this side of the table.
An almost empty side of the table as the cavalry action winds down; Dutch and Allied cavalry can be seen moving across from their centre and left wing, where they were not needed.
The French right wing is pretty much spent by this time as the game draws to an end.
I played for my usual twelve turns, but it was pretty clear that it was an uphill struggle for the French well before that. Figures, as always, were North Star 1672 and Warfare Miniatures, rules were my own fast play Gush Renaissance Rules.
Best wishes for the gift-giving season!
