Franco-Prussian War - Une Retraite Française Héroïque

An Heroic French Retreat

In this entertaining scenario, the French were in retreat. They had hurriedly prepared defensive positions around a village and were trying to make their escape off table. They were hotly pursued by a brigade of Prussian infantry with attached artillery batteries. Meanwhile their escape route was to be blocked by a regiment of beautifully attired Bavarians. 

The French held the Prussians off admirably. A unit of Zouaves performed heroics in defence, being wiped out almost to the last man. A French line battalion made a well executed fighting retreat to the relative safety of a walled garden under heavy rifle and artillery fire. A regiment of Hussars 'demonstrated' in front of the advancing Prussians and, after losing one third of their number, decided to make a 'charge to the rear'.

Ultimately the Prussians - and their slightly less enthusiastic Bavarian allies - kept up the pressure and forced the Second Empire defensive ring further in on itself, winning the day for the pursuers. 

As a postscript, the shattered Hussars did manage to hurriedly escort the French commander off the board to avoid capture, which was, perhaps, a much less finale héroïque to the engagement than had been hoped for.

British Historical Games Society - Britcon2024 - Our Franco Prussian Demo

This event, held in the epicentre of the 'Lead Belt' in Nottingham City Centre (Nottingham Trent University), just gets bigger and better! Great competition games and scenery, superb trader stalls, interesting demo games, dedicated 'Perry' and 'Two Fat Lardies' rooms, a bring and buy stall etc etc.....what more could you want?!

We ran a Franco-Prussian demonstration game in which the Prussians eventually managed to eke out the narrowest of victories after suffering horrendous casualties.

Franco Prussian War - Krupps Reign Supreme

In this blistering encounter, the Prussians secured a convincing win against their brave French opponents. In a race to secure control of a village, both sides had two infantry regiments, with accompanying artillery, although the Prussians benefited from larger battalions, a battalion of Jaegers and two regiments of cavalry, rather than one. They also could rely on the power of a number of 4pdr and 6pdr Krupp batteries.

The French reached the village first, but were unable to make much of a defensive position of it. The Prussian right flank emerged from the woods, but decided to retire back into the cover when they were raked with Chassepot and Mitrailleuse fire. On the Prussian left flank, the Cuirassiers managed to get the better of the French Chasseurs d'Afrique in a flanking manoeuvre.

In reality, the game was probably won in the centre where two well positioned Krupp batteries were able to decimate a number of exposed French line battalions and a battery of French artillery. The poor French weren't really able to make the most of their deadly Chassepot at longer ranges.

The Franco-Prussian War offers a lot of scenario opportunities and, with the differing troop type classifications, coupled with the respective advantages of the weapons carried, this provides the wargamer with lots to think about.....