These photographs show my old wargems group's refight of "Waterloo" sometime in the early 1970s (1971 I suspect). The group went out and bought every box of Airfix Napoleonic French Artillery that could be found, specifically for the eight marching French Infantry! The figure were mostly mine, 20mm Airfix with a sprinling of metals, HInton Hunt and a very few Minifigs. The photograph on the right shows the Allies setting up on our 12' x 6' table with La haye sainte in the centre. All the builidngs were underscaled for the figures and scratchbuilt in cardboard by myself.
Here's the rest of the photographs:
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The French centre with the 'Grand Battery' in the foreground
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Reille's corps about to asssault Hougomont (hidden by treees)
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The French bringing up yet more troops.
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Huge numbers of French attacking Hougomont
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D'Erlon's Corps moving to attack with Cavalry support
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General view of the battle in full swing
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The French attack around La Haye Saint
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Another view of the above
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The view of the centre from the British side
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The French are repulsed (for now)
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The French renew their assault - successfully this time !
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The French Old and Middle guard arrive.
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The French had taken La Haye Saint in the centre, Reilled had destoryed his corps assaulting Hougomont, which the British had heavily reinforced, weakening their centre and the battle was over.
The game was played over three day's during the Xmas holidays and whilst I thik their are other photographs lost to time, I hope you get some idea of the battle and yes, it was very enjoyable at the time.
Having not done anything hobby-wise over the last four weeks or so, nexrt week will probably see me posting old photographs of other armies I no longer have.
That's it then, once more for another week, thanks for taking the time to visit and as always your comments are both welcomed and appreciated.
What a massive battle Joe, and another great piece of wargaming history from your past. I do enjoy these postings of yours as it gives an insight of your wargaming history.
ReplyDeleteIt was probably our biggest game over the years I played then. I suspect many of us older gamers have a similar story to tell.
DeleteWhat a part of history sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks you Michal, I'm plesased that so many have an interest in it and that I've managed (to some extent)to have it recorded digitally.
DeleteOne thing about those massive battles, they are definite eye candy! Though I would certainly enjoy participating, I am not one for painting oodles of figures & am very content with skirmish level games. Great you have the photos of this event!
ReplyDeleteThanks Terry, there is a place for big games and skirmish games in our collection, the 'big battles' are a long term project whilst the skrimish games could be more ad hoc and with a lot fewer figures. At the time of doing theese large games I wasl also building up my Timpo western games.
DeleteThat looks amazing Joe, what an incredible set up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael, one of the benefits of block painting without shading or highlighting meant one could mass-produce rank and file quickly.
DeleteIsnt it strange how wargamers of a certain age have a similar story. I cleaned out my local hobby shop of all its Airfix Napoleonic's and used the artillery man marching for my young garde.
ReplyDeleteThanks robbie, we of a certain age must have almost identicle stories and Airfix was the go-to brand for armies - one of the reasons Fetherstone had plastics too !
DeleteA battle that puts even 40k Apocalypse to shame! Great bit of history there, Joe, and a fascinating looking game!
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt, I reckon there were approximately 2000 figures on the table, but as I don't know what 40k Apocalypse is, but I guess I should be pleased.
DeleteThe game was a blast especially for the younger members, who now, in their sixties plus will probably still remember it.
Late 60's early 70's, the hair styles of the commanders gives it away, brilliant set of photos Joe.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone of a certain age we re-fought Waterloo over a 2 day period in a large room in the local sports hall, now demolished. We used 25mm figures and no where near as many figures as your re-fight but after 2 days we still hadn't launched the French Guarde when room rental and the weekend ran out, but we had a lot of laughs and I don't believe anyone took any photographs either.
Cheers
Thanks John, our games was fought in our a private room in my then local pub(still there) and like I said we bought a very large amount of Airfix French artillery for the game - in the region of 100 boxes probably.
DeleteIIRC the guard only came on to show them off as the fight was all but over, the British would have had to retire and we called it. A french win btw, by 2.30pm.
Wow Joe that is a very impressive looking sets up, always great to see back into the archives :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank, we thought it was the biz back then, but there is no comparison to the beautiful large games seen today.
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