I said I'd look at putting together a scenario post for the fictional Battle of Nivelles. This is one of my favourite scenarios for the 1815 campaign, particularly for introducing new players to any ruleset or the period as it's relatively small and has each arm available.
The scenario itself is taken from the 1990's game, 'Fields of Glory' (no relation to the modern ruleset by Slitherine).
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| Fields of Glory - Screenshot from: http://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/17523-fields-of-glory-dos-screenshot-battle-of-waterloos.gif |
The game itself was centred around the Hundred Days Campaign and featured brigade and battery sized bases. Looking back, it was a bit clunky and counter battery fire was ridiculously effective but hey-ho, it started my love for the period at the tender age of 4.
Nivelles featured as the tutorial battle for the game and I've tried to recreate it as faithfully as possible below. I know it's a bit of a wall of text for you all, but it's a fun scenario. It combines the best elements of Waterloo with the manageability of a Corps level engagement; perfect for new players, or if you just want a quick game!
I hope you all enjoy it. I'll happily welcome any comments or criticism of the scenario!
The Scenario:
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| The Setup for the Battle |
All woods (dark green) are classified as light. All hills (brown areas) are classified as gentle slopes. Both armies should be deployed within long artillery range for your ruleset.
The battle should begin around 10AM if your ruleset accounts for time of day. Ground conditions should be average to good if your ruleset accounts for these.
Both Corps begin facing each other over the wide valley which contains the road to Nivelles. Ompteda's KGL brigade and the Hanoverians occupy the Allied right, with Halkett's 5th Brigade kept in reserve. Allied guns should be deployed along the ridge. The Dutch-Belgian 3rd Division and Cavalry Division hold the Allied left.
Gérard's IV Corps deploys along their ridge, either in masse or line, depending on the player's preference. IV Corps' cavalry deploy on the right in the open ground.
Allied Objectives:
- Prevent the French from capturing the Nivelles ridge.
- Prevent the French from capturing the town of Nivelles.
OR
French Objectives:
- Capture the Nivelles ridge, clearing the road to Waterloo and Brussels.
- Capture the town of Nivelles.
OR
- Rout the Anglo-Allied army from the field.
Anglo-Allied Briefing:
It is the 15th of June, 1815. Napoleon has entered Belgium and is marching on Brussels. You are William, Prince of Orange, in command of I Corps of the Anglo-Allied Army of the Low Countries. The majority of your force is made up of Dutch and Belgian troops, with the King's German Legion, Hanoverians and Halkett's 5th British Brigade also under your command. The British Guards, whilst nominally under your command have been kept in reserve by Wellington. Additionally, your 2nd Division commanded by Perponcher-Sedlnitsky has been ordered to hold the crossroads of Quatre Bras, should the French attempt to take that route to Brussels.
It seems that a small corps of French troops has attempted to outflank the Allied right and has taken the road to Nivelles, forming up on the opposite side of the valley. You appear to outnumber them slightly but the quality of your Dutch-Belgian contingent and the Hanoverian field battalions may be questionable.
You have deployed the experienced KGL Brigade directly to the front of the town, the Hanoverians to hold the road with Halkett's 5th Brigade in reserve. The 3rd Netherlands Division occupies the left of your line, with cavalry securing the extreme left in the open ground.
You cannot expect reinforcements either from the main Anglo-Allied army or from your men stationed at Quatre Bras as intelligence has reached you that an attack may be massing there.
Your objectives are to hold the Nivelles ridge or, failing in that, to secure and hold the town of Nivelles. At all costs the French cannot be permitted to outflank the Allied army. If they do, the results may be disastrous.
French Briefing:
It is the 15th of June, 1815. Napoleon has entered Belgium and is marching on Brussels. You are Comte Gérard in command of IV Corps of the French Armée du Nord. You have three good divisions of infantry and a mixed division of light and dragoon cavalry under your command.
Napoleon has ordered your corps to steal a flank march on the Allied army, surrounding them and meeting with Ney at Waterloo. Ney has been ordered to launch an attack on the crossroads of Quatre Bras, some miles to your east. You know you can expect no reinforcements but your troops are all of good quality.
Whilst marching on the road to Nivelles on the 14th of June picquets of the light cavalry reported an Allied corps directly to your front, holding the gentle ridge before the town. Through your telescope you can see a mixture of British and Dutch-Belgian troops. The Dutch-Belgians hold a central ridge behind some light woods and protect its flank with their cavalry. It appears that you may be slightly outnumbered by the enemy, but you might doubt the quality of the Belgians and Dutch.
You have deployed your infantry divisions along your ridge, opposite the enemy along with their guns. The opposite ridge is within range of your guns and any assaults can be supported easily by the artillery until they close. Your cavalry division controls your right flank and is placed to attack the Belgian cavalry opposite.
Your orders are to seize the Nivelles ridge and to take the town, driving the bouillabaisse force away and stealing a flank march on Wellington. If you do so, know that you will have secured glory for France and the defeat of these pestilent English will be almost complete.
