(Big Game) Ramillies "Oh Fortuna" [Game 11] Post #13

The mass of Allied infantry is making its presence felt, trading heavy volleys and taking the French artillery with stoic fortitude. They advance three ranks to the defending French's two (see below, again as a cavalry commander I hope the infantry are not sucked into a disadvantageous combat, but appreciate the need to wear down the French first line):

The Bavarians were wanting a single crushing blow, but they got two rounds of sucking melee instead. The first round saw the Allied cavalry reduced to 50% but in turn they made two hits on the Bavarian Cuirassier. The Allied Cavalry additionally passed its morale and traded another hit before being defeated (see below):

The Bavarian victory could now well be fleeting as they are disorganised and vulnerable to counter charge (see below, off camera are the line of now reordered Allied cavalry [the originals as they call themselves]): 

Meanwhile French disorganised French cavalry cavalry seem to be slipping away despite the protestations of their Generals (see below, this is a heartening sight to the Allied cause):

Alas the French cavalry feel they have been bettered and wish "to live to fight another day" (see below, the key thing is for the Allied cavalry to bring pressure on the "last Bavarian/French cavalry" and then make the French Infantry feel "uncomfortable"):

Whereas by start contrast the Allied Dragoons stop their rout in the presence of formed friends and Generals (see below, a rout stops and the Allied reforming cavalry gain a little more depth):

Disordered troops can be formed back quickly (see below, more mounted Dragoons to worry a retreating enemies flank):

Again by contrast, the French Line cavalry seem to have a far harder time of trying to recover from routing. With no friends and Generals and under 50% the unit inevitably keeps running (see below, the French baseline is also to close for comfort): 

Once gone, these units cannot take any further part in the battle. Their use would have been very valuable to offset the formed Allied stragglers (see below, the Allies will happily advance against "empty space"):

As the battle stands on the 'Allied left flank'. The Allied troops from the hamlet disgorge to try and "make time" and  be of use of some sort in the final battle for Ramillies. There are but two "stands" of French cavalry on their flank, one of which is a perfect "charge" target, the other may try to cause mischief but is good but for one combat. The Bavarian force looks strong but will be cancelled out versus British/Allied reserve in future combat (see below, the French hand looks very weak and the Bavarian looks eventually forlorn):

The British Infantry in their three deep lines look very imposing, though personally I have little faith in the 'fascines' bridging the marsh. It looks like a bloody volley of musketry will carry the day (see below, I still think nought but a bloody draw can be effected here and wonder if Marlborough would have "made the call to attack or braver still hang back"): 

Holes are being torn in the ranks of the defender. A crossing may be effected but I see no merit in assaulting a heavily defended town or hamlet that has not been first reduced by long and heavy bombardment (see below, my hope is that the British clear the French away from the banks of the marshy river and pin the French Infantry in their "18th Century Maginot Line"):

The Allied far right has prospered relatively by "out fire-fighting" their French Dragoon counterparts opposite them (three brigades have been removed which is no mean achievement). However any crossing of the river here is fraught with danger. The small bridge (off camera to the right) is passable only in column and the French have cavalry waiting for any foolish souls to attempt that. Likewise a disorganised infantry crossing would fall foul of the same French cavalry (see below, here seems a place where men could be "thrown away for nought to be gained"): 

I sense that there is a turn or two more of interest in the cavalry action on the Allied left near Ramillies. Then Ramillies itself will become the "eye of the storm" to decide matters.