(Big Game) Ramillies "The Allied Cavalry Close on the French Infantry" [Game 13] Post #15

Personally I would have burned those wretched fascines as they just gave the British Infantry Commanders the wrong impression the were to conduct an assault. In fact anything more than a long range musketry duel to draw the French Infantry Brigades "fire fire" helped the enemy. The elusive bonus of an extra "fire dice" if they changed their orders to 'defend the river-line' (as per the French) was too much of a temptation. Alas they were gradually sucked in (see below, the first line of British Infantry has been shot to pieces, trading blows at a rate of three back for every two landed. Not the best investment of blood): 

Meanwhile with the French Artillery position overrun, a beautiful flank attack on (my beautifully painted) French Line Infantry Brigade (see below, careful boys it has the French 'Combined Grenadier' stand attached): 

The angles are measured and the French can only make a derisory defensive musketry volley (see below, the big brigade can only "fire" with one stand but will fight the melee with all):

The Reserve British Cavalry charge in (see below: great things are expected - although this is unknown territory as I cannot remember an infantry/cavalry melee in any play test):

Meanwhile the outer arm of the Allied Cavalry Wing [paradoxically tipped with a regular line infantry unit] wheels to close the door (see below, in the top left the Bavarian Cuirassier Reserve see-saws back along its baseline, reversing the course it just went, to meet this "new threat"):

If the British Infantry were suffering down by the river then Allied Right Cavalry Wing found itself in a farcical position - within French musketry from regular Line Brigades and had to reverse tack, presenting many "condensed targets" to the French Artillery (see below, this perhaps was the moment when the French could have "seized the moment" and taken the initiative away from the Allies - however the French Commander was content to sit back and inflict casualties):

The "infantry v cavalry" melee unfolds. Shockingly despite "hitting in the flank" the cavalry are "out-gunned" their four dice versus seemingly many (see below, the outcome of this seemingly 'sound' move looks bleak):

The cavalry lose, but inflict two casualties and disorder the infantry, but receive three in return (50% casualties) fail a morale test and "rout" (see below, steady infantry seen too tough a nut to crack, but what about the now "disordered" infantry?):

A second line of cavalry are sent in to find out "the hard way". A bit like ancient Gauls charging teh Romans - if they get a first round break through "great" otherwise it becomes a sucking melee they are bound to lose):

This time because of their "disordered state" the French infantry's defensive volley is again poor and the Allied cavalry manage to 'charge home' (see below, all eyes turn to see how this is going to turn out as the Allies seem to be 'bleeding away their hard won cavalry advantage' on one [albeit beautifully painted and large] French Line Infantry Brigade - and the french still have plenty of these lying around the place):

Notice the mounted Dragoons that have moved up in support. They are considering reinforcing the second and subsequent rounds of combat. Another 'rule' not as yet used.