The Battle of Blenheim

Gamed At Enfilade Wargame Convention
May 2004

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Captain General John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough.
Prince François  Eugène of Savoy 
Camille d'Hostun de la Baume, Duc de Tallard, Marshall of France
Prince Maximilian II Emanuel Wittelsbach
Elector of Bavaria
 Unfortunately, not long after the game was held, I suffered a computer crash and many of the photographs I had uploaded to the computer were lost. Some were still on the original flash card and have been recovered. Some of those lost were of Eugene's action on the allied right.
This gives a view of the whole table from the Danube end of the battle field. The table was 36' long including the 3' end piece we used for cards, rulers, rules sets etc. There were about 30 players at the game who were split fairly evenly between the two sides.

In the foreground left you can see an additional table behind Blindheim. This was the starting point for the French infantry reserve, and it was removed as the reserve entered the main table area.

There was a similar table at the far end for the town of Lutzingen, which was to be added should the allies push the Bavarians back that far.

The villages were to be the scene of some intense engagement as they were in the actual battle.

Here is a view of Oberglauheim in the center surrounded by the stubble of the recently harvested grain fields. The brigade on the small rise behind and right of Oberglauheim is headed by the Irish Brigade.

Just across the Nabel brook can be seen the head of the allied brigade under Holstein-Beck, preparing to cross.

On the allied extreme left, the 20 battalion strong assault column under Lord Cutts prepares to advance on Blindheim village, while sappers prepare causeways across the marshy ground of the brook which has split into two streams at this point.

In the far ground, behind prepared defenses, the regiments of Greder Allemand and Navarre prepare to receive their assault.

In the very background to the right of the village, the French reserve can be seen

This is the allied center between Unterglau and Weilheil farm.

Stretched across the front is the allied infantry screening two lines of allied horse. The rear is brought up by another line of infatnry.

The individul stands near the table edge show the markers that we use to mark certain events that effect units, such as casualties, states of disorder etc.
 

The action begins. As in history, the allies begin an advance across their entire front, with the assault of Cutts' column against the village of Blindheim (Blenheim) being the focus of attention on the allied left.

This assault comprises four lines of five battalions each, supported by a preparatory bombardments from the allied artillery train to their right. 

The defending French battalions are spread across the front of the villlage behind hastily prepareed defenses.

The gap between the Danube and the village is filled by a wall of turned over wagons which provides cover for two lines of dismounted dragoons, used as infantry as their horses have succumbed to disease.

In this image, the first battalion of the regiment Navarre can be seen on the right of the French first line, within the village. 

Despite fire from the French 8 pounders deployed in front of the village, Cutts' column brings its assault home and the French artillery withdraws into the village.

For several hours, this assault hit the village over and again to be checked each time. The French reinforced the village with their third line, but they did not bring in their main reserve as was done in history. In this game, the main reserve was brought out to the center to support the desperate struggle there.

A similar story was played out in the center.

Here Holstein-Beck's brigade threw themselves againts the village of Oberglauheim. This brigade took many casualties and was eventual beaten back.

In the center, the allied cavalry crossed and managed to eventual push back or defeat most of the French cavalry, but the fight was so hard fought, the allied cavalry were in little position to exploit their success.

The arrival of the French reserve in the center brought the allied assault to a standstill.

Meanwhile, on the allied right, a similar story of deadlock across the front was played out. The Prussians and allied cavalry heavily engaged the French and Bavarians and slowly pushed them back but did not break them.

Here the Danish infantry on the extreme right push back the French in the woods.

Many of my photos of the right flank actions were lost but I am looking for copies from others.

The entire front is engaged. Across the entire 4 mile battle field, nearly every brigade is engaged with the enemy during this pause in the game.

This view gives some idea of the wonderful spectacle of some 3,600 figures used in the game.

Many thanks to the many people and wonderful gamers who made this all possible.

Blenheim_2004

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Copyright 1997 - 2005 Ian Croxall
Salem, Oregon. USA

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