After painting them you have to play with them: Peninsular Battle Report. Part 2.

 The battle is turning out to be a proper ding-dong affair. Last week the French got most initiative and this week the British get more than their fair share. 

On the French right my attack was quickly stopped by British musketry and canister fire laid in by 7th Division under Graham's command. This shot showing my high water mark. 

The French continued with their attack in the centre. Peter's divisions gallantly going forward into a hail of musket balls laid in by British opposition from both Graham and Mark. 

But, it all looked like it was going well for the French: Mark and Graham were definitely feeling the heat. The British were about to crack.

So much French weight was being brought on the thin line of British that it looked like it might collapse at any moment.

Then suddenly, as often happens in Piquet style games, the initiative swung and the cards fell kindly for the British. 

In a twinkling of an eye, Peter's best division went from healthy to shaken and began to make a tactical withdrawal. The fight would have to be continued by his reserve division which was quickly approaching the  shallow tributary stream.

Peter's attack had stalled but, this shot shows quite a few 'shaken' and casualty markers on the British side indicating just how shaky the British position had become. Soooo close, Peter!

But Peter hasn't quite finished: The columns of his reserve division (top left) are being thrown into the cauldron.

On the right, I decided to switch the focus of my own attack towards the centre by deftly (if I say so myself) moving my cavalry on two, almost consecutive, cavalry move cards.

On the British right things proceeded as they had the week before with a to and fro battle btween Mark and Peter but without little to change the overall situation there (sorry no pics). However, this might well be about to change. Mark's reserve division is 'coming on line'.

It's all very nip and tuck and I'm very much looking forward to this Wednesday night's gaming.