Our club embarked on a refight of the Belgium 1815 campaign. Historically, on June 14, 2011, French forces under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte crossed the French frontier to invade Belgium. He aimed to defeat an Anglo-Allied army commanded by the Duke of Wellington and a Prussian force under Blücher. In our campaign, Napoleon and Grouchy met and outflanked Prussian I Corps at Charleroi; the result was the destruction of a Prussian corps by the end of the first day. On June 15, half the French army under Grouchy converged on Quatre Bras, while Napoleon attacked Ligny with III Corps, the Reserve Cavalry, and the Imperial Guard. Elements of two Prussian corps were intercepted on the Ligny-Quatre Bras road, while Dutch troops defended Quatre Bras. Scroll down for a photographic essay showing the result. The game was fought by the Gourmet Wargaming Club with 25mm figures, using the Age of Eagles rule set, at Chateau Foster City.

The battlefield seen from the east. Ligny is the town farthest to the left (south) in this photo, with a ruined church. The French have not entered yet. Elements of Prussian II Corps occupy the board, and III Corps enters at lower right.	And a view from the west, showing 3rd Dutch Division holding Quatre Bras (bottom left) and elements of Prussian II Corps marching west on the road from Ligny to support them. French II Corps has entered from the south (right).	French III Corps enters from the south, next to Ligny (top).	Prussian infantry rush to occupy the town of Boignée, to the north of the advancing enemy.	French IV Cavalry Corps enters south of Ligny, and prepares to ride past Prussian positions parallel to the road to Brussels.
Elements of Prussian II Corps on the road to Brussels.	Prussian cavalry and infantry form up near Quatre Bras.	The farthest point of the Allied right flank. Dutch units deploy in and in front of Quatre Bras.	A doughty Prussian cavalry brigade slams into the French opposite Quatre Bras. Despite the alarming casualties at they suffered at the outset, this would be the first of many wearing attacks by these riders.	French III Cavalry Corps enters from the south. This is the farthest point in the French right flank. The Prussian infantry in front of them must feel a growing sense of dread.
French III Corps moves on from the south, encountering Prussian resistance at Boignée	Ligne is stongly held, and the French seem intent on isolating and bypassing it.	French II Corps forms a defensive front to deal with the marauding enemy cavalry. Note the fight developing in the woods to their right.	In the east, French III Cavalry Corps perpares to strike at the Prussians forming a hasty defense behind the Ligny River.	This view from behind Prussian lines shows the imposing mass of French III Corps. Prussian heavy cavalry intend to keep the French honest.
Ligny begins to prove to be a thorn in the side of the French advance. A Prussian brigade sallies forth to teach the enemy not to cover his advance.	In the west, Prussian infantry make a strong push into the woods to the east of French II Corps.	But wait: on the French far left flank, a new force has arrived. I Corps slogs through woods to theaten Quatre Bras.	In the east, French cavarly ford the Ligny River and crash into the enemy line.	And the river is breached at a second point by III Corps, pushing Prussians before it.
Elements of French IV Cavalry Corps keep a discrete distance from the enemy occuping the town of Bry as they make their way west to cut the Brussels Road.	In the west, more French troops enter the battlefield on the far left.	French cavalry cross the Ligny River. Prussian infantry move to form a second line before the horses can catch their breath.	More garrison troops from Ligny (left) rush from the protection of the town to take advantage of a French brigade in square formation. The French had just driven off a swift attack by the enemy cavalry near the bridge.	Meanwhile, the rest of French III Corps pushes well across the Ligny River, outnumbering the defenders at this position.
The Guard! The Emperor has released his elite infantry to deal with the hold-outs at the Ligny River.	At Quatre Bras, French infantry continues to push through the woods right to the open ground in front of the town. They are contested the whole way.	Southeast of Quatre Bras, French infantry and cavalry slip into the woods to deal with the Prussians.	In the east, elements of French III Corps are pushing dangerously close to the Brussels Road. The enemy cannot recover quickly enough to stop these veterans.	And French III Cavalry Corps continues their drive to the Brussels Road. The Prussian artillery commanders on the road see an uncertain future.
Not gourmet; sometimes war forces us to make appropriate compromises. The general officers take their meal as their tiny, metal subordinates feel the pain.	And we devour this delicious cake a little later in the afternoon. War without cake is like playing a game without moving cheatingly: it can be done, but with a good deal less satisfaction.	Lord Wellington arrives in Quatre Bras! An already-stiff Allied defense just got a little stiffer.	The French left flank is held in check by timely Anglo-Dutch counter-attacks.	Smells like victory! French forces batter their way to the Brussels Road, dislocating and dispersing the Prussian left flank. Note fleeing artillery at top right.
French horse continue their move northwestward to envelope the Prussian left and take the center of the battlefield.	Elements of French II Corps fights through the woods to try to add to the pressure in the center.	French II Corps continues to feel the sting of Prussian arms. The French left flank is not making headway.	Quatre Bras is fully occupied by the Allies, who prepare themselves for a withdrawal in the face of the inevitable French assault from the woods.	Elements of Prussian II Corps still hold Ligny, but find themselves prone to isolation as the Prussian left wing collapses.
Imperial Guard cavalry watch Ligny with steely eyes. Yes, perhaps an Allied withdrawal is not a bad idea.	In the east, Remnants of Prussian II Corps attempt to coalesce enough to keep a retreat from becoming a rout. Note the giant fists of Napoleon, himself, dug into the southern edge of the battlefield.	The battle ends with a moment of reflection. That is, this Prussian commander reflects that it would be good to play on the French side from this point forward... The Allies retreat northward after the French victory in the vicinity of Ligny.	We inhabit a gaming space fit for royalty. Only the best for us, the colossal generals.