The second and final tabletop battle of our Belgium 1815 campaign. Following Napoleon's defeat of the Allies at Quatre Bras and Ligny, Wellington retired on Mont St. Jean along the road to Brussels with a Dutch division, his Reserve Corps, and the surviving half of Prussian II Corps. The majority of the French army followed close behind. Additional Allied and French units were drawn in; at the battle's height, each side mustered approximately 100,000 men. The contest at Mont St. Jean would decide the campaign. 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.

Begin First Session The battlefield viewed from the east. French at left, Allies at right.	And a view from the west. Allies to the left, French at right.	French left flank: II Corps.	French center: II Corps and the Imperial Guard.	French right flank: light Imperial Guard horse, II Corps cavalry component, and cuirassier heavy cavalry of IV Cavalry Corps.
Allied left flank: the survivors of Prussian II Corps.	Allied center: Wellington's Reserve Corps, including British heavy cavalry and a Hanoverian division. The town of Mont St. Jean (right), namesake of the battle, sits astride the road to Brussels.	Allied right flank: Dutch cavalry, Dutch infantry, Brunswick troops, and infantry of the Nassau division.	Elements of French I Corps approach the town of Braine l'Alleud, occupied by the Dutch and Nassau. Cannon fire is exchanged.	More of French I Corps advances towards the east-west road, roughly towards the town of Merbe Braine (just west of Mont St. Jean).
French I and II Corps move forward. The town full of British infantry is La Haye Sainte, one of many small tough nuts to crack.	French II Corps approaches the sunken road. Note Allied brigades deployed behind the road to take advantage of its defensive properties.	French heavy cavalry on the right flank begin a series of battles with their Prussian opposite numbers.	Elements of Prussian II Corps stand behind the sunken road. A couple of brazen artillery batteries are deployed forward to harass enemy cavalry approaching the fortress-town of Frischermont (top left).	Allied reserve troops--including these British heavy cavalry--hold a defensive line to the rear of the sunken road.
The Allied center-left deploys artillery and prepares to defend the town of Merbe Braine. These are men of Brunswick and Nassau.	A cavalry battle takes shape on the French far left flank.	French infantry assault Merbe Braine, battering their way in.	The fortress-town of La Haye Sainte is attacked from two sides. These Allied strongholds would have to be cleared in advance of the main attack toward Mont St. Jean.	Imperial Guard infantry move towards the French right from the center. Note Napoleon's command stand, at center-left.
Imperial Guard artillery moves eastward.	Prussian cavalry still fight the French on the Allied left flank, the French taking serious casualties before the enemy are whittled down to a minor threat.	Prussian troops, stiffened by British cavalry, begin to form a line to protect the Allied far left flank.	Cuirassier of III Cavalry Corps enter to join the conflagration on the French far right flank.	French heavy guns are deployed to barrage some Prussian hold-outs in the fortress-town of Frischermont (top right).
The little town of Papelotte (center) is crushed by Imperial Guard infantry in preparation for dealing with the sunken road position.	La Haye Saint is still holding out, but is feeling the pressure.	French I Corps has taken Merbe Braine (top center), and pushes forward on a wide front.	A quick lunch break. You'll be seeing more pizza boxes in upcoming photos as the battle continues into two more gaming sessions.	Allied cavalry hold the Allied far right flank.
French I Corps is feeling pressure, and forms up an impressive line of infantry and artillery to hold enemy cavalry at bay.	Hougoumont! This fortress-town was supposed to be by-passed, but it became a black hole for surrounding troops of French I Corps. The elite British brigade inside would hold out for hours, just as they did in history.	French-held Merbe Braine is now cut off from the main body of I Corps.	The French center moves up to the edge of the sunken road after having cleared La Haye Sainte.	Imperial Guard and regular line infantry of II Corps line up along the sunken road, just southeast of Mont St. Jean. The psychological pressure intensifies.
French cavalry of II Corps mass near the far eastern end of the sunken road to keep the Prussians honest.	The sweep of French heavy cavalry carries it ever closer to the Allied far left flank. Prussian horse are still putting up a token struggle.	The arc of the battlefield, viewed from the east, as our first gaming session draws to a close. The line of the sunken road is an obvious focal point.	We have completed our first session at Mont St. Jean. Everyone--well, almost everyone (see the dazed face of the man in the dark blue shirt)--looks fresh and full of vigor. This will change.	Begin Second Session We pick up where we left off. Napoleon, himself, at the top center of this photograph. The umpire, far left, watches with implacable impartiality.
French III Corps enters from the southeast.	French heavy cavalry maneuvers in front of Prussian artillery on the French far right flank. It's a long-range shooting gallery at this point.	A huge French artillery effort has wiped the Prussians in Frischermont off the fact of the planet. The damnable sunken road forces artillery to be used against any target available.	Imperial Guard and regular line infantry take positions alongside the sunken road. They face Hanoverians of dubious quality--ignore the Mexican and American flags!	Just south of Mont St. Jean, more French infantry of II Corps and the Imperial Guard line the sunken road. The British and Allies wait nervously. Where and when will they push forward?
French I Corps has recovered its balance, and begins a more forward trajectory. The Corps is still a bit too scattered to assist the defensive effort at Merbe Braine (top left).	The French defenders of the town of Merbe Braine are dwindling in numbers. The Allies try to force their way back in.	Elements of Hill's Corps bolster the Allied far right flank.	The mass of French cavalry begins to savage the Prussian sector. Elite British cavalry ride to meet them.	More Imperial Guard move up to complete the French coverage of the sunken road. Now it's just a matter of time before the dam bursts.
The French left flank resumes forward movement, and gains some heavy cavalry.	Merbe Braine is abandoned by both sides. Here the Brunswick and Nassau troops hold a defensive line at a discrete distance.	This photo displays the magnificence of the table and playing space. Chateau Foster City is prime real estate!	Crash! A big French push is made against the sunken road to the southeast of Mont St. Jean.	French cuirassiers press forward, intending to turn the Allied far left flank. But the Prussians and British will have non of that. Still, the defensive line of infantry salted with cannon gives ground.
The French are across the sunken road! Prussian infantry hastily form a refused flank, while British cavalry counter-attacks at close range.	French III Corps (left) is in position to race forward when needed.	French II Corps along with Imperial Guard continue to press the defenders beyond the sunken road.	A quick break to inhale sustenance. Then on with the virtual killing. Note the pirate with eye patch.	Elements of Wellington's Reserve Corps form a new defensive line southeast of Mont St. Jean.
The French make another push in the dead center with Imperial Guard. British elites are knocked back, but at a cost to the attackers.	French I Corps once again approaches Merbe Braine, but with cavarly in front.	The stand-off continues on the extreme French left.	French cavalry mask the arrival of a substantial artillery park. The Prussians still hold a tattered line across from them.	Allied units are redeployed in front of Mont St. Jean to stop any further enemy advance beyond the sunken road.
The French are eager to drive their artillery right up the Brussels road. Picton's division will not allow that.	French I Corps makes its move, pushing hard on the Allied right flank. Grouchy is back, and twice as nasty!	Now the proverbial excrement hits the fan. Infantry from three French corps--including the Guard--rush the unsteady remains of the Prussians and the Allied left flank.	French troops on the left gain the abandoned town of Braine l'Alleud. The cavalry go in with flashing sabers.	This photo illustrates the density of the battle. A view from the east.
French II Corps and Guard elements are repositioned to hit the sunken road again, hopefully to break the "joint" of the Allied defensive line.	Imperial Guard cavalry is thrown back, but there are now a couple of vulnerable Allied infantry squares at the front line.	And this is where we end the fighting for this session. The Allied line his holding all around Mont St. Jean.	The tranquility of this cake will be quickly shattered, much to our delight. Photos of the aftermath can be purchased from any number of food porn sites. Happy surfing!	The "honored dead." French at bottom, Allies at top. Losses for this day are heavy on both sides, but especially so for the French cavalry.
The whole gang has a sort of cake-digesting glow, don't you think? Or maybe it's the ceiling lights.	Begin Third Session We know today's session will determine the battle's outcome.	The west sector.	Center of the battlefield.	The east sector.
British elite cavalry somehow survive volley after volley of musket and cannon fire. But French blood is up.	French II Corps attacks with Imperial Guard to test the Allied second line near Mont St. Jean.	Picton's men still hold the Brussels road closed. Note General Picton in his signature black top hat (center right).	To the southwest of Mont St. Jean, French infantry wait for the signal to cross the sunken road.	Allied units holding a river line on the Allied far right flank.
French II Corps now occupying Braine l'Alleud.	French II Corps brings up its artillery to dominate the west of the battlefield.	Hougoumont is still wracked with musket fire! This won't end any time soon.	Waves of French cavalry bear down on the British horse covering the east.	Wellington's Reserve Corps has formed a tight, third defensive line. The ground trembles with the advance of the better part of three French corps!
The Brussels road is the scene of mayhem as Picton's blocking brigade is attacked.	The French also go over the top in the west, pushing hard to be the first to get to Mont St. Jean.	French guns of I Corps are in position and ready to cut down any Allied cavalry loitering.	Elements of Hill's Corps are making a strong stand to anchor the Allied right flank.	Here is the moment of truth: a flashflood of French barrels straight for Mont St. Jean. Holding the Allied line are perhaps four brigades.
Picton's men still hold back the surge on the Brussels road.	Southwest of Mont St. Jean, the French have well and truly cleared the sunken road.	French heavy cavalry trade saber cuts with Allied horse of the Allied right flank.	A bird's eye view from the east.	What's left of Prussian II Corps is holding a patch of woods to keep enemy cavalry from slipping behind Mont St. Jean.
French III Corps hits home with an absurd advantage in numbers. The French cavalry are just onlookers at this point, as are most of the artillery.	Southeast of Mont St. Jean, the flood of French washes over the defenders.	And to the southwest, the French attack is stopped in its tracks.	The gunners of I Corps watch their cavalry hit the Allies before they can get the guns.	On the Allied far right flank, French cavalry are held on the other side of the river. French pressure is everwhere.
Time for a quick prayer before we break for lunch.	The last supper of this battle. After the pizza is conquered we shall conclude the simulated hostilities.	Allied units fall back to defend the very environs of Mont St. Jean.	A confused back-and-forth continues to the southwest of Mont St. Jean.	In the west, the Allies fall back to more compact defensive positions closer to Mont St. Jean. The Allied line is thickest here.
What's this?! Some lead elements of Prussian IV Corps enters from the southeast. Blücher has arrived!	More Prussians enter from the east-southeast.	Although the French cavalry is not facing the Prussians, they are in a position to hold them off if they chose to.	French II and III Corps press home against the final Allied line adjacent to Mont St. Jean. A couple of Allied brigades are like small islands in a sea of blue.	The French continue to push down the Brussels road, but are met by a determined enemy. Note the stand-off between a British infantry brigade (center left) and a couple of French artillery batteries.
The fighting is still inconclusive in the southwest.	The French left flank fights its way towards the Allies on the hill.	The French far right flank. These are elements of Ney's command, freshly arrived.	A somewhat blurry shot, but you get the picture (pun intended). Vast Allied losses are at bottom, faced by perhaps 15 eliminated French stands. This is the swansong of Wellington's army.	Our game is over--as is the campaign. This photograph shows the final Allied defense of Mont St. Jean. The French have enough strength to the east of the town (at top right) to break through to the Brussels road. This would simultaneously unhinge the Allied defense and hinder their best path of retreat.
The final dispositions of the west sector.	The central sector as the game ends.	The east sector.	The end of a big game and an exciting campaign. We regret nothing!	We discuss and disect the battle before beginning the dismantling process. Claiming a moral victory is a time-honored sport in the wargaming business, second only to claiming an actual victory.