Dramatic events at La Haye Sainte during the epic Battle of Waterloo in 1815. This large walled farmhouse, surrounded by sprawling fields, became a critical defensive position as the Allied forces clashed with Napoleon's troops. Incorporating La Haye Sainte into your wargame scenario not only adds an iconic location but also opens up a world of strategic possibilities.

 

In your game, players can take on the roles of British infantry defending this fortified position against waves of French assaults. The farmhouse and its outbuildings serve as a natural stronghold, providing cover and a strategic vantage point. Players might need to set up barricades, utilize the upper floors for sniping, and manage limited supplies, creating an atmosphere of tension and urgency.

 

As the battle unfolds, the French forces could launch various tactics to breach the walls of La Haye Sainte. This could include artillery bombardments, cavalry charges, and infantry assaults, all of which can be simulated using different mechanics in your game. The defensive players might have to decide when to hold their ground or when to retreat to avoid being overrun, making for a dynamic experience that mirrors the chaos of the real battle.

Wellington ordered the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion of the King's German Legion, commanded by Major Georg Baring, to garrison La Haye Sainte the evening before the battle.

 

 There were repeated attacks during the day and the valiant British troops managed to hold for a while.  

 

At 18:00 Marshal Ney, heavily supported by artillery and some cavalry, took personal command of an infantry regiment (13th Legere) and a company of engineers and captured La Haye Sainte with a furious assault. "The light battalion of the German Legion, which occupied it, had expended all its ammunition" and had to retreat.

 Allied forces were unable to counterattack immediately as they were in squares over the ridge. The French brought up guns to fire from its cover however British riflemen of the 1/95 in the "sand pit" to the east of the farm picked off all the gunners, so the guns were ineffective.

  

These soldiers fiercely defended the position against repeated assaults from Napoleon's columns, which aimed to break through the Allied line. Despite the valiant efforts of Wellington's troops, the French forces eventually captured La Haye Sainte, which contributed to the overall tumult of the battle.  

 

 

Both Napoleon and Wellington made crucial mistakes about La Haye Sainte as it was fought over and around during most of the day. Napoleon failed to allocate enough forces to take the farm earlier in the day while Wellington only realized the strategic value of the position when it was almost too late.

  

Ultimately, featuring La Haye Sainte in your wargame immerses players in a pivotal moment of history, allowing them to relive the fierce combat that defined the Battle of Waterloo.