Wavre - 18 June 1815
Historical Background
The Prussian army, battered but not destroyed after Ligny, had retreated north. Napoleon dispatched Marshal Grouchy with the III and IV Corps plus reserve cavalry to pursue. Grouchy’s pursuit, however, was slow, but in fairness, the III and IV Corps had suffered greatly at Ligny and needed time to regroup. During the morning of the 18th, the French heard the cannon fire from Waterloo, and both corps commanders implored Grouchy to march to Napoleon’s aid, but he declined, citing his orders. Grouchy caught up with what he presumed was the entire Prussian Army at Wavre at about 4 p.m. Sadly for the French, most of the Prussians had already left Wavre, marching to reinforce Wellington, and Grouchy faced only the smallest Prussian corps under Thielmann deployed along the Dyle River. Grouchy opened the battle with Vandamme’s and Gerard’s commands attempting to rush the bridges between the towns of Wavre and Limal with very limited success. As additional French troops arrived, Grouchy changed his tactics and had them cross the Dyle downriver where there was minimal resistance, effectively flanking the Prussians. Nightfall brought an end to the fighting. In the morning, news of Napoleon’s defeat reached both sides and Grouchy marched back to Paris.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Prussian Army
• Commander: Thielmann
• 5 Command Cards & 3 Iron Will Counters
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards
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| 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
French Army
• Commander: Grouchy
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Victory
8 Banners
Special Rules
• The French player gains 1 Temporary Victory banner for each French unit that occupies a bridge or is across the River Dyle at the start of the turn. As long as the French unit occupies a bridge or is across the River the Victory banner is retained (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)
• The Prussian player gains 1 Victory Banner for each Scout Command card he plays.
• The River Dyle is impassable except at the bridges.
