"Jeromes 6th Division at Quatre Bras" Topic

I am commencing my re fight of Quatre Bras but my research us, as usual, full of contradictions.

Franklin states that the 6th Division arrived at 4PM whilst Field states 3PM.

A Lt. Purvis states his unit, 93rd Line moved off as Jeromes Division deployed at 3PM.

Robinsons book is ok for the Allied units but just mentions 'units of French infantry 'etc.

To March from Frasnes to QB would take at a good rate of 4 MPH at least an hour in my opinion so 3PM is possible.

I wish to remodel the 'encounter' nature of the battle and anything specific would be useful.

Thank you in Advance.

Chris

I have recently come across this web site and it appears to be full of information regarding units disposition at Quatre Bras and Waterloo. My interest was in the Allied deployment so I haven't checked the French but I think it worth a look;

link

I hope that this helps.

Thank you Steve, most useful.

I had forgotten to look here as this file is stacked with lots of others as part of my research.

Once again 3PM is mentioned. I think this ties in with the distance to march to starting to deploy.

Talk about the 'fog of war'.

Best wishes,

Chris

Why not randomize it between the two. Depending on your turn length having any reinforcement arrive a turn early or late (or on time) would add quite a bit of tension to the thing as on site commanders wonder "Where the … is So-and-so. He should pull his finger out"

Exact times are the most difficult things to pin down as everybody's timestamps are suspect.

Bob

Thank you Bob.

There will be a variable element as you suggest to all troop arrival on the table times but I want to establish the historical time frame first.

Then the variable will be how long after the historical time the unit is allowed to enter the fray. This will create the uncertainty you suggest.

When I started the research for constructing the buildings the amount of contradictory evidence was crazy. This latest probliem I suppose is to be expected.

Best wishes,

Chris

It is bewildering isn't it. The Duke speaking of battle being like a ball was, as usual, insightful.

Chris, you might want to consider the length of the division during it's approach march. It is feasible for the lead elements to arrive a good hour before the artillery and the full division is deployed.

Even in "marche dear guerre" a division will stretch out considerably.

Thanks Mike.

Yes this is a major consideration as the units need time to deploy into line of battle so to speak.

The Allied units have the same problem as they arrive from Nivelles or Genappe.

Best wishes,

Chris