Battle of Ligny

The Battle of Ligny is a historical battle in Napoleon: Total War.

Description

The Battle of Ligny (16 June, 1815) effectively determined the outcome of Napoleon's 100 day return to power. Although victory was achieved here Blucher was allowed to escape, something which very soon proved to be a fatal mistake.

Narration

As a military man, I must be realistic about Leipzig. Disloyalty was worse: I was glad to go to Elba away from my self-seeking, mealy-mouthed, turncoat Marshals. But what is France without Napoleon? Now we march again, all France in arms! Ney will hold Wellington, and I will deal a blow to that old windbag Blücher!

Pre-Battle Text

June 16th, 1815. Blücher's forces have entrenched themselves in the towns along the Ligny stream. I have ordered Vandamme to take St. Amand and St. Amand La Haye on the left flank.

In the centre Gerard has been given the task of taking Ligny.

My right flank is protected by a strong contingent of cavalry. They are under orders to attack the Prussian left stationed around the town of Tongrinne.

I must be careful of Blücher's reserves, a strong mix of cavalry and infantry. He is an old fox.

Victory Text

My enemies retreat, then, away from their allies. This war will not last long. Let us hope there will be time for glory!

Defeat Text

So, one plan has failed! There are other plans, and other battles yet to fight. I will not yield to these Prussians or these British amateurs.

General Information

Singleplayer

Initial deployment. French forces are blue, Prussian forces are red.

Winning the Battle of Dresden is required for unlocking the Battle of Ligny. The French are attacking and the Prussians are defending. 

A majority of the Prussian forces begin the battle on or behind the hill in the center of the map, with some more Prussian troops in the village to the east. The French begin the battle south of their position. The Prussian artillery are deployed in gabionades and begin the battle with a good view of the French forces. The battlefield is dominated by bridges and buildings, giving many opportunities to fight at choke points. 

Both armies have a large number of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, though the Prussians have many more grenadiers and the French have the advantage of a strong light infantry arm. 

Winning the Battle of Ligny unlocks the Battle of Waterloo.

The Battle of Ligny is one of the battles available in the demo version of Napoleon: Total War.

Units

French Army

• Napoleon Bonaparte's General's Staff: 24 men, 5 experience
• 2x Chevau-Légers Lancers: 60 men each
• 2x Cuirassiers: 60 men each
• 2x Chasseurs à Cheval: 60 men each, 1 experience for one, no experience for the other
• 3x Chasseurs: 120 men each, 1 experience each
• 2x Fusiliers of Line: 160 men each, 1 experience for one, no experience for the other
• Fusiliers of Line: 120 men, 1 experience
• 2x Grenadiers of the Line: 120 men each, 3 experience for one, 2 experience for the other
• Young Guard: 160 men
• Old Guard: 160 men
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men each, 1 experience each
• 2x 6-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men each, 1 experience each

Prussian Army

• Gebhard von Blücher's General's Staff: 24 men, 3 experience
• 4x Dragoons: 60 men each, 3 experience for three, 2 experience for another
• Hussars: 60 men, 3 experience
• 6x Musketeers: 160 men each, 3 experience for five, 2 experience for another
• 6x Grenadiers: 120 men each, 3 experience for one, 2 experience for five
• 6-lber Horse Artillery: 24 men, 2 experience
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men, 4 experience

Multiplayer

Units

French Army

Player 1:

• Napoleon Bonaparte's General's Staff: 18 men, 5 experience
• 2x Chevau-Légers Lancers: 40 men each
• Cuirassiers: 40 men
• 2x Young Guard: 80 men each, 1 experience for one, no experience for the other
• 3x Old Guard: 80 men each, 1 experience for two, no experience for another
• 2x Fusiliers of Line: 80 men each, 3 experience each
• 2x Grenadiers of the Line: 60 men each, 3 experience each
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 24 men, 1 experience
• 5-In Howitzer: 24 men, 1 experience

Player 2:

• Dominique Vandamme's General's Staff: 18 men, 3 experience
• Dragoons: 40 men
• Cuirassiers: 40 men
• 6x Chasseurs: 60 men each, 1 experience each
• 2x Fusiliers of Line: 80 men each, 3 experience each
• 2x Grenadiers of the Line: 60 men each, 3 experience each
• 2x 5-In Howitzer: 24 men each, 1 experience each

Player 3:

• Étienne Maurice Gérard's General's Staff: 18 men, 3 experience
• 3x Chevau-Légers Lancers: 40 men each
• 2x Cuirassiers: 40 men each
• 2x Chasseurs à Cheval: 40 men each, 1 experience each
• Fusiliers of the Line: 60 men, 1 experience
• Fusiliers of the Line: 80 men, 3 experience
• 2x Grenadiers of the Line: 60 men each, 3 experience for 1, 2 experience for the other
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 24 men, 1 experience
• 5-In Howitzer: 24 men, 1 experience

Prussian Army

Player 1:

• Gebhard von Blücher's General's Staff: 18 men, 3 experience
• 3x Dragoons: 40 men each, 3 experience for two, 2 experience for the other
• 5x Musketeers: 80 men each, 3 experience for three, two experience for two
• 3x Grenadiers: 60 men each, 2 experience each
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men, 4 experience
• 6-lber Horse Artillery: 24 men, 2 experience

Player 2:

• Hans-Karl von Ziethen-II's General's Staff: 18 men, 3 experience
• 2x Hussars: 40 men each, 3 experience each
• 2x Dragoons: 40 men each, 3 experience each
• 5x Grenadiers: 60 men each, 3 experience each
• 3x Prussian Fusiliers: 80 men each, 2 experience each
• Musketeers: 80 men, 3 experience

Player 3:

• Johann von Thielmann's General's Staff: 18 men, 3 experience
• 3x Dragoons: 40 men each, 3 experience each
• 5x Musketeers: 80 men each, 3 experience each
• 3x Grenadiers: 60 men each, 2 experience each
• Prussian Fusiliers: 80 men, 2 experience
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men, 4 experience