This is a battle that Andrew and I have played a number of times and each time with different figures, different terrain but with basically the same results..a Anglo/Spanish win. Fridays game was no different another loss for the French. However this time I had to borrow John’s beautifully painted Spanish as I have since sold my collection.
We keep or tried to keep the initial deployment zones and units much the same, but on sometimes you just have to make do with the forces available in the cupboard. The French forces deployed with 12 infantry battalion in line and one in skirmish formation, two batteries of artillery and four units of cavalry.
Spanish deployment involved eight line battalions and two in skirmish formation, two units of cavalry and one artillery battery.
And finally the British deployed three line battalions, one rifle, two batteries of artillery and three units of cavalry. Plus a Portuguese brigade of two line and one cacadore battalion. This left the French slightly out gunned and out numbered.
We use Andrew’s home grown rules (Fortune & Glory) which allowed for a enjoyable and easy flowing game. Figures were a healthy mix of Elite and Front Rank Miniatures.
In our game the French came on in the same old style (column) trying to push the Spanish from the ridge line before the could be re-enforced. This was not as easy as I thought. The two Spanish battalions deployed on the ridge line managed to tied down an entire French Brigade for about six turns. This forced me to deploy additional forces over to that flank of the battle line.
With the Spanish holding the ridge so successfully Andrew deployed his reserves onto my lined left flank and started to weak havoc. Battalions were forced in square, due to numerous cavalry regiments and they in turn came under heavy fire from the advancing British regiments. However I did just manage to hold on…but only just.
But in the end the Anglo-Spanish Army and my bad Generalship allowed for a Allied victory right on the last turn.
More reserves – A Portuguese Brigade (Elite Miniatures)
Two fine infantry battalions – Italian and Polish
Elite Miniatures march attack British
A fine view across the battlefield just before things started to go down hill for my French troops.
Vistula Lancer charge the Allied centre, breaking two artillery batteries and forcing the Portuguese back. Exhausted they soon fell pry to fresh units of Spanish cavalry.
Italian Artillery battery in support of the main French attack on the Spanish ridge line.
Nassau forming square (Elite Miniatures)
Vistula Lancers charging the guns.
Elite Miniatures French Horse Artillery
The only thing that save my flank from collapse was repeated charges from my two heavy cavalry regiments.
Some of John’s beautiful Spanish cavalry
Wow, wow, wow – jaw-dropping figures and terrain – as always! Thanks for the images, Dean
Eye-candy- there's so much of it that my eyes will get fat and die of a cardic infarct.
Thanks for sharing.
I have not played Napoleonics for some months now so we had to make it good one. Glad you liked the game.
Regards
Vinnie
Looks lovely. Spanish horses are especially fine.
A stunning looking game!
How big was the table you were using?
I am painting my first Naps now Napoleon at War in 18 mm. Looking at this report makes me wish I had one 28 mm 🙂
Happy gaming,
Allan
Stunning looking game!
Great looking game. Some lovely painting there.
I mean a serious WOW factor on those figures and terrain!!
Christopher
Those Spanish are lovely, really lovely; must not be tempted by Peninsular gaming…aaarrrrghh!
warpaintJJ