A Sharp Engagement at Apoderada

Another run out with Soldiers of Napoleon was on the cards for this week's game between Phil and me here in GHQ. Rather than rerun a Wars of the French Revolution game I opted to see if I could proxy a British army for the 'Peninsular War'. The French of course would have to be from my Wars of the French Revolution collection, but the British I assembled from the Pendawar, War of 1812-15, and Wars of the French Revolution collections. The French mustered four brigades: two of infantry with accompanying 12lb and 8lb gun batteries; a Light Cavalry brigade of Chasseurs and Hussards; a Heavy Cavalry brigade of Dragoons. The British mustered four full strength Brigades and one half strength: three of infantry, two accompanied by 9lb Foot Artillery batteries; a Light Cavalry brigade of Light Dragoons; a Heavy Cavalry brigade of three regiments. As we are still at the learning stage - well we are both the wrong side of 21 - we are more interested in the mechanics and card nuances than a result but I can reveal that we actually did play this through to a proper conclusion in the time we had to play, a first after four games! As is usual now, an annotated photomontage to hopefully give the loyal readers a sense of how the battle unfolded ~

The French left hand infantry brigade advanced screened by Light Infantry and accompanied by  battery of 8lb guns - ignore the howitzer model and imagine the flags please!

The French right hand infantry brigade advanced more slowly, as its fellow screened by Light Infantry and accompanied by a battery of 12lb guns. The Dragoons are held at the rear for now at least.

The French HQ is a hive of activity!

The British have concentrated all their cavalry on their right flank, the Light Dragoons in advance of the Heavy Cavalry. The centre and left are held by the regular sized infantry brigades, with the half strength brigade held in reserve for now.

The British advance their centre throwing out a skirmish screen from the Light Companies. On the left the 95th advance in Extended Line while the rest of the brigade holds its position.

The Light cavalry clash to open the action. Both Light Dragoons and Chasseurs are Disordered by the combat but the French are thrown back.

Despite Disorder the Light Dragoons renew the charge against the Chasseurs...

...who are destroyed! First Victory Points to the British! Hurrah etc!!!

The 2nd Hussards renew the fight for the French, charging the Disordered Light Dragoons. Despite the Disorder the Hussards are thrown back too. Perhaps the Heavies will not be needed on this flank?

Ominously though the French infantry begin to fire, inflicting Disruption on the Light Dragoons and the infantry. In response the leading British regiment is looking for a barn door it might hit!

Losses causing Disruption seem to have broken the nerve of the British commander in the centre as his advance halts.

Meanwhile on the right the gallant Light Dragoons are Broken, their 13 points of Disruption defying any point in Rallying. British losses are beginning to tell and Victory Points building for the French.

French musketry and artillery fire are proving decisive in swinging the outcome their way. 

Finally the French exceed the required Victory Points, by some margin I have to say, as the British faced a combination of poor card choices and even poorer Dice score when failing several consecutive Rally tests!

There will be another 'Peninsular War' run out on the 30th with Paul, all being well, when we shall have some of his pukka French figures on show! Oh, and of course he will take the pictures!