Date: Weds 1st November 2023
Table Size: 8x6
Context: June 1808. The British government has received word of the Spanish uprising against the French, which they use as an excuse to send an expeditionary force to Portugal, thereby supporting their long standing allies. The mission was to expel the French Army, under the command of General Junot, from Portugal.
This initial British force would be under the command of a young general who had made his reputation in India: Sir Arthur Wellesley.
The first British troops landed at Mondego Bay on 1 August 1808, and 4 days later had 13,000 troops ashore. This British was reinforced with 2,000 Portuguese troops, who were placed under the command of a British Officer. Once the organisation was complete, the Anglo Portuguese force begins its march on Lisbon.
The French commander in Portugal, General Junot, has received word of the British landing and sent General Delaborde to observe and, if the situation arises, attempt to contain the British force until Junot has concentrated his whole field army into a position ready to fight.
Delaborde advances to Alcobaça, but could not find a suitable defensive position, so he withdraws to Roliça.
The French army has been deployed on a low hill, where they await the larger British forces to attack.
Battlefield Map:
Objectives - British: You are to advance up the slopes and break through the French lines, taking control of the higher ground. Consideration should be given to the potential for a French reserve brigade arriving as relief.
Order of Battle - British:
CIC - Arthur Wellesley
Hills Brigade - 3 x Line Infantry Battalions, 1 x Howitzer
Fanes Brigade - 2 x Line Infantry Battalions, 1 x 95th Rifles (tiny), 1 x Light Dragoons, 1 x Cannon
Nightingales Brigade - 2 x Line Infantry Battalions
Craufurds Brigade - 2 x Light Infantry Battalions, 1 x Cacadores Batalion, 1 x 95th Rifles (tiny)
Objectives - French: Although outnumbered, you are hold the commanding heights of the field for the duration of the battle and prevent the British advance. Word has been sent to Loison, but you do not know whether his division will arrive in time or not.
Order of Battle - French:
CIC - Henri Delaborde
Avrils Brigade - 3 x Line Infantry Battalions, 1 Cannon
Brenniers Brigade - 3 x Line Infantry Battalions, 1 Cannon
26th Chasseurs a Cheval - 2 x Light Cavalry regiments
Loison - Brigade strength unknown
Deployments: The French may deploy on the hill or in the surrounding rocky areas in the Southern part of the table. The British deploy on the Northern table edge. Craufurds brigade is held in reserve.
The British take the first turn.
Scenario Special Rules:
The British may use attack column formation for this scenario.
Any units advancing up the heights, designated by the on table terrain, move at half speed and have -1 attack dice in close combat
When a British unit advances to the beginning of the heights, it rolls a D6. On a 4+ it makes one move directly forward at full speed as an impetuous move to begin advancing up the gullies.
The heights provide an excellent defensive position. Any French unit holding the hills gains +1 morale in addition to any other modifiers (.e.g, from attack column formation) and +1 to their combat resolution result.
All cavalry moving two moves or more during a single advance must roll for disorder, due to the uneven ground.
