Peninsular 1808 - Vimeiro

 

Date: Weds 29th November 2023

Table Size: 8x6

Context: August 1808. The question after Rolica was "where were you, Loison?" The British had been in a rush to take the victory before he arrived, but although he had heard the guns, he decided not march and meet them. Instead he marched away South to meet with Junot. 

Shortly thereafter, the other French divisons that had withdrawn from Rolica joined with the main French force. As a result of this intelligence, Junot gave orders for more French reinforcements to be brought up, in anticipation of the coming battle.

The British, as they advance on Lisbon, are suffering from a lack of intelligence coming into camp, leaving them sorely unaware of enemy positions. Wellesley knows it is only a matter of time before the French attack. However, he does receive news that more troops have disembarked and gives orders for them to advance, whilst the existing British forces move to cover their manoeuvres.

Junot, for some reason, thinks that it is supplies being brought up, rather than British troops and gives the order to march out and give battle. This, in spite of the terrain favouring the British infantry.

A complication arrives for Wellesley, in the form of superior officers arriving and refusing to countenance the plans that have been laid out........

Battlefield Map:

Objectives - British: You are to hold the line and repulse the French attack. Doing so will allow you to properly establish a line of march on Lisbon and begin the liberation of Portugal.

Order of Battle - British: 

CIC - Wellesley

Brigade 1 (Ferguson) 3 Line Infantry. 1 Royal Artillery howitzer.

Brigade 2 (Nightingall) 2 Highlanders.

Brigade 3 (Craufurd) 2 Light Infantry, 1 Cacadores, 1 95th Rifles

Brigade 4 (Trant) 2 Portuguese Line Infantry, 1 Cacadores

Brigade 5 (Hill) - 3 Line Infantry

Brigade 6 (Fane) - 2 Line Infantry, 1 95th Rifles, 1 Royal Artillery cannon

Brigade 7 (Anstruther) - 3 Line Infantry, 1 Royal Artillery cannon

Brigade 8 (Taylor) - 2 Light Dragoons

Objectives - French: Supremely confident.........you are the French Grande Armee!......you will advance on this minor army from a minor nation and drive them back into the sea. 

Taking the Vimeiro road will allow you command of this area and prevent any further movement by the British in this region and onto Lisbon.

Order of Battle - French: 

CIC - Junot

Brigade 1 (Thomieres) - 3 Line Infantry, 1 Foot cannon

Brigade 2 (Charlot) - 2 Line Infantry

Brigade 3 (Foy) - 3 Cannon

Brigade 4 (Kellerman) - 4 Battalion Grenadiers

Brigade 5 (Margaron divison) - 2 Regiments Chasseurs a Cheval

Brigade 6 (Margaron divison) - 2 Regiments Dragoons

Brigade 7 (Solignac) - 3 Line Infantry, 1 Foot howitzer

Brigade 8 (St Clair) - 2 Line Infantry

Brigade 9 (Brennier) - 3 Line Infantry

Deployments:  

British deploy along the Western table edge and to the South of Vimeiro (they may deploy in the town). 

British brigades 4, 5 and 8 are held in reserve off table. They become available from turn 4. Brigade 4 (Portuguese) must arrive from a point on the Eastern edge. Brigades 4 and 8 arrive from the South West.

French deploy on the Southern and Western sides of the table (L shaped deployment zone)

Brigades 4, 5 and 8 are held in reserve off table. They become available from turn 2. They must arrive from a point on the Southern table edge.

Peninsular 1808 - Rolica - Battle Report

 So! The opening of the Peninsular War, relatively small scale fight, nicely set for a warm up. Rolica here we go.......

Scenario is here: https://themosquitoonthetenthfloor.blogspot.com/2023/10/peninsular-1808-rolica.html

Initial deployment sees the French take a deep defensive line, way out in front of the hills, whilst the British begin moving up in column formations

Just look at that depth of defence from the French. Bold move, Jacques. British commanders body language states "uncertain"

French cavalry sitting back, waiting for a gap in the line

British advance begins, although that terrain is hampering clean lines from being formed.

Wellington attempting to get the central brigade encouraged up the field

Cannon unlimbers to begin softening those French chappies up, if they sit in column.

Nicely lovely lines formed on the right British flank. Someones been shot though......

British centre advancing through the central terrain.

Rifles go in, as the lines begin exchanging fire along the entire French front.

Rifles promptly go out again, to their indignity.

British central brigade begins forming the central attack, whilst the right flank tries to sweep through.

French cavalry advances up in support of the line and to threaten any redcoats who get too brave.

The Light Division arrives, having ran up the table at top speed. Seriously! These fellows rolled consistent twos and threes for their brigade orders and overtook almost everyone, in spite of arriving a full three turns after everyone else! That cannon is going to cause some issues though...........

In the distance, French begin retreating back onto the hills in good order.

Some plucky Cacadores attempt to engage with the French as they pull back, but find themselves somewhat outclassed and in trouble.

Now up on the hills on both sides, French commanders watch the firefight take place. It seems as though the British are getting bogged down, but rather close......

Consequently, British cavalry attempts to force a path and goes headlong into the French cavalry, causing a gap to appear in the centre.

Eventually......numbers, lack of space to retreat and sustained casualties force the French to retreat from the field. Not in disgrace, but with the knowledge that they had held the British at bay very well, even if the final result was a defeat.

A very minor defeat mind!

Played out very well. Terrain was troublesome, the French were constantly pulling out of fights the British had lined up, the pressure of the clock was telling on the British and they only just made it, but make it to those hills, they did! Just not in enough of a condition to harry the retreat.

Rolica'ing good fun, you could say.