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Shortly thereafter, the other French divisons that had withdrawn from Rolica joined with the main French force.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.