Peninsular 1810 - Battle of River Coa

 

Date: Weds 30th April

Table Size: 8x6

Context: Following the fall of Ciudad Rodrigo, the Light Division has been warned by Wellington that they should withdraw across the river Coa, so as to not get caught out by French forces. 

However, divisional commander Bob Craufurd has chosen to entirely disregard these orders and remain on the Eastern side of the river. Consequently, spotting an opportunity, Marshal Ney commits a sizeable force for an attack, whilst the overnight storm has turned the river a "boiling torrent" with the rocks and roads in a poor state.

Caught napping and vastly outnumbered, Craufurd has, for some reason, chosen to defend the bridge, before inevitably giving the reluctant order to retreat........

Battlefield Map:

Objectives - British: You must retreat from the field and cross the bridge to the South Eastern edge of the table.

Order of Battle - British:

CIC - Bob Craufurd 

Brigade 1 - 3 x British Light Infantry Battalion, 1 x Small 95th Rifles (2 stands), 1 x Portuguese Cacadores Battalion

Brigade 2 - 3 x British Light Infantry Battalion, 1 x Small 95th Rifles (2 stands), 1 x Portuguese Cacadores Battalion

Brigade 3 - 2 x Light Dragoons, 1 x KGL Hussars, 1 x Horse Artillery Cannon

Brigade 4 - 2 x British Light Infantry Batallions

Objectives - French: Take the fight to the British, cut off their retreat and capture the Light Division.

Order of Battle - French:

CIC - Marshal Ney

Brigade 1 - 6 x French Line Infantry Battalions

Brigade 2 - 4 x French Line Infantry Battalions

Brigade 3 - 4 x French Line Infantry Battalions

Brigade 4 - 4 x Cannons

Arrive Turn 2, Southeast of the Windmill

Brigade 5 - 4 x French Grenadier Battalions

Arrive Turn 4, North of the Windmill

Brigade 6 - 1 x Hussar Cavalry Regiment, 1 x Chasseur a Cheval Regiment

French Brigade 1 and 2 may advance deploy further onto the table, if they wish (see placement on map)

Scenario Rule:

Brigade commanders on each side may not give tactical advice, coaching or steer one another unless their brigade commander models are with 12" one another. Pre game chatter and planning all good, but either stay close or take independent command of your brigade. Own yr mistakes!

Hundred Days: Quatre Bras - Scenario

 

Date Weds 21st August 2024

Context: I think we all know this one, but......Napoleon, having escaped from Alba and needing to secure his return, advances to prevent the British and Prussian forces joining up, intending to defeat them in detail, first one, than the other. This with the intention of forcing a peace treaty from the wider alliance. 

Meanwhile, 99% of the Anglo-Dutch command is pissing it up at the Duchess of Richmonds ball. Consequently, word comes through of Napoleons faster than anticipated Northward advance, and the command promptly exits to meet the oncoming French force.

Ney is despatched to prevent Wellington from assisting Blucher, defeat him, then to turn and assault Bluchers flank. Ney arrives as Quatre Bras to find Dutch forces holding the crossroads, with Wellington arriving shortly thereafter and the main British forces advancing along the road.

Battlefield Map:

Objectives - Anglo Dutch: You must hold the main crossroads at all costs, allowing time to defeat the French and to move onwards to Bluchers assistance, if possible. The French must not be allowed to get between the two armies.

Order of Battle - Anglo Dutch:

Commander in Chief - Wellington 

1st Netherlands Division - 4 Line Infantry, 2 Militia, Jager Company, 3 Foot Artillery

2nd Netherlands Division - 2 Line Infantry, 1 Militia, 1 Foot Artillery

Arrive turn 2

British Guards Division - 2 Foot Guard

Arrive turn 3

British Highlanders Division - 4 Highland Line Infantry, 95th Rifles, 1 Foot Artillery

Light Cavalry Brigade - 1 Light Dragoon Regiment, 1 Hussar Regiment.

Arrive turn 4

Heavy Cavalry Brigade - 2 Scots Grey Regiments

Objectives - French: Concentrate the corps of Counts Reille and d’Erlon and that of Count Kellerman, who is just marching to join you. With these forces you must engage and destroy all enemy forces that present themselves

Order of Battle - French:

Commander in Chief - Ney

1st Line Division - 4 French Line Infantry, 1 Combined Voltiguer Battalion, 2 Foot Artillery

2nd Grenadier Division - 4 French Grenadier Battalions, 1 Foot Artillery

Brigade of Dragoons - 2 Dragoon Regiments

Arrive Turn 2

Light Cavalry Brigade - 2 Hussar Regiments

Heavy Cavalry Brigade - 1 Carabinier Regiment

Guard Cavalry - 1 Imperial Guard Chasseur a Cheval Regiment

Arrive Turn 3

2nd French Division - 4 French Line Infantry, 2 Foot Artillery

Peninsular 1809 - Talavera Battle Report

 Talavera. Its a big one! Without preamble, here we go.............

German division, ready to advance on the French left flank

French centre deploys

Cavalry massed around the hill on the right flank

Rear of the cavalry. This will not be the last time we see the rear of the French cav.

Anglo Portuguese deployments along the table.

We begin with a solid French infantry advance to the river

Half the cavalry advances, whilst the other sits mulling over thoughts of Madrid brothels.

Invariably, the French cavalry starts getting shot to shit.

More French line advances as the British hold firm in position.

The river crossing begins.

Massed British lines await.

French centre right.

On the French left, the German division makes a good showing of attacking the town.

Cavalry begins to engage

Now their coming! The forces begin arriving on the other bank

Germans forcefully take the town, with artillery in support.

Fight in the centre begins

More cavalry pours into the fight.

The town falls into French (well, German) hands.

The lines in the centre continue to engage, now the Cavalry has done their thing.

British cavalry reserve arrives and views the scene

Whilst the French reserves arrive.

More cavalry going into the centre, but those British lines are holding strong and in depth

Germans begin to consolidate and try to flank the central British units

Whilst the Portuguese attempt to hold them back.

One v painful French artillery battery causing problems.

Back to the central fight and its all on.

Heavy cavalry clash!

Neither side is giving way here.

V aggressive French commanders meeting solid defence lines though. 

And with that, it was nigh a draw. Very very close win to the French, perhaps, but all accounts a draw.

Phew.......big game, big armies and a lot happening!