Bataille Empire - Game Report 6

1810 British vs French in the Peninsula

For this game, again played via Zoom, we decided to move away from the Danube and travel south to warmer climes. The orbats we both selected were based loosely on Bussaco and Fuentes D’Onoro.

Initial Forces – 200pts (ish)

The scenario was deemed to be a Battle

My French Force was loosely based on Ney’s 6^th Corps. In this he two infantry divisions each with 4 regiments (1 light and 3 line) and a 6lb Foot Battery. One of the line regiments was Swiss. In support was a Light Cavalry Division of two Chasseurs a Cheval Regiments. In reserve was a regiment of converged grenadiers.

Dave’s British Force was much more varied and is shown below:

Initial Set Up

The battlefield was interesting. Both hills are difficult but with no cover. The village in the centre of the table is hard cover, while the other village was light cover. Both hills and the village were on the centre line of the table! Both sides chose the main hill to the left of the village as objectives, and each chose the village closest to them as their other objective. As usual the communications lines were the final objectives chosen. As can be seen these rather dictated the way the battle was likely to play out.

Game Turn 1

The British were all on Manoeuvre Orders while the French Infantry Divisions were on Attack orders with the Cavalry on engage orders.

Using their manoeuvre orders to the best effect the British were able to secure their initial objectives. The French right Infantry Division launched its columns to attack the hill, while the weakest regiment was sent to Garrison the village on the French right.

In the centre the French left Infantry Division tried to shock the village and bounced of the skirmishers defending it and the large British Brigade.

The Cavalry are screening the French left flank.

Game Turn 2

With the British left Infantry Division securing the hill in reverse slope positions it has now reverted to Hold orders. Wellington tried to change the orders of the British centre Infantry Division and the Cavalry Division, but the orders failed to arrive!

Despite the orders snafu the British Artillery has caused issues for the French Cavalry with the supporting second line of French cavalry suffering badly from ricochets and was forced back in disorder. At the same time the second wave of columns against the village also bounced off. There was more success against the hill with a French Column throwing back the skirmishers who stood to receive in difficult terrain, only to suffer from the fire from the British brigades in line.

The French went in, in the same old style and were thrown back in the same old style!

Game Turn 3

The orders finally make it to the British Cavalry who are now ordered to attack. In the attack the British Heavy Cavalry Brigade has routed one of the Chasseur Brigades.

The British Infantry Division in the village move out to engage the French.

On the hill the French have been thrown back through effective British fire and shock combat, losing an Infantry regiment in the process.

In the centre the French Forces are suffering badly from disorder and fire casualties, and are struggling to regain their order with the threat of cavalry on British Cavalry on their left.

Game Turn 4

The British are now given orders to advance and to crush the French.

The French are suffering significant casualties from fire and disorder, and their cohesion was lost and suffered a crushing defeat.

Lessons Learnt

• A new camera, even if though it was cheap made a significant difference – thanks for the recommendation Dave!
• Heavy cover in buildings and difficult terrain are difficult to launch attacks against – as they were so in its own way this was a typical Peninsula battle!
• The big question was would a different French Battle Plan made any difference? Perhaps a flanking move to come in behind the hill?