Battle Villanueva 25^th January 1811 1^st play through

Setup

The French Gazan’s division chased the Spanish after the combat at Monesterio. Gazan had learned that the Spanish artillery was at Sanlucar de Guadiana while the Spanish force of Ballasteros was at Villanueva. Gazan issued orders to Remond to rendezvous with him before the attack commenced.

I am playing the Spanish CinC Ballasteros with only 1 ADC. With Gastelu as General who has 4 Poor Infantry. Moreda the next General with 3 Poor Infantry, 1 Poor Light infantry. Then Sisternes 2 poor cavalry. Alan is the French CinC Gazan with 2 ADCs. A General Remond who has 1 average Light Infantry plus 1 average Cavalry. Maransin (2^nd Brigade) has 3 Average Infantry, 1 Skirmisher, and 3 average Light Infantry plus 1 skirmisher. The Spanish setup first, all on defend orders. The French are second to set up, on attack orders; Remond on the table, Marasin arriving 1^st turn. You would get the full scenario details in Michael’s book - Rise of Albion.

The terrain map was put together with brown wrapping paper – 80gsm 750mm x 50m Kraft Wrapping paper. Overlapping in the middle set to size 6’ by 4’with side edge extra for strength of a few inches – glued with PVA / glue stick. Terrain map basic layout courtesy of Michael Hopper’s - Rise of Albion scenario book. So I sketched out to scale and painted on with Acrylic paints to designate the hills (gentle/steep), roads, passable stream, light woods (an adaption I chose from the lovely maps created by Colin in our 20mm campaigns – see Simon’s blog on http://www.servicerationdistributionhobby.blogspot.com ). Found with 15mm figures the 2D maps are the easiest and Michael’s maps and positions of terrain make all the difference in the battle. So cheap, easy to store, and if you are finished with it then environmentally easy to dispose of.

As the Spanish still hold Villanueva and the escape to Sanlucar to the West is free they get 1 point.

So the battle was a draw French 1, Spanish 1. The strategy for the French pushing through Moreda’s Brigade through the rough terrain was working until turn 8 (this was close the historical tactic – maybe just a bit too far North). Once the French skirmishers failed to cause a hit for at least 2 turns and the 2^nd rate Spanish were defeating the French they lost time and momentum. Moreda put up a fantastic resistance to stall the French attack. They had no time or legs to get to the town of Villanueva.

Historical Outcome:

Maransin crossed the rough ground on the right, while Remond was to march and severe the Spanish retreat to Sanlucar. Maransin broke through the centre. Remond failed to cut off the retreat. The Spanish managed to retreat through Sanlucar to Portugal. Gazan returned to Badajoz after a month’s absence.

We had time to replay the battle again and swapped sides on the same day. So here is the results of the 2nd play through:

In this second play through the critical fail for the French was on turn 6. Losing a melee by 1, but the unit breaks, causing a 50% check that is then failed. Freeing up the Spanish cavalry that then bottle up the French Brigade of Maransin. Due to the timings of the movement of units the Spanish were able to bounce the French skirmishers away which took pressure off Moreda. Again the Spanish 2^nd rate were winning melees against the French at important times, and rolling well on 50% checks.