Battle of Redinha (2^nd Position) 12^th March 1811

The terrain map was designed on Inkarnate and printed on a vinyl fabric as 6’ x 4’. This was one of the earlier experimental maps using the basic Free Inkarnate and the watercolour terrain. Terrain map basic layout courtesy of Michael Hopper’s scenario book The Rise of Albion 1809 - 1811.

I find with 15mm figures the 2D maps are the easiest to manoeuvre bases and Michael’s maps and positions of terrain make all the difference in the battle. So cheap, easy to store. This map was taken out of its packaging and carefully ironed before used. It is important to take the time to carefully iron out the creases from the back with a cool / steam iron and using a dish cloth to protect the vinyl. On the 6’ x 4’ map on photo print you get the 1” white box around the map. It does not affect the scaling and only loses a tiny piece of detail around the edges.

The scenario looks at as Junot’s 8^th Corps and the slow moving baggage train marched from Redinha to Condexia on March he 12^th. Ney’s Div of Marcognet, his 3^rd Div were with Junot’s, and Reynier’s 2^nd Corps were on a separate track to Miranda Corvo. Wellington’s detachment forces monitored the French movement, but the majority of the Allied forces followed Ney. Ney received orders from Massena to delay the British for 2 days while the main French army moved northeast.

The scenario book has this action in two parts to represent a “what if” the French decided to hold their position longer. This battle report is based on our game on the 2^nd position. The French deploy first then the Allies.

Here I am playing the Allies: Wellington CinC 4 ADCs, Erskine; 2 Elite LI, 1 Li, 1 large LI, 1 HA, 1 SK, 2 LI Portuguese, Picton; 6 AVG, 2 SK, 1 HA, Arentschidt; 1 LC, 1 EL LC. Alan C is playing the French: Ney CinC 4 ADCs, Bardet; 2 El LI, 3 AVG, 1 SK, Delabassee; 6 AVG, 2 SK, Lamotte; 1 LC.

In most of the previous ShakoII games getting 6s is rare but not in this one. There were extremes of Generals sending out all of their Staff Officers, or removing casualties / staggers a key and critical points. Then on the other side both of us rolled 1s and 2s which meant the foot artillery with a target rich environment in cannister range failed to hit. Elite 95^th sensing blood in the water with an average French unit with a casualty and a stagger get thrown back from a French final volley with a stagger and a casualty! Then in subsequent rounds the 95th get blasted away with more French devastating fire. Cavalry attacks that seem pure madness French Hussars with wounds versus fresh Elite KGL the French win!

In all it was an all out blood bath, both sides seemed desperate for victory that came out as an all or nothing story which resulted very nearly in a draw – or could have been complete annihilation.

The historical outcome Massena ordered Ney to deploy southwest of the Rio Anguard, despite Ney’s protests. Wellington deployed cautious flanking positions of Erskine and Picton to turn the position. J Mermet’s 2^nd Div (the Generals who fought in this) were turned by by Pack and Kemmis (in the 1^st position battle) and Mermet fell back (to this battle the 2^nd position), but was turned again and retreated through Redinha. Marchand’s Div (in the 1^st position battle) pulled back over the Rio Ancos. The French had additional loses through congestion at the bridge. Ney withdrew to Condeixa through the night.