Talavera 208 - Afternoon Attack, Game One

A game and weekend long in the planning and eagerly anticipated by me and others was finally here and the players for this first game of Talavera 208 arrived at 08.45 at "Chez JJ" for a welcome tea or coffee and introduction to their fellow commanders for what I hoped would be a game to remember, as we prepared to fight one of the most dramatic and pivotal battles of the Peninsular War.

The Title Screen on the updated version of C&G II which would be my first game using the system with its improvements and attractive presentation

I was going to take the role of 'Gamemeister' for the two days, responsible for ensuring that the players could concentrate on their command decisions as the Carnage & Glory game system took care of all the calculation and recording of results.

Nigel Marsh, the author of C&G, provides regular feedback to questions about the system and is always looking to improve the simulation. I was going to be 'flying' the new improved version now with recent update patches to the artillery and skirmish model, together with its fancy new presentation screens. I have added some comments on the system updates at the end of the report, but I can say the gaming experience was what I have come to expect with C&G, excellent.

Several of the players had not played Carnage & Glory (C&G) before so, as well as giving everyone an overview of how the system worked and the sequence of play it generated, I was careful to have a mix of experienced and inexperienced players on each team of three commanders.

The French battle plan, pretty much along the lines of Joseph and Jourdan's all out historical attack, with the exception of IV Corps cavalry moving to support the centre and left flank

My son Tom, a little out of his comfort zone, being a confirmed British player when it comes to C&G, was taking the role of King Joseph ably supported by the Royal Marines in the form of Mike and Si who would be in the driving seat of I and IVth Corps plan of attack, illustrated in the map above.

The plan was simply to implement the original French plan but look to coordinate the various attacks as was originally envisaged, not how they happened, and to make a slight adjustment by moving IVth Corps cavalry back over to their corps area and support their attacks.

So after an hour of pre-bombardment the French infantry would move up and through the gun line with the Laplanne's and Rey's divisions looking to hit the British line slightly ahead of Leval's and Ruffin's pinning attacks which could be pressed should the opportunity present.

The Poles of Potocki's brigade and Villatte's 3rd Division, I Corps, would be held in reserve, with the French looking to amass fifty victory points in a combination of terrain areas controlled and morale losses inflicted on the Anglo-Spanish to shift any final game result one level in their favour.

Eagle of the 9me Legere taken at Talavera!

The Anglo-Spanish team were an equal mix of experienced and inexperienced C&G players, with Martin taking the helm as Sir Arthur Wellesley, after performing the role of Marshal Soult in the Oporto games back in 2014.

Alongside Martin, Nathan commanded forces in the Northern Valley, principally Anglo-Spanish cavalry and Bassecourt's Spanish infantry, whilst Bob commanded in the Pajar Vergara area with Cuesta and Poratago's Spanish 3rd Infantry Division and the British 4th Infantry Division.

14:00 - The French opened the game and their attack with a similar hour long bombardment of the Anglo-Spanish line with  more than fifty guns as their attack formations prepared to move forward

Both teams took advantage of a half hour lead into the first moves by having time alone at the table to consider their initial orders for their formations that would be put into the system before any gun was fired or figure moved.

Carnage and Glory has a simple but very effective orders process with three basic order definitions of Attack, Defend and Support which in about a couple of sentences describe what forces are required to do with such orders and the effects they have on the capabilities of the troops acting under said orders.

Thus for example, infantry on 'defend' orders are tasked with holding a pre-defined area of the battle field. How they decide to do that and in what formation they adopt is the prerogative of their commander but the infantry will not be able to initiate charges to combat without a senior officer attached and will gain benefit from those orders to their reactions whilst defending against enemy attacks. A slight caveat to that guidance is that British infantry, as part of their doctrine, will on successfully applying an effective musketry volley on an attacking formation often be offered by the system to immediately counter-charge with the bayonet whether or not a senior officer is attached.

The orders the various commanders were placed on can be seen in the orders of battle at the bottom of the post against the various command listings.

The British and KGL batteries on the Medellin responded in kind to their French counterparts

The other great thing to mention about our two days of gaming was that our game coincided with two other events over the weekend, namely 'National Armed Forces Day' on the Saturday which dovetailed perfectly with the project's aim to support 'Combat Stress' and a personal contribution by me to 'Help for Heroe's' and also Martin's birthday on the Sunday suitably celebrated and enjoyed by all with a small cake and candle. Perfect.

If that was not enough extras to add to the fun, Martin brought along some very suitable apparel for our game in the form of some hats for our commanding generals, worn fore and aft in the British style and to the side in the upper echelons of the French General Staff, together with a sporty little Fez for the Gamemiester.

14:30 - The Anglo-Spanish surprise the French and me with a move by Albuquerque and Bassecourt to bring their respective forces forward into the northern valley

It was just last weekend and my report on the DWG trip to north Devon that I expressed how I was always impressed by the potential of many of the games I have played over the years to model very closely the actions and outcomes of the battles of the period or era modelled.

I had that idea very much 'front and centre' when Tom announced he planned to apply Joseph's, Jourdan's and Victor's plan of attack and so I sat down and started to look at the casualties reported for the battle and made a few deductions from those numbers to allow for the casualties reported for the previous fighting at the Casa de Salinas and the Night and Dawn Attacks on the Medellin.

For those of us interested in the simulation possibilities historical wargaming offers, you might be interested in seeing those numbers compared to the results of our tabletop model which I have included in the casualties report at the bottom of the post.

The French guns get into their work as French columns can be seen moving up to the gun lines

As announced in the pre-game review I was looking forward to also trying out a system of card play that I have been working on designed to add that 'Talavera' flavour to the game that would help differentiate it from any other game using C&G.

So prior to play starting, each commanding player was dealt a hand of special event cards that could be played during the turns and adjusted each subsequent turn according to cards played or exchanged for better ones. More on how they worked out as we go through the report.

14:30 - General Rey's 1st Division, IVth Corps up at at the gun line

So with all the players briefed and plans decided upon we gathered around the table and got started about 09:30.

At 14.00 (game time) with clear weather and hot sunshine the French batteries atop the Cascajal and in the centre opened fire with half battery fire as each group put in ranging fire before unleashing their full fire for effect effort.

The British battalions on the southern edge of the Medellin down to Campbell's Guards brigade started to suffer from the incoming roundshot with many balls ploughing on into battalions lined up further back.

All the French guns along the front were in action providing a sixty minute preparatory bombardment for the infantry

With over fifty French guns positioned in the front line the response from the fewer allied batteries seemed feeble in response but the forward French columns and artillery crews started to suffer from the return fire.

Within fifteen minutes of the initial ranging attacks both sides ramped up their fire to full effect in the first half hour of battle and with difficult terrain ahead of them, the German Division were the first troops on the French side of the Portina to start their columns forward into the olive groves ahead.

As lead French columns are seen moving into the French gun line, Allied lines step forward to support their guns at the Pajar

With the defence of their positions paramount, the Anglo-Spanish troops could in the main only sit and wait it out under the bombardment as Wellesley determined where the main French attack would go in.

However not all the Allied troops were tasked with sitting back and within the first fifteen minutes of the French guns opening fire, General Albuquerque lead his cavalry division into the northern valley, carefully threading his squadrons through the rocky, broken ground towards the French lines to be followed in his wake by Bassecourt's Spanish infantry.

GdD Leval's German Division pick their way through the olive and cork trees, whilst the Baden and Dutch guns take the the road

At 14:45 the Pas de Charge could be discerned beating out its insistent and methodical thrum through breaks in the crash and whistle of shot and shell and the odd brave soul lying down amid the lines of redcoats could be seen stretching up his neck to look out at what was happening just a few hundred yards across the valley.

Swarms of voltigeurs could be seen picking their way forward amid the lines of French cannon heralding the approach of massed columns also moving up behind the guns.

Wellesley holds firm on the Cerro as his flank units move out to contest the ground

With forces on both French flanks and the two divisions in the centre on the move, the attack was well under way but still too far off to be certain where they would end up and any need to reposition the rear British brigades.

The British on the Cerro and centre could only watch and wait in the first half hour to gauge where the main French effort was aimed

However in the Northern Valley the French seemed somewhat perplexed to see a Spanish cavalry division fanning out into line and pressing on over the upper Portina heading for Ruffin's division and the northern French gun line atop the Cascajal.

Not only that but General Bassecourt was now level with the Valdefuentes farm and had arrayed his division in two lines of Spanish regular infantry and marines ready to contest any French attempt to access the area.

14:45 - The French columns are through or about to pass through the gun line with both allied flank forces now forward 

With charge declarations heralding the start of the 15:00 game turn it was the Spanish that were busy laying charge markers along side their forward squadrons. French commanders seemed unsure as to whether they were being bluffed into putting down counter markers of their own or if the threat should be taken seriously.

14:45 - As Ruffin;s Division prepared to advance they were met by a line of Spanish cavalry advancing down the valley supported by Bassecourt's infantry in two deep line. General Payne's British cavalry can be seen on the right of the Spanish infantry on the flank of the Medellin.

All to soon it became obvious that the Spanish were very serious as charge declarations were made against the forward French infantry and gun lines.

General Ruffin looked confident in repelling this audacious attack and the French gunners seemed confident that the Spanish squadrons still on the wrong side of the Portina would struggle to reach their lines and cross this awkward terrain in the process.

It was then that Spanish commander threw down his event card 'Find the Way'.

Obviously one of the Estremaduran Hussars was a local lad who had played as a boy in the Portina Valley and knew every nook and cranny of its tortuous meandering route down to the Tagus and led his regimental comrades to a crossing point that enabled them to cross rapidly in their charge preparation allowing them to close rapidly on the French gun line.

Albuquerque's cavalry close on the French lines in the northern valley, with the Pavia Dragoons and Estremaduran Hussars in line and the Portina yet to be crossed.

The Spanish chevaliers may have won the element of surprise but as far as the I Corps veterans were concerned they were still only Spanish and both the gunners and infantry reacted well to being charged; issuing steady volley fire and artillery canister into the horse flesh at very close range decimating the Spanish regiments and sending most of them reeling back towards their own lines.

Donkin's Brigade [516], extreme right, with the 1/88th [538] bringing up the rear of their column move off the Medellin and towards the rear centre of the British line in company with Cotton's light dragoons

It was not entirely one way though and the Acantara Regiment, determined to leave their calling card, battered into the 9me Legere cutting down thirty of the French infantrymen whilst losing ten of their number and being driven off in disorder.

Whilst most spectators looked on in amazement at the activities in the north, Sir Arthur Wellesley was coming to a firm conclusion as to what was afoot and the threat being posed to his line in the centre and with twenty four battalions of veteran French infantry now about to pass through their own gun line he determined to reposition General Mackenzie's 3rd British Division, and specifically Colonel Donkin's brigade of the 1/88th. 2/87th and 5/60th Rifles closer to Cameron's and Cambell's Guards brigades on his front centre.

The Almanza Dragoons ride into a barrage of French artillery and are driven back

Donkin's brigade were also accompanied by Cotton's light cavalry brigade made up of two very good light dragoon regiments, the 14th and 16th Light Dragoons each about 500 men strong.

Sir Arthur (Martin) looks thoughtful as the French thrust towards the Anglo-Spanish centre becomes all to obvious. Note Cotton's Light Dragoons followed by Donkin's brigade (2/87th and 1/88th,) moving off the Medellin towards supporting the centre, top centre left of picture.

In the south the columns of German and Dutch infantry in General Leval's division were still working their way through a tangle of trees and undergrowth oblivious to the progress of neighbouring divisions and struggling to maintain deployment distance between their own columns in the constrictive terrain of trees, walls and fences.

The accompanying artillery teams unable to lay on a preparatory bombardment were keen to use the two roads to allow them to get up and deploy in support of the attack and to find suitable open ground close by.

Combat joined at the Pajar with the El Rey cavalry, left, about to charge in squadron column forced by the terrain restrictions in the area (not great cavalry country).

As the French movements had become all too apparent, General Portago and Brigadier Campbell brought their forward battalions up to support the gunners in the Pajar Vergara, whilst the El Ray changed into squadron columns to allow their troopers to thread their way towards the front and ground better suited for cavalry.

Supporting the El Rey cavalry are the Antequeran Cazadores, bottom of picture, Provinciale Badajoz militia and the Toledo Infantry regiment behind with their canary yellow facings.

It was not long before the two opposing sides skirmish screens were coming to grips along the line and the crash of massed artillery started to give way to the pop-pop of the light infantry picking their way down to the Portina stream.

The French in King Joseph's army were used to taking on Continental armies where massed lines of drilled infantry stood under the fire of their skirmishers choosing their targets and picking off officers and NCO's desperately trying to reorder the lines after the battering from the French guns.

The Baden and Nassau voltigeurs open fire as their infantry columns close on the Pajar redoubt. The plan is proceeding as the battle has commenced in the centre, top right.

Here the British line seemed to come forward out of the olive groves, happy to advance to meet the voltiguers and exchange musketry, until it was realised that these were British 'voltigeurs', intermixed with green clad 'grasshoppers' who were using rifles to cause their fire to penetrate beyond the French skirmishers and hit the French columns coming on behind.

The British 'light bobs' gave ground grudgingly making use of the cover around the Portina and shielding the waiting red line on the forward edge of the trees behind.

GdB Porbeck brings his Baden infantry up behind the voltigeur screen in preparation to attack the Pajar redoubt. Porbeck was killed in the assault on Lawson's battery in the redoubt. Note IVth Corps cavalry (Merlin) in support.

The battle was reaching a climax as French, German and Dutch columns advanced ever closer to the Anglo-Spanish line.

The first to contact were the Hesse Darmstadt, Nassau and Baden infantry emerging from the tree line in front of the Pajar redoubt.

The Nassau battalions moved up behind their voltigeur screen as light bobs from Campbell's British 4th Division came forward to greet the newcomers.

The 'light bobs' fight their battle with Rey's and Lapisse's voltigeur screen, taking advantage of the light cover around the Portina for their rifle companies to search out French officers and NCOs among the columns behind. 

To the right of the Nassau battalions the massed columns of French line infantry in GdD Rey's 1st Division, IV Corps, were closing on the Portina stream and driving in the British Guards light companies. Beyond them were the massed columns of GdD Lapisse's 2nd Division I Corps who similarly moved ever closer to the 1/61st and 2/83rd Foot in Cameron's brigade and the 5th and 7th KGL battalions in Baron Low's brigade.

Brigadier General Baron Low's 5th [522] and 7th KGL [523] present arms as GdB Laplanne's 16me Legere close on the British line. Alongside the German brigade are the 1/61st Foot (yellow colour), part of Cameron's brigade.  General Laplanne was wounded in the attack but survived the action.

As the threatened clash developed in the south the action in the Northern Valley moved into its next phase as General Albuquerque moved about his division rallying the squadrons that still had the fight in them whilst allowing those too battered to return to the rear.

General Bassecourt's line of Spanish regulars looked formidable from afar but would they stand if tested? It seemed the French under General Ruffin seemed keen to test them and the French columns resumed their advance coming under increasing fire from allied guns atop the Medellin.

General Bassecourt anchors his Spanish line infantry on the Valdefuentes Farm to cover the  return of survivors of Albuquerque's 2nd Cavalry Division 

Meanwhile in the absence of the Spanish cavalry the British cavalry brigades of Generals Fane and Anson maintained a careful over-watch of Bassecourt's position in the valley below.

Lt Gen Payne positions his British cavalry in reserve on the Medellin ready to support the Spanish

As the clock moved to 15:30 the relenting hot dry day gave way to a light rain that did little to cool the offensive ardour of both forces.

The lines of light infantry were now being forced to the rear, their job complete as the lines of columns moved ever closer to the lines of lines and both sides prepared to make charge declarations.

Shattered Spanish cavalry squadrons return to their lines covered by the fresher squadrons of their division and the Allied gun line.

The II Baden infantry battalion in front of the Pajar were first to declare, giving a cheer and charging in to the Pajar redoubt accompanied by the II Nassau battalion intent on clearing the British gunners to their front.

Both battalions were met with a hot blast of 12lbr and 3lbr canister fire that decimated both battalions and carried death and destruction into the battalions behind with General Porbeck fatally wounded by the fire.

Ruffin's Division supported by Beaumont's cavalry brigade, recover from the shock of the Spanish cavalry attack and prepare to tackle Bassecourt's infantry line further up the valley

To the right of the Baden infantry the Frankfurt and Hesse battalions were trying to infiltrate around the gun position through the gardens and enclosures along the Talavera road.

The Antequeran Cazadores tried to resist the infiltration and took position behind a wall, but their volley fire was pathetic and the battalion was soon falling back from the German advance.

King Joseph can only watch the progress of the battle alongside his reserve, GdD Villatte's 3rd Division, I Corps atop the Cascajal

As they fell back they reached the squadron column of the El Rey cavalry regiment looking to play its part in arresting the German progress. They were too late to stop the 1/Gross ind Erbprinz battalion charging forward, ignoring the half hearted volley from the Provincial Badajoz Militia battalion and driving the Spanish battalion back to join the Antequerans.

However the El Rey were not to be denied their opportunity to deal a blow to the Germans and their B Squadron battle group charged out onto the road catching the Hesse artillery limbered, and decimating the battery forcing them to abandon a gun and retreat rapidly down the road, abandoning another three guns along the way. What did I say about the potential for these games to replicate history?

The French attacks by GdD Rey's and Lapisse's divisions, twenty four battalions of infantry supported by twelve squadrons of dragoons from GdD Latour Maubourg's 2nd Dragoon Division in full flood. Note the French foot guns limbering to be prepared to relocate.

Sadly for the El Rey their A Squadron group would not share in the glory of their comrades as the rapid retreat of the Antequerans had exposed their flank to the pursuing Hesse and Frankfurt infantry and their volley fire drove the Spanish cavalry off to the rear and back to Talavera.

GdD Rey and Sebastiani oversee the twelve battalions of 1st Division, IVth Corps as they move into attack the British line.
The 32me Ligne closest  to camera [155] 1/32, [156] 2/32 and [157] 3/32

However the success of the Spanish cavalry took the pressure off the Spanish position as the follow up Dutch columns rapidly formed square in the face of the threat.

The Vistula Lancers of GdB Merlin's IVth Corps cavalry brigade move forward to support GdD Leval's German Division in their attack on the Pajar de Vergara

The El Rey were soon to get some support though as a Spanish battalion in Portago's division decided to hang around and fight with the 1st Badajoz Regiment stepping forward in line to deliver a reasonably well aimed volley on to the the advancing 1/Gross und Erbprinz battalion and bring its rapid advance to a halt.

GdD Latour Maubourg holds eight squadrons of his dragoons plus his horse guns in reserve as he feeds in four squadrons to support the front line infantry as they attack Sherbrooke's British Division

Meanwhile the other Nassau battalion out on the German Division's right flank was coming under pressure from Myers weak British brigade consisting of the 2/7th and 2/53rd Foot.

Though weak in numbers the British battalions could still deliver a formidable fire and the threat posed was considerable enough for General Chasse to order his Dutch horse gun battery to loose off some canister in their direction despite the threat of casualties from friendly fire.

Hitting both the Nassau battalion and their voltigeurs the canister rounds also ripped into the ranks of the 7th Fusiliers sending them back in rout with Colonel Myers in pursuit trying to rally the decimated battalion.

The 'High Water Line' of the French afternoon attack as the French infantry in the centre have recoiled under the heavy volley fire and bayonet charges of Sherbrookes British lines in the centre. The Germans have been pushed back on the Pajar redoubt but have pushed up the road only to be stymied by the El Rey cavalry.

The German Division was stuck and not going forward which caused a road jam behind as the IVth Corps cavalry sought a route to the front to bring their support to bear.

The Allied gunners in the Pajar redoubt were enjoying the chaos caused and gaily set about pouring on the canister hitting the forward units and those pressing to move through them.

The battle was raging in the northern valley as Albuquerqe's surviving squadrons kept up their attacks on Ruffin's battalions supported by Anson's British squadrons and backed up by Bassecourt's line 

Colonel Ormancey was determined to get his brigade to the front and riding up to the Westphalian Light Horse Regiment ordered them to follow him and to lead through the Vistula Lancers following in their wake.

Just then another crashing blast of 3lbr canister ripped through the Nassau infantry to the front and Ormancey was seen thrown back from the saddle as a the canister shot caught the Colonel full in the chest, killing him before he hit the ground.

The deaths of Ormancey and Porbeck seemed to bring the French attack in this sector to an abrupt halt.

The attack in the centre as the climax is reached and the French recoil in the face of steady British and KGL infantry.
The 26me Dragoons [189] are met by British heavy dragoons, Alongside are the 3/8me Ligne [106], part of GdB Solignac's brigade. 

Simultaneously with the attack of the German Division the attacks of the two French divisions in the centre struck the British line, however not before Baron Low recognising the nervousness of his 5th KGL battalion joined their line and led them forward to deliver a telling volley into the ranks of the 2/45me Ligne halting the French column in its tracks.

The German battalion looked to their commander as General Low raised his hat and with a cheer the 5th KGL charged forward causing the 45me Ligne to recoil rather than face the levelled bayonets, however their enthusiasm was cooled as their pursuit was greeted by fire from the massed columns of the 8me Ligne following behind the 45me and the KGL infantry beat a hasty retreat back to their lines only to fall back yet again their morale broken but controlled.

Latour Maubourg's dragoons move up, more to cover the French infantry in their withdrawal, rather than to launch a fresh attack. Cotton's British light dragoons were on hand to threaten a pursuit of beaten French infantry columns.

Further along the line of columns the 28me and 58me Ligne charged in against the Coldstream and Scots Guards patiently waiting under artillery and voltigeur fire to have their chance to answer their foes with a suitable response.

The French seemed to know what was coming as their cheering columns charging forward were met with silence as the guardsmen levelled their muskets at 75 paces but held their fire only choosing to unleash their volleys at 25 paces that staggered their aggressors leaving a mass of dead and dying to their front.

The two battalions of Guards were implacable in the defence but 'unhistorically' controlled in their aggression when launching counter-attacks with the bayonet, not straying into and over the Portina stream. The 28me Ligne are seen taking the brunt of their musketry and recoiling onto the Portina

With three cheers the Guards levelled bayonets and charged only to see the French infantry clear the Portina like horses in the Grand National, some falling but most clearing the stream and comparative safety on the other side.

Unlike the historical battle the Guards controlled their enthusiasm and General Campbell was able to lead his men back to the shade of the olive groves ready to repel any further attacks.

To encourage the French to speed up their preparations to pull back to the Alberche, British heavy cavalry (right of picture) exchanged a few blows with their French counterparts as the fighting died down

Not to be outdone by the Household infantry, the 2/83rd and 1/61st paid a similar compliment to the 16me Legere and 45me Ligne and in no time French columns could be seen streaming back from the Portina, causing follow up units to join in the retreat.

The fighting in the northern valley went on all that hot afternoon with both sides artillery adding to the fun with long range artillery fire providing attritional overshoots as balls ploughed their way through supporting ranks of units.  General Albuqurque can be seen rallying the two squadron, Infante A cavalry battle group [568] as the 23rd Light Dragoons swap blows with the French 2nd Hussars beyond and KGL Hussars provide support

In desperation to retrieve some honour and to prevent a set back turning into a disaster GdD Latour-Maubourg who had brought his cavalry forward with the intent of following up the victorious columns now found himself in the role of rearguard commander looking to prevent his British opposites doing the same thing to the beaten and demoralised French infantry.

The Spanish cost in horses and men was rewarded at the end of the battle with a final charge by two squadrons of the Alcantara Cavalry Regiment into the column of the 1/9me Legere, driving the French column back in disorder and taking their Eagle in the process. No one was expecting that result! Bassecort's infantry can be seen  in the background trading musketry with other battalions of the 9me Legere.

The 26me Dragoon advanced through the French columns and retreating mass to charge into the British lines as British heavy dragoons threatened to charge forward into the French mass.

As the Baden troops are driven back from the redoubt and the troops carry the mortally wounded General Porbeck from the field, The El Rey cavalry charge and capture a gun from the Hesse troops as they press the road and try to flank the position The French unit that took honour from the battle, 1/Gross und Erbprinz Number 4 [171] with GdB Grandjean attached can be seen pressing the Allied line, bottom left.

The French 14me Dragoons followed up the 26me in support only to be met by a well delivered volley from the 2/83rd which emptied over one hundred saddles and sent the survivors in headlong retreat, joining the infantry.

The El Rey cavalry charge only added to the discomfort of the German's and Dutch infantry (right) can be seen in square in response.

The Allied artillery were the bulwark of the defence and repeatedly drove off attempts to storm their little fortress.

The French attacks in the centre and around the Pajar were beaten and King Joseph was already writing orders to prepare the divisions to withdraw to the Alberche.

The only blot on the accounts for the forces defending the Pajar was when the 7th Fusiliers [541] were caught in a fusillade of Dutch canister fire that devastated friend and foe alike but caused too much shock to the depleted British second battalion, and they can be seen routing from the field impervious to the attempt of Colonel Myers [531] to restore order.

Of course it's not over until its over and with the fighting reaching its crescendo along the Anglo-Spanish line the French under Ruffin and Beaumont had advanced up the Northern Valley braving allied artillery fire and were now attempting to attack Bassecourt's line whilst fending off yet more attacks from the surviving squadrons in Albuquerque's cavalry division, now barely a brigade.

The carnage of battle is plain as the two lines separate and small grass fires break out in the hot Spanish afternoon, threatening friend and foe alike. 

With the pressure off elsewhere, Wellesley was emboldened to release Anson's cavalry into the valley to support the Spanish and it was not long after that the 23rd Light Dragoons were on the charge exchanging blows with Beaumont's 2nd Hussars.

The Spanish infantry under Bassecourt seemed likewise emboldened and delivered some telling volley fire into the columns of the 9me Legere only to see the Alcantara Cavalry regiment charge into a column of the 9me Legere cutting their way into its ranks and sending the survivors in headlong rout.

Wellesley  [501] oversees the British heavy cavalry as they move up, threatening to add to French troubles. as they seek to break contact. The 3rd Dragoon Guards [501] are passing through the retiring 5th KGL line [522].

It seemed that things couldn't get worse for the French until it did. The Spanish were just thrilled that they had executed another successful cavalry charge, imagine their surprise and pleasure at discovering they had also taken the Eagle of one of Napoleon's favourite regiments, the 'Incomparable' 9me Legere and the heroes of Marengo.

The troops on the Medellin are now only from Hill's 2nd Division, not involved in the fighting this time and with a front row seat as the Spanish celebrate their captured "Cuckoo"

With the Spanish parading their captured Cuckoo passed the ranks of the somewhat disbelieving redcoats, our battle drew to a close with the French conceding defeat and history confirmed.

Talavera 208 - June 2017 draws to a close as the day threatens a thunderstorm to drench the two battered armies

The game had produced a thrilling simulation of the actual battle with an uncanny similarity in the result of the actual thing, give or take a few exceptions, like captured Eagles and Guardsmen not getting carried away.

The Carnage and Glory game system had performed perfectly for a big game such as this with some thoughts from the players of improving the play sequence it had withstood the multiple inputs to drive a game of this size and my computer updating midway through a turn and shutting down to configure the updates. On restarting, C&G picked up exactly where we had left off with no problems at all and a very impressed operator. Note to self, disable the updater before playing next time.

The new screen prompts to tell players when to remove markers, submit new orders and attach generals to units prior to the charge phase is an excellent improvement and much appreciated by me. The new artillery and skirmish processes worked seamlessly and the chrome provided by the messages about commanders and units only added to the feel of the battle we were creating.

I was also really pleased with the cards introduced for this game. It really added a nice touch to the play and provided added player interaction.

As always the summary of the battle produced by the system and copied below just provided that level of detail that other systems struggle to match.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carnage&GloryII - Napoleonic Tactical System Module - © 2001-2016, Nigel P. Marsh
Talavera 28th July 1809

Minor victory for the Anglo-Spanish Army
As of Game Turn: 10

The Anglo-Spanish Army has suffered losses of:
[8%] 2736 men of all arms including:
(Historically Approximately 3815 casualties excluding losses incurred during the Casa de Salinas, Night and Dawn attacks n the Cerro de Medellin). 
[3%] 1096 dead and wounded
[3%] 1229 missing
[1%] 411 prisoners
[4%] 1119 bayonets
[28%] 1602 sabres
[1%] 15 artillerists
Honours: [570] Alcantara A
[95%] ammunition available

The French Army has suffered losses of:
[15%] 6058 men of all arms including:
(Historically Approximately 5568 casualties excluding losses incurred during the Casa de Salinas, Night and Dawn attacks n the Cerro de Medellin). 
[5%] 2148 dead and wounded
[7%] 2992 missing
[2%] 918 prisoners
[16%] 5442 bayonets
[11%] 434 sabres
[8%] 182 artillerists
4 cannon[s] lost
Honours: [171] 1/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4
[97%] ammunition available

Losses include 1 Color[s]:
[191] 1/9me Regiment de Legere [1]

Losses include 3 General[s]:
[109] Jean Bartholomew R Laplanne - Lightly wounded
[119] Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Mortally wounded
[125] Francois-Leon Ormancey - Mortally wounded

Major victory for the Anglo-Spanish Army when adjusted for victory points:
Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley is created Viscount Wellington by a grateful Sovereign and Country for his victory in Spain. Parliament commits to providing more troops and finance for its army in Spain and Portugal and to support their allies in the Peninsula.

The Spanish Central Junta celebrate the victory and the capturing of an Eagle by their forces.

Talavera 28th July 1809
As of Game Turn: 10

Army Sir Arthur Wellesley

[501] Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley - Active A [1500 paces]
[548] Lawson's Brigade 0/ 145 [ 6] C Formed ( 4) Good Tiring
[549] Sillery's Brigade 0/ 153 [ 6] C Formed ( 6) Good Tired
[550] Eliott's Brigade 7/ 144 [ 6] C Formed ( 6) Good Tired
[551] Rettberg's Brigade 0/ 144 [ 6] C Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[552] Heyse's Brigade 6/ 143 [ 6] C Formed ( 6) Good Tired

Division William Payne - Support
[503] Lieutenant General William Payne - Active C+ [725 paces]

Brigade Henry Fane - Support
[504] Brigadier General Henry Fane - Active B- [400 paces]
[501] 3rd Dragoon Guards A 0/ 255 C+ Formed Good Fresh
[502] 3rd Dragoon Guards B 0/ 273 C+ Formed Good Fresh
[503] 4th Dragoons A 0/ 279 C Formed Good Fresh
[504] 4th Dragoons B 0/ 271 C Formed Average Fresh

Brigade Stapleton Cotton - Support
[505] Brigadier General Stapleton Cotton - Active B+ [500 paces]
[505] 14th Light Dragoons A 0/ 240 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[506] 14th Light Dragoons B 0/ 229 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[507] 16th Light Dragoons A 0/ 253 C [sk+] Formed Good Acceptable
[508] 16th Light Dragoons B 0/ 271 C [sk+] Formed Good Acceptable

Brigade George Anson - Support
[506] Brigadier General George Anson - Active B- [400 paces]
[509] 23rd Light Dragoons A 8/ 221 C [sk+] Formed ( 4) Good Acceptable
[510] 23rd Light Dragoons B 10/ 214 C [sk+] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[511] 1st Light Dragoons KGL A 8/ 212 C+ [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[512] 1st Light Dragoons KGL B 5/ 223 C+ [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division John Coape Sherbrooke - Defend
[507] Lieutenant General John Coape Sherbrooke - Active B- [800 paces]

Brigade Henry Campbell - Defend
[508] Brigadier General Henry Campbell - Active B [450 paces]
[513] 1/2nd Coldstream Guards 45/ 828 B- [sk-] Formed ( 4) Ex'lent Acceptable
[514] 1/3rd Scots Guards 38/ 879 B- [sk-] Formed ( 3) Ex'lent Fresh
[515] H.Campbell's Bde. Light Bn. 5/ 250 B- [sk+] Formed ( 8) Good Acceptable

Brigade Alan Cameron - Defend
[509] Brigadier General Alan Cameron - Active C- [300 paces]
[516] 1/61st Foot 39/ 661 C+ [sk-] Formed ( 5) Good Tiring
[517] 2/83rd Foot 41/ 440 C [sk-] Formed ( 8) Good Tired
[518] Cameron's Bde. Light Bn. 23/ 160 C [sk+] Formed ( 9) Average Fresh

Brigade Ernest Baron Langwerth - Defend
[510] Brigadier General Ernest Baron Langwerth - Active B- [350 paces]
[519] 1st KGL Line Battalion 36/ 508 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[520] 2nd KGL Line Battalion 0/ 610 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[521] Langwerth's Bde. Light Bn. 19/ 215 C+ [sk+] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh

Brigade Sigismund Baron Low - Defend [No Advance]
[511] Brigadier General Sigismund Baron Low - Active C+ [450 paces]
[R] [522] 5th KGL Line Battalion 93/ 456 C+ [sk-] Shaken Poor Exhausted
[523] 7th KGL Line Battalion 0/ 501 C+ [sk-] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[R] [ 524] Low's Bde. Light Bn. 19/ 98 C+ [sk+] Shaken Broken Exhausted

Division Rowland Hill - Defend
[512] Major General Rowland Hill - Active B- [950 paces]

Brigade Christopher Tilson - Defend
[513] Brigadier General Christopher Tilson - Active C+ [350 paces]
[525] 1/3rd Foot 0/ 671 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[526] 2/48th Foot 0/ 510 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[527] 2/66th Foot 0/ 473 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[528] Tilson's Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 237 C+ [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Richard Stewart - Defend
[514] Brigadier General Richard Stewart - Active B [450 paces]
[529] 29th Foot 5/ 533 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[530] 1/48th Foot 0/ 726 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[531] 1st Battalion of Detachments 0/ 548 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[532] Stuart's Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 202 C+ [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Alexander Randoll Mackenzie - Defend
[515] Major General Alexander Randoll Mackenzie - Active C [800 paces]

Brigade Rufane Donkin - Defend
[516] Colonel Rufane Donkin - Active B- [350 paces]
[537] 2/87th Foot 0/ 539 C [sk-] Formed Good Acceptable
[538] 1/88th Foot 0/ 539 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[539] 5/60th Rifles 0/ 220 B- [sk+] Formed Ex'lent Fresh
[540] Donkin's Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 175 C+ [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade William Guard - Defend
[530] Lieutenant Colonel William Guard - Active C- [300 paces]
[533] 2/24th Foot 0/ 708 C [sk-] Formed Average Fresh
[534] 2/31st Foot 2/ 658 C [sk-] Formed Average Acceptable
[535] 1/45th Foot 0/ 680 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[D] [536] Mackenzie's Bde. Light Bn. 42/ 186 C [sk+] D'persed Broken Tiring

Division Alexander Campbell - Defend
[517] Brigadier General Alexander Campbell - Active C [875 paces]

Brigade James Kemmis - Defend
[518] Colonel James Kemmis - Active C [450 paces]
[544] 1/40th Foot 0/ 670 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[545] 97th Foot 0/ 452 C+ [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[546] 2nd Battalion of Detachments 0/ 562 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[547] Kemmis' Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 244 C+ [sk+] Formed ( 2) Good Fresh

Brigade Sir William Myers - Defend
[531] Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Myers - Active B- [350 paces]
[D] [541] 2/7th Foot 135/ 253 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Tired
[542] 2/53rd Foot 0/ 483 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[543] A. Campbell's Bde. Light Bn. 5/ 156 C [sk+] Formed ( 7) Good Fresh

Army Gregorio de La Cuesta
[519] General Gregorio de La Cuesta - Active C+ [1100 paces]
[621] 1st Battery A 2/ 70 [ 3] D+ Formed ( 6) Good Tired
[622] 1st Battery B 0/ 77 [ 3] D+ Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[626] 5th Battery 0/ 101 [ 4] D+ Formed Average Fresh

Division Duke of Albuquerque - Support
[523] Lieutenant General Duke of Albuquerque - Active B [875 paces]
[568] Infante A 98/ 124 D Formed ( 2) Good Fresh
[D] [569] Infante B 111/ 115 D D'persed Broken Fresh
[570] Alcantara A 11/ 215 D Formed (14) Ex'lent Exhausted
[R] [571] Alcantara B 78/ 151 D Shaken Broken Exhausted
[572] Pavia Dragoons A 5/ 230 D Formed ( 1) Average Tiring
[D] [573] Pavia Dragoons B 110/ 120 D D'persed Broken Tiring
[D] [574] Almanza Dragoons A 98/ 120 D D'persed Broken Tiring
[D] [575] Almanza Dragoons B 96/ 138 D D'persed Broken Tiring
[D] [576] 1st Hussars of Estremadura A 113/ 120 D- [sk+] D'persed Broken Fresh
[D] [578] 2nd Hussars of Estremadura A 55/ 177 D- [sk+] D'persed Broken Tired

Division Marques de Portago - Defend
[527] Major General Marques de Portago - Active C [725 paces]
[W] [553] El Rey A 3/ 226 D Formed ( 2) Broken Tired
[554] El Rey B 3/ 228 D Formed ( 6) Good Tiring
[600] 1st Bn. Badajoz Regiment 3/ 568 D- Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[601] 2nd Bn. Badajoz Regiment 0/ 557 D- Formed Average Fresh
[R] [602] 2nd Cazadores de Antequera 117/ 440 D- [sk+] Shaken Broken Tired
[R] [603] Imperial de Toledo 2/ 790 D- Disorder Poor Tiring
[604] Provincial de Badajoz Militia 3/ 574 D Formed ( 3) Average Fresh
[605] Provincial de Guadix Militia 0/ 562 D Formed Good Fresh

Division Luis Alejandro Bassecourt - Support
[529] Major General Luis Alejandro Bassecourt - Active B [875 paces]
[614] 1st Bn. Real Marina 0/ 572 D+ Formed Good Fresh
[615] 2nd Bn. Real Marina 0/ 583 D+ Formed Good Fresh
[616] 3rd Africa Line 5/ 879 D+ Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[617] 1st Murcia Line 0/ 602 D+ Formed Average Fresh
[618] 2nd Murcia Line 3/ 639 D+ Formed Good Fresh
[619] 1st Reyna Line 0/ 705 D+ Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[620] Provincial de Siguenza 0/ 621 D Formed Good Fresh

Strengths:
losses/active
680/ 24123 Bayonets
812/ 4905 Sabres
15/ 977 Artillerists
0/ 40 Cannon
1507/ 30005 Total of all arms
56 Colours present

Army Joseph Bonaparte
[101] King Joseph Bonaparte - Active C [1100 paces]

Staff Jourdan
[102] Marechal d'Empire Jourdan - Active C+ [800 paces]

I Corps Claude-Victor Perrin
[104] Marechal d'Empire Claude-Victor Perrin - Active B- [1300 paces]
[101] 6/8me Artillerie a Pied 19/ 174 [ 8] C Formed ( 6) Good Acceptable
[102] 2/6me Artillerie a Cheval 3/ 153 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Tired

Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Attack
[105] General de Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Active D+ [650 paces]
[190] 4/8me Artillerie a Pied 7/ 202 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Tired

Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Support
[106] General de Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Active B- [400 paces]
[Y] [191] 1/9me Regiment de Legere 284/ 183 C [sk-] Rout Broken Acceptable
[192] 2/9me Regiment de Legere 46/ 451 C [sk-] Formed ( 5) Average Fresh
[193] 3/9me Regiment de Legere 72/ 419 C- [sk-] Formed Poor Acceptable
[194] 1/24me Regiment de Ligne 7/ 465 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[195] 2/24me Regiment de Ligne 6/ 465 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[196] 3/24me Regiment de Ligne 37/ 460 C- [sk-] Formed ( 3) Good Acceptable
[197] 9me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 308 C [sk+] Formed ( 4) Good Tiring
[198] 24me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 308 C [sk+] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh

Brigade Pierre Barrois - Support
[107] General de Brigade Pierre Barrois - Active B [450 paces]
[199] 1/96me Regiment de Ligne. 0/ 513 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[200] 2/96me Regiment de Ligne. 0/ 507 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[201] 3/96me Regiment de Ligne. 0/ 476 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[202] 96me Regt. Voltiguer Bn. 0/ 288 C [sk+] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh

Division Pierre- Bellon Lapisse - Attack
[108] General de Division Pierre- Bellon Lapisse - Active C- [725 paces]
[103] 1/8me Artillerie a Pied 36/ 159 [ 8] C Formed ( 6) Poor Tiring

Brigade Jean Bartholomew R Laplanne - Attack [No Advance]
[109] General de Brigade Jean Bartholomew R Laplanne - Lightly wounded C [350 paces]
[112] 1/16me Regiment de Legere 9/ 580 C [sk-] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[113] 2/16me Regiment de Legere 35/ 563 C [sk-] Formed ( 4) Good Acceptable
[D] [114] 3/16me Regiment de Legere 169/ 301 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[D] [115] 1/45me Regiment de Ligne 134/ 321 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Tired
[D] [116] 2/45me Regiment de Ligne 95/ 387 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[D] [117] 3/45me Regiment de Ligne 206/ 253 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[118] 16me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 1/ 284 C [sk+] Formed ( 4) Good Fresh
[R] [119] 45me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 54/ 231 C [sk+] Shaken Broken Tiring

Brigade Jean Baptiste Solignac - Attack
[110] General de Brigade Jean Baptiste Solignac - Active C- [350 paces]
[104] 1/8me Regiment de Ligne 4/ 492 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[105] 2/8me Regiment de Ligne 1/ 470 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[106] 3/8me Regiment de Ligne 7/ 453 C- [sk-] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh
[107] 1/54me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 474 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[108] 2/54me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 486 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[109] 3/54me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 489 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[110] 8me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 1/ 290 C [sk+] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[111] 54me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 290 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Eugene Villatte - Support
[111] General de Division Eugene Villatte - Active B [875 paces]
[120] 2/8me Artillerie a Pied 4/ 194 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Tired

Brigade Baron Louis-Victorin Cassagne - Support
[112] General de Brigade Baron Louis-Victorin Cassagne - Active C+ [400 paces]
[121] 1/27me Regiment de Legere 0/ 424 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[122] 2/27me Regiment de Legere 0/ 409 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[123] 3/27me Regiment de Legere 0/ 428 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[124] 1/63me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 432 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[125] 2/63me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 411 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[126] 3/63me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 422 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[127] 27me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 261 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[128] 63me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 261 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Jacques Puthod - Support
[113] General de Brigade Jacques Puthod - Active C [350 paces]
[129] 1/94me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 414 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[130] 2/94me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 434 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[131] 3/94me Regiment de Ligne 35/ 406 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[132] 1/95me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 447 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[133] 2/95me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 447 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[134] 3/95me Regiment de Ligne 3/ 416 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[135] 94me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 251 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[136] 95me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 250 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Louis Carriere, Baron Beaumont - Support
[114] General de Brigade Louis Carriere, Baron Beaumont - Active C+ [400 paces]
[137] 1/3me Artillerie a Cheval 4/ 140 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Acceptable
[138] 2me Regiment de Hussards A 4/ 224 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[139] 2me Regiment de Hussards B 12/ 231 C Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[140] 5me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval A 2/ 257 C Formed Good Fresh
[141] 5me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval B 0/ 255 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

IV Corps Horace-Comte Sebastiani
[115] General de Division Horace-Comte Sebastiani - Active B [1300 paces]
[142] 12/7me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 201 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Fresh

Division Baron Jean Pierre-Antoine Rey - Attack
[116] General de Brigade Baron Jean Pierre-Antoine Rey - Active C+ [800 paces]
[143] 5/7me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 198 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Jean-Francios Toussaint - Attack
[135] Colonel Jean-Francios Toussaint - Active C- [350 paces]
[D] [152] 1/28me Regiment de Ligne 331/ 237 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Tired
[153] 2/28me Regiment de Ligne 6/ 576 C [sk-] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh
[154] 3/28me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 580 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[155] 1/32me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 546 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[156] 2/32me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 574 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[157] 3/32me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 540 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[158] 28me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 345 C [sk+] Formed ( 2) Ex'lent Fresh
[159] 32me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 12/ 333 C [sk+] Formed ( 5) Good Fresh

Brigade Louis Liger-Belair - Attack
[117] General de Brigade Louis Liger-Belair - Active B+ [500 paces]
[D] [144] 1/58me Regiment de Ligne 254/ 295 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Tired
[145] 2/58me Regiment de Ligne 175/ 376 C [sk-] Formed ( 4) Average Acceptable
[Y] [146] 3/58me Regiment de Ligne 187/ 398 C- [sk-] Rout Broken Exhausted
[147] 1/75me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 575 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[148] 2/75me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 559 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[149] 3/75me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 579 C- [sk-] Formed Good Acceptable
[150] 58me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 346 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[151] 75me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 345 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Attack
[118] General de Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Active B- [875 paces]

Brigade Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Attack [No Advance]
[119] Oberst Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Mortally wounded B [450 paces]
[160] III Fuss Batterien Steinmetz 13/ 177 [ 8] C Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[161] I.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden) 3/ 373 C- [sk-] Formed Average Acceptable
[Y] [162] II.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden) 156/ 211 C- [sk-] Rout Broken Exhausted
[163] I.Nassau IR Nr.2 34/ 326 C- [sk-] Formed ( 1) Average Fresh
[D] [164] II.Nassau IR Nr.2 132/ 254 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Acceptable
[165] Porbeck's Voltigeur Bn. 10/ 307 C- [sk+] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh

Brigade David-Hendrik Chasse - Attack
[120] Generalmajor David-Hendrik Chasse - Active C [350 paces]
[166] 3m3 Artillerie a Cheval Trip 0/ 147 [ 6] C Formed Good Fresh
[167] I/2me Regiment Linie 13/ 380 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[168] 2/4me Regiment Linie 0/ 378 C- [sk-] Formed Good Acceptable
[169] Chasse's Voltigeur Bn. 15/ 139 C- [sk+] Formed ( 5) Poor Fresh

Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Attack
[121] General de Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Active B [450 paces]
[D] [170] III. Fuss. Batterien Venator 65/ 31 C D'persed Poor Fresh
[171] 1/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4 60/ 338 C- [sk-] Formed ( 9) Average Fresh
[172] 2/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4 4/ 367 C- [sk-] Formed ( 8) Ex'lent Tiring
[173] Rheinbund Bttn von Frankfort 4/ 387 C- [sk-] Formed ( 5) Good Tiring
[174] Grandjean's Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 225 C- [sk+] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh

Brigade Feliks Potocki - Attack
[122] Oberst Feliks Potocki - Active C [350 paces]
[175] I. IR Nr 4 (Polish) 0/ 761 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[176] II. IR Nr 4 (Polish) 0/ 782 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[177] Potocki's Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 260 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Antoine Christophe Merlin - Attack
[123] General de Brigade Antoine Christophe Merlin - Active C- [725 paces]

Brigade Jean Baptiste Alexandre Strolz - Attack
[124] Colonel Jean Baptiste Alexandre Strolz - Active D+ [300 paces]
[178] 10me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval 11/ 316 C [sk+] Formed ( 2) Good Fresh
[179] 26me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval 0/ 216 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Francois-Leon Ormancey - Attack
[125] Colonel Francois-Leon Ormancey - Mortally wounded C- [300 paces]
[180] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers A 7/ 217 C [sk+] Formed Average Fresh
[181] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers B 5/ 201 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[R] [182] Westplalian Light Horse 77/ 133 C [sk+] Shaken Broken Acceptable

Division Marie Victor-Latour Maubourg - Attack
[126] General de Division Marie Victor-Latour Maubourg - Active B- [875 paces]
[183] 2/5me Artillerie a Cheval 0/ 145 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Fresh

Brigade Paul Dermoncourt - Attack
[127] Colonel Paul Dermoncourt - Active C [350 paces]
[184] 1e Regiment de Dragons 0/ 280 C Formed Average Fresh
[185] 2me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 280 C Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Louis Joseph Cavrois - Attack
[128] General de Brigade Louis Joseph Cavrois - Active B- [400 paces]
[186] 4me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 284 C Formed Good Fresh
[187] 9me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 276 C Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Ignace Laurant Oullenbourg - Attack [Retire]
[129] General de Brigade Ignace Laurant Oullenbourg - Active C- [350 paces]
[Y] [188] 14me Regiment de Dragons 150/ 121 C Rout Broken Tiring
[189] 26me Regiment de Dragons 45/ 228 C Formed ( 2) Average Fresh

Strengths:
losses/active
2602/ 30012 Bayonets
313/ 3519 Sabres
151/ 1921 Artillerists
4/ 80 Cannon
3066/ 35452 Total of all arms
25 Colours present
1 Colours lost

Legend:
[D] Denotes dispersed
[Y] Denotes In rout
[R] Denotes halted in disorder, in retirement or retreat
[W] Denotes no advance unless accompanied by officer

Talavera 208 Team, June 2017 - Supporting Combat Stress on Armed Forces Day
Anglo- Spanish Commanders, left to right, Bob, Martin (aka Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley with hat), Nathan (Eagle Taker)
French Commanders, centre left to right Tom (aka King Joseph Bonaparte with hat in the French style) Mike, Si
Gamemeister with Fez, far right, JJ 

My thanks to the gentlemen pictured above who created all the fun captured in this post. The two days of gaming were a real pleasure and has set a great standard to follow for the next games planned with July set for the next two teams of players to got to it at Talavera and improve on Joseph and Wellesley.

PS: Whilst writing this report it occurred to me that I have only seen two Eagles taken playing C&G including this game. The other occasion was during the Oporto games when Tom was commanding the 70me Ligne who suffered the loss of their Eagle when hit in the flank by the 16th Light Dragoons. That is two Eagles lost to the enemy confirming Tom is well outside of his comfort zone playing the French!

http://jjwargames.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/oporto-205th-anniversary-game.html

If you have enjoyed this report and are looking forward to the next then you might consider popping over to the Just Giving page and making a donation to Combat Stress - Thank you.

Talavera 208,1809-2017 in Support of Combat Stress