Talavera 208 - Afternoon Attack, (208th Anniversary) Game Two

This weekend saw the second in a series of games recreating the Battle of Talavera fought two hundred and eight years ago this month on the 28th July 1809.

As well as commemorating this significant military event, the project, designed to use the games to support the charity 'Combat Stress', saw the pot closing in on £1,000 with £942.00 in total, raised before we gathered to play this weekend.

The teams for Game Two - Left to Right Anglo-Spanish, JJ, Steve M, Vince, French, Steve H, Chas, Steve L and Gamemeister Tom

As in last month's game Tom and I were joined by friends from the Devon Wargames Group to fight our battle over the two days and enjoy a curry on the Saturday night.

This time round I would be playing the role of Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley, ably supported by fellow Anglo-Spanish commanders Steve M and Vince, whilst Chas took the role of King Joseph/Marshal Victor, with his French command team of Mr Steve and Steve L whilst Tom took on the task of herding all the cats and flying the computer with Carnage & Glory II, our rule set for the game.

The map illustrates the main moves made by each side with British cavalry brigades (red arrows) moved to support the line under attack by French forces whist the Spanish on the Allied left (yellow arrow) moved to pin French forces on the Cascacajal

Not surprisingly both teams of players sought to develop plans from the learning gathered from last month's game.

The big advantage French troops have is their ability to manoeuvre quickly and develop an attack en mass in any particular part of the Anglo Spanish line; this together with their superiority in good cavalry and artillery meant that the Anglo-Spanish right and centre were the most likely areas for attention.

After the first move and both armies are extending their forces out towards the Pajar Vergara redoubt, with the Anglo-Spanish right nearest to camera

These strengths in French arms didn't escape the pre battle meeting discussions of the Anglo-Spanish team and we felt it was extremely likely we could expect a shift of emphasis in that direction and that we would adjust Wellesley's line slightly by moving both brigades of Mackenzie's 3rd Division along the line to better support Sherbroke's 1st Division in the centre and allow Campbell's 4th Division to move to the left to support Portago's Spanish around the Pajar redoubt.

In addition we felt it was important for Bassecourt and Albuquerque's Spanish to get forward into the Northern Valley and demonstrate towards Ruffin's Division with British cavalry in support.

The artillery joust begins as the armies reposition in preparation for the French attack

Thus it was not a total surprise to see Sebastiani's IV Corps supported by Latour Maubourg's 2nd Dragoon division advance on the allied line limbering up their guns and bringing them forward immediately, foregoing any bombardment at extreme range.

What was surprising and a little disconcerting was seeing Victors I Corps shift to the French centre together with IV Corps cavalry whilst opening up with a somewhat punishing artillery bombardment that caused a little mayhem among the KGL guns on the Medellin.

French columns double march forward with massed screens of voltigeurs, artillery and cavalry

The French were not hanging around and their columns doubled through olive groves and out towards the Portina with a massed line of voltigeurs screening the advance, closely followed by artillery and cavalry.

As the senior British commander observing all this French activity, I have to say that it was a little unnerving and I found myself wondering if the shifting of 3rd and 4th Division would suffice to prevent any breakthroughs into the allied positions.

I Corps artillery start laying on the round shot as the infantry move forward to the centre and right of the allied line

Carnage & Glory has a really sound way of encouraging the Napoleonic player to play with all arms operating together in mixed groups.

Close in artillery can really mess up your day especially supported by skirmish screens to help soften up the enemy infantry line before the infantry columns and lines close on the enemy line. Then by making sure you have cavalry squadrons mixed in among the forward infantry you can have them close up to enemy infantry that may become shaken by the attention of the other arms.

The presence of cavalry within three hundred paces of shaken infantry is often enough to cause them to break but very often throw down their arms and surrender, knowing that any rout will leave them vulnerable to being cut down.

It was this kind of attack that was now heading towards the Anglo-Spanish line, and quickly!

Classic all arms attack developing and somewhat unsettling for the Anglo-Spanish

Within half an hour of the attack commencing, the skirmish battle commenced between the voltigeurs and light bobs along the Portina as both opposing screens attempted to get at the supporting heavy infantry beyond.

This was where the companies of 60th Riflemen started to take effect as their three-hundred pace range gave them a one-hundred pace advantage over their French opposition, but weight of numbers together with the advancing columns forced the British screen to give ground as they fell back to the olive groves behind.

The speed of the French manoeuvre is captured in the picture as within the first 45 minutes of battle French columns press the allied right and centre, with French heavy dragoons moving up in support, right of picture 

Meanwhile on the Pajar front the lack of Spanish light companies meant the German and Dutch infantry skirmish screen had an almost open advance towards the Pajar redoubt save from opposition offered by the Antequeran Light Infantry and Campbell's 4th Division light bobs who gamely contested the advance.

King Joseph, centre right, oversees French columns supporting the German division

The fast moving attack developing to the front of the allied line was looking like it would only be the first wave as it became obvious that Victor's I Corps were repositioning to come in behind the divisions of IV Corps and take advantage of any breakthrough.

Latour Maubourg's dragoons move up behind the German division

The French commander had to be reeled in and Wellesley quickly dispatched a rider to the Spanish cavalry and infantry in the Northern Valley to demonstrate towards the Cerro de Cascajal and prevent the French from shifting more troops to the centre.

Spanish infantry step forward as the Pajar redoubt comes under attack from Dutch and German voltigeurs

The other concern from an Anglo-Spanish perspective was the inclusion of the Polish brigade under Potocki to support Leval's German Division in their attack. The Poles were extremely formidable troops and would have to be countered appropriately.

This option was taken up by the French command team aware that it would count against them unless they made a breakthrough on to the objectives, as these reserve troops were held back by King Joseph in the actual battle.

French guns have redeployed close to the Portina stream and are pounding the British line of Sherbrooke's Division

By now the skirmish battle was well and truly under way and although the casualty count was low as the two screens fired at each other and their supports beyond, key critical commanders were the target groups among those small casualties being reported and these would have an incremental effect on those supporting units as the battle progressed.

The KGL infantry, right of picture, could only wait in line as the odd round shot ploughed through their ranks

The first columns to close on the allied line were those of General Laval's German division as Dutch, Nassau and Baden columns of infantry emerged from the olive groves in front of the Pajar redoubt behind their strong screen of voltigeurs.

The Guards and Campbell's light bobs engage the French skirmish screen trying to pick off officers and NCO's among the columns behind. Baden and Dutch cannon open fire with canister across the Portina

As the allied gunners in the redoubt let fly their first rounds of canister fire that ripped through the skirmish screen and into the columns beyond, the Spanish infantry stepped up to support the gunners.

The Spanish guns have been driven from the redoubt, left of picture, not before taking a colour and driving off a column of Baden infantry that assaulted the works. The El Rey cavalry have just charged down the road , right of picture and cut down a battery of Hesse artillery and forcing the Dutch infantry into square

On the extreme right of the redoubt the Antequeran Cazadores met the Hesse Darmstadt infantry in open order and opened up a telling fire on the German troops as, behind the Spanish infantry, squadron columns of the El Rey cavalry regiment moved forward to deploy into line behind them.

As the battle rages around the Pajar redoubt, two squadrons of the French 14th Dragoons press the British infantry of Myers brigade, whilst beyond the Guards brigade step forward to deliver a crashing volley at General Rey's lead columns

At that moment, General Portago trotted forward to the El Rey and called on them to follow him as the regiment burst through the light infantry position and caught the Hesse infantry on the road, cutting their way through them into the Hesse gunners trying to bring their limber teams up the road behind.

The French 14th Dragoons posed a serious threat to the Pajar defence eventually losing both squadrons in the bitter fighting with Myers brigade and leaving General Oullenbourg seen with them wounded after the battle

The sudden charge by the Spanish cavalry had the effect of forcing the Dutch columns into emergency square to help fend off the attack and secure the flank for the Nassau and Baden columns to assault the Pajar with support from columns of the 28me Ligne who with the Baden 1/4 battalion charged into the face of the redoubt.

The major threat to the Pajar, two battalions of Potocki's Polish infantry seen advancing with more French dragoons in support

The Spanish 12 lbr guns ripped through the Baden infantry with a devastating canister fire and as the survivors attempted to follow their standard bearer over the rampart were met by stoic Spanish gunners striking back with musket and ramrod, killing the standard bearer and grabbing his colour as the enemy infantry were beaten back.

On their left Lawson's brigade of RFA 3 lbrs added to the carnage by stopping the 3/28me Ligne in its tracks with close in cannister from the six small guns that also badly hit the Nassau battalion following close behind.

It was during this attack that Oberst Porbeck leading the Baden battalion was severely wounded, losing an arm, shattered by multiple canister rounds.

The forward elements of the German division are driven back by resolute Anglo-Spanish defenders around the Pajar

As the attack developed around the Pajar the other columns of the 28me Ligne closed on the lead British battalions of Colonel Myers first brigade of the 2/7th Royal Fusiliers and the 2/53rd Foot supported by Cameron's light bobs who now discreetly fell back behind the British line.

These two weak second battalions held their ground as the enemy columns supported by the 14th French dragoons advanced on their line.

The multiple targets now attempting to assault their lines didn't help when it came to distributing their musket volleys as they sought to stop the French attack and the Fusiliers were forced by canny French card play to test to see how many of them would fire when a wall of smoke from the battle close by around the Pajar descended on to their position.

Cards were used during play to add a little uncertainty
and a small amount of 'Talavera' battle issues to the game

The allied command held its group breath as Steve rolled the bones granting the fusiliers 73% of their potential first volley indicating that Colonel Myers had managed to get his young battalion to hold their volley until the last moment as the smoke began to clear.

As the battle rages to their left around the Pajar, General Rey's 1st Division columns attack Sherbroke's division beyond the Portina stream

The British volley fire was good enough to stop the cavalry in its advance and force the French columns into line to begin an attritional fire-fight that suited neither side but that favoured the French with cavalry close at hand ready to take full advantage of any nervous British infantry.

As the battle got into full sway on the allied right flank the activity of the allied left started to take effect as the Spanish cavalry of Albuquerque's division closed on the marching columns of the 9me Legere and 24me Ligne forcing those regiments to about turn and face the oncoming threat.

This movement also prevented the French guns on the Cascajal from limbering up and descending into the valley to add yet more close in artillery support to the developing French attack in the centre.

Generals Bassecourt and Albuquerque's Spanish infantry and cavalry threaten the Cascajal forcing Ruffin's French division to turn to face

With both wings toe to toe it was now fast developing into the point of decision in the centre of the British line as the rest of Rey's 1st Division started to cross the Portina stream, spearheaded by the 58me Ligne.

General Merlin brings forward IV Corps cavalry with the Vistula Legion Lancers to support the French skirmish screen

To prepare the way for the attack, Sebastiani's corps artillery was now lined along the French side of the stream and proceeded to lay on a preparatory bombardment of the forward British battalions manning the front of the olive groves on the British side beyond the road.

All the redcoats could do was to take what little cover the olive trees gave them whilst waiting for the French columns to pass through the gun line and offer them some relief from the fire as the guns inevitably fell silent to allow their infantry to pass.

French infantry form square as Albuquerque's Spanish cavalry threaten to attack

The French gunnery proved, not for the first time during the battle, to be highly effective and suddenly the 2/83rd Foot broke under the stress of over one-hundred and fifty casualties leaving a rather large gap in the middle of General Sherbrooke's 1st Division and Cameron's and the KGL brigades manning the forward line.

General Anson brigs forward his light cavalry brigade to threaten an attack into the valley as French infantry close on the Portina stream

The departure of the 83rd Foot seemed to embolden the leading French columns as the 1/58me Ligne followed in later by the 3/16me Legere charged forward in assault columns towards the forward edge of the tree line.

A large gap in the British line, once occupied by the 2/83rd Foot of Cameron's brigade until broken by French artillery is covered by Cottons light cavalry brigade and the 2/48th Foot. French cannon line the Portina stream beyond

The Guards brigade of Brigadier Henry Campbell had, like their colleagues in the neighbouring brigade under Brigadier Cameron, to endure a half hour of preparatory bombardment amongst the olive trees lining their part of the Portina.

Unlike Cameron's men and the luckless 2/83rd they have come off relatively unscathed from this unwanted attention and so when the order to present and fire came to both the 2nd Coldstream and 3rd Scots Guards the effect was staggering on both the French battalions who when faced by the sight of both guards battalions springing forward with levelled bayonets quickly decamped back to the French side of the Portina leaving a heap of dead and dying comrades in their wake together with tens of prisoners too shocked to run.

General Fane brings the British heavy cavalry brigade over to support the Anglo-Spanish infantry and gunners fighting around the Pajar

The French were by no means finished and with their columns closed up on the Portina opposite Sherbrooke's battalions that gap in the British line looked too inviting an opportunity not to try and take advantage of.

Battalions from 3rd Division line up in support of the Guards and 4th Division on the centre right of the British position

Fortunately Wellesley was close at hand and was overseeing his reserves in the form of Donkin's brigade and Cotton's light cavalry brigade. The situation was becoming extremely unpredictable with French troops queueing up to press the British position en mass and seek to overwhelm the defence.

Not only that but French gunners and cavalry squadrons were looking for gaps to interpenetrate among the columns and add to the threat to the redcoats.

Sir Arthur needed to take back the initiative and force the French on to the back foot.

The Spanish pressure starts to build in front of Ruffin's division in the Northern Valley, Wellesley, closest to camera issues new orders

Suddenly the sound of bugles and the thunder of hooves heralded the charge of Generals Anson's and Cotton's light cavalry brigades as sixteen squadrons thundered through the gap and around the forward slope of the Cerro de Medellin to take the forward columns and voltiguer screens under the 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre and take the French assault by Victor's men in a pincer attack.

Within minutes the forward ranks of voltiguers had been cut down and the survivors in full retreat and three columns had been driven off into the French lines with other columns dropping back to the safer side of the Portina stream.

The 23rd Light Dragoons charge in against the Vistula Lancers and the French skirmish screen looking to relieve the pressure on the British line. Beyond can be seen Cotton's light dragoons hitting the other flank of Victor's corps attack.

To stem the threat posed by the British light cavalrymen Victor threw in Merlin's light cavalry led forward by the Vistula Lancers who met General Anson leading with two squadrons from the 23rd Light Dragoons.

The first clash went to Anson and his Light Dragoons but Merlin and the Vistula Lancers got the better of the second two squadron group and pushed the British cavalrymen back to their lines, so honours even and some pressure taken off the hard pressed infantry.

Cottons light dragoons burst out from the British line in the centre cutting down the French skirmishers and driving off two columns in close support

Whilst the cavalry were stemming the advance of the French infantry in the centre the respite allowed Sherbrooke to dress the line and his brigades who had charged forward, and they were able to step back into the cover of the tree line to await any further assault as the cavalry sought to break contact and return to the line.

The cavalry attack had taken the sting out of the assault in the centre but the Poles under Potocki were keen to assert their claim to being the best infantry in the French force as they closed on the Pajar redoubt still resolutely held by Lawson's RFA brigade of 3 lbr guns.

Kemis' light bobs contest the advance of the Poles on the Pajar redoubt alongside the Provincial de Badajoz Milita battalion

The situation around the Pajar had stalemated into a fire fight between the opposing infantry with both sides attempting to bring cavalry to bear in the area but finding it difficult to find space in which to deploy.

The British heavy cavalry brigade wait in support of 4th Division as Myers brigade fend off French dragoons and infantry attacks

The closest the French had come to breaking the stalemate was with two squadrons of the 14th Dragoons breaking the two battalions of the Badajoz regiment and taking one of their colours when they had tried to oppose their advance only to be stopped by fire from the 7th Fusiliers in Myers brigade which succeeded in wounding General de Brigade Oullenbourg who ignored the musket graze to his leg and continued to fight his battle group.

The fight was however swinging in favour of the allies and with the attack in the centre stymied the French would have take the Pajar if they were to salvage a result from the battle.

As the first French columns are pushed back by British infantry volley fire beyond the Portina, British light cavalry burst out from the olive groves to cut down the shaken lead units.

The two Polish battalions pushed their way forward onto the stage shrugging off British and Spanish skirmish fire, one battalion heading for the redoubt and one for the Spanish infantry holding the extreme allied right flank.

Surely if the Spanish battalions were driven off and the guns dealt with in the redoubt, General Cuesta's and Portago's hold on the area would be broken and perhaps the French could snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.

The hero's of the day on the Anglo-Spanish side were the Provincial de Guadix Militia who stepped forward and broke the Polish battalion to their front that threatened to overwhelm the defence

When the two charges went in, one against the tired RFA gunners who let forth a feeble round of canister and the second against the Guadix Militia battalion who were yet to be ordered to stand firm and open fire, the situation looked very unfavourable to allied hopes of holding on.

Then the Spanish did what they have become renowned for throughout all the games I have played during this Talavera series, come up with the unexpected.

Suddenly the Guadix Militia announced that they would stand the charge and would issue fire at full effect.

Over 550 men let fly with a crashing volley that staggered the II/4th Polish battalion dropping over 150 of their men and forcing the battalion to hurriedly shake out into a rather disordered line.

Meanwhile the second Polish battalion proved their worth finally driving off the British guns and breaking into the redoubt. To little to late though as the French attacks were over and a withdrawal inevitable

As if to grab some honour out of a disappointing situation the I/4th Polish drove in the gunners on the barricade of the redoubt, however the British gunners managed to pull away four of their guns leaving the Polish infantry to face the muskets of the Badajoz Militia and the British lines of Kemmis' brigade in their support.

That was it, a stunning ending to two days of exciting battle with the final result very much in the balance throughout much of it. This was a most exciting game of Carnage & Glory, coupling the size of game with moments of pure drama and it was a privilege for me to have played in it.

The results tally show an historic looking butchers bill with several French commanders killed and wounded leading from the front and one Spanish and one Baden colour being captured by each side.

With ten turns played, equivalent to two and a half hours of battle, we had fought the time that the French had during their actual attack and our French command team put together a fast moving, sweeping attack that had the Anglo-Spanish team on full alert as they quickly developed into concerted efforts to break in at the centre and the Pajar.

Talavera 28th July 1809
As of Game Turn: 11

Army Sir Arthur Wellesley
[501] Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley - Active A [1500 paces]
[R] [ 548] Lawson's Brigade 28/ 117 [ 3] C Broken Exhausted
[549] Sillery's Brigade 57/ 96 [ 5] C ( 6) Good Fresh
[550] Eliott's Brigade 18/ 133 [ 6] C ( 6) Good Tired
[551] Rettberg's Brigade 3/ 141 [ 6] C ( 5) Good Tired
[552] Heyse's Brigade 26/ 123 [ 6] C ( 7) Good Tired

Division William Payne - Defend
[503] Lieutenant General William Payne - Active C+ [725 paces]
Brigade Henry Fane - Defend
[504] Brigadier General Henry Fane - Active B- [400 paces]
[501] 3rd Dragoon Guards A 2/ 253 C+ Good Acceptable
[502] 3rd Dragoon Guards B 0/ 273 C+ Good Tiring
[503] 4th Dragoons A 5/ 274 C Good Fresh
[504] 4th Dragoons B 0/ 271 C ( 2) Good Fresh
Brigade Stapleton Cotton - Defend
[505] Brigadier General Stapleton Cotton - Active B+ [500 paces]
[R] [505] 14th Light Dragoons A 26/ 214 C [sk+] Broken Exhausted
[506] 14th Light Dragoons B 35/ 194 C [sk+] ( 6) Good Acceptable
[507] 16th Light Dragoons A 6/ 247 C [sk+] Good Acceptable
[508] 16th Light Dragoons B 4/ 267 C [sk+] ( 6) Good Acceptable
Brigade George Anson - Defend
[506] Brigadier General George Anson - Active B- [400 paces]
[509] 23rd Light Dragoons A 4/ 225 C [sk+] ( 9) Ex'lent Tiring
[510] 23rd Light Dragoons B 16/ 208 C [sk+] (12) Good Tired
[R] [511] 1st Light Dragoons KGL A 36/ 184 C+ [sk+] Poor Fresh
[512] 1st Light Dragoons KGL B 0/ 228 C+ [sk+] 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 14/ 859 B- [sk-] ( 4) Ex'lent Tiring
[514] 1/3rd Scots Guards 32/ 885 B- [sk-] (11) Ex'lent Tiring
[515] H.Campbell's Bde. Light Bn. 13/ 242 B- [sk+] (14) Good Fresh
Brigade Alan Cameron - Defend
[509] Brigadier General Alan Cameron - Mortally wounded C- [300 paces]
[W] [516] 1/61st Foot 13/ 687 C+ [sk-] ( 1) Average Acceptable
[D] [517] 2/83rd Foot 152/ 329 C [sk-] Broken Fresh
[R] [518] Cameron's Bde. Light Bn. 20/ 163 C [sk+] Broken Fresh
Brigade Ernest Baron Langwerth - Defend
[510] Brigadier General Ernest Baron Langwerth - Active B- [350 paces]
[519] 1st KGL Line Battalion 6/ 538 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[520] 2nd KGL Line Battalion 0/ 610 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[521] Langwerth's Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 234 C+ [sk+] ( 8) Good Acceptable
Brigade Sigismund Baron Low - Defend
[511] Brigadier General Sigismund Baron Low - Active C+ [450 paces]
[522] 5th KGL Line Battalion 60/ 489 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[523] 7th KGL Line Battalion 27/ 474 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[R] [524] Low's Bde. Light Bn. 28/ 89 C+ [sk+] Poor Tiring

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 2/ 669 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[526] 2/48th Foot 28/ 482 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[527] 2/66th Foot 0/ 473 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[528] Tilson's Bde. Light Bn. 0/ 237 C+ [sk+] Good Fresh
Brigade Richard Stewart - Defend
[514] Brigadier General Richard Stewart - Active B [450 paces]
[529] 29th Foot 0/ 538 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[530] 1/48th Foot 0/ 726 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[531] 1st Battalion of Detachments 0/ 548 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[532] Stuart's Bde. Light Bn. 2/ 200 C+ [sk+] ( 4) 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-] Good Fresh
[538] 1/88th Foot 0/ 539 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[539] 5/60th Rifles 0/ 220 B- [sk+] Ex'lent Fresh
[540] Donkin's Bde. Light Bn. 29/ 146 C+ [sk+] ( 4) Good Fresh
Brigade William Guard - Defend
[530] Lieutenant Colonel William Guard - Active C- [300 paces]
[533] 2/24th Foot 3/ 705 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[534] 2/31st Foot 0/ 660 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[535] 1/45th Foot 0/ 680 C+ [sk-] Good Fresh
[D] [ 536] Mackenzie's Bde. Light Bn. 41/ 187 C [sk+] 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-] Good Fresh
[545] 97th Foot 0/ 452 C+ [sk-] ( 2) Good Acceptable
[546] 2nd Battalion of Detachments 0/ 562 C [sk-] Good Fresh
[547] Kemmis' Bde. Light Bn. 7/ 237 C+ [sk+] ( 6) Average Acceptable
Brigade Sir William Myers - Defend [No Advance]
[531] Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Myers - Active B- [350 paces]
[541] 2/7th Foot 106/ 282 C [sk-] ( 4) Average Fresh
[542] 2/53rd Foot 52/ 431 C [sk-] ( 7) Average Tired
[543] A. Campbell's Bde. Light Bn. 41/ 120 C [sk+] (17) Average Tiring

Army Gregorio de La Cuesta
[519] General Gregorio de La Cuesta - Active C+ [1100 paces]
[D] [621] 1st Battery A 68/ 4 D+ Poor Fresh
[W] [622] 1st Battery B 10/ 67 [ 3] D+ ( 6) Average Exhausted
[626] 5th Battery 0/ 101 [ 4] D+ ( 5) Good Exhausted

Division Duke of Albuquerque - Support
[523] Lieutenant General Duke of Albuquerque - Active B [875 paces]
[568] Infante A 15/ 207 D Good Fresh
[R] [569] Infante B 75/ 151 D Broken Tired
[570] Alcantara A 7/ 219 D Good Fresh
[571] Alcantara B 4/ 225 D ( 1) Average Acceptable
[572] Pavia Dragoons A 0/ 235 D Good Fresh
[R] [573] Pavia Dragoons B 78/ 152 D Broken Tiring
[574] Almanza Dragoons A 0/ 218 D Good Acceptable
[R] [575] Almanza Dragoons B 99/ 135 D Broken Acceptable
[576] 1st Hussars of Estremadura A 0/ 233 D- [sk+] Average Tiring
[578] 2nd Hussars of Estremadura A 3/ 229 D- [sk+] Poor Tiring

Division Marques de Portago - Defend
[527] Major General Marques de Portago - Active C [725 paces]
[553] El Rey A 13/ 216 D Average Fresh
[554] El Rey B 39/ 192 D (12) Good Tired
[D] [600] 1st Bn. Badajoz Regiment 212/ 359 D- Broken Acceptable
[D] [601] 2nd Bn. Badajoz Regiment 172/ 385 D- Broken Acceptable
[602] 2nd Cazadores de Antequera 18/ 539 D- [sk+] (13) Average Acceptable
[603] Imperial de Toledo 0/ 792 D- Average Fresh
[604] Provincial de Badajoz Militia 9/ 568 D ( 2) Good Fresh
[605] Provincial de Guadix Militia 16/ 546 D ( 5) Good Tiring

Division Luis Alejandro Bassecourt - Support
[529] Major General Luis Alejandro Bassecourt - Active B [875 paces]
[614] 1st Bn. Real Marina 0/ 572 D+ Good Acceptable
[615] 2nd Bn. Real Marina 0/ 583 D+ Good Tiring
[616] 3rd Africa Line 0/ 884 D+ Good Acceptable
[617] 1st Murcia Line 18/ 584 D+ ( 4) Good Exhausted
[618] 2nd Murcia Line 0/ 642 D+ Good Acceptable
[619] 1st Reyna Line 0/ 705 D+ Good Tiring
[620] Provincial de Siguenza 0/ 621 D Good Tired

Strengths:
losses/active
1121/ 23682 Bayonets
467/ 5250 Sabres
210/ 782 Artillerists
7/ 33 Cannon
1798/ 29714 Total of all arms
55 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

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As of Game Turn: 11
Army Joseph Bonaparte
[101] King Joseph Bonaparte - Active C [1100 paces]
Staff Jourdan
[102] Marechal d'Empire Jourdan - Active C+ [800 paces]

Corps Claude-Victor Perrin
[104] Marechal d'Empire Claude-Victor Perrin - Active B- [1300 paces]
[101] 6/8me Artillerie a Pied 20/ 173 [ 8] C Formed ( 7) Average Exhausted
[102] 2/6me Artillerie a Cheval 0/ 156 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Tiring

Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Defend
[105] General de Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Active D+ [650 paces]
[190] 4/8me Artillerie a Pied 25/ 184 [ 8] C+ Formed Average Tired
Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Support
[106] General de Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Active B- [400 paces]
[191] 1/9me Regiment de Legere 0/ 467 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[192] 2/9me Regiment de Legere 5/ 492 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[193] 3/9me Regiment de Legere 6/ 485 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[194] 1/24me Regiment de Ligne 19/ 453 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[195] 2/24me Regiment de Ligne 10/ 461 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[196] 3/24me Regiment de Ligne 51/ 446 C- [sk-] Formed ( 1) Average Fresh
[197] 9me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 308 C [sk+] Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[198] 24me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 308 C [sk+] Formed Good 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 ( 3) Good Tiring
[200] 2/96me Regiment de Ligne. 0/ 507 C [sk-] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[201] 3/96me Regiment de Ligne. 24/ 452 C- [sk-] Formed ( 4) Good Tired
[202] 96me Regt. Voltiguer Bn. 0/ 288 C [sk+] Formed ( 4) Good Fresh

Division Pierre- Bellon Lapisse - Attack
[108] General de Division Pierre- Bellon Lapisse - Active C- [725 paces]
[103] 1/8me Artillerie a Pied 9/ 186 [ 8] C Formed ( 6) Good Exhausted
Brigade Jean Bartholomew R Laplanne - Attack
[109] General de Brigade Jean Bartholomew R Laplanne - Active C [350 paces]
[112] 1/16me Regiment de Legere 10/ 579 C [sk-] Formed ( 6) Average Tired
[113] 2/16me Regiment de Legere 52/ 546 C [sk-] Formed ( 5) Average Fresh
[D] [114] 3/16me Regiment de Legere 206/ 264 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Tiring
[115] 1/45me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 455 C [sk-] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[116] 2/45me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 482 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[117] 3/45me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 459 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[R] [118] 16me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 33/ 252 C [sk+] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[D] [119] 45me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 143/ 142 C [sk+] D'persed Broken Exhausted
Brigade Jean Baptiste Solignac - Support
[110] General de Brigade Jean Baptiste Solignac - Active C- [350 paces]
[104] 1/8me Regiment de Ligne 27/ 469 C [sk-] Formed ( 3) Good Acceptable
[105] 2/8me Regiment de Ligne 6/ 465 C [sk-] Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[106] 3/8me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 460 C- [sk-] Formed 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. 0/ 291 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[111] 54me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 290 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Eugene Villatte - Attack
[111] General de Division Eugene Villatte - Active B [875 paces]
[120] 2/8me Artillerie a Pied 21/ 177 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Tired
Brigade Baron Louis-Victorin Cassagne - Attack
[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 1/ 408 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. 57/ 204 C [sk+] Formed ( 5) Poor Tiring
[128] 63me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 261 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Jacques Puthod - Attack
[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 6/ 428 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[131] 3/94me Regiment de Ligne 10/ 431 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[132] 1/95me Regiment de Ligne 1/ 446 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[133] 2/95me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 447 C [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[134] 3/95me Regiment de Ligne 1/ 418 C- [sk-] Formed Good Fresh
[R] [135] 94me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 64/ 187 C [sk+] Shaken Broken Tired
[136] 95me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 250 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Brigade Louis Carriere, Baron Beaumont - Attack
[114] General de Brigade Louis Carriere, Baron Beaumont - Active C+ [400 paces]
[137] 1/3me Artillerie a Cheval 1/ 143 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Tiring
[138] 2me Regiment de Hussards A 0/ 228 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[139] 2me Regiment de Hussards B 0/ 243 C Formed Good Fresh
[140] 5me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval A 0/ 259 C Formed Good Fresh
[141] 5me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval B 0/ 255 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

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 Acceptable

Division Baron Jean Pierre-Antoine Rey - Support
[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 Tiring
Brigade Jean-Francios Toussaint - Support [No Advance]
[135] Colonel Jean-Francios Toussaint - Active C- [350 paces]
[D] [152] 1/28me Regiment de Ligne 246/ 322 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[D] [153] 2/28me Regiment de Ligne 179/ 403 C [sk-] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[Y] [154] 3/28me Regiment de Ligne 356/ 224 C- [sk-] Rout Broken Tired
[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 Average Fresh
[158] 28me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 143/ 202 C [sk+] Disorder Poor Acceptable
[159] 32me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 4/ 341 C [sk+] Formed ( 5) Good Fresh
Brigade Louis Liger-Belair - Support
[117] General de Brigade Louis Liger-Belair - Active B+ [500 paces]
[R] [144] 1/58me Regiment de Ligne 247/ 302 C [sk-] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[145] 2/58me Regiment de Ligne 242/ 309 C [sk-] Formed ( 4) Average Fresh
[146] 3/58me Regiment de Ligne 19/ 566 C- [sk-] Formed ( 3) Good Acceptable
[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 Fresh
[150] 58me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 2/ 344 C [sk+] Formed ( 7) Average Fresh
[151] 75me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 6/ 339 C [sk+] Formed ( 6) Good Fresh

Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Support
[118] General de Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Active B- [875 paces]
Brigade Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Support
[119] Oberst Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Severely wounded B [450 paces]
[160] III Fuss Batterien Steinmetz 0/ 190 [ 8] C Formed ( 4) Average Tiring
[D] [161] I.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden) 145/ 231 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Acceptable
[162] II.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden) 0/ 367 C- [sk-] Formed Average Fresh
[D] [163] I.Nassau IR Nr.2 135/ 225 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Tiring
[164] II.Nassau IR Nr.2 0/ 386 C- [sk-] Formed Average Fresh
[165] Porbeck's Voltigeur Bn. 24/ 293 C- [sk+] Formed ( 7) Average Fresh
Brigade David-Hendrik Chasse - Support [No Advance]
[120] Generalmajor David-Hendrik Chasse - Mortally wounded C [350 paces]
[166] 3m3 Artillerie a Cheval Trip 0/ 147 [ 6] C Formed Average Fresh
[R] [167] I/2me Regiment Linie 90/ 303 C- [sk-] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[D] [168] 2/4me Regiment Linie 179/ 199 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Acceptable
[D] [169] Chasse's Voltigeur Bn. 93/ 61 C- [sk+] D'persed Broken Acceptable
Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Support
[121] General de Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Active B [450 paces]
[D] [170] III. Fuss. Batterien Venator 96/ 0 C D'persed Broken Fresh
[D] [171] 1/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4 109/ 289 C- [sk-] D'persed Broken Tired
[172] 2/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4 0/ 371 C- [sk-] Formed ( 2) Good Fresh
[R] [173] Rheinbund Bttn von Frankfort 15/ 376 C- [sk-] Disorder Average Exhausted
[174] Grandjean's Voltigeur Bn. 0/ 225 C- [sk+] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh
Brigade Feliks Potocki - Support
[122] Oberst Feliks Potocki - Active C [350 paces]
[175] I. IR Nr 4 (Polish) 20/ 741 C [sk-] Formed ( 5) Good Fresh
[R] [176] II. IR Nr 4 (Polish) 158/ 624 C [sk-] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[177] Potocki's Voltigeur Bn. 1/ 259 C [sk+] Formed ( 6) Good Fresh

Division Antoine Christophe Merlin - Support
[123] General de Brigade Antoine Christophe Merlin - Active C- [725 paces]
Brigade Jean Baptiste Alexandre Strolz - Defend
[124] Colonel Jean Baptiste Alexandre Strolz - Active D+ [300 paces]
[178] 10me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval 0/ 327 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
[179] 26me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval 0/ 216 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Francois-Leon Ormancey - Support
[125] Colonel Francois-Leon Ormancey - Active C- [300 paces]
[R] [180] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers A 33/ 191 C [sk+] Shaken Poor Exhausted
[181] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers B 5/ 201 C [sk+] Formed ( 5) Good Tiring
[182] Westplalian Light Horse 0/ 210 C [sk+] Formed Good Fresh

Division Marie Victor-Latour Maubourg - Support
[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 - Support
[127] Colonel Paul Dermoncourt - Active C [350 paces]
[184] 1e Regiment de Dragons 0/ 280 C Formed Good Fresh
[185] 2me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 280 C Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Louis Joseph Cavrois - Support
[128] General de Brigade Louis Joseph Cavrois - Active B- [400 paces]
[186] 4me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 284 C Formed Ex'lent Fresh
[187] 9me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 276 C Formed Ex'lent Fresh
Brigade Ignace Laurant Oullenbourg - Support
[129] General de Brigade Ignace Laurant Oullenbourg - Lightly wounded C- [350 paces]
[D] [ 188] 14me Regiment de Dragons 271/ 0 C D'persed Broken Tiring
[189] 26me Regiment de Dragons 0/ 273 C Formed Good Fresh

Strengths:
losses/active
3145/ 29469 Bayonets
309/ 3523 Sabres
172/ 1900 Artillerists
4/ 80 Cannon
3626/ 34892 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

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

Minor victory for the Anglo-Spanish Army
As of Game Turn: 11
The Anglo-Spanish Army has suffered losses of:
[9%] 3062 men of all arms

including:
[4%] 1279 dead and wounded
[4%] 1264 missing
[1%] 519 prisoners
[9%] 2381 bayonets
[8%] 467 sabres
[21%] 214 artillerists
7 cannon[s] lost
Honours: [543] A. Campbell's Bde. Light Bn.
[95%] ammunition available
Losses include 1 Colour[s]:
[600] 1st Bn. Badajoz Regiment [1]
Losses include 1 General[s]:
[509] Alan Cameron - Mortally wounded

The French Army has suffered losses of:
[15%] 5986 men of all arms

including:
[7%] 2726 dead and wounded
[6%] 2360 missing
[2%] 900 prisoners
[16%] 5505 bayonets
[8%] 309 sabres
[8%] 172 artillerists
4 cannon[s] lost
Honours: [101] 6/8me Artillerie a Pied
[96%] ammunition available
Losses include 1 Colour[s]:
[168] 2/4me Regiment Linie [1]
Losses include 3 General[s]:
[119] Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Severely wounded
[120] David-Hendrik Chasse - Mortally wounded
[129] Ignace Laurant Oullenbourg - Lightly wounded

Thank you to Chas, Steve L, Mr Steve, Steve M, Vince and Tom for a great weekend of good company, banter and loads of memories, and to Carolyn for allowing us the time to play during our Wedding Anniversary, I am truly blessed.

We will now take a summer break with Talavera until September when we will stage a third game with a new team of players and new plans.

Until then, if you have enjoyed this game and the one before together with the work leading up to them I would ask you to consider helping the pot past the £1,000 mark in support of our chosen charity Combat Stress by simply following the link to the Just Giving Page below.

Just Giving - Talavera 208