Legionary Preparation - All Set and Ready to Go

This weekend has been taken up with the preparation for the Legionary show next weekend in Exeter.

I am quite keen to make the Napoleonic collection portable to be able to run some demo games away from the wargames room and so this will be a bit of a dry run to see what is possible.

The battle box has become a tried and trusted method of transporting the WWII collection too and from club so I thought I would see how the Napoleonics fitted in.

As you can see I can get The Pajar scenario forces plus game materials in the one tin, thus with just a box of scenery and the game mat, it makes it very portable.

Normally I wouldn't be taking a small screen with me but, as this is a demo game showing not just the collection but also C&G II, the screen helps show the system in action while we play

The weekend was capped off, as it would seem for many others if the comments on the various forums are concerned, with the receipt of my PDF copy of Sharp Practice II as part of my order that I placed pre launch, and I am now busy concocting plans for a suitable collection of figures to play them.

All set and ready to go

A Date for the Diary - Legionary 2016

This year I will be putting on a demonstration game at Legionary 2016 to be held at its usual venue at the Matford Centre in Exeter on April 30th.

http://legionaryshow.co.uk/

Action on the Pajar Vergara Redoubt

The game will be "The Attack on the Pajar de Vergara - Talavera" using Carnage & Glory II as featured in the selection of scenarios that accompanied the work featured on this blog looking at the Battle of Talavera as a whole.

So if you would like to see part of the collection in action and how Carnage & Glory works as a set of Napoleonic rules, come along and say hello.

http://www.carnageandgloryii.com/

In addition I will be representing the Devon Wargames Group along with another game from members of the club and so we will be there to advertise the club and the other games we play, for those who might be interested in coming along.

Cardboard Campaigns and Metal Melees Blog - Carnage & Glory AWI 1777 Project

Sir William Howe - 1777

If like me you have come to appreciate the delights of Carnage & Glory II and have been following the progress of Sir Arthur Wellesley's career here on JJ's and can't get enough of this stuff can I suggest you might want to check out Jan Spoor's blog, where you will be able to follow the progress of Sir William Howe and his 1777 Philadelphia Campaign using the AWI variant of C&G following a similar format to the scenarios and games staged here on JJ's.

http://cardboardandmetal.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/a-new-project-at-cardboard-caserne-1777.html

I love the AWI/American Revolution, which in many ways had a huge impact on the development of the British army and the way it would fight in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period providing as it did invaluable experience that enhanced the steadiness of British infantry and its formidable reputation for use of fire-power and bayonet; with the evolution of the two rank open order line and the light infantry tactics that would inform officers such as Sir John Moore who served in America and would be a key founder of the Light Infantry training centre at Shorncliffe and the famous Light Division.

Night Attack at Paoli Tavern

The 1777 campaign is a great one to focus on with some major battles, Brandywine and Germantown and you could conclude with the Battle of Monmouth the following year. In addition there are some very interesting small scale actions like the Battle of Paoli Tavern. The armies involved are some of the largest fielded during the war with some very interesting units and commanders and both armies, with the Americans in particular, developing their tactics and skills after the initial clashes of the war culminating with the arrival of von Steuben and the improved discipline and drill regulations for Continental troops that really make this one of the most interesting periods to look at.

The Effectiveness of 18th Century Musketry

There has been a very interesting thread running on the Carnage & Glory Yahoo group this week discussing the effectiveness of musketry and British musketry in particular.

Carnage and Glory Conversations-Topics

During the conversation a link was posted to this rather interesting video looking at British musketry during the AWI period, but with many aspects still relevant to the Napoleonic period as well.

I think C&G really models this aspect very well and I have quoted Nigel Marsh, the author of the rules, where he comments below and explains the C&G pace conversion for the ranges in yards quoted in the video. It's a short presentation, but gives a really good idea of the effectiveness, or not, of the smooth bore musket, in this case in the hands of men trained in the use of the weapon as British professional redcoats would have been, with a recreated simulation of battlefield conditions. Spare a thought for the more common conscripted soldier who barely knew which end to load the weapon that alone how to aim and fire a live round.

".......... the ranges being used in the video are in yards - so these would translate as follows when compared to paces in the system: [The British pace was actually 30". The 27" I use is an average of the numerous pace lengths used by different nationalities]

200 yards = 266 paces at 27" per pace 

100 yards = 133 paces

75 yards = 100 paces, and

50 yards = 67 paces

The break point within the system for the smoothbore flintlock of this period is 75 paces - basically, you're either below or above that distance for effectiveness. The closer you are the better your results.

Anything beyond 200 paces and the system considers it beyond maximum [effective] range. 

I've always argued that at certain ranges the firing unit will actually incur more damage to itself than the opponent.

You can inflict one or two casualties on the enemy at long range, and 50 plus casualties at 75 paces, but the firing unit will lose ammunition and fatigue at the same rate in both cases - so why waste ammunition and your own fatigue levels at the longer ineffective ranges [if you don't have to]."

For the novice player of C&G understanding when and when not to open fire is really important and I have seen a strong line crumple because fire was commenced too early causing ineffectual casualties to the target and unnecessary fatigue and disorder to the firer, whilst conversely, a player able to hold their nerve and one who can rely on their troops to hold theirs can deliver a devastating volley that can stop an attack in its tracks. 

When you add in Napoleonic combined arms tactics of skirmish screens, close support artillery and cavalry you start to see why this period can become addictive.

Talavera - Attack on the Pajar de Vergara

The Attack on the Pajar Vergara is a battle within a battle that shouldn't have happened in the way it did. This was supposed to have been a holding action to pin the allied flank and potentially draw in reserves whilst a much larger powerful force punched through the British line in the centre.

To emphasise the support role of this attack the German Division under General Leval was supposed to advance after the main attack had gone in and thus, echeloned back, prevent the forces in this area going to the support of their hard pressed and soon to be beaten comrades in the centre. 

This plan was soon upset as Leval's men lost from sight in the enveloping olive groves became disorientated in terms of their position in relation to the other attacking formations and found themselves in the lead on the French flank as they left the cover of the trees and, thus committed, attacked first ahead of the main attack.

This account reveals the difficulty faced by any modern day General Laval trying to navigate their division through this difficult terrain that, whilst providing cover from artillery fire on the approach, causes fatigue and disruption to formed troops whilst crossing it.

For our New Year's Eve re-fight of this very interesting battle within a battle we have two veteran C&G commanders eager to pick up matters where they left off in the Dawn Attack scenario where Will snatched a hard fought victory for the French by forcing his division onto the summit of the Cerro de Medellin and driving Steve's British troops off their commanding position

                   

           Brigadier General Alexander Campbell        General de Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval

                               AKA Steve M                                                                AKA Will            

The map below illustrates the approximate set up of the various units and brigades with a six gun battery of British three pounder guns and a half battery of four Spanish twelve pounder guns occupying the half finished redoubt atop the small knoll called the Pajar de Vergara.

Pajar Vergara Scenario Map

The scenario is set up to reflect the attack conducted by General Leval in that his attack seemed to suggest that his main objective was to secure the Pajar position as a means of anchoring the flank of the French main attack to his right.

Thus if the German Division is able to take and secure the gun redoubt they would shift the C&G casualty result one victory level higher in their favour.

In addition if the French commander chose to include the Poles in his plan of attack it would shift the victory condition in favour of the allies to reflect the fact that the Poles were kept in reserve by Joseph throughout the day and were not intended to support this minor attack.

Finally if the German troops on first contact with the British chose, they could use subterfuge to get closer to their enemy by pretending to be Spanish troops lost in the olive groves. If the British fell for the ruse it would limit the fire they could issue in their first volley to simulate the confusion caused, The Nassau troops used this tactic to good effect in the actual battle.

As with the historical action we commenced our game at 14.00 as the French artillery along the line opened up a tremendous barrage that presaged their attack. Leval ordered his troops to advance en colonne serree, columns that would keep their companies closed up on the ones in front. This kept them easier to control and keep in order but more difficult to deploy should the need arise.

As you will see in the picture below our attack followed a similar profile with the Voltigeur battalions the first to exit the tree line to start the softening up process with their will directed skirmish fire.

Birds eye view of the German columns picking their way through the olives as they approach the allied line, with the first skirmish shots being exchanged

As the German skirmish lines began to work their way forward the next arrivals on the tree line were the three batteries of light artillery attached to the three infantry brigades. By using the two approach roads and by skirting the olive groves on the right flank the three batteries were able to ply artillery fire across the Anglo-Spanish line to thicken the fire from the Voltigeurs.

Baden gun limber, Nassau infantry, Dutch and Hesse Darmstadt skirmishers
are the first troops to get to the edge of the tree-line and open ground

With the bulk of the fire from the lead German units directed at harassing the allied gunners on the Pajar it was soon being answered with canister from the redoubt backed up by British and Spanish skirmish fire, the latter provided by the Antequeran Light Infantry on the Spanish left who were soon engaged in pot shotting gunners from the Hesse Darmstadt battery deployed on the road to their front.

The skirmish battle well under way

The bigger guns add their fire in support of the skirmishers as both sides try to soften each other up

As the allied artillery pours on the hurt, the infantry lines move forward to support the gunners

The German columns took a move or two in the shelter of the trees to shake off  their fatigue from crossing the olive groves and time to dress the ranks prior to advancing

The German skirmishers close the range prior to their supporting columns moving forward

The British move forward on the allied left in preparation  for the impending attack

The skirmishing and artillery fire lasted a good half hour before the German columns had had time to re-order and recover their fatigue following the difficult march through the olive trees.

Suddenly the skirmish lines moved forward to be joined by nine infantry column emerging from the tree line.

Two battalions from the Hesse Gross und Erbprinz Regiment and two from the Baden Regiment made directly for the redoubt screened by Grandjean's and Porbeck's Voltigeur battalions.

One effect of the preceding skirmishing had been to fatigue the allied gunners and whilst the twelve pounder canister fire was still a potent threat it became noticeably less so as the gunners fatigue levels rose with no respite from them labour in sight.

Suddenly the German columns breach the tree-line and head for the Pajar in force

As if recognising the looming threat to the redoubt, General Portago moved the second battalion of the Badajoz Regiment closer to the gun line, but then was drawn away to deal with the Antequeran Cazadors becoming shaken by fire from the Hesse gunners and the attention of the Franfurt battalion.

The shaky Spanish light infantry only held firm when joined by General Campbell himself who steadied them at the wall to their front and returned fire on the two German units to good effect.

The firing across both fronts reaches a crescendo as the two lines close

The British commander was wary of placing to much reliance on the Spanish holding firm and brought forward Brigadier Kemmis at the head of the 40th Foot and the 2nd Battalion of Detachments to form line on the Badajoz Regiment.

The Baden gunners supported by Nassau troops closest to camera attempt to pin the British as their comrades close on the Pajar

The climax of the action was approaching as Generals Grandjean, Porbeck and Leval attached themselves to the lead battalions and charged the redoubt, barely making it to the line of gabions as they were met by a weary discharge of canister.

The encouragement from the attached officers made the difference and three of the German battalions swept into the redoubt in hot pursuit of the gunners leaving from the back and also leaving most of their guns.

Generals Porbeck and Grandjean launch the Hesse and Baden infantry at the redoubt forcing the allied gunners to relinquish their defences and some of their guns as the German troops move onto the position to mop up. General Leval (118) can be seen at the centre of the attack

The distraction of the Antequeran Cazadores had caused two of the allied generals to be out of place when the attack struck, with only the second battalion of the Baden Regiment caused to pull up in the redoubt after the fire it received on the way in.

The German battalions keep the pressure on as they charge in over the redoubt striking the first of the Badajoz battalions.
The Baden battalion (162) is about to meet its nemesis in the form of HM 40th Foot to their front

The fighting was taking a toll on both armies as by 15.30 (turn 6) both army morale levels were at 86% and with failure deemed at 75% the next few moves would soon determine which would brake first. This distress became obvious as the first German brigade commander was advised his command was on a cautionary rating meaning that the fatigue was building fast.

The moment of crisis as the first Spanish battalions meet the onrushing German battalions

With both sides sensing that the tipping point was approaching for either force given one more significant blow, the opposing infantry prepared to charge and to open fire in one last attempt to wrest the initiative.

The three good order German battalions charged again with the two Hesse battalions taking on the lead Badajoz Infantry battalion whilst the second battalion of Baden infantry shook out into line to take on the 40th Foot.

"Cometh the hour" - The Provincial de Badajoz Militia step up and take the fight back to the Hesse battalions amazing everyone involved. Ahead to their left can be seen the 1/40th Foot (544) sorting out the Badeners. General Campbell can be seen top right steadying the Antequeran Cazadores

Up to this point the fire from the weaker British battalions of the 7th Fusiliers and 53rd Foot had seemed rather desultory compared with what you would expect from a British battalion and their lack of numbers couldn't have helped. The 40th Foot on the other hand were one of Wellesley's stronger battalions and so we shouldn't have been that surprised to see them pour forth a devastating volley in to the Badeners before them that staggered the battalion backwards.

The heroes of the day, the Provincial de Badajoz Militia launching their own bayonet counter attack following their two devastating volleys that retook the Pajar redoubt and reclaimed the allied guns. The smoke is from the volley from the 40th Foot.

With what looked liked the turning point as the British volley enveloped the Baden unit in smoke, the Hesse battalions charged forward at the II/Badajoz, who immediately turned tail and fled without firing a shot.

With their tails up the two Hesse battalions charged on into the I/Badajoz and like their regimental comrades they too turned tail and broke before contact leaving the third and last Spanish unit in line facing the oncoming victorious German battalions.

Turning point as the lead German battalion are about to break back off the Pajar

It looked like game set and match as the Spanish infantry seemed to collapse under the attack as the two German battalions charged at the Provincial de Badajoz Militia. Then something happened.

The Spanish militia battalion stood the first charge and with half the battalion coolly presented arms and let fly a column staggering volley that stopped the Hesse battalion dead in its tracks horrified to see General Grandjean fall mortally wounded from the saddle.

It seemed we were all holding our breath as the second Hesse battalion charged in keen on avenging this lucky shot when the other half of the Spanish militia battalion followed the example of their brothers in arms and coolly shot the second Hesse battalion to a standstill.

The field of battle as the German Division breaks contact leaving the field of battle to the victorious allies.

As the smoke cleared the Spanish battalion lowered their bayonets and charged in to finish things, catching one of the German battalions as they both turned tail and fled. Two of the German battalions were in full rout and the other retired shaken with General Grandjean dead and General Leval carried from the field with a serious wound following his meeting with the Spanish militia battalion.

Not only that but our game was over with the German Division at 75% army morale failure and the astonishing performance of the Provincial de Badajoz Militia to savour as an incredible game turning event.

The butchers bill and game statistics illustrate what a convincing victory the allied infantry achieved but doesn't do justice to how things looked in the final turn as two Spanish battalions broke and fled without firing a shot.

You have to feel for Will commanding the Germans after his careful approach and full bloodied assault seemed to have paid dividends especially with the Nassau battalions and Baden artillery able to successfully tie down the other British brigade. Then with victory in his grasp to have a Spanish militia battalion, pull a bit of an "Albuera" on him was hard to watch, but was a fantastic end to a very close well fought battle. We are looking forward to playing this scenario again and Carnage & Glory is the rule set that just keeps on giving!

Talavera - Pajar Vergara       

Major victory for the Allied Army as of Game Turn: 9 

The Allied Army has suffered losses of: 

[ 4%]    354 men of all arms   incl.

[ 1%]    122 prisoners of all arms

[ 4%]    327 bayonets 

[ 0%]      0 sabres 

[ 9%]     27 artillerists                   

11 cannon[s] lost 

Honours: [547] Kemmis' Bde. Light Bn.

The French Army has suffered losses of: 

[15%]    984 men of all arms   incl.

[ 1%]    109 prisoners of all arms

[15%]    936 bayonets 

[11%]     48 artillerists                    

6 cannon[s] lost 

Honours: [160] III Fuss Batterien Steinmetz

Losses include 2 General[s]:        

[118] Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Dressing wound        

[121] Balthazard-Grandjean - Mortally wounded

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

Talavera - Pajar Vergara      As of Game Turn: 9 

Division Alexander Campbell - Defend  

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

[R] [ 548] Lawson's Brigade                  10/ 135      C          Shaken                 

[R] [ 621] 1st Battery                             17/ 131 [ 1] D+      Shaken             

Brigade William Myers - Defend    

[ 518] Lieutenant Colonel William Myers - Active C [450 paces] 

[ 541] 2/7th Foot                                     19/ 369      C- [sk] Formed    

[ 542] 2/53rd Foot                                     0/ 483      C- [sk] Formed            

[ 543] A. Campbell's Bde. Light Bn.      17/ 144      C  [sk] Formed   

    

Brigade James Kemmis - Defend    

[ 519] Colonel James Kemmis - Active C [450 paces] 

[ 544] 1/40th Foot                                   26/ 644      C+ [sk] Formed    

[ 545] 97th Foot                                        0/ 452      C+ [sk] Formed            

[ 546] 2nd Battalion of Detachments        5/ 557      C- [sk] Formed              

[ 547] Kemmis' Bde. Light Bn.                 8/ 236      C+ [sk] Formed    

  

Division Marques de Portago - Defend  

[ 528] Major General Marques de Portago - Active C [725 paces] 

[ 553] El Rey A                                               0/ 229      D        Formed              

[ 554] El Rey B                                                0/ 231     D        Formed                 

[R] [ 600] 1st Bn. Badajoz Regiment            72/ 499      D-      Shaken               

[ 601] 2nd Bn. Badajoz Regiment                 50/ 507      D-      Formed           

[R] [ 602] 2nd Cazadores de Antequera      120/ 437      D- [sk] Disorder          

[ 603] Imperial de Toledo                                0/ 792      D-      Formed             

[ 604] Provincial de Badajoz Militia               8/ 569      D        Formed        

[ 605] Provincial de Guadix Militia                2/ 560      D        Formed              

Strengths: losses/active   

327/6249 Bayonets     

0/460 Sabres    

27/266 Artillerists    

11/1 Cannon

   

354/  6975 Total of all arms           

13 Standards present 

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 - Pajar Vergara      As of Game Turn: 9 

Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Attack  

[ 118] General de Division Baron Jean-Francois Leval - Dressing wound B- [875 paces]

    

Brigade Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Attack    

[ 119] Oberst Heinrich Freiherr von Porbeck - Active B [450 paces] 

[ 160] III Fuss Batterien Steinmetz                  7/ 183       C       Formed    

[W] [ 161] I.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden)          17/ 359       C- [sk] Formed     

[Y] [ 162] II.von Harrant Nr.4 (Baden)       107/ 260        C- [sk] Rout          

[ 163] I.Nassau IR Nr.2                                   0/ 360        C- [sk] Formed        

[ 164] II.Nassau IR Nr.2                                  0/ 386        C- [sk] Formed    

[ 165] Porbeck's Voltigeur Bn.                      25/ 292        C- [sk] Disorder      

    

Brigade David-Hendrik Chasse - Attack [No Advance]    

[ 120] Generalmajor David-Hendrik Chasse - Active C [350 paces]    

[R] [ 166] 3m3 Artillerie a Cheval Trip        26/ 121         C       Shaken        

[ 167] I/2me Regiment Linie                           7/ 386         C- [sk] Formed        

[ 168] 2/4me Regiment Linie                         14/ 364        C- [sk] Disorder          

[R] [ 169] Chasse's Voltigeur Bn.                  36/ 118        C- [sk] Shaken        

    

Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Attack [Retire]   

[ 121] General de Brigade Balthazard-Grandjean - Mortally wounded B [450 paces]    

[R] [ 170] III. Fuss. Batterien Venator           15/  81          C       Disorder          

[R] [ 171] 1/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4             91/ 307        C- [sk] Shaken            

[Y] [ 172] 2/Gross und Erbprinz Nr 4           154/ 217        C- [sk] Rout          

[ 173] Rheinbund Bttn von Frankfort               0/ 391         C- [sk] Formed    

[ 174] Grandjean's Voltigeur Bn.                      8/ 217         C- [sk] Formed        

    

Brigade Feliks Potocki - Attack    [ 122] Oberst Feliks Potocki - Active C [350 paces] 

[ 175] I. IR Nr 4 (Polish)                                  0/ 761          C  [sk] Disorder      

[ 176] II. IR Nr 4 (Polish)                                 0/ 782          C         Disorder      

[ 177] Potocki's Voltigeur Bn.                          0/ 260          C  [sk] Disorder      

Strengths: losses/active   

459/5460 Bayonets    

48/385 Artillerists     

6/12 Cannon

507/5845 Total of all arms           

11 Standards present 

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

A great game to finish 2015 with more to come on JJ's with a review of the year and a look forward at plans for 2016.

Thank you to everyone that has joined in the fun here on the blog, I really appreciate the comments and discussion generated and would like to wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

JJ

Army Lists and Other Campaign Ideas!

So now the Peninsular War collection is growing into one that now offers potential to do some more interesting stuff around campaigns and "what if?" scenarios I have been turning my mind back to some of my early ideas around the subject and re-crafting a few of them together. This aspect of the hobby is something I am sure we all dabble in at times; it is the full three course meal of the hobby, providing that all important context to our games and for me is a never ending series of possibilities and something I never tire of playing with. In addition it gives a focus to collection building plans and so I thought I would share my own thoughts.

I was really sorry to see the change of direction decided upon, earlier this year, by the "Napoleon at War" designers to park the Napoleonic project whilst turning their efforts towards the American Civil War. I like many others were looking forward to the release of further campaign books to follow on from the Waterloo release to include the 1813 Campaign and a talked of Peninsular War Campaign book.

I was never one of those who was enthused about turning Napoleonics into tournament play "Flames of War" style gaming, with contrived mechanics to produce a simplistic win/lose style of game often devoid of historical context. That said the lists produced by these design concepts seem ripe for application to a more thoughtful use and can be an aid to scenario design without getting hung up on points balanced games (Wellington and Massena didn't seem to bother much with points and always strove to bring on an unbalanced battle favouring them).

So in the best traditions of "adopt, adapt, improve" I have spent a bit of down time producing my own game lists worked out using Carnage & Glory unit definitions and points and adapting the principle of normal-strength, over-strength and under-strength units which I thought was a very clever mechanic to allow gamers to produce standard looking units that model these characteristics without having to use different bases combined with multiple combinations of numbers of figures.

The idea of applying points to units has its supporters and detractors and I think the idea has its place more for guiding the wargamer who wants to create historically based formations than those who are more interested in "power-gaming" and creating "uber-armies". When the historical principle is applied to the grand campaign model, points can allow interesting scenarios to be created around a limited number of figures that can give a game context and enable the tabletop battle to be translated back into the campaign situation. In addition as we are talking about a campaign situation, we are not concerned with "game balance" as just like their historical counterparts, both opposing commanders will be striving to maximise or minimise the advantages of the their position versus the opposition. Obvious one sided contacts can be dealt with on the map, but the larger more interesting contacts can be constructed using the lists and fought out on the table.

Earlier this year I picked up a copy of the revised edition of "L'Empereur Napoleonic Strategic Game" rules by Albert Walton, that offers the chance to play your Napoleonic table top games within the wider scope of a major grand campaign such as the Peninsular War, very much in the mode of a Battlefront "Firestorm" WWII campaign.

I have long toyed with the idea of bringing Mr Walton's campaign game together with the army lists of Napoleon at War and the game mechanics of Carnage & Glory (C&G) and see what hybrid monster I could create by mixing up their respective DNA.

The lists above are some of the early drafts of formats to include the French, French Allies and Spanish and the map below shows my adaptation of the L'Empereur map for the Peninsular War campaign module plugged into Cyberboard. The various flag pieces show the different army groups dotted around the peninsular in June 1808 with Dupont's "doomed" expedition down in Granada (Hex G4) and Junot's tenuous and out of supply hold on Lisbon (Hex I2), with the Spanish held fortresses of Cuidad Rodrigo (Hex I3) and Badajoz (Hex H2) sealing him off from the other French forces clearly standing out, together with the supply rout from France via the other French controlled hexes and those closest able to take a waggon marker among those mountains soon to be crawling with guerrillas.

The forces yet to enter the stage are shown with the French allies gathering in Bayonne (Hex K5) and Perpignan (Hex K6) together with Napoleon and his Guard set to arrive in September and the British under Wellesley and Sir John Moore set up to arrive in August and October respectively. The former French allies in the form of the Spanish army groups can be seen gathering their strength following the Madrid uprising in May with the large armies under Blake (Hex K3) and Castanos (Hex G4) looking to pose the first threat to the extended elements of the French invasion force. The map encounters generated would then be ready to be translated into a tabletop clash using the lists above and C&G.

My forces are not yet complete with the Talavera collection set to enable most of the formations shown above to be modelled as required, and Bassecourt's regular Spanish division together with Albuquerque's Cavalry will provide a good core of figures to field the Spanish, leaving the Portuguese and some French allied formations (Italian & Neopolitans) to be built next year on the completion of the Talavera project.

One other idea I am toying with is to include an "events" process to add that little spice of un-predictability. The L'Empereur module sets up troop levels with withdrawals and reinforcements based on the historical record and it provides a simple campaign engine if a bit too predictable. The addition of some limited theatre level events could add a little more variation for players to deal with.

So my Napoleonic Grand Campaign ideas are gently percolating behind all the big battle mini campaign stuff, just as it should be, plus I have been putting together some "adopt, adapt, improve" paper based rules for those days when I haven't got the lap top to hand; but that as they say is another story for another post.

Talavera Dawn Attack - Game Three

Talavera Dawn Attack Game One
Talavera Dawn Attack Game Two

Yesterday was a day of firsts and what turned out to be a great day's wargaming. In fact one I would describe as one of the most enjoyable games I have ever played. The company and banter was first class, the game played in a great spirit that pushed the scenario to its limits, and a game that seemed to model the events of over two hundred years ago very well.

It was a first in terms of the most figures from the new Napoleonic collection in action on the table in one game, with practically half of the two opposing armies going at it and a true test of C&G's ability to manage this size of game and indeed the potential to run the full thing next year.

We knew we would need a full day of gaming to see what this scenario could offer and we may need to take even longer for the full afternoon battle, so this would be an important test.

Map to illustrate the set up for the Dawn Attack scenario

As discussed in the preamble to game two, the challenge in designing a scenario about the dawn attack at Talavera is recreating the drivers and constraints that affected the opposing commanders involved, tailoring the victory conditions to match what in some cases may well be an asymmetrical battle whilst also allowing for the potential that the plan originally envisioned by Marshal Victor actually came together producing a much more evenly matched clash of arms.

It is probably worth saying that we are not looking to design a nicely balanced game. The reality is that real battles don't tend to be like that and so we have to make our victory conditions measure how well our table top commanders have performed against their historical predecessors and try as much as possible to present some of the key issues that they had to deal with.

So some gamers might not choose to attack the British line with less than half of the French infantry on the table, but in reality that is what happened and we have tested that scenario in the previous two games. This game was set up to test the alternative scenario that sees General Villatte wholly committed to supporting General Ruffin and thus having the British line facing the force of two of the three infantry divisions in Marshal Victor's I Corp, plus the massed light cavalry and artillery of the French army as a whole.

In the final draft of this scenario the French attack plan will be selected randomly and only known to the French commander/s and then only when a decision is required from General Villatte and his command.  Thus General Ruffin should be leading the attack on the British line not sure with what French total force will be involved and with the British totally unaware of French force commitment. In our test game, the British were aware that they would be facing a full out attack and that must be born in mind as that uncertainty about what the French are up to is another important aspect that will keep this scenario fresh and interesting, particularly if played in a linked up manner as part of a mini-campaign.

To test a game like this you need to employ the services of the 'A' Team and it was nice to see that the players presented themselves in full dress uniform for the forthcoming clash of titans.

Both sets of players are now veterans using C&G seeing service in the Vimeiro and Oporto Campaigns and that experience was clear to see in the way the two armies were wielded yesterday.

So, introducing our commanders who were carefully picked for the attributes they would bring to their respective roles, we had Marshal Victor played by Chas, better known to his friends as "Mad Dog". A very seasoned, aggressive commander, perfect for the role and ably supported by an equally aggressive General of Division Ruffin, played by Will who popped back from University to take part in this final scenario play test.

The French Command Team

Frrench Commander Claude Victor-Perrin, Duc de Belluno, Marshal of France, a.k.a. Chas

One of the new generation of French Marshals and one keen to make his mark in Spain, and perhaps establish a kingdom of his own, Marshal Victor had trounced all the Spanish armies that had dared to oppose his march into the peninsula and with his Grande Armee veterans in I Corps, the premier corps of the French army he will soon make short work of that General Wellesley and his "Rost Beefs".

General de Division Francois Amable Ruffin, a.k.a. Will

General Francois Ruffin, a soldiers soldier, having seen service at Austerlitz, Heilsberg and Friedland where he gained his promotion to General of Division and a title of Count of the Empire, he has, since marching into Spain with I Corps, seen action at Somosierra, Ucles and Medellin and knows that his veteran battalions will give a good account of themselves when the need arises. No wonder then that he and his division are the spearhead of I Corps.

The British Command Team

The British army fielded a no less experienced command team very aware of the strength and solidity of the army they commanded and confident in their ability to see off, yet again, the French coming on in the old familiar way. Vince took the role of Sir Arthur Wellesley ,"Old Hooky", bringing his phlegmatic, cool under pressure, skill set.

He was likewise ably supported by a general always able to get the best from his men, and a commander who can always be expected to produce the unexpected, General Rowland Hill, played by Steve M.

British Commander Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley, better known in social circles as Vince

Sir Arthur Wellesley, the youngest Lieutenant General in the British army and the "Wunderkind" of his generation. Aloof and with friends in high places, he is the very model of a Tory Peer. Preferring to keep his distance from the lower ranks, the soldiers have come to respect his abilities on the field of battle and the French commanders who have faced him are learning a new respect for the so called "Sepoy General".

Major General Rowland (Daddy) Hill, loved by the men, a.k.a Steve M.

Major General Rowland Hill, perhaps the best of Sir Arthur's field commanders and in time will establish his clear credentials as really the only British general in the Peninsular War who could be trusted with an independent command. No better man then to have in command of the division tasked with holding the key to Talavera, the Cerro de Medellin.

The Dawn Attack - Talavera 0500
If you have followed the progress of this scenario in the preceding games, you will be familiar with the set up of the two armies glowering at each other across the valley of the Portina stream and the picture below of the French army from the British lines illustrates the set up at 0500 with the firing of the French signal gun that announced the commencement of a forty-five minute bombardment by the massed French artillery.

05.00 and a single signal gun announces the start of the French attack

However as the French fire whistled in among the British gun line on the forward slopes of the Cerro de Medellin the weather for that July early summer morning decided to take a hand with a mist that descended into the valley reducing visibility to just four-hundred paces within fifteen minutes, silencing the French guns.

New orders were quickly dispatched to French commanders and within half an hour the rapid beat of the "Pas de Charge" or "Old Trousers" in British circles, could be heard echoing across the valley from French lines, announcing the advance of the French infantry columns.

The French guns seek out likely targets as their smoke and a quickly descending mist blots out the British line

With some of General Ruffin's columns doubling along the northern valley, the two French infantry divisions, totalling twenty-one columns of troops approached the lower slopes of the Cerro de Medellin en mass, providing deployment room from the following French light cavalry and horse artillery.

The French columns close on the British line shielded by the poor visibility due to the morning mist

The first the British defenders along the front line knew of the impending attack was the increased volume of French drumming as the columns drew ever nearer, to be preceded by a screen of voltigeurs emerging from the mist to be met in some cases by a similar screen of British "Light Bobs".

This attack was different in its scale, to others experienced so far, as the volume of French skirmishers made it difficult for their British opposite numbers to keep all of them away from the British line beyond. The poor visibility allowed the French to infiltrate the lines and in turn prevented the British screen to take full advantage of the range of their rifle companies to play similarly of the advancing French columns.

With the threat of Will's advance in the northern valley developing, British heavy cavalry move off in their direction over the Cerro, centre top left.

As the French troops closed on the British line the visibility became worse still dropping to two-hundred paces and the ability for the opposing units to identify their enemy and engage them only increased (C&G randomly tests each request for a unit to fire on another even if theoretically in visibility range. Thus one unit might catch a glimpse of its target in the murk and open fire, whilst its neighbour similarly placed will fail to do so - very frustrating but very realistic).

If you want to see the effects of poor visibility on a Napoleonic battlefield, check out the pictures from this year's Waterloo re-enactment with the audience struggling to see anything through all that black powder smoke. That was on a clear sunny day, so you can imagine the issues early morning mist would add.

The arrival of so many French troops in front of the British line at one time was awe inspiring and appeared unstoppable.

The 27e Legere and 63e Ligne of General Cassagne's brigade cross the Portina. The 94e Ligne and 95e Ligne of General Puthod's brigade are echeloned back to their left. 

First contact as the voltigeur screen of Cassagne's brigade emerges from the mist

As the French columns closed up behind their voltigeur screen, the British line stepped forward to narrow the range, forcing both sets of skirmishers to fall back behind their supports. The formed units on both sides had been subjected to some of the skirmishing and it was unclear what effect it may have had, but knowing how formidable British volley fire can be the French had presented multiple targets in an attempt to dissipate their fire over them and to multiply their own limited return fire from the heads of their columns.

Both sides braced themselves as the British command issued their fire orders and awaited the results. The fire when it came was strong but not devastating. The French commanders look stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered from their surprise and equally quickly issued orders to charge in.

The next half an hour of battle saw a "Montgomery" style crumbling attack as the weight of numbers and continual charges pushed the British line back beyond their supports, leaving several of their battalions shaken and badly disorganised. The French onslaught caught two of the three British artillery batteries unlimbered and now without support and they were quickly overcome.

Many French battalions had suffered in the fight and the skirmish battle and it became unclear which side had the advantage, although the French were still, in the main, advancing and able to issue charge orders if with a declining number of units.

The first exchanges of canister and skirmish fire as the two sides clash

Both sides now looked to their reserve infantry formations and cavalry brigades to provide respite or indeed turn the battle in their favour.

The British had a problem on the Cerro de Medellin as the rapid advance and attack of both French divisions had prevented them from completing a double line of battalions out to their extreme left flank. Their only remedy had been to order General Fane's heavy cavalry to move in that direction to try and impede General Ruffin's advance.

With the range closing between columns and lines, the skirmish screens fall back

However the French too had a problem in that their success in driving back the front-line British battalions on the the British right had worn down the French infantry with no units in reserve and now they were coming up against fresher British infantry from the second line of brigades.

Fire! The British line steps forward and unleashes its first volley

The major element of uncertainty was the visibility that had persisted at two-hundred paces for over an hour and had forced the fighting to become a close up infantry battle with little support from either the artillery or the cavalry.

The yellow marker is a small counter indicating a charge carry through position for the French infantry as the intensity of close up battle takes effect

The crumbling nature of the French attack continued, but as it did both sides commands began to show the distress this was causing with more and more units displaying red and white reaction markers and eventually the first yellow "rout" markers appeared in French ranks. Was this indicating a turn in the tide of battle?

Amid the smoke of battle and the shrieks and cries from the dying and wounded, General de Brigade Meunier leads from the front

The pressure builds along the front as the both sides commit more troops to the fight 

As if to reinforce the concern in French ranks of a possible British resurgence, the battle was rent by two devastating British volleys in quick succession, one from the 2/66th Berkshire Regiment and the other from the 1st KGL Line Regiment. Both volleys were followed up by the traditional cheer and a bayonet charge that sent their French opposite numbers reeling back into the valley.

The sprinkling of casualties and a flowering of red markers (indicating units on halt or retire reactions) along the front indicate which way the tide of battle is turning

The two remarkable British counter-attacks seemed to herald the collapse of the forward momentum of General Villatte's division and sensing their distress the British light cavalry moved forward through the olive trees to get into a position to add further to their difficulties.

To counter the serious threat the British light dragoons posed, the French brought up General Merlin's light cavalry and two squadrons of the 14th Light Dragoons were met in the charge by two squadrons of the Vistula Lancers, with the lancers getting the best of it losing eight of their number but inflicting eleven casualties on the 14th Light Dragoons and pushing them back.

The British were reaping their fair share of coloured markers as the British heavy cavalry draw near forcing French troops into square

In a similar vain and eager to keep the pressure on the British atop the Cerro the French brought forward General Beaumont's Hussars and Chasseurs who being sufficiently close to the action were on scene when the 1st Battalion of Detachments broke back and seeing the closeness of the French cavalry threw down their arms and surrendered en mass, thus depleting the British defence still further.

Sir Arthur Wellesley right and General Hill left busy stabilising the defence of the Cerro de Medellin

Trying to emulate the French cavalry success General Fane's heavy brigade of cavalry advanced to the forward northern slope of the Cerro, only to be met by fire from two squares of the 9e Legere forcing them into a discreet retirement out of range, not before loosing ten of their troopers to the firing.

Marshal Victor amid the ranks of the 24e Ligne encourages his men forward, for France and the Emperor

With the light fading fast outside and with both armies struggling to hold their ground in different areas of the battlefield, both commands made their final push to gain a clear ascendancy. This push saw the 66th Foot and 1st KGL yet again set too with the French infantry, causing more breaks to the rear and sealing General Villatte's division into an order to pull back and regroup.

As the mist finally clears it reveals General Villatte's division in retreat and disarray among the British on the Cerro de Medellin

With two squares of the 9e Legere to their front, Fane's heavy cavalry grudgingly give ground as they come under increasing French fire.

 Likewise, General Ruffin refused to be cowed by British heavy cavalry and his infantry now supported by Beaumont's light cavalry and horse guns forced their way on to the summit of the Cerro, with Hill's battered remaining battalions, glowering at him from the southern side.

Game end and General Villatte's Division have been repulsed

And that was where we called it a day. We had played from 9.45am through to 6.45 pm with a half hour for lunch. Glancing at the table I was very unsure about the end result as we consulted C&G for its adjudication. I decided to call it as a minor French victory given that the French had gained contested possession of the Cerro de Medellin and looked very unlikely to be repulsed, but that the the other larger French division was in headlong retreat back over the other side of the valley.

Game end and the British are struggling to maintain a hold on the Cerro de Medellin

C&G called the game a minor British victory based on the state of the game when we stopped on turn ten or 07:30 game time. This calculation is based on casualty and morale states alone, but does not include the control of ground and more importantly key objectives.

When the other factors were put into C&G the result reversed to, as I had correctly assessed, a Minor French Victory, which would sit well in a linked game scenario for the French and clearly illustrated that the scenario has plenty to offer both camps based on the previous games.

The game from a viewers perspective was a feast for the eye and roller-coaster in terms of the swings in fortune throughout, causing all of us to be unsure of who had it in the bag. The French attack took full advantage of the visibility, which finally lifted to a clear day with a light rain on turn ten, by using it to get their skirmish line into the face of the British defence. This approach clearly unsettled the forward British battalions causing them to under perform at the crunch moment. When this was coupled with the multiple targets presented that split their poorer firing "the writing was on the wall" and the French attack was in the ascendancy.

This worked really well for Ruffin's division up against a single line of defenders who couldn't get a respite from the continual French attacks, but to the south, Villatte's division hit a slight wall when it came up against Donkin's and Tilson's brigades in behind the two KGL brigades who together effectively snuffed out their attacks and indeed were counter-attacking towards the end, hoping to put the light cavalry in to "seal the deal".

A fantastic day that will live long in the memory and thank you to Will, Chas, Vince and Steve for making it one to remember and to Nigel Marsh the designer of C&GII for a great set of rules that enables a large game like this to flow seamlessly.

What follows is the Game summary together with the "butcher's bill" for both sides which has some new improvements in the information provided to gamers and I have included a little explanatory example below so you can see what they all refer to. The honours ratings (number in brackets) now show, which is a very useful system to show which units over performed in the game above what would have been expected.

Talavera Dawn Attack, As of Game Turn: 10

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

Example Leader/Unit Stats.
ID Number: General Officer: Condition of Officer: Quality: Command Range
501] Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley - Active A [1500 paces]
ID : Unit Title: Losses/Strength: Unit Quality: Formation Status: (Honour Rating) Morale/Fatigue
[502] 3rd Dragoon Guards B 5/ 268 C+ Formed ( 1) Good Acceptable


British Army -Talavera Dawn Attack, As of Game Turn: 10

Army Sir Arthur Wellesley
[501] Lieutenant General Sir Arthur Wellesley - Active A [1500 paces]
[D] [550] Eliott's Brigade 151/ 0 C D'persed Broken Tiring
[D] [551] Rettberg's Brigade 144/ 0 C D'persed Poor Acceptable
[552] Heyse's Brigade 17/ 132 [ 6] C Formed ( 3) Average Acceptable

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 0/ 255 C+ Formed Good Fresh
[502] 3rd Dragoon Guards B 5/ 268 C+ Formed ( 1) Good Acceptable
[503] 4th Dragoons A 5/ 274 C Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[504] 4th Dragoons B 0/ 271 C Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Stapleton Cotton - Defend
[505] Brigadier General Stapleton Cotton - Active B+ [500 paces]
[505] 14th Light Dragoons A 11/ 229 C [sk] Formed ( 5) Average Tiring
[506] 14th Light Dragoons B 0/ 229 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[507] 16th Light Dragoons A 0/ 253 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[508] 16th Light Dragoons B 0/ 271 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
Brigade George Anson - Defend
[506] Brigadier General George Anson - Active B- [400 paces]
[509] 23rd Light Dragoons A 0/ 229 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[510] 23rd Light Dragoons B 0/ 224 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[511] 1st Light Dragoons KGL A 0/ 220 C+ [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[512] 1st Light Dragoons KGL B 0/ 228 C+ [sk] Formed Good Fresh

Division John Coape Sherbrooke - Defend
[507] Lieutenant General John Coape Sherbrooke - Active B- [800 paces]
Brigade Ernest Baron Langwerth - Defend
[510] Brigadier General Ernest Baron Langwerth - Active B- [350 paces]
[519] 1st KGL Line Battalion 16/ 528 C- [sk] Formed ( 5) Good Acceptable
[W] [520] 2nd KGL Line Battalion 5/ 605 C- [sk] Formed ( 7) Average Tired
[R] [521] Langwerth's Bde. Light Bn. 33/ 201 C [sk] Shaken Broken Tired
Brigade Sigismund Baron Low - Defend [No Advance]
[511] Brigadier General Sigismund Baron Low - Active C+ [450 paces]
[R] [522] 5th KGL Line Battalion 97/ 452 C- [sk] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[523] 7th KGL Line Battalion 75/ 426 C- [sk] Formed ( 4) Average Acceptable
[524] Low's Bde. Light Bn. 4/ 113 C [sk] Disorder Average Fresh

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]
[R] [525] 1/3rd Foot 47/ 624 C+ [sk] Shaken Poor Acceptable
[526] 2/48th Foot 9/ 501 C- [sk] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh
[527] 2/66th Foot 4/ 469 C- [sk] Formed ( 5) Good Tiring
[R] [528] Tilson's Bde. Light Bn. 11/ 226 C [sk] Disorder Average Acceptable
Brigade Richard Stewart - Defend [Retire]
[514] Brigadier General Richard Stewart - Active B [450 paces]
[529] 29th Foot 119/ 419 C+ [sk] Disorder Good Tired
[R] [530] 1/48th Foot 26/ 700 C- [sk] Shaken Poor Exhausted
[D] [531] 1st Battalion of Detachments 246/ 302 C- [sk] D'persed Broken Exhausted
[532] Stuart's Bde. Light Bn. 5/ 197 C [sk] Formed ( 4) Average Fresh
Brigade Rufane Donkin - Defend
[516] Colonel Rufane Donkin - Active B- [350 paces]
[537] 2/87th Foot 0/ 539 C- [sk] Formed Average Fresh
[538] 1/88th Foot 0/ 539 C- [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[539] 5/60th Rifles 5/ 215 B- [sk] Formed ( 5) Good Fresh
[540] Donkin's Bde. Light Bn. 4/ 171 C [sk] Formed ( 4) Good Fresh

Strengths:
losses/active
706/ 7227 Bayonets
21/ 2951 Sabres
312/ 132 Artillerists
12/ 6 Cannon
1039/ 10310 Total of all arms
22 Standards present

British Stand Out Performers - 2/66th Berkshire Regiment of Foot

The two battalions that "stopped the rot" for the British deserve special mention. The 2/66th Berkshire and 1st KGL Regiments of Foot showed their comrades how it should be done.

British Stand Out Performers - 1st King's German Legion Line Infantry Regiment

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French Army - Talavera Dawn Attack, As of Game Turn: 10

Corps Claude-Victor Perrin
[104] Marechal d'Empire Claude-Victor Perrin - Active B- [1300 paces]
[101] 6/8me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 193 [ 8] C Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[102] 2/6me Artillerie a Cheval 3/ 153 [ 6] B- Formed ( 1) Good Fresh
[103] 1/8me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 195 [ 8] C Formed ( 1) Good Fresh

Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Attack
[105] General de Division Francois Amable Ruffin - Active D+ [650 paces]
[190] 4/8me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 209 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Attack
[106] General de Brigade Claude-Marie Meunier - Active B- [400 paces]
[191] 1/9me Regiment de Legere 0/ 467 C [sk] Formed ( 3) Good Acceptable
[192] 2/9me Regiment de Legere 29/ 468 C [sk] Formed ( 3) Good Fresh
[193] 3/9me Regiment de Legere 3/ 488 C- [sk] Formed ( 7) Good Acceptable
[194] 1/24me Regiment de Ligne 59/ 413 C [sk] Formed ( 8) Good Tiring
[195] 2/24me Regiment de Ligne 86/ 385 C [sk] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[196] 3/24me Regiment de Ligne 14/ 483 C- [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[197] 9me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 9/ 299 C [sk] Formed ( 2) Good Acceptable
[198] 24me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 43/ 265 C [sk] Formed ( 4) Average Tiring
Brigade Pierre Barrois - Attack [Retire]
[107] General de Brigade Pierre Barrois - Severely wounded B [450 paces]
[R] [ 199] 1/96me Regiment de Ligne. 94/ 419 C [sk] Shaken Broken Exhausted
[R] [ 200] 2/96me Regiment de Ligne. 87/ 420 C [sk] Shaken Broken Tired
[201] 3/96me Regiment de Ligne. 0/ 476 C- [sk] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[202] 96me Regt. Voltiguer Bn. 4/ 284 C [sk] Formed ( 4) Average Fresh

Division Eugene Villatte - Attack
[111] General de Division Eugene Villatte - Active B [875 paces]
[120] 2/8me Artillerie a Pied 0/ 198 [ 8] C+ Formed Good Fresh
Brigade Baron Louis-Victorin Cassagne - Attack [Retire]
[112] General de Brigade Baron Louis-Victorin Cassagne - Active C+ [400 paces]
[121] 1/27me Regiment de Legere 41/ 383 C [sk] Formed ( 2) Average Fresh
[R] [122] 2/27me Regiment de Legere 74/ 335 C [sk] Shaken Broken Tired
[Y] [123] 3/27me Regiment de Legere 151/ 277 C- [sk] Rout Broken Tired
[R] [124] 1/63me Regiment de Ligne 37/ 395 C [sk] Disorder Poor Tiring
[125] 2/63me Regiment de Ligne 5/ 406 C [sk] Formed ( 6) Good Acceptable
[R] [126] 3/63me Regiment de Ligne 34/ 388 C- [sk] Shaken Broken Tired
[127] 27me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 3/ 258 C [sk] Formed ( 3) Average Acceptable
[128] 63me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 5/ 256 C [sk] Formed ( 5) Poor Tired
Brigade Jacques Puthod - Attack [No Advance]
[113] General de Brigade Jacques Puthod - Active C [350 paces]
[129] 1/94me Regiment de Ligne 15/ 399 C [sk] Formed (11) Ex'lent Tiring
[R] [130] 2/94me Regiment de Ligne 130/ 304 C [sk] Shaken Broken Fresh
[131] 3/94me Regiment de Ligne 0/ 441 C- [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[Y] [132] 1/95me Regiment de Ligne 159/ 288 C [sk] Rout Broken Exhausted
[R] [133] 2/95me Regiment de Ligne 61/ 386 C [sk] Shaken Broken Acceptable
[R] [134] 3/95me Regiment de Ligne 154/ 265 C- [sk] Shaken Broken Tired
[135] 94me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 2/ 249 C [sk] Formed ( 1) Average Fresh
[136] 95me Regt. Voltigeur Bn. 16/ 234 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 0/ 144 [ 6] B- Formed Ex'lent Fresh
[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

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 0/ 327 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[179] 26me Regt. Chasseur a Cheval 0/ 216 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
Division Francois-Leon Ormancey - Attack
[125] Colonel Francois-Leon Ormancey - Active C- [650 paces]
[180] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers A 8/ 216 C [sk] Formed ( 5) Good Tiring
[181] 1st Vistula Legion Lancers B 0/ 206 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh
[182] Westplalian Light Horse 0/ 210 C [sk] Formed Good Fresh

Strengths:
losses/active
1315/ 10131 Bayonets
8/ 2160 Sabres
3/ 1092 Artillerists
0/ 44 Cannon
1326/ 13383 Total of all arms
7 Standards present

French Stand Out Performers - Vistula Lancer Regiment

Although a small action, the charge by the Vistula Lancers snuffed out a potential counter-attack by British light cavalry on a General Villatte's badly disordered division in full retreat across the Portina. Had the British cavalry got among the French infantry the whole French attack could have quickly collapsed.

Like General Ruffin's continual attacks on the Cerro de Medellin forced back General Hill's troops successfully unhinging the British defence.

French Stand Out Performers - General Francois Ruffin's Division

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Talavera Dawn Attack - Final Result

Minor victory for the French Army
As of Game Turn: 10

The British Army has suffered losses of:
[11%] 1341 men of all arms
incl.[ 6%] 687 prisoners of all arms
[12%] 1008 bayonets
[0%] 21 sabres
[70%] 312 artillerists
12 cannon[s] lost
Honours: [520] 2nd KGL Line Battalion

The French Army has suffered losses of:
[12%] 1891 men of all arms
incl.[1%] 195 prisoners of all arms
[16%] 1880 bayonets
[0%] 8 sabres
[0%] 3 artillerists
Honours: [129] 1/94me Regiment de Ligne
Losses include 1 General[s]:
[107] Pierre Barrois - Severely wounded

That's all the testing done for the Dawn Attack and I now know what the final scenario should look like. It's now on to an additional scenario I want to create for C&G which focusses on the German Division's attack on the Pajar de Vergara, which I will play through as I complete the forces for the full afternoon attack.