Pages

Sunday, March 27, 2022

On the Table Today is...

a Napoleonic battle.

With last week's Biblical battle in the books, I clear the decks and prepare for the next game.  Notes and photos from the latest playtest of Rein-Bow Warriors still require a review and report but moss does grow on this rolling stone that is my gaming table.  Table turn-over seems to be picking up pace.

On deck for hosting this week's MNG remote game, boxes of Napoleonics were pulled from storage and a battle set up for the session.  Last seen in December in the pair of Maida Battles, (see Rock of Maida and Maida Six, the Hard Way), the 28mm Napoleonics collection hits the gaming table again.  For a collection that has not seen much action over recent years, seeing two battles within three months strikes me as a regular rotation. Maybe I can keep this up?
I digress.
The battle for Tuesday's outing is a recreation of the Combat at Foz d'Arouce in Portugal, March 1811.  I am missing the battle anniversary be two weeks.  Close.  I ought to keep better tabs on such events.

Battle Briefing
In Massena's retreat from Spain, the French Army of Portugal made a night march on the 14-15 March 1811 to place a flooding river between itself and the pursuing Anglo-Portuguese Army under Wellington. Having safely crossed to the north bank of the flooding Ceira River, Massena allowed his troops to rest on the heights overlooking the small village of Foz de Arouce.

Ney, commanding the French rear guard, had been ordered to destroy the bridge at Foz de Arouce after having passed his troops over to the north bank of the river. With little regard for Massena, Ney disobeyed orders and kept three brigades on the south bank of the Ceira.

Held up by fog and the burning town of Miranda de Corvo, the 3rd and Light Divisions did not reach French positions near Foz de Arouce until four in the afternoon. Thinking it too late in the day for the British to launch a successful attack, Ney remained on the south bank of the Ceira. Hoping to surprise the French, Wellington launched his attack at 5:00pm.
Scenario Details
Ney's rearguard is situated on the ground south of Foz d’Arouce with Mermet drawn up in front of the village while Marchand has taken up positions in and around Poisao. Wellington has deployed Picton opposite Mermet while the Light Division advances upon the French right.

The combat begins at 5:00pm with a game length of eight turns with a variable length extension.

Only the Anglo-Portuguese Army receives reinforcements (both guns and Portuguese 9th and 21st Infantry Regiments) at Turn 3 in this scenario and no French having crossed over to the north bank of the Ceira River may re-cross. The Ceira River, swollen by recent rains may only be crossed at the bridge. Woods are light. Rocky outcropping on French right is rough.

Battlefield and deployments
Order of Battle
Order of Battle

Victory Conditions
At the conclusion of the final turn, Victory Points are awarded as follows:

  • 2 VPs each for control of Poisao, Foz de Arouce, the Cathedral, north bank of the bridge, and south bank of the bridge.
  • 2 VPs each for each enemy infantry or artillery BMU destroyed, routing, or forced to retreat into the Ciera River.
  • 2 VPs for each officer killed.
  • 1 VP for each officer wounded.
  • 1 VP for each French BMU remaining on the battlefield at game end.
  • 5 VPs if no French BMUs are on the south bank of the Ceira River at game end (Anglo-Portuguese only).
  • 5 VPs for each Anglo-Portuguese BMU in good order on the north bank of the Ceira River at game end.
The player scoring 7 or more points than his opponent wins the day. Otherwise, the battle is a draw.

Examining the situation and OB, several strategies emerge for attempting to secure victory.  Which strategy will the players choose?

Will Ney be able to withstand Wellington's attacks in the fleeting Portuguese light of day?

58 comments:

  1. This looks like it will be a good one Jon. I am not surprised Ney didnt expect an attack - 5pm - I bet the BRITISH army didnt expect to have to work at that time of day either - bloody Wellington, always pushing the boundaries!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope the situation offers up a good scenario and that the fellas enjoy it. On paper, it looks good.
      The question may be can we fight to a conclusion in the allotted time?

      Delete
    2. It was an interesting scenario, with a lot going on. With six of us playing there was a fair amount of down time between activations, even with you scurrying round the table like a mad thing. If we were to replay it I don't know that we, as the French, would get away with what we did.

      Delete
    3. Down time for players in a remote game with a large number of players, is a concern for me. Something that troubles me throughout the game. I don’t want players becoming bored and disengaged. Not sure how to resolve this obstacle besides reducing the number of players.

      Delete
    4. I think player discipline and consideration is important. You need to crack through your move when it is your turn, having thought about your options before hand. I've usually been a "play the period, not the rules" guy for the most part, so I don't usually need to know all the detail before I make a decision on what I want to do. Not everybody gets their enjoyment from a game in the same way.

      Delete
    5. Graham, your, "play the period, not the rules" is the right mindset when the rules do not interfere with sound (or at least reasonable) tactical decisions. If you are familiar with American football playmaking, I have an army gaming buddy that says rules ought to allow focusing on the "X's" an "O's" (tactics) and ought not get in the way of sound decision-making.

      Delete
  2. That looks like a great setup Jonathan. Nice to see the 28mm collection out again. Those British light battalions look suitably tough, and it's nice to see the 9lb horse battery action. I say "the" because after reading 'Wellington's Guns' I learned Bull's was the only 9lb RHA battery in Wellington's command.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lawrence! I did not realize there was only one 9lb RHA battery under Wellington. You have done your homework!

      Delete
  3. I love your reports. You move super smoothly, whether in biblical times or in epochs thousands of years later :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Much appreciated, Michal! Hopefully, the game will live up to your expectations.

      Delete
  4. This has the makings of a good battle. Look forward to seeing the AAR

    ReplyDelete
  5. A lovely looking set up Jonathan.
    It’s always nice to see your Napoleonics out on the table…

    All the best. Aly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yes, good to see these fellas out on maneuvers again.

      Delete
  6. Great looking setup Jon, awaiting the aar๐Ÿ‘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Matt! Still not up to your level of table aesthetics but perhaps moving in that direction?

      Delete
  7. That's a fine looking table Jonathan, a fine battle is on the cards too I feel๐Ÿ‘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks do much, Phil! I do hope you are correct that an interesting fight is in the offing.

      Delete
  8. Great looking game and scenario too and await the AAR with anticipation:).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Steve! Right. I really SHOULD make a point of collection artifacts in order to put together a useful AAR.

      Delete
  9. I reckon on a five year rotation for my various armies, although this has quickened a little over lockdown, with the odd appearance out of cycle if the mood takes me. It is good to do this to keep things fresh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Graham, I made a mental assessment of the collections hitting my gaming table over the 12 months. Surprisingly, quite a few of them have seen action. By my count the following have been out for games:
      6mm Ancients
      10mm ACW
      15mm AWI
      15mm SYW
      15mm Napoleonics
      28mm Biblicals
      28mm ECW
      28mm Napoleonics
      Many have seen action in multiple games.

      Respectable rotation, I say.


      Delete
    2. Pretty good showing. It is good to get the little fellows out and being played with, rather than stuck in boxes and cabinets. By rotation I tend to mean the armies are played with consistently over about 6 months and a set of rules either learned, modified or written.

      Delete
  10. Looks like a classic coming up, Jonathan!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Be interesting to see this played as a fighting withdrawel, as opposed to a standing rearguard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. with the victory conditions laid down and the situation on the ground, the French players can make that choice between a fighting withdrawal or a standing rearguard. I will let you know their choice.

      Delete
    2. "Fighting withdrawal or a standing rearguard". How did that work out for you then?

      Delete
    3. With you in command of the French, a fighting withdrawal probably did not even enter your mind.

      Delete
    4. It did. Just didn't stay very long.

      Delete
  12. A good looking tabletop setup and figures. Is this a remote game without a grid?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Peter! Yes, this is remote game without a grid.

      Delete
  13. 5pm should be fine for wargamers - that gives you 5 or 6 hours :) - its time to fight the real battle that must have been a bit of an issue - mind you, this time of year in Spain - sunset probably about 8pm?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith, the actual, historical British attack went in at 5pm. You are correct it would be dark by 8pm. The challenge is to run three hours on the game clock within three hours of actual time. With what looks like six players and playing remotely, this may be a big challenge, indeed.

      Delete
  14. The British will have to be aggressive right from the start on this one I think. Nice looking set up as always Jon. Another one I’m looking forward to

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Dai. Aggressiveness for the British could pay off handsomely if they manage to cut the bridge before Mermet can make good his escape.

      Delete
  15. A fascinating scenario, Jonathan, and lovely to see your 28mm Naps on the table.
    With three hours of daylight remaining, as New I think I would be tempted to hang on and fight it out, specially if I had any doubts that the British players were hard chargers . Looking forward to seeing the battle unfold!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to see that the scenario and figures are appreciated.

      You would fit Ney's MO perfectly, Michael! Whether or not the British will be hard-chargers depends upon who steps into the role of Picton in this engagement. I know the fellow playing Ney is typically a hard-charger and a redhead!

      Delete
  16. Lovely looking game Jonathan. Don't often see a rearguard action. I was interested to see you order of battle and the little labels behind the units. Are these to keep account of casualties/combat effectiveness? and is the unit destroyed at zero, or are their morale checks on the way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Richard!

      You are correct. The labels show unit status and these track combat effectiveness throughout the game. I use dice to track these unit states as its combat effectiveness fluctuates. When combat effectiveness reaches zero, the unit scatters and is taken off table. Units take response tests throughout the game. These tests determine unit effectiveness and responses.

      Good questions!

      Delete
    2. Thanks Jonathan.
      That sounds a little like something I've drafted for a new set of rules for myself.
      Presumably it must give you the sort of ebb and flow that you are looking for in a game?

      Delete
    3. Correct, Richard! For me, these abstractions work.

      Delete
  17. Nice looking set up. You got great Naps. The scenario looks well constructed too. Hope it will fun! ๐Ÿ˜€

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      It is always fun getting together with friends for a game, isn't it? Well, hosting adds an element of stress...

      Delete
  18. Great looking game in prospect. Very much looking forward to the AAR!

    Cheers,

    David.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. P.S. The 3rd image down is mislinked and does not enlarge, I'm afraid.It just links to Blogger (an dso to my own blog).

      Delete
    2. Thanks, David!

      My AAR will have to rely on only a few screenshots since I took no photos during the game as the players kept me hopping.

      In the meantime, if you want to read a battle report from Ney's perspective, please visit,

      https://wargaming4grownups.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-portuguese-problem.html

      Delete
    3. Your QC check much appreciated! Offending photo fixed.

      Delete
    4. Thanks, Jon. A very different result from the original battle! The Duke would not be pleased...

      Thanks for changing the image too. :-)

      Cheers,

      David.

      Delete
  19. Great looking set up,inspiring and I look forward to the game, I'm on the verge of having some sort of game with my Napoleonics, very exciting!
    Best Iain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Getting close to presenting your own Napoleonic battle is a big milestone to reach. Good job!

      Delete
  20. That is looking very interesting. Great game.

    ReplyDelete