Sunday, 8 November 2015

The Battle of Valderas 1808 - A Napoleonic batrep



The Rejects got together for a Napoleonic game today.
Surj & Richard were the French
Ian, Lee and myself played the Spanish
To put it bluntly.....the Spanish were crap!!!


Postie set the troops our, Ian our Commander took the centre, giving me the right
and Lee the left.


The set-up
The French were overloaded on their right, (Surjit's side)
Facing my troops was Richard's smaller force. So we decided rather than just sit on both hills
and defend, we'd push our right forward and try and take the initiative away from the French.... 


Along with my Infantry below, I was in command of the Cavalry on the flank.




Ian's command on the left and Lee's on the right.
Unfortunately, although the Spanish were a rather large army, they were, for want of 
a better word, rubbish! Half the army were Militia, which meant everytime you moved them on a roll of a 1 on a D6 they only moved half and became disordered, while the other half were normal line but with the same morale as the militia. This included all our Horse.


The French on the other hand were all either normal troops, Elite or Guard!!
!!!


Front Line - The 5th Villa Vicosa and 7th Numancis Dragoons, Maria Luisa Hussars
Back line - 5th Borbon Horse and Militia Lancers


 Ian's command


Lee's two militia units Avila and Soria, (in blue coats) sitting pretty on the hill. Out of shot 
on Lee's far left is our one and only decent unit, our Combined Grenadiers, which was next to our best artillery piece a heavy gun. Lee threw bad for their number of shots. They only had 3 fires for the whole game.


Thing start to go wrong for us straight away, I went and through a 1 for the Villa Vicocosa Dragoons
who refuse to move and go into disorder...Doh!


At this point I ran out of batteries for my camera, so had to use my phone.
I think the pics are better!
So the plan was to attack with my entire force, including my 2 militia units, Jerez and Toledo, who Postie had very thankfully put in my front rank, cheers Postie!!
Richard's troops can be seen trying to cross the river, he had a little trouble with one unit who went disordered.


A high shot of the battle field.
On the left Surj's troops can be seen crossing the river 13 units in all. While Richard's command is to the right of the field in the centre. Richard seemed to be having no luck as his artillery also went into disorder crossing the river.


On our extreme left Lee's 3 shot Heavy artillery sits waiting for the French to come into medium range, while the rest of his troops sit and wait for the onslaught.


Back to my side
Richard#s cavalry decided not to cross the river and face my Horse, rather unsporting if you ask me.
but then I go and throw another bloody 1, so my Lancers go disordered and bugger up my plans!!


Things seem to be going better for my Infantry though.
I took a chance and moved upto Richard's disordered artillery, to take a potshot at them, killing 1 figure. I also move my line up to force the French Chassuers back to allow me to fire at Richard's columns crossing the river.


Hang on a minute!!
Re-inforcements!!!
The French bring on their IMPERIAL GUARD DETACHMENT!!
Two units of Fusilier Grenadiers , two Fusilier Chasseurs and a small unit of Gendarmes de Elite!!
Oh happy day!


Ah I almost forgot...
Ian our General was late to the battle, he started the day in a town on our extreme right baseline. 
He was, lets just say enjoying some horizontal activities with a local lass. He raced in his coach back to out camp in the centre of our lines to jump on his horse., It took him most of the game!


Evil Postie, telling Surjit he's a bad boy. Surj made it on the Wall of Shame. After moving 
his troops, he decided he didn't want them there after all so moved them back. Postie
 let him get away with it???


On the right I bought on our reserve. 2 units of Peasants. Yes, you read that correct Peasants, no Imperial Guard for us, we get crappy peasants. Was we bitter??
Yes we were!


Ian, Lee, Postie and Surj, discussing I can't remember what?
Actually I think Lee was asking was it time for the sandwiches?
Always thinking of his belly that one??


Come on my beauties!!


What a mess!
Rich charged, my Jerez Militis who failed their morale and moved back, they were given a yellow disorder marker. He also charged the 1st Cordobo, (in front of my commander)
I moved my Horse up, close the the flank of Richard's unit, just incase he won the morale, so I could charge next turn.


A rather blurry close up on the situation.
Its looking dodgy but we're still in with a very small chance.....I think?
Until a lucky shot, Richard the Comte be Lobou is shot from his saddle. All units within 12 inches are forced to take a morale check.


While on our left, Lee, after much goading from Ian, sent two Spanish units the 1st and 2nd Valencia, down off the hill to try and destroy, two units the Surj had sent forward.


It's looking a little dodgy this side too?


The Thin White Line


All but 1 of Richard's units passes their morale check, but luckily for us the one who failed routs through the 3 oncoming French units at the corner of the filed.
What a stroke of luck!!!
BUT
All day long Richard's dice were quite dismal until it really mattered. In the melee above
 he managed 6 hits to my 4, destroying half my unit. The 1st Cordoba routed. 


Really? 
What was the point??


As the 1st Cordoba routed, it forced a Divisional morale check, on my Division.
So it was down to me to throw 2 D6, needing a 6 or more and what did I throw
Snake Eyes!!
The worst possible score on the planet.
As they were such fantastic troops the whole Division dispersed!!!
8 units left the table never to return, giving the flank and the game to the French!
Bo-Lox!

Conclusion:

Well what can I say? 
I don't like playing the Spanish? Well that's a lie, I do, but they need some help. Its almost impossible to do anything with them on their own. If they had a bit of British or Portuguese support to bolster their morale, it'd have been more of a challenge for the French. But alas their wasn't any. 
I think we did the right thing attacking on our right, it certainly made for a more exciting game, but in the end it kinda played right into the Rich and Surjit's hands.
Oh well....at least we live to fight another day??

86 comments:

  1. Hi Ray,very good battle report .I enjoyed it immensely! I think one would have much more resolve to win a battle,if one knew the losers would have to eat thickly spread Marmite sandwidges. See Ya! BB

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  2. Very cool that you guys get together and game.

    PS: I got your comment about the wind but I don't believe you :-)

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  3. Amazing pictures mate! And looks like a stunning game too!

    It really looks good with the terrain and all painted miniatures.

    I salute the Generals!

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  4. As always a cracking looking game

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  5. Engrossing.Suave magni maro turbantibus aequora ventis e terra magnum alterius spectare laborem; It is good to watch the troubles of those at sea from the shore: (lucretius)

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  6. Nice report Ray and a wonderful looking game! Tough day for the Spanish.

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    Replies
    1. Tough? Not the word me, Ian or Lee would probably use.

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  7. Replies
    1. No, Postie needs a kick in the you know whats, more like??

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  8. Lol great fun, just what you expect from the Spanish.

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  9. Great batrep and a great looking game Ray!

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  10. A ripper of a game. Looks fabulous and clearly there was room for manoeuvrings which made it look even batter. Wish I'd been there.

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    Replies
    1. We tried to make a game of it. But the gods were against us.

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  11. Greate AAR and a very nice looking game!

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  12. The Spanish were always a nightmare to play unless they were those Spanish with the glasses, I suppose it could have been worse.....Neapolitans? Good to see the boys.......

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    Replies
    1. You would have been in your element Fran. F-ing and blinding like a trooper!!

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  13. That was a good read Ray, very entertaining AAR of a great looking game! I can understand your frustration though ... ;)

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  14. This looks like a typical game in the shed of war. While not a period I really enjoy it is without doubt a spectacle to look at. So the Spanish lost! Were they defending? the Defenders always seem to loose in the Shed of war when you play Napoleonic's. It may just be my perception of course but tends to be how the rules seem to work. But the GAME does look good.

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    Replies
    1. The Spanish ahould always defend Clint. We tried to make the French change their plan by attacking, but it didn't work.

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  15. Another nice looking game. Good report as well.

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  16. Great game Ray, did I miss what ruleset you guys have used? And there's a reason why I have next to no Spanish in my figure cabinet!

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    1. The rules are Posties own version of General de Brigade, Sander. I'd keep your cabinet that way if I was you!!

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  17. That's a cracking looking table. It also looked a great game (to play as the French).
    Nicely presented, Ray.

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    Replies
    1. Cheers Roy, it was a day to be French that's for sure!!

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  18. Not much I can add to all of the above comments Ray :) what a beautiful collection.

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  19. Spanish army, one of my favorites! Well, not to win with, to play with...Beautiful units, and your report is looking so nice, great terrain and figures...

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  20. Now that's a wargame! What a splendid report Ray.

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    Replies
    1. We had a great day, just wish it didn't end soooo early!

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  21. Nice batrep Ray! I enjoyed the little audio clip of the guys on FB!

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    Replies
    1. Just a little snippet of what goes on in the shed o war!

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  22. Great battle report mate. I enjoyed the game and I think we definitely dominated the battlefield but in the end our poor quality troops would never have held for long. Can't believe we were finished by 2pm! Gutted!!

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  23. Great battle report mate. I enjoyed the game and I think we definitely dominated the battlefield but in the end our poor quality troops would never have held for long. Can't believe we were finished by 2pm! Gutted!!

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  24. Now THAT is a decent sized game! Well done everyone involved and thanks for sharing the pics and story mate.

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  25. Looks like a good social game Ray.

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    Replies
    1. We do have fun in the shed, even when a damned good thrashing is on the cards!

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  26. D'one up like a kipper' springs to mind and I wonder what you've done to upset Postie.
    Interesting challenge though playing the Spanish and an enjoyable aar.

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    Replies
    1. I think it was because I ate the last few wine gums at the end of the last game??

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  27. Fantastic looking game and well told BatRep! Throwing snake-eyes to end the game? Classic move!

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    Replies
    1. Snake eyes.........I call it a right royal pain in the arse, that is of course if you don't need to through it!

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  28. Confusion for the French. Spanish routing units are just making the French march farther to reach the defenders of the Faith. I would check the dice for "French alterations". A proper miniature team of monks are required to carry all Spanish morale dice.

    Enjoyed the BatRep. Loved the limited Spanish artillery ammo supply... shades of our gaming. Miniatures as usual a treat
    to view and see in action.

    Michael aka WR (California)

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  29. Great to see you get the Napoleonics out Ray. Great looking game and most entertaining reportage, as usual!
    Cheers!

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  30. Great game and pictures Ray! Thanks for sharing!

    Greetings
    Peter

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    1. No probs Peter, glad you enjoyed the report.

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  31. Beautiful display and lots of nice toys! Well done the lads.

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  32. Hey great batrep. Looks like a real lot of fun....Spanish militia seems a bit like Gobbos in warhammer. They do to behave the way they want..

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    Replies
    1. It was very difficult, to do anything with them.

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  33. Great AAR. Many thanks for sharing it, Ray.

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  34. Fantastic! Great looking battle, thanks for sharing another great batrep Ray.

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  35. Great looking Nap battle! It's always tough to play the Spanish in this period!

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