Portugal 1808/09 – scenario tests

Before testing the scenarios for Soult’s campaign in Portugal I thought it prudent to refresh my acquaintance of the DBA variant rules for the Horse and Musket era. The first review involved an encounter between two division sized forces of Spanish and French. The Spanish forces contained line and militia battalions and these were further supported by newly raised levy while the French were on the whole well trained. Both commanders controlled about 13 – 14 battalions which during the first two tests quickly produced a strain on pip usage as the battlefield measured over one square kilometer. The ground favoured the Spanish with their right flank was secured by a village and a large hill offered a good defensive position for the remainder of the battle line.

The initial tests resembled more an ancients battle than a Napoleonic one. The situation was corrected when both sides made use of reserves. This channeled pip expenditure to the active brigade to develop the opening moves leaving the reserves to either support or be used to apply pressure elsewhere. Having both commanders focus on the immediate conflict produced a methodical development of a Napoleonic battle. As you can see from the photos and brief description the battle progressed through a number of stages with reserves employed in the final phase

Photo one:

The French launch their assault columns against the hill position with two battalions of light in support on their right; not in picture are reserve infantry and cavalry are positioned on the left rear.

The Spanish have stretched their battle line along the hill crest to anchor their right on the village. To their rear are four battalions in reserve. {1}

Photo two:

Despite repeated assaults, the French could not lodge the Spanish off the hill, even the efforts of the light troops were also blunted. {2}  

Photo three:

Reforming hs disordered columns and light troops these were given orders to keep the enemy held hill occupied while the battle shifted to an assault on the lightly held village.  

Having inflicted casualties on the French and seeing no further activity, the Spanish began contracting their line while withdrawing formations off the hill position. The French move against the village would threaten their retreat, so the grenadiers were ordered to hold the village along with the lights already positioned their. {3}

Photo four:

The grenadiers held firm causing heavy casualties among the French. At the end of the struggle both sides lost troops, but the village remained in Spanish control. {4}

Photo five:

Nearly five hours (time scale) had elapsed from the first shots fired and with dusk approaching the Spanish began withdrawing troops from the hill position. Spanish light troops and grenadiers screened the retreat French cavalry would not pursue with darkness fast approaching. {5}

After a brief rest, a pursuit by the entire division would begin during the early morning hours, but that is another battle.

Notes: 

{1} Nearly half the number of elements were held in reserve for this test, but future tests may have that number reflect the quality of the commander (cautious, bold, rash).  

{2} A number of DBA3 rules remain unchanged, non-light troops move as single elements or one element wide columns. Also, shooting in bad going is ½ BW distance which did produce a gritty combat lasting (scale time) an hour and a half. During this time the light troops were for most part out of command control and therefore required an extra pip expenditure to move.

{3} Commanding from an interior position, the Spanish general had less issue with control, while the French general frequently moved about; movement is 4BW at no cost.

{4} Although a village or hamlet is classed as rough going, historically streets are generally narrow so structures may provide a maximum amount of shade. As planning commissions were not around during this time, the village was classed as bad going and would impeded only movement and shooting.

{5} The Spanish withdrew leaving the field to the French and after nearly five hours (23 turns) the French incurred 12% casualties for their effort. In contrast, the Spanish lost 7% claiming a very minor victory.