15mm Battle of Vimiero.

Vimiero hill. 

Having completed several test games of Napoleonic Command we thought it was time to try a historical scenario. This was lifted straight from the Genera de Brigade Peninsular war scenario book. Once again we used Neal's superb 15mm collection of Dwarves  to game this one.

I took the British and Tom took the French.

Neal was his usual impartial self as umpire


Th British starting positions with the Light Division on the left.

The French ready to advance,

The French, having won the dice off went first and advanced along their entire front.

No redeployment for the British as they waited patiently for the approaching French columns.

Disorder points accumulated by both sides at this point following threat assessments by both sides before the end of turn 1. 

In turn 2 the French continue to advance.

French guns deploy.

The 95th redeploy into skirmish order.

French redeployment with guns unlimbered and columns into line.

Ffrench prepare to assault the British positions east of Vimiero.

I could have done without a double 4 here!

The 95th are pushed back.

 In a revolutionary new tactic the British right sinks into Vimiero hill.

French infantry deploy into columns to prepare for the assault on the ridge.

On the right the British have moved to threaten the French flank while the French artillery turn to face them.

A view along the ridge line. The main French effort is focused on the Light Division.

Charges going in all along the British left.

Further along the line another French column advances up the hill.

The redcoats fail to stop the charge.

The other charges also go in.

The British line assaulted by 4 columns.

The French pressure on the British line results in the British brigade..

losing initiative indicated by the red counter. In their next move the will need to take action to reduce the threat level against them.

A similar outcome on the other flank which is being assaulted by 2 brigades including an elite grenadier brigade.

The most threatened unit must lose a base which, after a 'dice off' turns out to be the battery! The brigade loses the initiative and must fall back.

The 95th fall back into Vimiero and the light infantry retreat off the table...

The other brigade sees a unit withdraw behind a friendly unit. Having lost initiative the brigade is unable to execute their flanking movement.

The French columns react to the British by wheeling to threaten the their flank.

The French Grenadier brigade also turns to face their flank in response to the sight of dust clouds to the west.

The British wheel their line to face the new threat to their flank. The remaining British brigade now has 2 French ones to deal with.

The French charge.

But the redcoats hold them off and they react to their failure to charge home by deploying into line.

The beleagured Light Division once again lose the initiative.

A large gap in the line appears, will the reinforcements arrive in time to save the day? With both British brigades having lost initiative again its a case of holding on as best as they can.

So we called it a day as time was getting on with the British still in control of the ridge which was the main objective. How long they could continue to hold is anyone's guess but the British commander was distinctly lacking in morale.

We have decided to introduce a special rule for skirmishers to reflect the tactical realities of the Peninsular war. The British brigade skirmish screen in the reaction phase will be allowed to reform and take up its usual position on the left of the Brigade. British and French light infantry  battalions operating as skirmishers can reform behind their own lines. 

Next week we will be doing the Spartacus slave revolt in 10mm using Hail Caesar.



The Spanish ulcer, well it gave me one anyway!

 For a change we had a Spanish v French game at the club the other night using Daves excellent collection of 15mm figures. The Spanish proved to be quite a challenge but not as great a one as that of the dice Gods.

Tom - French
Mick - Spanish
Dave - umpire
Rules - GdeB

Objectives- The Spanish to defend the gap between the high ground and the village and prevent the French from advancing off the table behind their set up positions. The French must leave the table in good order at any point between the high ground and the village behind the Spanish. 

Initial set up of the Spanish forces.

 The French set up with their infantry using their secret new teleportation machine to switch them from their right wing to the left without me noticing, a very cunning plan!

The opposing forces. 

The French advance begins as the Spanish move towards a a position threatening the artillery flank if they continue to advance.

The French head for the high ground planning to outflank the Spanish position. 

The French continue over the high ground as the Spanish respond to the threat by starting to switch their forces to their right flank.  Casualties were exchanged from artillery and musketry.

Order changes for the French. 

Spanish skirmishers engage their French counterparts.

French moves continue while the Spanish skirmishers charge  their counterparts.

The Spanish are forced to retreat. 

 Spanish columns consolidate their right flank.

As the French continue to flank their position. 

Spanish casualties mount. 

Finally a French casualty from Spanish musketry. 

The position doesn't look too bad for the Spanish but the quality of their troops is suspect being 2nd line. 

More casualties for the French. 

Spanish skirmishers return to the fray. 

While their opponents continue to harass the Spanish line. 

Spanish artillery continues to fire at the French but with limited success  

Spanish columns prepare to assault having succeeded in changing their orders. 

French artillery advance. 

The French prepare to receive their opponents charge. 

The Spanish hesitate! 

and open fire instead. 

A French line succeeds in charging their Spanish opponents 

Who retire leaving their adjacent colleagues  to take the brunt of the charge.

The Spanish finally attempt to charge their Gallic adversaries 

but they too fail to charge home. 

Pressure is building up with faltering and retiring Spanish units but a successful Brigade morale test steadies the line...... for the time being.

French artillery prepare to take up positions to the rear of the Spanish columns. 

Spanish resolve begins to wither... 



as the French prepare to administer the coup de gras.

An enjoyable game despite some abysmal luck with the dice and some inspired dice work by Tom who was happy to remind me of the two double one morale throws he got during a recent Wars of the Roses game which shattered his centre. As they say 'shit happens' but as long as it doesn't affect the enjoyment of the game that's all that matters.

Next week will be a debut outing for Carls 10mm Spartacus game using Hail Caesar. No doubt he will be doing the report on that one.

Thanks to Dave for putting the game on.

Mick