Spanish Mini-Campaign 2: Skirmish at Gelsa

Vidal and I met this past weekend at Casa Bairos on the banks of the Grand River to continue with our Spanish campaign, with a guest appearance by Captain Dan. At the beginning of the 5th campaign turn, Vidal had moved a force across the Ebro River to threaten the center of the French river defences. This British incursion met a French force near the village of Gelsa, south of Zaragoza.

After the force selection procedure was completed, the two opposing Battlegroups were of roughly equal size (with a slight edge to the French). Both groups also received an extra Level III Big Man to command the forces.

We remembered to actually read the campaign rules this time and a scenario was randomly selected from Dawns & Departures and Support Points were rolled for: 2 British points and 1 French. The All-Out Attack scenario was selected and Vidal chose to make it a Hasty Attack. In a Hasty Attack, "both sides are in some disorder, possibly deploying from column of march straight into action, or having been surprised. Roll a d6 for each group attempting to deploy onto the table. On a roll of 4 to 6, they are delayed and may not deploy. They may attempt to deploy again when the opportunity next arrives." This restriction did not seem to affect much in the game... most rolls were successful. What did affect the plans and the outcome was fighting down the length of the table and that both sides had only their Primary Deployment Points from which to deploy. This constricted the deployment options for both sides and restricted the impact of the cavalry (but more of this anon).

Captain Dan took control of the French force and chose a barricade with his measly one point of support. Vidal chose to field a marksman ... yes, with his damned 95th Rifles (thank goodness, it turned out he had only one unit of these horrible monsters in his force).

The full battlefield, with French Deployment Point on the left and British on the right.

A full synopsis of the battle...

and a photo AAR...

British line infantry, screened by light infantry and observed by the force commander, deploy in the center of the field. It seemed Vidal planned to shove this right down the center of the French position. This is a nasty little combination.  The light infantry can screen the line (giving them soft cover) until they are ready to deliver some disciplined and powerful volleys.

French cavalry deploy on the right flank, intent on gaining an early edge by threatening the British flank and rear. An Imperial ADC commands these horsemen, as the Emperor (or his designate) would never allow these Grenadiers a Cheval to be used without some guidance.

French infantry deploy to anchor the right of the line as the cavalry move forward. These are bog-standard conscript & volunteer infantry. Once they begin delivering musketry volleys, they are notoriously difficult to get back under control to do anything else. But bolstering them, the French force commander waves them forward (but not for long...unfortunately...).

Pretty Spanish cavalry deploy on the British right flank, seemingly with a similar intention as the French cavalry... threatening the French flank and rear. But "pretty" was the extent of their contribution to the battle... but as they say, "it's not how you fight, it's how you look while you're fighting." I'm sure it was Napoleon who said that :)

French skirmishers deploy behind the barricade to face the British line infantry in the center of the field.

British light dragoons deploy to counter the French cavalry at the top right of the photo. What can't be seen here are the damnable 95th Rifles cowering like snakes in the small farm building.

  

As the French skirmishers start to pepper the British lines, a stray spark has set alight the building behind them. 

The British cavalry has turned to face the French light cavalry. This was a drawn-out affair with multiple charges and counter charges before the French chasseurs were thrown back for good, leaving their commander un-horsed, stunned, and captured. The French heavy cavalry had meanwhile continued on to the French rear (without a commander and activating only on Tiffin cards). What can't be seen here is the 95th Rifles finally deciding to be real men and come out of the cover in which they had been cowardly creeping. They chased the French heavy cavalry and forced them from the field. Surely, a tactical withdrawal by the cavalry commander... yes, that's clearly what it was.

  

Meanwhile, back in the center the French force commander had early been knocked off his horse and stunned by a stray round from the British light infantry. He was hors de combat for the remainder of the battle, depriving Captain Dan of a valuable command resource.

On the French left flank, a massive volley by a formation of Legere shattered the Spanish cavalry flanking attempt and left them scurrying to the rear. We can't see the Spanish cavalry in this photo... but no matter...even if the field of focus was widened, we'd see only a shattered and ruined (but ultimately pretty) cavalry group .

French forces begin to build up around the Deployment Point.

At this point, Vidal had begun to slowly move his British line infantry in the center back towards the British Deployment Point. There seemed no purpose in continuing to try and force the issue in the center with so much French infantry finally starting to shake themselves out from their initial deployments. The French Force Morale was at this point down to 2 and British at 6. Captain Dan decided to make a Voluntary Withdrawal and concede the field. 

In hindsight, a couple of things could have made the battle go more in the French favour. First, placing the Primary (and only) Deployment Point farther forward may have helped. It could have allowed a less cluttered deployment area around and behind the central farm building. As it turned out, the cluttered terrain in the center negated some of the superiority in numbers the French infantry enjoyed. Second, Captain Dan's attempt to rush the French cavalry along the flank may have been premature. The narrow frontage fighting along the length of the table restricted the potential of such a move. Perhaps holding them back to deliver a timely charge on weakened British units may have been a better choice. But, hindsight is 20-20!

In campaign terms, there are no positive or negative modifiers appended the respective Battlegroups, although the obvious bonus for the British is the occupation of a French class 2 town. 

On the map you can see French Battlegroup G retreating to Hijar. In the French half of the campaign turn, Battlegroup D moves from Banon to Hijar to join Battlegroup G. Thus ends Campaign Turn 5...