A week ago, Jared, John, Mike and I did a play test of my scenario for the Battle of Talavera, using Field of Battle 2nd edition rules by Brent Oman.
The Battle of Talavera, July 28, 1809
1 infantry unit = 1200 men, 1 cavalry unit = 800 men, 1 artillery unit = 12 guns
FRENCH ARMY
Marshal Jourdan and King Joseph: Average LD 10
Average Sequence Deck
47 Units
Madrid Garrison: GD Desoilles LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
2 Ligne D6, CD10
1 King Joseph's Guard DD8, CD12
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
1st Light cavalry Division: GD Merlin LD 10
2 Chassuers a Cheval DD6, CD10
1 Hussar DD8, CD10
1st Dragoon Division: GD Latour - Mauborg LD 12
3 Dragoons DD6, CD12
1 6# Horse Artillery DD8, CD12+1
2nd Dragoon Division: GD Milhaud LD 12
3 Dragoons DD6, CD12
1st Corps, Marechal Victor LD 12
Light Cavalry Brigade: GD Beaumont LD 10
1 Chasseur a Cheval DD6, CD10
1st Infantry Division: GD Ruffin LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
2nd Infantry Division: GD Lapisse LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
3rd Infantry Division: Vilatte LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
4th Corps, GD Sebastiani LD 10
1st Infantry Division: GD Liger - Belair LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
2nd Infantry Division: GD Leval LD 10
2 Baden Infantry DD6, CD10
1 Nassau Infantry DD6, CD8
1 Hesse-Darmstadt Infantry DD6, CD12
2 Polish Infantry DD8, CD12
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
Allied Army: Sir Arthur Wellesley LD 12
Skilled Sequence Deck (to account for joint command with Cuesta)
48 Units
1st Division: Sherbrooke LD 12
1 Guard Infantry DD10, CD 12
2 Elite Infantry (Fusiliers/Highlanders) DD8, CD 12
1 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
2nd Division: Roland Hill LD 12
3 Line Infantry DD 6, CD10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD12
3rd Division: MacKenzie LD 10
2 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
1 Rifle (60th) DD8, CD 12 (Rifles)
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD 12
4th Division: Campbell LD 12
3 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD 12
Cavalry Division: Payne LD 10
1 Dragoon Guard DD8, CD12
1 Dragoon DD6, CD12
1 Light Dragoon DD6, CD10
1 Hussar DD8, CD10
Spanish Army: Cuesta LD 10
(uses Allied LD roll and sequence deck, but as Cuesta would have a "Poor", sequence deck himself, Marked cards in the deck may not be used by Spanish troops (1 each Leadership, Move 1 Command Group, and Maneuver; counts like a Lull, except no loss of initiative)
Vanguard and 1st Division: Zayas LD 10
1 Grenadier DD8, CD10
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
2 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
2 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
2nd and 3rd Divisions: Iglesias LD 8
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
4 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
1 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
4th and 5th Divisions: Manglano LD 8
1 Grenadier DD8, CD10
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
4 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
1 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
1st Cavalry Division: Henestrosa LD 8
1 Line Cavalry DD6, CD12
1 Dragoon DD4, CD10
1 Hussar DD4, CD8
2nd Cavalry Division: Duque de Alberquerque LD 10
1 Line Cavalry DD6, CD12
1 Dragoon DD4, CD10
1 Garrochista DD4, CD8
The Madrid Garrison arrives on the first French MOVE card, anywhere between the two roads X and Y inclusive. They may enter in March column and/or deployed
Terrain:
Class IV (impassable) - Mountain and Rio Tagus
Orchards are Class II for movement only, block LOS. No effect on combat otherwise.
Portina Stream Class is II, except the marshy banked northern portion is class III
Victory:
The French are awarded a one time 4 bonus MP if they take the Talavera Church (the most southeasterly building), and 2 MP each for the other three buildings of Talavera. Similarly, they are a warded a 1 MP bonus each for taking the redoubt and each of the walled gardens. It does not mater if they subsequently lose control of these points.
If the French exit a unit from the table via road exits A or B at any time, the Allies must pay a one time loss of 3 Morale Points (for each road so exited. not per unit exited) to the French immediately. This can only be claimed once per game for road A and once for road B.
Game ends when one army fails Army Morale. If the other side has 0 - 6 Morale Points remaining it is a marginal victory, 7 - 12 MP's is a minor victory, 13 - 23 MP is a major victory, and 24+ MP's is a Decisive victory.
Resources:
Talavera OOB:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talavera_order_of_battle
The scenario in Volley and Bayonet - Road to Glory was the main inspiration for my own version. I have significantly adapted the OOB to fit my own collection, particularly with regard to the Spanish, including giving the Spanish a limited amount of decent troops.
Rafa's Talavera scenario for Napoleon's Battles:
http://www.rafaelpardoalmudi.com/nbtalavera_1.html
JJ's Talavera scenario for Carnage and Glory:
http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2016/11/talavera-208-1809-2017-in-support-of.html
We got about halfway through the game in 2 hours, but learned what I needed to know to improve the scenario for Convention play. In the foreground are the village of Talavera de la Reina, and the Tagus river.
Overview of the table at the end of the play test.
View from the French lines.
View from the French Right; the British are deployed on the other side of the Portina stream.
French Dragoons, Chasseurs, and Hussars attempting to turn the British left flank... thus far without success.
The French exchanging volleys with the British... and not getting the best of it!
French light cavalry successfully charge the Pejar de Begara redoubt.
French attacks on Talavera itself have gone nowhere thus far! The Spanish deployed their best infantry units forward; if they can be broken, the rest of the infantry are all weak D4 defense die types, albeit in good defensive positions!
The repulsed French columns of the first attacks upon Talavera.
The Spanish defenders of Talavera.
The largely indifferent Spanish cavalry in reserve.
British infantry in the center.
The British left flank with supporting Cavalry; the French horse battery has been successful at taking pot shots at the English troopers!
The Battle of Talavera, July 28, 1809
1 infantry unit = 1200 men, 1 cavalry unit = 800 men, 1 artillery unit = 12 guns
FRENCH ARMY
Marshal Jourdan and King Joseph: Average LD 10
Average Sequence Deck
47 Units
Madrid Garrison: GD Desoilles LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
2 Ligne D6, CD10
1 King Joseph's Guard DD8, CD12
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
1st Light cavalry Division: GD Merlin LD 10
2 Chassuers a Cheval DD6, CD10
1 Hussar DD8, CD10
1st Dragoon Division: GD Latour - Mauborg LD 12
3 Dragoons DD6, CD12
1 6# Horse Artillery DD8, CD12+1
2nd Dragoon Division: GD Milhaud LD 12
3 Dragoons DD6, CD12
1st Corps, Marechal Victor LD 12
Light Cavalry Brigade: GD Beaumont LD 10
1 Chasseur a Cheval DD6, CD10
1st Infantry Division: GD Ruffin LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
2nd Infantry Division: GD Lapisse LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
3rd Infantry Division: Vilatte LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
4th Corps, GD Sebastiani LD 10
1st Infantry Division: GD Liger - Belair LD 10
1 Legere DD8, CD12
4 Ligne DD6, CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
2nd Infantry Division: GD Leval LD 10
2 Baden Infantry DD6, CD10
1 Nassau Infantry DD6, CD8
1 Hesse-Darmstadt Infantry DD6, CD12
2 Polish Infantry DD8, CD12
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD12
Allied Army: Sir Arthur Wellesley LD 12
Skilled Sequence Deck (to account for joint command with Cuesta)
48 Units
1st Division: Sherbrooke LD 12
1 Guard Infantry DD10, CD 12
2 Elite Infantry (Fusiliers/Highlanders) DD8, CD 12
1 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
2nd Division: Roland Hill LD 12
3 Line Infantry DD 6, CD10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD12
3rd Division: MacKenzie LD 10
2 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
1 Rifle (60th) DD8, CD 12 (Rifles)
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD 12
4th Division: Campbell LD 12
3 Line Infantry DD6, CD10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD8, CD 12
Cavalry Division: Payne LD 10
1 Dragoon Guard DD8, CD12
1 Dragoon DD6, CD12
1 Light Dragoon DD6, CD10
1 Hussar DD8, CD10
Spanish Army: Cuesta LD 10
(uses Allied LD roll and sequence deck, but as Cuesta would have a "Poor", sequence deck himself, Marked cards in the deck may not be used by Spanish troops (1 each Leadership, Move 1 Command Group, and Maneuver; counts like a Lull, except no loss of initiative)
Vanguard and 1st Division: Zayas LD 10
1 Grenadier DD8, CD10
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
2 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
2 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
2nd and 3rd Divisions: Iglesias LD 8
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
4 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
1 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
4th and 5th Divisions: Manglano LD 8
1 Grenadier DD8, CD10
1 Light Infantry DD6, CD10
4 Line Infantry DD4, CD10
1 Militia Infantry DD4, CD8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6, CD8
1st Cavalry Division: Henestrosa LD 8
1 Line Cavalry DD6, CD12
1 Dragoon DD4, CD10
1 Hussar DD4, CD8
2nd Cavalry Division: Duque de Alberquerque LD 10
1 Line Cavalry DD6, CD12
1 Dragoon DD4, CD10
1 Garrochista DD4, CD8
The Madrid Garrison arrives on the first French MOVE card, anywhere between the two roads X and Y inclusive. They may enter in March column and/or deployed
Terrain:
Class IV (impassable) - Mountain and Rio Tagus
Class III - Church at Talavera, Woods
Class II - rest of Talavera, Vineyards, Hills, Redoubt Walled GardensOrchards are Class II for movement only, block LOS. No effect on combat otherwise.
Portina Stream Class is II, except the marshy banked northern portion is class III
Victory:
The French are awarded a one time 4 bonus MP if they take the Talavera Church (the most southeasterly building), and 2 MP each for the other three buildings of Talavera. Similarly, they are a warded a 1 MP bonus each for taking the redoubt and each of the walled gardens. It does not mater if they subsequently lose control of these points.
If the French exit a unit from the table via road exits A or B at any time, the Allies must pay a one time loss of 3 Morale Points (for each road so exited. not per unit exited) to the French immediately. This can only be claimed once per game for road A and once for road B.
Game ends when one army fails Army Morale. If the other side has 0 - 6 Morale Points remaining it is a marginal victory, 7 - 12 MP's is a minor victory, 13 - 23 MP is a major victory, and 24+ MP's is a Decisive victory.
Resources:
Talavera OOB:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talavera_order_of_battle
The scenario in Volley and Bayonet - Road to Glory was the main inspiration for my own version. I have significantly adapted the OOB to fit my own collection, particularly with regard to the Spanish, including giving the Spanish a limited amount of decent troops.
Rafa's Talavera scenario for Napoleon's Battles:
http://www.rafaelpardoalmudi.com/nbtalavera_1.html
JJ's Talavera scenario for Carnage and Glory:
http://jjwargames.blogspot.com/2016/11/talavera-208-1809-2017-in-support-of.html
Great looking game,I look forward to the playtest result,impressive logistics to move all this on the day!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks, Iain. We stopped play here, with the Allies having a decided upper hand, but heavy losses on both sides. Thast lead to some scenario tweaks to make things a BIT easier on the French for a good game.
DeleteA spectacular and most impressive looking game, this table is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Phil. Aside from a few officers and extras, my entire Spanish army is on the table there, along with the bulk of my British infantry.
DeleteNice-looking scenario Peter. We played it in 15mm a few years ago and I felt it really brought the battle to life for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lawrence. I find that is one of the reasons I enjoy historical actions; both learning about the battle and setting it out and playing it greatly improves my insight into the action.
DeleteMassive game in 25mm. Looks terrific in both troops and terrain! Having made it halfway through when you stopped play, who held the upper hand and what was the likely outcome?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jon. The French probably over strained themselves by attacking almost everywhere. That plus the Allies hot dice rolling made it look like a British/Spanish victory. On the other hand, a breakthrough by the French right flank cavalry, or a bit of luck punching through the tough "crust" of the better infantry in Talavera exposing the very soft filling of the Spanish "Calzone", could have lead to a rapid reversal of fortunes.
DeleteLovely looking version of the battle Peter. Talavera is especially striking!
ReplyDeleteThanks, James; those Hovels buildings are winners for sure!
DeleteLooks great, and nice big photos too excellent! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark; Hopefully I will get a lot more pictures of the Historicon version!
DeleteAwesome looking game and the pictures are just to drool for.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, Lee!
DeleteA great looking game Peter! Sharpe didn't capture his eagle at this one though? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Oli. The way it was going, he might have had the chance later. But wait, do I see major Ducos? :-)
DeleteVery impressive set up but how did the new Spanish perform ?
ReplyDeleteFoe both new troops and Spanish, they performed quite credibly!
Delete