A week from today we'll be playing the Battle of Rio Gevora (or Battle of the Gebora), which took place in February 1811. With Massena's army mired in front of the Lines of Torres Vedras defending Lisbon, Marshal Soult moved his Army of the South from Andalusia into Estremadura, besieging the Fortress of Badajoz. A large Spanish army under the Marquis de Romana was sent to raise the siege. La Romana, however, fell ill and died before the maneuver could be carried out, and command fell to the less capable General Medizabal. The Spanish Army camped on the heights of San Cristóbal, but neglected to follow the advice of Wellington to entrench their position. Soult ignored the force, proceeding with the siege of Badajoz. Heavy rains made the rivers swollen and difficult to cross. As they subsided, Soult dispatched a force under Marshal Mortier to cross the Guadiana river at night, and then the Gevora. The French advanced at dawn. Dense fog concealed the French from the Spaniards until the French were only a mile away. The Spaniards were in their encampments, and had to form upo very hastily to meet the French Advance.
A good account of the Battle and its background is found here on Wikipedia.
We will use Field of Battle rules, 3rd edition, with my Hand of Cards variant. The scenario is adapted from that by Michael Hopper, with minor changes to suit my tastes and collection.
2 regiments each of (recently painted Piano Wargames) Dragoons and Chasseurs hope to sweep around the Spanish right flank.
Special Rules:
Due to the fog, Artillery may not fire until the 3rd initiative. Spanish Infantry may not form square during the entire first turn.
French: 19 units, 20 MP
Marechal Mortier LD 12
Brigade Phillipon LD 12
1 French Legere DD8 CD 12
4 French Line DD6 CD 10
Battery 6# Foot Artillery DD6 CD 12
Brigade Brayer LD 12+1
4 French Line DD6 CD 10
1 French Legere DD8 CD 12
Battery 6# Foot Artillery DD6 CD 12
Cavalry - General de Division Latour Maubourg LD 10
Brigade Briche LD 12
3 Hussars DD8 CD 10
Brigade Bouvier LD 12
2 Dragoons DD 6 CD 12
2 Chasseur a Cheval DD6 CD 10
Spanish: 27 units, 27 MP
General Mendizabal LD 10
Vanguard - General Espana LD 8
2 Light Infantry DD4 CD 10
3 Line Infantry DD 4 CD 10
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6 CD 10
1st Division - General Garcia LD 10
1 Light Infantry DD 4 CD 10
3 Line Infantry DD6 CD 10
2 Militia Infantry DD4 CD 8
1 6# Foot Artillery DD6 CD 10
2nd Division - General Virues LD 10
3 Line Infantry DD 4 CD 10
2 Militia Infantry DD 4 CD 8
1 Battery 6# Foot Artillery DD6 CD 10
Brigade Madden LD 10
1 Cazadore a Caballo DD4 CD 8
1 Garochista DD4 CD 8
1 Granaderos a Caballo de Fernando IV DD4 CD 8
Brigade Butron LD 8
2 Heavy Cavalry DD 4 CD 12
2 Dragoons DD 4 CD 10
1 Hussar DD4 CD 8
Another view of the bulk of the Battlefield.
A great looking game!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ray.
DeleteQuite the sights, I bet this is a humdinger until a flank is turned.
ReplyDeleteThe French cavalry is definitely the potential game winner, as it was in the actual battle. We'll see how it plays out!
DeleteI'd love a Spanish win but can already already see the new Piano cavalry turning the flank. I think the Spanish are going to need a few good cards.
ReplyDeleteThey can do it but they will need there cavalry to be something more than a liability!
Deletegreat looking game. I'm voting with Lawrence
ReplyDeleteWe'll see how they fare, amigos!
DeleteLooking really good.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Richard!
DeleteCurious ... any idea on what La Romano died from? With it being sudden, I'm guessing heart attack or stroke. Also, quite the set up, and makes me want to revisit Hopper's scenario book with this one in it, cheers!
ReplyDeleteThe source I read attributed it to "an aneurysm"; not sure how they knew that; another said "dyspnea" (shortness of breath), which could have been lots of different things - pneumonia, congestive heart failure, heart attack, collapsed lung, pulmonary embolism, etc.),
DeleteThis does look like a hard game for the Spanish to win...will be interesting to see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it can be done, but it will take some luck as well as skill on the part of the Spanish!
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