The Battle for LaMesta
4th of February
We finished the game with one more action packed turn. In the center the Spanish threw the Militia in to force melee results and continued to pressure the French on the left with the Portuguese but they had run out of steam despite everything. The icing was on the cake as a French brigade moved to annex the recreate road's crossroad.
The French have it !
A great, and challenging little scenario that was wall to wall action from the start.
28th of Jan 2020
Night 4, and it's still all to play for. The allied high command appeared to have dampened spirits at the start of the evening, still contemplating a withdrawal but fear of failure made them to push on with the assault.
They had British heavy cavalry almost at the ready, the Portuguese were tying up the French left and it was just possible they could break free with enough troops.
The French had to contend with artillery caissons that were emptying fast, and it happened to the 12lb battery sited on the village left flank which went low ammo forcing it's limbering and withdrawal based on how close the lead Spanish units were.
Another stream of melees saw the French appearing to continue with the upper hand, especially when the 'over confident' Spanish cavalry withdrew.
But as ever, the tide might have just turned with the French starting to struggle the allies still feel there is a glimmer of hope - We will conclude the game next week and it's going to be close.
21st of Jan 2020
CARNAGE !!
We progressed with the game, just 2 turns but they were pretty big and led to utter devastation to the British front lines but at a cost to the French in men they cannot replace. Especially as a reserve brigade of Portuguese and British Heavy cavalry have decided to join in.
In the center there were several melees which the French got the best of with a full British Brigade withdrawing (But leaving several very weak, out of Ammo vulnerable French battalions). On the center right the British, in desperation, had to re sought to attacking in Attack Column to try and stem the aggressive French.
On the left, the Spanish cavalry continued to 'show off' and nearly broke a French square (In the end they returned to lines) and are massing again and trying to to face unformed & low ammo French units ; interesting situation. However the Poles stuck it to them, and a Spanish brigade withdrawal was called for.
To the rear, along the road the 2nd Spanish division is making steady progress and may yet threaten La Mesta itself, the question being can it battle through the savage artillery fire ?
There are murmurs among the Allied high command of withdrawal as success will be outweighed by sever losses ; what will they do, and could they withdraw at this stage anyway - Decisions, decisions.
14th of Jan 2020
The French left continued to advance (deploying into Line !) towards the Spanish brigade that had quickly turned to it's flank. The Spanish cavalry made a tactical withdrawal, and then not only charged but broke a French line (rolled foe a long range volley, the rest I'm sure you can guess) before withdrawing. It's close on the flank.
In the Center the British have engaged in hand to hand combat, winning one and drawing the other as well as starting to deploy the 3rd Brigade.
Over in La Mesta, the Nassau brigade is just watching, but troops are approaching. On the flank of the village the French Hussars have completely cut down one allied cavalry unit, and with a rally on the spot look set to create further carnage
10 turns complete, which sees us at the halfway point. A British courier was seen leaving the action at break neck speed ; Will his lordship grant additional troops ??
And there seems to a bit of dust cloud to the rear of the French lines ; Could be cavalry (but whose ?)
All to play for next week
7th of Jan 2020
Lord Wellington has ordered a combined British & Spanish force to attack and take the village of La Mesta which is securing the main French battle line ; They made an early start arriving into the valley around dawn in heavy mist. If they can smash through the village and it's pitiful garrison the French flank will be wide open.
They progressed apace for the first 4 turns, but then the mist cleared and hey presto a divisional sized French force appeared on the heights as if from no where.
Keep pressing on for the village, and risk being outflanked themselves or turn and deal with them ?
We finished the game with one more action packed turn. In the center the Spanish threw the Militia in to force melee results and continued to pressure the French on the left with the Portuguese but they had run out of steam despite everything. The icing was on the cake as a French brigade moved to annex the recreate road's crossroad.
The French have it !
A great, and challenging little scenario that was wall to wall action from the start.
28th of Jan 2020
Night 4, and it's still all to play for. The allied high command appeared to have dampened spirits at the start of the evening, still contemplating a withdrawal but fear of failure made them to push on with the assault.
They had British heavy cavalry almost at the ready, the Portuguese were tying up the French left and it was just possible they could break free with enough troops.
The French had to contend with artillery caissons that were emptying fast, and it happened to the 12lb battery sited on the village left flank which went low ammo forcing it's limbering and withdrawal based on how close the lead Spanish units were.
Another stream of melees saw the French appearing to continue with the upper hand, especially when the 'over confident' Spanish cavalry withdrew.
But as ever, the tide might have just turned with the French starting to struggle the allies still feel there is a glimmer of hope - We will conclude the game next week and it's going to be close.
21st of Jan 2020
CARNAGE !!
We progressed with the game, just 2 turns but they were pretty big and led to utter devastation to the British front lines but at a cost to the French in men they cannot replace. Especially as a reserve brigade of Portuguese and British Heavy cavalry have decided to join in.
In the center there were several melees which the French got the best of with a full British Brigade withdrawing (But leaving several very weak, out of Ammo vulnerable French battalions). On the center right the British, in desperation, had to re sought to attacking in Attack Column to try and stem the aggressive French.
On the left, the Spanish cavalry continued to 'show off' and nearly broke a French square (In the end they returned to lines) and are massing again and trying to to face unformed & low ammo French units ; interesting situation. However the Poles stuck it to them, and a Spanish brigade withdrawal was called for.
To the rear, along the road the 2nd Spanish division is making steady progress and may yet threaten La Mesta itself, the question being can it battle through the savage artillery fire ?
There are murmurs among the Allied high command of withdrawal as success will be outweighed by sever losses ; what will they do, and could they withdraw at this stage anyway - Decisions, decisions.
14th of Jan 2020
The French left continued to advance (deploying into Line !) towards the Spanish brigade that had quickly turned to it's flank. The Spanish cavalry made a tactical withdrawal, and then not only charged but broke a French line (rolled foe a long range volley, the rest I'm sure you can guess) before withdrawing. It's close on the flank.
In the Center the British have engaged in hand to hand combat, winning one and drawing the other as well as starting to deploy the 3rd Brigade.
Over in La Mesta, the Nassau brigade is just watching, but troops are approaching. On the flank of the village the French Hussars have completely cut down one allied cavalry unit, and with a rally on the spot look set to create further carnage
10 turns complete, which sees us at the halfway point. A British courier was seen leaving the action at break neck speed ; Will his lordship grant additional troops ??
And there seems to a bit of dust cloud to the rear of the French lines ; Could be cavalry (but whose ?)
All to play for next week
7th of Jan 2020
Lord Wellington has ordered a combined British & Spanish force to attack and take the village of La Mesta which is securing the main French battle line ; They made an early start arriving into the valley around dawn in heavy mist. If they can smash through the village and it's pitiful garrison the French flank will be wide open.
They progressed apace for the first 4 turns, but then the mist cleared and hey presto a divisional sized French force appeared on the heights as if from no where.
Keep pressing on for the village, and risk being outflanked themselves or turn and deal with them ?
Gallery Night 1
Gallery Night 2
Gallery Night 3
Gallery Night 4
Gallery Night 5