Général d'Armée: Vimeiro Hill 1808

I thought I would see how GdA works with less then the recommended number of brigades, so I took the Vimeiro Hill scenario from the General de Brigade Scenario book #5. Here we have 3 brigades per side and the British only have 2 until turn 5.

Below we can see the hill in the farground with the 3 attacking French brigades in the foreground. Very little terrain is required so it is a simple terrain to set up. The scenario sets the game at 12 turns with the British having to break 3 French Brigades or alternately the French have to have units on Vimeiro Hill and break 2 British Brigades. The hill is a gentle slope so offered no impediment to movement.

The British

On the British right flank is Fane's brigade made up of the 50th Foot (large) and a two regular battalions, the 5/60th and the  2/95th with some skirmishers from the 1/95th rifles. These units are of Line quality except the 95th that are graded as Veterans.

Attached to Fane's brigade is a RFA battery, in the background we can see Wellington with his 3 ADC's. As one British brigade is not available until turn 5, one ADC can only be activated only on a 5 or 6. 

Anstruther's Light Brigade on the British left flank, made up of 4 regular sized battalions;  the 9th, 43rd, 52nd  and 97th battalions with some skirmishers detached from their light companies. The two light battalions are Veteran and the other two are Line.

The French

Here we have Charlot's brigade made up of 4 battalions of line as well as some detached skirmishers and an attached medium foot battery. These were all graded as line.

Junot with his 3 ADC's

Here are two small brigades, to the right of the photo is Kellerman's brigade comprised of just 2 battalions of Elite  combined Grenadiers. Next to it is another small brigade of 2 battalions of Veteran Grenadiers under GdB St Clair. They have an attached Veteran Foot Battery of 4pders.

Charlotte's brigade assemble into Attack columns and advance to take the hill!

They are encouraged forward by Junot's ADC's with a Forwards Tasking.

On the next turn Junot uses his ADC's to give direct orders to take the hill by the Infantry Assault Tasking. This allows multiple battalions to charge with support/ care was taken to avoid the mass battalions disadvantage. I use red discs to indicate a charging unit, the mini dice are recording causalities. As Charlot's lead two battalions charge the British line fires in response causing some attrition.

One French battalion is thrown back but the 1/32e ligne charges home, engages in melee and drives back the 9th regiment of foot.

Meanwhile on the British right flank the 4 battalions of combined grenadiers manage to advance as well. The French were quite successful with ADC taskings, and were able also to get St Clair's brigade on Infantry Assault. Here you can see both battalions charging the 95th. Kellerman's Elite grenadiers are not on an Infantry Assault so can only charge with 1 battalion. Both the 5/60th and 2/95th Rifles are quite successful with their fire in response to the charge............

................but unfortunately for the British, the French are able to charge home and Rout the  Rifles causing the brigade to Falter. The British right flank is collapsing.

Back to the French left flank, Turn 5 finally and Acland's Brigade arrives. The Line 2nd and 20th Foot advance with Elite rifle-armed skirmishes.  

Charlot sends his 2 rear battalions to protect his right flank, they get placed on Infantry Assault and by good dicing are able to throw back Acland. The 20th Foot Rout!

Fane's brigade is pushed off Vimeiro Hill, 2 battalions are dispersed. All 3 British brigades are faltering  so on turn 9 the British withdraw and relinquish the Hill!

So a great game, I hope to play this again at the Hobby Bunker tomorrow with Adam. I plan to add an ADC to each side. Playing solo is OK but a real opponent is better.

As you can probably tell I am really enjoying this set of rules.