"Talavera 1809 game test" Topic

We played a game of the 1809 battle of Talavera last night, using the latest version of our Bonaparte Waltz rules. Rick was Wellesley, Ken was Cuesta, Tom was Jourdan and I was French Corps commander Sebastiani.

As usual, the Austrians stood in for Spanish.

Here we see evidence of a deployment error by me.

Victor's corps surged over the bridge across the Portina creek on the first turn, drawing a major British counterattack. Fighting raged fast and furious, with the British concentrating their army to their left, northern flank. The Spanish slowly expanded to fill the gap along the creek.

After several turns, the gap opened up and more French surged through across the creek.

The fighting was relentless and non-stop, with casualties mounting. The Guards managed to hold off a French attack just after noon, but then a check revealed that the British army's morale had broken. I'm sure Lady Butler made a poignant painting of the Coldstream Guards with bandages around their heads fighting off that last charge.

The French wheeled southward and began engaging the Spanish. Ken cobbled together a line and the fur began to fly again.

Victor's horse was shot under him. By the end of the 3:20 PM turn, both sides had broken contact briefly. The French pulled troops forward. Ken had to leave for home before the bus service dwindled. He had a hard row to hoe in any event, with his army crowded into an increasingly packed corner. With the British Army broken, the French won a decisive victory.

We played 12 turns in about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Lots of figures look good on the table but slow play. This is a lesson that I've learned and ignored before. The optimal number of troops on the table seems to be about 25 – 30,000 (about 15 – 20 units) per side. This game saw about 55,000 Allies (30 units) vs. some 46,000 (26 units) French.

This game-end photo shows 19 on-table hits on the French. There was one more off-camera. 3 hits removes an infantry brigade, 2 eliminates cavalry or artillery.

And now for the butcher's bill: the British lost some 5,800 infantry, 1,250 cavalry, 150 gunners and 7 guns, for a total of 7,200 of 20,000. The Spanish lost 4,500 infantry, 75 gunners and 3 guns, or 4,625 of 35,000. The French lost 7,900 infantry, 1,875 cavalry, 150 gunners and 7 guns, or 9,925 of 46,000.

What does a stand equal?

Really nice looking game! Any info about the rules?

Thanks,

John

Initial French deployment of Victor's corps with the British in the distance. The Spanish position was very strong and looked unassailable with a redoubt, wall gardens, and a stream. There was a bit of a gap between the Spanish and the British but it was too narrow to exploit right off. Even the British position seemed an improbable line to attack frontally. When we won the initiative on the first turn I decided, using cards that allow extra moves, to rush 2 divisions over the bridge and try to turn the British out of their defensive position.

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Battle of Talavera 1809 Talavera start by Tom Loback, on Flickr

We got over the bridge and drove off the enemy cavalry screen on their flank. The British immediately reacted by putting together a counter attack and shifting the whole line over to their left. The Spanish much more slowly also began to adjust but the gap in the center got bigger.

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Battle of Talavera first British counter-attack by Tom Loback, on Flickr

One French division got pushed back and roughed up, but the one on the bridge held.

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Battle of Talavera 1809 Britsh counter-attack by Tom Loback, on Flickr

One French division got pushed back and roughed up, but the one on the bridge held.

More British attacks were repulsed. And more of Victor's corps got over the stream. As can be seen on the left below. French heavy cavalry were able to move into the gap in the center and attack the right flank division of the British as well.

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Battle of Talavera 1809 British counter2 by Tom Loback, on Flickr

The British line gave way and soon their army collapsed and retreated from the field.

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Battle of Talavera 1809 Brits break by Tom Loback, on Flickr

We then advanced to roll up the Spanish having already won a decisive victory at the Battle of Talavera.

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Battle of Talavera 1809 End from Spanish rear by Tom Loback, on Flickr

Here is another take on Talavera – using 6mm figs.

link

Each infantry stand = ~ 2500 troops, cavalry ~1250 troops, artillery ~ 15 guns. Rules are being worked on, namede Bonaparte Waltz. When complete, these will be posted via Free Wargames, if Pete will have them.

For Bailen, we took the scale down to 1250 infantry, 625 cavalry, 8-6 guns. I think the scale could be bumped up to 5000 infantry per stand, but haven't yet gone there.

I think the game is close to done but still needs work.