Last Friday at New Buckenham Historical Wargamers we played a refight of Talavera 1809 – Ruffin's night attack. This was played in 28mm using Black Power rules with a few scenario specific tweaks.
This was the first of two pre-actions put on at the club that will tie in with the re fight of the main afternoon battle in January. Unlike with the previous two club games of this nocturnal encounter, the players on both sides knew that the losses sustained would be factored in to the main battle. This made a change to the usual mentality of 'the evenings coming to an end, let's throw in one last attack', and both sides were careful with their planning and resources. The French groped forward slowly in the gloom and this gave the KGL Brigades time to form line and meet the leading French Brigade before it could gain the hilltop summit the British troops were on. The French took fearful losses to the sustained volleys of the steady Hanoverian's and one French Battalion broke, but the remaining French, the best of Ruffin's force hung on, matching the KGL, until the latter quit the field. A reserve French Brigade was coming up in support, but was having trouble getting forward in the dark. At the same time General Wellesley was personally leading forward a British Brigade to plug the gap left by the KGL, General Hill bringing up artillery in support. With British Battalions to the right of the French lodgement still active and Stewart's Brigade coming up, the sorely tried French Brigade gave up the attempt to take the important heights and retired. A short, sharp and intriguing game, with all that it may, or may not, effect in the future. Part 2, the dawn attack to be played next week.
A few photographs of the action.
The British and KGL about to be roused to action
For more photos see the clubs Facebook page
returns to Flintloque to paint an Ogre.
