Start Ratisbon Campaign

 

Munich Region  - battles fought  in previous campaigns

Our next campaign phase is set in southern Germany.

This is the 93rd campaign phase since the 1813 campaign started in April 2009.
It is the 25th phase of the revised campaign started in June 2020
And the 5th set in the Munich Region.
This map shows the 25 previous battles fought in this Region.
The French won 11 and the Austrians won 14.
Ratisbon is the Austrian district headquarters
Ninth French (Bavarian) army are concentrated at Landshut
They have orders to take and hold Ratisbon

 

Typical Bavarian Corps

Ninth French (Bavarian) army is commanded by Marshal Massena
It has three armies, each of three corps.
Each corps has four infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery

Typical Austrian Corps

The Austrian army is commanded by General Schwartzenberg
It also has three armies, each of three corps
Each corps has four infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery

Ratisbon campaign map

Comments

This is a fictional campaign loosely based on the historical 1813 campaign in Germany.
The maps are functional and fictional, again loosely based on real maps
They are designed to be transferred to the wargames table
Each map square is a scenic 2x2 foot square
Nine squares make a table 6x6 foot

I have always liked the colourful uniforms of the Bavarian and Austrian armies.
They make a pleasant change from the dark blue Prussian and French in north Germany
Or the green Russian and dark blue French in central Germany.

We are fortunate to have a permanent wargames room, and take 6 or 7 days to fight each battle
During this time I often take a few minutes to admire the table and consider my next move.
More than once I have been tempted to move a brigade in danger because I overlooked a threat
But so far I can honestly say that I have not given into such temptation.

New Orbat for Southern Spain

 

French v Spanish corps

When I updated my 28mm collection for the last time back in 2004 it was in preparation for our retirement to Spain. I knew the size of our proposed wargames room in our new house, and I knew that the wargames table would be 6x6 foot. My new collection would include all of the major, and many of the minor, Napoleonic armies. Each major nation would have four corps, each of 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery. Infantry brigades would be 8 figures and cavalry brigades 4 figures. Each corps would be 32 infantry, 4 cavalry and 4 gunners.

I cannot remember why I made an exception for the Spanish army, but I have regretted it ever since. They would have two corps of 32 infantry, 4 cavalry and 4 gunners. The other two corps would not have any cavalry, and would have a guerrilla brigade in place of regular army.

Before I moved to Spain I had planned that the maximum game we would fight would involve all four corps. The scenery was 2x2 foot squares, and three corps could fit comfortably with one in each square and one in reserve.

There are five areas in our campaign, each with nine corps per side, as follows:
North Germany French v Prussians
Central Germany French v Russians
South Germany Bavarians v Austrians
North Spain French v English
South Spain French v Spanish

The first four have always worked well, with balanced armies on each side. However I am constantly changing orders of battle or campaign system for south Spain. This is mostly due to the inbalance in the actual figures.

I have tried many local rules over the years, but none have been really satisfactory. The problem is always too great an advantage for either the Spanish or the French on the wargames table. Whilst I want to keep a “Spanish feel” to the wargames, my first priority is to provide an enjoyable wargame.

My latest adjustment is to reduce the cavalry for each army to two brigades each, with similar combat ability. There are three corps artillery per side, and both have the same combat and morale ability. The Spanish are stronger in infantry, but not such good quality. The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades the French have 9. The French infantry have slightly better morale, melee and skirmish ability.

                                    Morale      Melee      Musket      Skirmish

1st French brigade      class A      class A      class B      class C
2nd French brigade      class B      class B    class B      class B
3rd French brigade       class B      class B    class C      class 

1st Spanish brigade      class B      class B      class C      class C
2nd Spanish brigade    class C      class C      class C      class C
3rd Spanish brigade     class B      class B      class C      class B
4th Spanish brigade     class C      class C      class C      class C

Class A is plus 1
Class B is no change
Class C is minus 1

End of Cordoba Campaign

 

Battles fought during campaign phase

The Spanish won the first two battles at Montoro and Espinal, but suffered heavy casualties which caused them to retreat.

The French won the third battle at Muriano, which secured the border area and allowed them to advance towards the campaign objective of  Cordoba.

They also won the fourth battle at El Carpio, which forced the 1^st Spanish army to retreat and abandon the campaign.   The French now held the northern part of Cordoba region.

The fifth battle was fought at Montilla in the south.   The Spanish won, and pursued 15^th French army back to Baena.   This was a serious set back for Marshal Suchet as it exposed his southern flank.   He must decide on a prompt attack on Cordoba to end the campaign before General Giron could march north.

The sixth battle was for possession of Cordoba, which was the military base for the Spanish Army of the South.   It  was also the campaign objective.   If the French lost they would have to retreat back into Jean region.   This was the hardest fought battle of the campaign, and the outcome was in doubt right to nightfall.   For a time it looked like the Spanish would win, but their luck deserted them as night fell.  

The French took Cordoba and won the campaign.

The campaign started on 9 January and ended on 28 April 2026

A new order of battle was introduced for this campaign, giving the Spanish four corps in each army against three in the French armies.  This proved too great an advantage for the Spanish, and the order of battle was adjusted after three battles

The French and Spanish would have three armies of three corps. However each French army would have to detach three infantry and one cavalry brigades to guard their lines of supply. This would leave the Spanish with 12 infantry brigades in each army and the French 9 infantry brigades. Both sides would have three corps artillery and two cavalry brigades. The cavalry and artillery would all be trained. The French would have slightly better trained infantry, particularly grenadier and light brigades. The revised order of battle worked very well for the last three battles of this campaign, but that is too few battles to properly test the revision. Unfortunately we shall not be back in southern Spain until we have fought a campaign in each of the other four campaign areas.

Cordoba Campaign – Day Seven

15 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 7

French occupy Cordoba and win campaign
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army occupy Cordoba
15 French Army occupy Espinal

Spanish abandon Cordoba and lose campaign
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
3 Spanish Army retreat to Montilla

Comments
The Spanish retreat from Cordoba allows the French to take the city,
which is the campaign objective. In doing so they win the campaign.

In the north 1st Spanish army has already abandoned the campaign
In the centre 2nd Spanish army retreat from Cordoba means they have also done so
In the south 3rd Spanish army abandons their pursuit of 15th French army
With the loss of Cordoba they are in danger of being surrounded
They retreat to Montilla, and will eventually also abandon the campaign

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Cordova

Battle of Cordova – table at start of game

Both armies are full strength at the start of the game
Each army has three corps
The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French infantry are better quality, the cavalry and artillery the same quality

There are three game objectives
The centre bridge on the left, the hill in the centre and the hill on the right
The Spanish occupy each objective with one corps

The French start the game on the south bank of the river Guadalquivir
They can only cross the river by using the four bridges and one ford
To do so they must cross in column of march

Cordova is the main Spanish supply and administrative city
To win the campaign the French must occupy the city

End of move 12

St Cyr takes command of half of 42nd Italian corps on the right bank
Roussard has command of two elite brigades on the left bank
St Cyr pins the Spanish on the right bank, Roussard attacks on the left bank
The Spanish are quickly routed and the Italians secure the left end of the brigade
The Spanish rally and counter attack, but are routed once more
However their artillery on the right bank fire on the Italian infantry causing heavy casualties
Both brigades retreat out of artillery range, leaving the Spanish in control of the bridge

In the centre 41st Polish corps cross the river and attack the hill in the centre
The Spanish reinforce the hill and fight despite heavy casualties
Abbe moves his infantry from the centre to reinforce the hill
A desperate Polish attack takes the hill as night falls

On the right 40th French corps advance on both banks of the river
Spanish dragoons charge and rout the French dragoons
Despite this the French infantry attack and take the hill.

At nightfall the French hold two of the three objectives and win both the game and the Campaign

French have lost 8 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3600 men)
Spanish have lost 16 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (6600 men)

French have 3 brigades in rout
Spanish have 11 brigades in rout

Comments

Despite the heavy Spanish casualties this game was in doubt until the end of the final move.
At the start of move 12 the Spanish were in possession of all three objectives
A prolonged infantry melee was fought on both hills, and was in debate right to the end
The Spanish only had to have one brigade on either hill to win the game and campaign
However their three critical dice rolls to decide the outcome were 1,1 and 2
It was a much more tense and uncertain game than the final casualties would indicate.

Cordoba Campaign – Day Six

14 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 6

French attack Cordoba
13 French Army regroup at Muriano
14 French Army attack Cordoba
15 French Army retreat to Baena

Spanish defend Cordoba
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army defend Cordoba
3 Spanish Army occupy Espinar

Battle of Cordoba opening positions

14th French Army commanded by Marchar Saint Cyr attack Cordoba
2nd Spanish army commanded by General Elio defend Cordoba

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Cordoba is the regional capitol and the main depot of 2nd Spanish army group.
The side which occupies it at the end of 6 days will win the campaign.
It is the large town at the top centre of the table

There are three game objectives
The bridge on the left, the hill in the centre, the hill on the right
The side which occupies at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves is the winner

The Spanish army are deployed on and around the three game objectives
The French army are deployed south of the river Guadalquivir
The river is unfordable and can only be crossed using one of the five bridges

Comments

Cordoba is the campaign objective, and the French must take it to win the campaign.

Both armies are deployed on the table at the start of the battle. However the French are on the wrong side of the river Guadalquivir, which they must cross using one of the five bridges. If the Spanish can pin them near the river they will have no room to deploy and any set back will probably result in total defeat.

To win the campaign the French must take Cordoba, which is the campaign objective. So far the Spanish have won three battles and the French only two. There is a lot riding on this battle for the French commander.

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Montilla

Battle of Montilla – table at start of game

Both armies are full strength at the start of the game
Each army has three corps
The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French infantry are better quality, the cavalry and artillery the same quality

There are three game objectives
The woods on the left, the hill in the centre and the villa on the right
The Spanish occupy each objective with one corps

The French start the game on the table, but out of artillery range of the Spanish
One corps is allocated to attack each game objective
The CinC has taken command of the corps artillery of 43 and 44 corps
He has placed this reserve between the two corps to support either as required

End of move 12

On the left 46 Westphalian corps advance against the woods
Their cavalry charge and rout the Spanish cavalry and then threaten their artillery
The Westphalian infantry and artillery deploy to attack the front two sections of woods
The Spanish cavalry, and the infantry in the front line, withdraw to the rear wood sections
The Westphalian infantry quickly occupy the southern section of woods
But their cavalry and artillery have to redeploy to threaten the northern woods
The Westphalian attack takes three wooded sections, but are unable to take the fourth

44 Baden corps are supported in their attack on the hill by the reserve artillery
The Spanish gunners on the road withdraw to the rear of the hill/pass
The Baden infantry take the left hand hill, but are unable to take the right hand one
Once more the Spanish have held part of an objective

43 French corps are delayed by having to cross the hill to reach the villa
This allows the French reserve artillery to redeploy to support their attack
The villa is a strong defensive position, and the French need to attack more than one side
However the Spanish artillery and cavalry make this impossible
The French reserve artillery cause casualties to the garrison
The French grenadier brigade then attack the villa and rout the garrison

The French have only taken one of the three objectives

The Spanish have lost 4100 casualties to just 900 French
There are also four Spanish brigades in rout and only one French
But the Spanish have managed to hold part of two objectives

The French have only taken one, and thus lose the battle

Comments

The new balance between the French and Spanish armies seems to be working well
Being outnumbered in infantry the French cannot afford to take any risks
They must win the cavalry and artillery battle before commiting the infantry.
However the Spanish gunners and cavalry are just as good as the French

The Spanish held the forward locations, supported by cavalry and artillery
Their infantry were safe behind the objectives

The French deployed to attack the front line, and the Spanish fell back to the second line
This meant the French had to advance and redeploy, which wasted precious time
There are only 12 moves to each battle, and this does not allow time to redeploy

The Spanish deserved to win this game

Cordova Campaign – Day Five

13 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 5

French attack Montilla
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army regroup at El Carpio
15 French Army attack Montilla

Spanish defend Montilla
1 Spanish Army retreat and leave campaign
2 Spanish Army retgroup at Cordoba
3 Spanish Army defend Montilla

Battle of Montilla opening positions

15th French Army commanded by Marshal Augereau attack Montilla
3rd Spanish army commanded by General Del Parque defend Montilla

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
12th corps has been disbanded to bring other three corps up to full strength

Comments

Having lost the battle of Muriano 1st Spanish army have two choices
They can occupy the city and accept a siege
Or they can retreat, abandon the city and leave the campaign.
Having lost 5700 men, against 2500 French, they have no choice but to retreat.

If the result had been more even I would have allowed the Spanish to accept the siege
The campaign is designed to produce a series of battles to wargame
In the past I had considered allowing siege, which happened quite often in the Peninsular
However they are better suited to a solo campaign than to this type of campaign.

In the past I have been tempted to run a siege as a project, but have always resisted the urge.
It would require a lot of preparation and I don’t have any suitable figures
I have not painted a single figure in 20 years, and doubt if I still have the skill and ability to do so
I could run the siege as an abstract paper exercise, but that does not really appeal to me
Finally it would detract from my long running campaign, and I am reluctant to allow that

So for the present I will have to accept one side retreating off the map at the end of the phase.

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Muriano

 

 

Battle of Muriano – table at start of game

Both armies are full strength at the start of the game
Each army has three corps
The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French infantry are better quality, the cavalry and artillery the same quality

There are three game objectives
The farm on the left, the woods in the centre and the hill on the right
The Spanish occupy each objective with one corps

The French start the game on the table, but out of artillery range of the Spanish
One corps is allocated to attack each game objective
The CinC has taken command of one cavalry brigade between 37 and 38 corps
This will allow him to use it in support of either corps

 

End of move 12

The French plan is to pin the Spanish corps on the left
37 corps will only attack the hill if their artillery can weaken the enemy
38 corps will open the battle with their attack on the woods
39 corps will attack the farm when their infantry are in position

On the right the French gunners lost 10% casualties as they deployed
This meant they could not engage the enemy gunners
The French CinC led the guard grenadiers against the Spanish lancers
But lost the melee and was out of the game for 9 moves

In the centre the French attack was threatened by the Spanish lancers
They had to form one brigade into square to protect their flank
The attack on the woods was surprisingly a success
But only because the Spanish rolled a poor dice at the critical point

On the left the French had to wait for their infantry to cross the hill
But they quickly took the farm, and routed most of 2nd Spanish corps
But they were too far from the centre to affect the outcome there

The French hold two objectives, the farm and the woods
The Spanish hold one objective, the hill

French have lost 5 infantry, 4 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2500 men)
Spanish have lost 13 infantry, 2 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties (5700 men
There are 8 Spanish brigades in rout and 3 French
The French win the battle

Comments

Despite a poor start, the French managed to win the game
But it was largely due to luck, with good dice at the right time

The lower quality Spanish infantry was also critical
Their better quality troops were in the front line and performed well
But when they were routed their poor quality reserves usually went with them
They often rallied, but were too far in the rear to help in the final two moves

A really enjoyable game, particularly for me as the French player
After a terrible start the dice moved in my favour at the critical tests

Too soon to say how well the new order of battle will work out
The dice had too much influence to determine how well the balance worked

Cordova Campaign – Day Four

12 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 4

French occupy El Carpio
13 French Army attack Muriano
14 French Army occupy El Carpio
15 French Army regroup at Espinar

Spanish defend Muriano
1 Spanish Army defend Muriano
2 Spanish Army retreat to Cordoba
3 Spanish Army regroup at Montilla

Battle of Muriano – Move 12

At nightfall the Spanish lose the northern section of the woods
In doing so they lose the battle

The French hold two objectives, the farm and the woods
The Spanish hold one objective, the hill

French have lost 5 infantry, 4 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2500 men)
Spanish have lost 13 infantry, 2 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties (5700 men)

There are 8 Spanish brigades in rout and 3 French

The French win the battle

Comments

A new order of battle had been introduced at the start of this campaign phase.
The Spanish outnumbered the French in infantry and artillery
The French outnumbered the Spanish in cavalry, and their infantry were better quality
After three games it was clear that the balance was not right, the Spanish were too strong

Unusually I changed the order of battle in the middle of the campaign phase
The Spanish would have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French would have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 artillery
The French infantry would be better quality

The game worked well, as it might be expected to for the first test game
However the dice were very uneven, so it is difficult to estimate how well the balance worked.

The French had to attack and to do so with fewer infantry brigades
They would have to find an advantage to have any chance of success
Both sides had the same number of cavalry and artillery, and both were the same quality
The French would have to take some risks to weaken the Spanish infantry

The French artillery deployed within range of the Spanish infantry and artillery.
This meant that the Spanish gunners could fire first, and they did so
They required six on 1D6 to cause casualties – they rolled one six
The French battery which received casualties failed their morale and routed
This was not a good start.

Fortunately for the rest of the game both sides received their share of 1 and 6
Usually at the worse possible time, with 1 for critical morale or combat tests
But being evenly divided the two armies it made for an interesting game

There are a maximum of 12 moves in each game
At the end of move 10 it looked like the result would be a draw
The French has the inn on the left, and the Spanish the hill on the right
Each side held half of the woods in the centre.
If the game ended there the Spanish would have won
However that roll of one I mentioned came at just the wrong time for Spanish
During move 11 there was a melee, both sides suffered casualties
The French rolled two and were Shaken, but held their half of the woods
The Spanish rolled one and routed, abandoning their half of the woods.

A very tense game, but also very enjoyable as these “close run things” are

20 Years living in Spain

Jan standing in what would be our swimming pool 

On 18 March 2006 we arrived in Parcent to start our new life in Spain.   We had both finished work during the previous week, handed over the keys to our house in the UK on 17 March and caught the boat to Santander the same night.

14 months earlier we had selected the house of our choice and put down a deposit.   So many people wanted to buy in Spain in 2006 that there were not enough houses to go around.  So most had to buy “off plan”, which meant that the house was not built yet.   You would put down a deposit and the builder would start building.   At each stage you would pay the costs of work completed until the house was finished and you paid the final amount.   This system was largely responsible for the many properties which were never completed and buyers lost everything when the builder disappeared.  Fortunately that did not happen to us.

The advantage of buying “off plan” is that you had a large say in the design of the property.   As a result I was able to extend the floor plan to include a wargames room with a walled off area to store the figures and scenery.   As you can image a lot of consideration went into this project.

 

First walk with Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers

Our first priorities on arrival were to organise the wargames room and join the Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers, a local walking group.    We had to wait for our removal van to arrive with our furniture and boxes of models and scenery.   But within a week we had joined the walking group and were exploring the many beautiful walks within an hour of our new house.  Walking had always been one of our passions, with Wargaming being the second.

Walking was very popular here long before we arrived.   The CBMW had been formed in 1985 and was well established by the time we arrived.   Most members were British, but with large numbers of Germans and Dutch.   Unfortunately hardly any Spanish, who are not really interested in organised group walking.   They offered three walks each Wednesday and Saturday, and all were free to attend.  It was not unusual to have 50 or more on a particularly popular walk.   So it was not long before we had built up a wide selection of friends.

 

Our new wargames room

By the end of April my wargames room was complete and ready for the first game.   We had a 6x6 foot table built and extensive shelving for our collection of 28mm, 18mm and 6mm figures and scenery.   I had also completed 26 2x2 foot wooden scenic squares to allow me to create a wide range of table top battles.

We tried to recruit local wargamers to form a wargames club, which we had done in the UK for many years.   But there was little support, and eventually we decided to restrict our games to just the two of us.  

For a couple of years we played “one off” games, using the three different scales of figures and scenery to add variety to our games.   At the same time Jan started making scenery in the three scales to cover different areas and to build up our existing collection of commercial buildings.   This project would last a couple of years.

By 2008 I was getting bored with “one off” games.   I refought all of Wellington’s battles in the Peninsula, and then tried to do the same with the campaigns of Napoleon.   Wellington worked well, because I had a lot of maps and information available, and also they were relatively small battles.   Napoleon proved much more difficult, and I soon abandoned that project.  

But it did prompt me to create a fictional campaign based on 1813.   It would allow me to use all of my wargame figures, and all of our scenery.   The campaign took many months to create, and the first battle was fought in August 2009   The campaign has run non- stop since then.   I recorded the campaign on a blog, which gave me another long term interest.   At present we have fought 523 battles as wargames.

I have always been aware that our two main passions are Wargaming and hill walking, but when we moved to Spain I started a blog to keep friends and family in the UK up to date with our life here.    This has led to a third, and equally time consuming, passion – namely blogging.   But that will be the subject of a future post.

Cordova Campaign – Change Order of Battle

 

Start of Battle of El Carpio

This campaign phase was designed to test play a new Order of Battle for the Spanish Army.  

In all previous campaign phases both armies had three corps per side, each consisting of 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery.   This worked well for the size of wargames table because one corps occupied each of the nine scenic squares.

The exception was the campaign in Southern Spain, where historically the regular armies always lost set piece battles.   The main problem for the French was not to defeat the Spanish armies, but to maintain their lines of supply and fight the guerrilla war.

Over the years I have tried different orders of battle for the Spanish army to recreate this type of warfare.   The most successful was using guerrilla brigades to force the French to detach infantry and cavalry brigades from their field army to guard their lines of supply.    This was usually done by a roll of dice to determine the outcome of these small combats.   However it had little effect on the main battles, which were fought as regular wargames.

The whole aim of the campaign is to provide interesting battles to wargame.   This is achieved in the other four campaign areas by having equally balanced corps and armies on each side.   All corps are 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and 1 corps artillery.  The outcome of each wargame is largely based on the luck of the dice.   This system works well for my wife and I, who have wargamed together for many years.   It means  that each of us has an equal chance of winning each wargame.

My latest attempt to solve “The Spanish Problem” was to ignore the guerrilla war, but give the Spanish more infantry and artillery and the French more cavalry.   The French troops were better trained, particularly the artillery.   The Spanish gunners were C class, to balance their four corps artillery to the three French.   It looked promising in theory, but as always the true test would be on the wargames table.

After three games it has become apparent that it is not going to work.   It was immediately obvious that it would be difficult just to deploy four corps in line on the available play area (see map above). 

I experimented with having three Spanish corps in line, and one in reserve.   However it was difficult to effectively use them in the available time.   It also caused big problems trying to keep track of them once they were committed.

When they were deployed four abreast, as in the battle of El Carpio, it was difficult for the French to counter the fourth corps.   If they created a large reserve to fight the fourth Spanish corps, the other three French corps were too weak to attack the other two objectives.

So I have decided to rethink the whole concept.   Normally I would do this at the start of a campaign phase, but I don’t want to waste the next three battles in this campaign phase.   Also each campaign phase takes about three months, so it will be a year before we return to Southern Spain to play test the new concept.

The new concept is to have three armies of three corps each.   The Spanish will have 12 infantry brigades, two cavalry brigades and three corps artillery.   The French will have 9 infantry brigades, two cavalry brigades and three corps artillery.    This is because I only have two Spanish cavalry brigades in my collection.   When I designed the original figure collection I wanted the Spanish to have one regular and one guerrilla cavalry brigades, for historical reasons.  This has proved a mistake for practical reasons.  The easy answer would be to paint up some new Spanish cavalry, but I have not painted a figure for 20 years and do not want to start now.

The campaign justification for this wholesale reorganisation is as follows.   Having taken the first three Spanish towns, the French will detach three infantry brigades and one cavalry brigade to protect their lines of supply.   The Spanish, who have lost a lot of casualties, will use their fourth corps in each army to make up the battle casualties.

The end result will still give the Spanish more troops, each army will have 12 infantry brigades to the 9 French brigades.   The Spanish infantry will be slightly less well trained than the French, but the gunners and cavalry will be the same.  

I am not at all sure how this will work out, but I will have three games to play test it.   Don’t be at all surprised if there is a completely different organisation for the next campaign phase in Southern Spain.

 

Cordova Campaign – Battle of El Carpio

Battle of Carpio – table at start of game

Both armies start the game on the table.

At the top the Spanish are deployed in front of El Carpio
The three French corps are deployed with one corps in each square

There are three game objectives
Inn on the left, woods in the centre, bridge on the right (must hold both ends)
The side which has possession of at least two objectives a t the end of 12 moves will win

The Spanish CinC has taken command of the cavalry brigades of 5th and 6th corps
He has deployed them behind the woods in the centre
5th corps hold the inn on the left
6th corps hold the woods in the centre
7th corps hold the area between the woods and the bridge
8th corps hold the area on the right bank of the river

On the left 40th French corps hold both sides of the southern bridge
In the centre 41st Polish corps are ordered to take the woods
On the right 42nd Italian corps are ordered to take the inn

End of move 12

The French plan of battle is to take and hold the inn and the woods
They are heavily outnumbered on their right, and hope to pin 7th and 8th Spanish corps

On the left the Spanish do not have any cavalry, which gives the Italians a big advantage.
They use their lancer brigade to force the Spanish to withdraw towards the hill
Their infantry, supported by the artillery, quickly take the inn

In the centre the Polish cavalry face the Spanish dragoons and lancers
They find it harder to push the Spanish between the inn and the woods back
When they do so the Polish infantry take the woods, but the reserve brigade is in square
The Spanish counter attack, but the Polish infantry hold despite 20% casualties
 
On the right 40th French corps are outnumbered by 8 to 4 infantry brigades
The Spanish also have two corps artillery against one French 

The Spanish commander moves the cavalry reserve between the woods and 7th corps 
The Dragoon brigade charge the Polish lancers, the Spanish lancers threaten the gunners  
The melee is a draw, with both brigades suffering 30% casualties

This leaves the Spanish with the lancer brigade and the Poles without any cavalry
The gunners seek shelter in the nearby infantry square and both brigades retreat
7th and 8th Spanish corps are ordered to attack, and the French withdraw to the southern bridge
40th French corps rally on the left bank between the hill and the southern bridge
They come under heavy Spanish artillery fire, but are saved by nightfall

Comments
At nightfall the French hold two of the three objectives and win the battle
But they have lost the right half of the battlefield to the Spanish attack

As 40th French corps retreat the Spanish pursue with caution
This allows the French on the right bank to cross the river at the south bridge
The Spanish do not have sufficient time to attack, but do some damage with their artillery

The Spanish commander supports 6th corps counter attack on the woods
One brigade from 7th corps attack the woods at the same time
The French light brigade holding the woods suffer 20% casualties, but hold
Had the Spanish right attacked two or three moves earlier they would probably have won

The French were fortunate to escape with such light casualties.
Throughout the game the French rolled better dice than the Spanish
Particularly for critical morale tests.
The large number of Spanish brigades in rout reflect their lack of luck with the dice

A very interesting game which highlights how difficult it is to counter four corps with three.

Cordova Campaign – Day Three

 

11 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 3

French occupy Espinal
13 French Army regroup at Montoro
14 French Army attack El Carpio
15 French Army occupy Espinal

Spanish win battle of Espinal
1 Spanish Army regroup at Muriano
2 Spanish Army defend El Carpio
3 Spanish Army retreat to Montilla

Battle of Espinal – Move 12

At nightfall the Spanish hold the farm on the left
They also hold half of hill in the centre and three quarters of woods on the right
The French hold half of hill in the centre and one quarter of woods on the right

Neither side hold two of the three game objectives
The Spanish hold one and most of the other two
The result in a draw, but the Spanish declared the winners

French have lost 5 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2100 men)
Spanish have lost 17 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (7100 men)

6 French brigades in rout
11 Spanish brigades in rout

Comments
Neither side held two out of three objectives.
But the Spanish held more than the French and were declared the winners.
However the Spanish lost 3 men to each Frenchman lost, and had twice as many in rout
So the following day the Spanish had to retreat once again.

This was only the second game using the new Spanish order of battle, which gives them four corps to three French. It is already clear that the new system is not working well.

The evenly balanced armies allowed the game to work as planned. Each of the three corps fought their own battle, and the side who won two battles (and took two objectives) won the game.

Now the Spanish have a large enough reserve that they can retake a lost objective
The French then do not have sufficient time to regroup and counter attack

The number of Spanish figures on the table is also more of a problem than I anticipated.
There is not enough room for the fourth Spanish corps to deploy, and they are placed in reserve
However they are then too far from the section of the table where they are required.

I will experiment with using the fourth corps to reinforce each of the other three Spanish corps before the battle starts. They would then have five infantry brigades to each corps, against the four brigades in each French corps. This would make each of the three Spanish corps slightly stronger, but still allow the French to gain a decisive victory It would also be possible for the Spanish CinC to create a grand battery to make most use of his four corps artillery against the French three.

I suspect that at the end of the experiment we will return to the three corps per side. But I will have to find a way of giving the Spanish a small edge in numbers, and also increase their cavalry from two brigades to three.

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Espinal

Battle of Espinal – table at start of game

Both armies start the game on the table.

At the top the Spanish are deployed in and around Espinal
All four corps are deployed on the three objectives
The CinC is behind the hill with both cavalry brigades

The three French corps are deployed with one corps in each square

There are three game objectives
Village on the left, hill in the centre and large woods on the right
The side which has possession of at least two objectives a t the end of 12 moves will win

End of move 12

The battle opened with 45th French corps attack on the village on the left.
11th Spanish corps had no cavalry support and quickly withdrew from the village
They deployed their artillery to engage the village and prepared to counter attack
The Westphalians left one infantry brigade and the cavalry to hold the village
The remainder attacked the ridge on their right

The Spanish centre was held by 10th and 12th corps, 8 infantry brigades and 2 corps artillery
The hill was far too strong for a frontal attack by 44 corps
The Westphalians took half of the hill, and 44 corps advanced to support them
But the right half of the hill remained in undisputed control of 12 Spanish corps

Between the hill and the woods both CinC faced each other with two cavalry brigades
The French advanced and the Spanish counter charged
The leading French heavy brigade routed the Spanish lancers
But the reserve brigades were fought to a draw

On the right 9th Spanish corps abandoned the southern half of the woods
43rd French corps fought hard to take the northern half, and routed all Spanish brigades
The Spanish CinC counter attacked with two brigades from 12 corps
At nightfall the Spanish held three of the four sections of the large woods

At the end of move 12 neither side held two of the three game objectives
The Spanish held one, and more than half of the remaining two
The result was a draw.

French have lost 5 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2100 men)
Spanish have lost 17 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (7100 men)

6 French brigades in rout
11 Spanish brigades in rout

Comments
Another game where the Spanish won, but lost three times as many casualties as the French.
They also had almost twice as many brigades in rout.

It is becoming obvious that the game is not long enough for the greatly outnumbered French to defeat the Spanish in detail. The Spanish have 16 infantry brigades to the French 12. They also have four guns to the French three. This makes it very difficult for the French to win a frontal attack, and there is not sufficient time for a flank attack to be exploited.

The Spanish command and control is also difficult. Normally there is one corps to each 24” square of terrain. This is sufficient space for the corps to deploy and fight. With four corps to three squares is becomes very crowded, and one rout can take many more brigades with them.

We will continue to test play the new Spanish organisation for the rest of this campaign. But I am not confident that we will use it again in future campaigns.

Cordova Campaign – Day Two

 

10 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 2

French attack Espinal
13 French Army occupy Montoro
14 French Army observe El Carpio
15 French Army attack Espinal

Spanish win battle of Montoro
1 Spanish Army retreat to Muriano
2 Spanish Army hold El Carpio
3 Spanish Army hold Espinal

Battle of Montoro – end of move 12

Comments

Although the Spanish won the battle of Montoro, they had suffered so many casualties that they had to retreat the following day. They suffered 21 infantry casualties (8500) against 15 French (5300). They also had six brigades in rout, against four French. 2nd Spanish corps had suffered particularly with all four infantry brigades in rout.

They won the battle because they held two of the three objectives at the end of 12 moves.

Most of the Spanish casualties were concentrated in 1st and 2nd corps, who bore the brunt of the fighting for the woods in the centre and the woods on the right. 3rd corps abandoned the farm on the left without any serious fighting. 4th corps were the Spanish reserve and only committed at the end of the battle to retake the woods on the right. They suffered light casualties because 37th French corps were shaken by the earlier fighting and had no casualties.

The lighter French casualties are spread more evenly between their three corps. This will make it easier to rally and regroup to fight a second day at Montoro if the Spanish did not retreat.

The second French attack is in the south, where marshal Augereau is ordered to attack Espinar. The French strategic plan is to force First Spanish army in the north, and Third Spanish army in the south to retreat. They will then attack Second Spanish army at El Carpio on the east bank of the river Guadalquivir and destroy them before they can retreat to the west bank.

For this plan to work they will have to defeat Third Spanish army at Montoro.

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Montoro

Battle of Montoro – table at start of game

Start of move 1
Both armies start the game on the table.
At the top the Spanish are deployed in and around Montoro
1, 2 and 3 corps are in front of the town, 4 corps at the rear
The three French corps are deployed with one corps in each square

There are three game objectives
Farm on the left, small woods in the centre and large woods on the right
The side which has possession of at least two objectives a t the end of 12 moves will win

End of move 12

On the right 39th Vistula corps have taken the farm, 3rd Spanish corps is in rout
The Polish advance was delayed by having to move through the large woods
They then pinned the Spanish to the left of the farm, and attacked the farm itself
This was achieved without much help from their lancer brigade, who failed their morale and routed
2nd Spanish orps did not have any cavalry, so this was not the disaster it might have been
After a short fight all four Spanish brigades routed (see yellow stars) and abandoned the farm

In the centre 38th French corps had a more difficult task. 2nd Spanish corps was supported by artillery from the reserve, and also cavalry from 1st corps. No attempt was made to engage this strong force, so the attack on the small woods at the T junction had to a frontal one. The French did eventually take the woods, but were unable to hold it against an attack by two brigades from the reserve 4th corps.

37th young guard corps attacked the large woods on the right. 1st Spanish corps held the two northern wood sections, and were positioned to counter attack any French who entered the two southern sections. This meant that the French artillery were unable to engage the Spanish infantry. They therefore exchanged fire with the Spanish artillery, but lost the engagement and routed with 10% casualties. The battle for the woods was therefore an infantry affair. Not surprising the French young guard took the woods and 1st Spanish corps retreated. But the French has no reserve to counter a counter attack by two brigades from 4th Spanish corps.

The French lost 13 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (5300 men)
The Spanish lost 21 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (8500 men)
The French had four brigades in rout, the Spanish had six

The Spanish held two of the three objectives at the end of 12 moves and won the battle

Comments

This was the first battle of the Cordova campaign, it was also the first time that the Spanish outnumbered the French in infantry and artillery.

The French had 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades and 3 corps artillery
The Spanish had 16 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigades and 4 cavalry.

The Spanish deployed half of their artillery, and all of their cavalry, in the centre. The French dare not attack such a powerful force, and directed their main attack at the two flanks. They created a reserve of two cavalry brigades, one artillery and one infantry brigade to pin the Spanish centre.

The attack on the left went well, but losing their artillery on the right flank was a serious blow to the French. The loss of a lancer brigade on the left flank was not so serious because the Spanish did not have sufficient cavalry to take advantage of their loss.

The main difference was the much more powerful Spanish infantry. The French took all three objectives, but were then too weak to withstand the counter attack by four brigades from the Spanish reserve.

This game was the first test of the stronger Spanish army, and too soon to come to any conclusions.

Cordova Campaign – Day One

9 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 1

French attack Montoro
13 French Army attack Montoro
14 French Army observe El Carpio
15 French Army observe Espinal

Spanish hold Cordova-Jean border
1 Spanish Army hold Montoro
2 Span
3 Spanish Army hold Espinal

Comments

The campaign opens with both armies facing each other at the regional border between Cordoba and Jean.

The French campaign strategy is to defeat 1st Spanish army in the north and 3rd Spanish army in the south and then pin 2nd Spanish army in front of El Carpio against the river Guadalquivir and destroy them.

In the north Marshal Suchet attacks the town of Montoro, which is defended by General Giron.
Giron has four corps, three on the border and one in the town itself. Suchet has three corps.

In all previous campaigns both commanders had equal numbers of infantry, cavalry and artillery. The campaign model was that both would have an equal chance of winning. This model worked well in the other four campaign areas, but not in southern Spain. This area has always been the most difficult to recreate the historical problems encountered by the French. They always defeated Spanish field armies, but suffered from long lines of supply which were vulnerable to attack by the Spanish irregular troops. This type of campaign works well as a map exercise, but does not transfer to the wargames table.

Each French corps has four infantry and one cavalry brigades, plus corps artillery. Two Spanish corps have the same, but the other two have no cavalry. In each battle the Spanish will have 16 infantry brigades, two cavalry brigades and four corps artillery. The French will have 12 infantry brigades, three cavalry brigades and three corps artillery.

During the campaign I will command the French, and will be able to test how well the small cavalry superiority works, and whether it makes up for the infantry and artillery imbalance. If necessary I will adjust the Spanish troop types to reduce their combat and morale status.

Start of Cordova Campaign Phase

 

Central Germany – Campaign Phases 

Cordova is set in southern Spain and follows the French invasion under the command of marshal Suchet and the Spanish defence led by General Giron.   This is the fifth phase to be fought in southern Spain.   The French won three phases and the Spanish only one.

Of all five campaign areas this is by far the most difficult to model.   As you know my 1813 campaign is designed to provide interesting battles to wargame.   That means giving both players a reasonable chance of winning each of the wargames fought.

In previous phases I have tried to weaken the French by including the guerrilla war, which played such an important role in the historical campaign.   The French had to detach large numbers of men to protect their lines of supply, which were under constant attack by the Spanish irregular forces.  

This war within a war had a critical strategic bearing on the campaign.   French supplies had to travel hundreds of miles, and were under constant attack.  However by and large they did arrive.   However the French commanders had to disperse their armies in order to supplement these supplies by living off the land.

It did not however have any real tactical effect.   I can’t think of any battle in the Peninsular which was affected by the guerrilla war.   And my primary interest in the campaign is the wargames which is produces.

Gaming the lines of supply and the guerrilla war has taken up a lot of time and effort, for relatively little reward.    And as the French won three of the previous four campaign phases it clearly did not balance the French and Spanish armies on the wargames table

Cordova Campaign Map

For this campaign is am trying out a new idea.   The Spanish will have considerably more brigades than the French.  There will be nine French corps against 16 Spanish corps.  

All armies are based on the number and type of wargame figures on my shelf.   Apart from the Spanish all French and allied corps (in wargame figures) have four infantry brigades of 8 figures, one cavalry brigade of 4 figures and corps artillery of 1 gun and 4 figures.   So all corps have the same number of infantry, cavalry and artillery.

The Spanish have two such corps, but the other two do not have any cavalry.   Many years ago, long before I created my 1813 campaign, I replaced my Minifigs 28mm figures with Foundry figures.   This allowed me to buy exactly the number and type of figures I wanted at the time.    My infantry units 16 figures, 4 skirmishers and 1 mounted officer.   My cavalry were 8 figures.  

For some long forgotten reason I did not apply this logic to the Spanish.   They included a mixture of regular, militia and guerrilla figures.   But they only had two cavalry units of 8 figures, unlike the other nations which had four such.

Spanish corps (including cavalry brigade)

In each wargame the French will have 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery

The Spanish will have 16 infantry brigades,2 cavalry brigades, 4 corps artillery

This is a huge advantage in numbers .    To balance the infantry will be almost entirely conscript and poor quality skirmishers.   The cavalry will be trained, as will the gunners.   Otherwise both would be virtually useless, particularly in later games when they have casualties.

I anticipate that the major difference will be artillery.   The attacking French will always be outgunned.   Yet to press home an attack they will have to advance and risk artillery casualties.   Their slight advantage in cavalry will help, but probably only in the early games of the campaign.

The main Spanish disadvantage will be the poor quality infantry.   If the French can rout one brigade there is a good chance any supporting troops within 4” will fail their morale and join them.

However if the Spanish guns can cause casualties to any of the three cavalry brigades, or the three corps artillery, the French will be unable to deliver an attack with any hope of success.

I have no idea how all of this is going to work out.   As always it will depend on the luck of the dice.   I suspect I may have to reduce the quality of the Spanish cavalry, which would be correct in historical terms.   Hopefully I will not have to do the same for the Spanish gunners.   My understanding is that they were the best of all three arms in the Spanish army.   But more important it would make it very difficult for the Spanish player to win.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming campaign.

End of Nordhausen Campaign Phase

Central Germany – Campaign Phases

Nordhausen was the fifth campaign fought in central Germany since the Sixth campaign began in June 2020.   The Russians won three of the five campaign phases.   Out of a total of 29 battles/wargames fought, the Russians won14.   All of this would appear to indicate that the balance between armies is about right.    However in the Nordhausen campaign the Russians won all six battles/wargames.

Central Germany – Battles Fought 

This is the first time this has happened since the 1813 campaign began in April 2009.   Since then there have been 97 campaign phases and 519 battles fought.   I can’t remember a since phase when one side won all of the battles.   Even in southern Spain the French did not manage to do this even once.   Most Spanish victories were of a technical nature, with the French failing to achieve the battle/game objectives within the 12 hours/moves allowed.   But this is allowed because the relative strengths of the two armies make it necessary to set an artificial target, rather than the destruction of the enemy army.

I spent a lot of time pondering why this happened during my recent Christmas and New Year spent in the UK, but can find no obvious reason.   None of the battles started with an obvious winner or loser likely.   During the first three battles both sides were full strength.   During the last three both had casualties, but the Russians tended to have more because they lost the first three battles.   But the French casualties were often on elite infantry brigades or cavalry brigades. This is because those suffered the most casualties by doing most of the fighting.

I came to the conclusion that it was just a matter of luck.   I considered changing the rules, but could not see any obvious way to ensure a more equal outcome.   Once more I have to put it down to the luck of the dice.   All six games were enjoyable for both players, and the decisive melee often decided the winner and loser.   As far as I can remember there was no particularly bad run of luck for the French.  

The next campaign will be in southern Spain, which is always a challenging campaign to plan.   I have made major changes in the order of battle for this next phase, but more about that next week.