Thoughts on the 1813 Campaign

Geographical map of Europe

The Valladolid campaign was the 79^th campaign phase fought since I started the 1813 campaign in August 2009.   The last battle of this campaign was the 337^th wargame we have fought in the campaign.  

This was never intended to be such a long running campaign.   We have wargamed together for 50 years and have gone through all of the phases that everyone else has.   We started with one off games, each one bigger than the last as our collection of wargame figures grew.  Like most wargamers we wanted to be able to game Waterloo and Leipzig.   I remember the inspiration of seeing Peter Guilders WRG games in the pages of Wargames Illustrated in the 1970s, and then being able to take part in them some years later.  

But the anticipation was always better than actually playing the wargame.   Even at the WRG I found the games disappointing, though the spectacle was inspiring.   Actually handling large number of figures over a huge wargames table can be tiring.   And playing against a lot of strangers who have different knowledge of the rules can be frustrating.  

When I left the army in 1984 we were finally able to buy our own house, and at last we could have a permanent wargames table.   We were fortunate to have a large, stand-alone garage.   We converted it into a wargames room, and built a 12x6 foot table.   We then started a wargames group of 6-8 players who would meet once a week.   I provided the rules, figures, scenery and games.   So I could control the types of games we played.   It lasted until we moved to Spain in 2006.

All of this was a big learning experience.  I had experimented with various rules and different types and sizes of wargames.   I had a very clear idea of what type and sizes of wargames I wanted to play.   Retirement and moving to Spain would give me the opportunity to put it all into practice.

We decided that we would restrict our wargame to just the two of us.  A smaller 6x6 foot table would be ideal.   And I could downsize the number of figures due to the smaller table size.

The second decision was to concentrate on wargaming.   After 35 years of painting model soldiers I would put my brush and paint aside, and put all of that effort into gaming.

The final result of all this would be my 1813 campaign.    The aim was to use all of my figures and scenery in rotation.   So the campaign would be divided into five geographical regions, each with its own French and allied army.  A series of mini campaigns would be fought in each region, similar in size to the Waterloo campaign.   Each campaign phase would last about 10 campaign days and one or two months.

The original concept has not changed, but the mechanics of the campaign has developed and improved with each campaign phase.   The greatest influence was when I discovered Profantasy computer maps.  This allowed me to create a whole new series of maps, from each battle to the whole of Europe.

But the thing which keeps the interest alive is lessons learned from each and every campaign phase.   Things that go wrong provide me with projects to improve the whole concept.  

Military regions of Europe

The latest was the concept of military regions rather than historical boundaries.  This allowed me to create a whole fictional European organisation.  It also kept me busy for many months making new maps.

My next project is increasing my ten armies from 4 corps to 6 corps each.   The Valladolid campaign was the first time that I have used this new army organisation and it has worked extremely well.   It provides me with larger and more challenging wargames.  It also adds a new structure to the organisation of each campaign phase.   I am very excited to see where it will lead.

Valladolid Campaign – Day 7

 

29 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 7

After six days and five battles both armies are tired, disorganised and urgently in need of casualty replacements.   However the French are in a much worse state than the British

Being close to his supply bases Wellington has been able to resupply and regroup his army.   All six corps have battle casualties, but have been able to concentrate the infantry in one brigade per corps.

Due to their success in the early part of the campaign, the French were too far forward to resupply all of their corps.   Consequently all were low on supplies.

Comment

Both armies have suffered heavy casualties during the course of the campaign.   Providing that they are out of contact with the enemy, and in supply, a corps can reorganise and regroup.   This means that they can concentrate all of their infantry casualties, except for the first 10%, in one brigade.  The result is that they lose one of their four brigades, but the remaining three have a maximum of 10% casualties per brigade.

At the end of a battle the losing corps retreat, the winners occupy the objective, for example a town.   This means that both sides move, so neither can regroup or resupply.   The following day both often halt, regroup and resupply.   But this can be more difficult for the winning army, because they have often moved too far away from their supply depots, or the depot may not have sufficient supplies to bring all corps up to four days supplies.    The losing side will have retreated towards their main depot, and will usually not have any difficulty obtaining sufficient supplies

This is the current situation for both armies.   All British corps have two or three days supplies.    Five of the six French corps are completely out of supply, and the sixth corps has only two days. 

Both armies have considerable battle casualties, but the British have managed to rally all routed and shaken brigades.   Four of the six French corps still have routed or shaken brigades.

Wellington is aware that any delay will allow the French to rally routed and shaken brigades, reorganise and even resupply.   He therefore orders his battered army to advance.   The French have no option to retreat.

Valladolid Campaign – Day 6

28 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 6

Encouraged by his victory at Palencia, Wellington is determined to keep up the pressure on the French.   He orders 5^th and 6^th corps to occupy Arevalo.   1^st and 4^th corps are ordered to attack Valladolid.

The French supply system is now in tatters.    Four corps are in retreat, and the other two under attack.   They have had to abandon their depots at Arevalo and Palencia.

Three of the six French corps will be out of supply by nightfall.   A further two will have one days supplies left.   One corps is already out of supply and has lost 400 infantry to attrition.

The French retreat will bring them within range of their rear depots, and this will greatly ease the supply problem.   But to resupply, and to reorganise, they must avoid any further contact with the enemy for at least 24 hours.

It is essential that the French win the battle at Valladolid.  If they do so it will slow Wellington’s advance and allow the shattered corps to regroup and resupply.

Second battle of Valladolid

Soult held the city with two infantry brigades.   8^th French corps were deployed to the right of the city, 16^th Italian corps to the right.

Wellington opened the battle with an attack on 16^th Italian corps.   Having lost their artillery and cavalry the Italian infantry retreated into Valladolid.

The British then attacked 8^th corps, who put up a determined defence.   After a cavalry melee and artillery preparation Wellington ordered his infantry to attack.  After a prolonged melee the French broke at nightfall.

Soult held Valladolid at the end of the battle.   However the British now heavily outnumbered him, and at daybreak they could concentrate their artillery close to the city and batter him into submission.

Under cover of darkness the French abandoned the city.

Comment

This was a very enjoyable wargame, and one that was only decided at nightfall (end of move 12).  

It opened with two cavalry melee.   The British won both, but lost so many casualties that their cavalry were no longer of any use for the remainder of the game.

Artillery on both sides were effective, though the French guns were captured

The outcome was decided by an extensive infantry melee.   On the left one French brigade still held at nightfall.   But the rest of 8^th corps were in rout.    On the right 16^th corps held the city.   But two of the four brigades were shaken.

The French could claim victory because they held Valladolid at the end of the battle.   However without any artillery or cavalry, and heavily outnumbered in infantry, they would be eventually have to retreat.    To avoid this the French retreated during the hours of darkness.

 I really enjoy these complicated games where the advantage moves from one player to the other almost every move.   As casualties mount, both sides become more fragile and vulnerable to a morale test.   If one brigade routs anyone within 4” have to test their morale.  This is when a single casualty can result in a mass rout.

Great game which we both really enjoyed.

Valladolid Campaign – Day 5

27 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 5

The French still have serious supply problems, and their defeat at Medina is not helping.   Most of their corps are running short of supplies and desperately need time to reorganise their supply depots and redistribute the supplies from their main depot at Laguna.

The British are close to their depots and do not have any problems with supply. However they are in need of rest and reorganisation, and also to receive reinforcements to replace battle casualties.

Wellington is encouraged by his victory at Medina.   He also wants to take full advantage of the French supply difficulties.   He orders 1^st and 2^nd corps to attack Palencia.  The two French corps defending the town are almost out of supply.   If he wins, and they are forced to retreat, they will also suffer attrition casualties. 

Battle of Palencia

Both sides started the battle with considerable battle casualties

Both commanders formed a grand battery by taking guns from the corps

Unfortunately both deployed those guns in the centre and opposite each other

This resulted in a considerable amount of counter battery fire

The French lost this exchange and retreated without their guns

This allowed the British to use their guns to great effect, particularly against the garrison.

 

The French suffer a crushing defeat with 9 of their 11 brigades in rout

The British take the town, but are too tired to mount a pursuit

 

The British have lost 6 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2700 men)

The French have lost 16 infantry, 7 cavalry and 5 artillery casualties (7600 men)

Comment

This was another battle where casualties from earlier battles played a large part in the outcome.   Casualties affect both combat and morale.  

 Brigades count minus one on the morale chart for each casualty.   They also count plus one for support.   To count as support a brigade must have a formed brigade within 4”.   As a result most corps are deployed with their brigades within supporting distance.

The problem is that when a brigade fails its morale and routs, all friendly brigades within 2” must also test their morale.   If those supports have existing casualties they are more likely to lose their own morale test.  If they also rout all brigades within 4” of them must test their morale.   So it is not unusual for a rout to spread throughout the whole corps.   This is what happened at the end of this game.

Each casualty is also minus one on fire and melee tests.  This makes the artillery less effective, and in particular long range fire to soften up the enemy before the infantry attack.  

However in this game the attacking British artillery were more effective, and the defending French paid the price.

This is why casualties can seem very one sided, particularly in those battles fought later in the campaign when most brigades have existing casualties.

Valladolid Campaign – Day 4

26 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 4

Soult is short of supplies.

He establishes a new depot at Palencia and transfers 4 days supplies from Coca

The French now have six depots and must detach infantry to garrison them

Four of the six French corps have only 1 or 2 days supplies

It will take another two days to reorganise and resupply

To distract Wellington he orders 7^th and 13^th corps to attack Medina

 

Wellington has problems of his own

He concentrates his army in front of Benavente, Zamora and Medina

1^st, 3^rd and 4^th corps are in urgent need of reorganisation and resupply

Fortunately 5^th and 6^th corps in front of Medina are battle ready

Battle of Medina

The British start the battle with more infantry than the Spanish, seven brigades to six French.   In addition there is a Spanish brigade in Medina.

They also occupy a strong defensive position, particularly their right flank which is deployed on the hill.

The French commander is well aware that he must pin the hill and attack against the infantry deployed in front of the town.   He must also cause some casualties before he orders the attack.   He take command of the artillery of both corps to create a grand battery.

The gunners fail to inflict any casualties on the British, and the attack is defeated with heavy casualties.

Comment

I have written our wargame rules to discourage counter battery fire.   We roll 2D6 to determine whether artillery have scored a hit.   Against infantry the gunners require 8 at long range, against gunners they require 11.

As the attacker in this game I felt confident moving my artillery into range of the enemy infantry, even though this meant that Jan could fire on my gunners first.   I was less than pleased when she rolled 11 with her first attempt.   I was even less pleased when my gunners failed their morale test and were shaken.   This meant they would have to rally before they could fire.   They failed to do so for the next two rounds.   

My cavalry then lost their melee and routed through the shaken gunners.  They not only failed their morale test, but they also routed and joined the cavalry.   Worse still the second battery failed their morale test and were shaken.

Out of eight moves my gunners only fired twice, and they missed both times.

Not surprising that I lost the game!

Valladolid Campaign – Day 3

25 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 3

Following his defeat at Valladolid Wellington orders a general retreat

 

The French occupy Palencia, Valladolid and Arevalo.  

Soult must now reorganise his depots and lines of supply

He now occupies six of the nine Spanish towns

Their Spanish garrisons are now guerrilla bands

They are moving into position to attack the French garrisons and convoys

 

The first guerrilla attack is on the garrison of Quintana

The attackers are driven off with a loss of 20% casualties

However the attack halts resupply to the French north wing

Comment

In most campaigns it takes five or six days to reach a crisis

Wellington’s two defeats have brought one on in just three days

 

The British are in real trouble, having been forced to retreat to the left of the map

Another defeat could easily mean that they lose the campaign

 

However the French success is also causing problems

They have taken the three centre towns

But their depots are in the three on the right.

To resupply a corps must be within three squares of a depot with supplies

Half of the French corps are out of supply range.

 

The French now occupy six towns.

This requires six infantry brigades to defend them

In addition the six Spanish militia garrisons are now guerrilla bands.

 

A guerrilla band can attack a garrison or a convoy

But they cannot do so if a French corps is in an adjacent square

The three right hand towns are now vulnerable to attack

 

It is easier to take a convoy than to attack a garrison

To do so the guerrilla band must be in position when a convoy moves

They can only do so for one move, then must return to a farm or village to resupply

 

7^th guerrilla (top right) risks an attack on Quintana

They roll 1D6 to decide the outcome

1 or 2 is bad for the guerrilla, 3 or 4 is inconclusive, 5 or 6 is bad for the garrison

The guerrilla roll a one, lose 20% casualties and rout

 

This outcome is bad news.  

The guerrilla can replace one casualty, but will always have the remaining one

This will be minus one on all future dice throws

However the garrison of Quintana is unable to forage during the attack

So they lose one days supplies.

21^st French corps have used one days supplies moving to Palencia

It will take them another day to establish a depot there, and another days supplies

They will then have to resupply before they can advance to attack the British

So even in defeat the guerrilla bands can cause problems for the French commander

 

Valladolid Campaign – Day 2

 

24 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 2

In the north 2^nd British and 21^st French observe Palencia

In the centre 8^th, 16^th and 22^nd French attack Valladolid

In the south 7^th French occupy Arevalo and establish depot

5^th and 6^th British retreat to Medina

Battle of Valladolid – End of Battle

The battle of Valladolid was a close run and very costly affair

The main French attack broke the British centre

On the French right the British held until the centre broke

On the French left the British took Valladolid, but had to retreat

Both sides suffered heavy casualties

The British lost 20 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties

The French lost 14 infantry, 4 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties

 

This was a very complicated wargame

There is a full battle report on the campaign diary blog

http://1813pbemcampaigndiary.blogspot.com.es/        

Battlefield on Campaign Map

I wanted to avoid another game being decided by who captured Valladolid.

Rather than have the city in the centre of the table I extended to the north

This area is fairly open, and would allow some manoeuvre.

It would also include 3^rd British and 22^nd Italian corps

 

Both commanders created a reserve and both did so in the centre squares

Wellington commanded two corps artillery and one cavalry brigade

Soult commanded two cavalry brigades

It was clear from the start that the game would be decided in the centre

 

4^th corps included the light division, and was ideal to take Valladolid

3^rd corps was deployed on the hill on the British left, and difficult to attack

1^st corps was deployed around a village

 

The French reserve and 8^th corps would attack in the centre

22^nd corps would support, but would only attack the hill if the centre was taken

16^th corps would enter Valladolid, but would only hold the eastern edge

 

1^st British corps was broken and the centre taken

But both cavalry brigades in the French reserve were broken and routed

 

22^nd corps attacked the hill, but did not make much progress until the centre broke

Only when 3^rd corps started to withdraw did they finally take the hill

 

The light division led the attack on Valladolid

In doing so they came under artillery fire, and suffered casualties

It took four moves for the two leading brigades to reach the Italian infantry

By then 1^st corps was in trouble, and 4^th corps did not press home their attack

As the centre broke, 4^th corps started to withdraw from Valladolid

 

This was an interesting and complicated wargame.

Either side could easily have won, and the British almost did

The French attack on the centre suffered heavy casualties, particularly the cavalry

All three corps on each side fought independent battles

Both the British and French reserves, though small, played an important part

 

But perhaps the most interesting part was the French battle for Valladolid

Had they advanced and fought in the centre of the city they would have lost

The British 4^th corps was much better suited to town fighting

By holding the near edge of the city they forced the British to come to them

This meant that the French artillery could fire on the British

But the British artillery were masked by the 4^th corps infantry in the city

It also meant that the battle for the centre was lost before the battle for Valladolid began

 

Another very interesting wargame, and one won by tactics as much as dice