Talavera 1809 - The Main French Attack (Black Powder)

[Jabba]

A good turnout for an awesome first all day game of the year at New Buckenham Historical Wargamers on Saturday 14th.

The French players decided to use their artillery to batter the British troops and this they did for some time. Two British Btns were forced from the field with crippling losses before the order came that the btns had better lie down under the fierce French bombardment. This reduced casualties as the French cannon roared on. The French awaited the movement of their Dragoon division to the left flank which was then to attack and defeat the Spanish. The Spanish were not helping their preparedness for the coming attack as one Bgde went off to the right and another edged to the left, seeking the comfort of the redoubt and it’s artillery it seemed. This left a huge hole in their lines, it just begged for the French cavalry to arrive and break in.
Lunch was taken and then Villatte’s French Btns surged forward to the Portina, Lapisse’s Btns alongside, endeavoured to keep up in support. On the left the French cavalry drew up and charged. This attack was initially successful, the Spanish cavalry and nearby infantry were driven in. British light dragoons were thrown in to hold the French horse but were also defeated and thrown back. However the tiring French cavalry were beaten off by the Spanish foot around the Redoubt and the French cavalry withdrew, so close to achieving their aim. Along the Portina, the French advance that had set off with great élan was stalled as the British volleys now poured into the French columns as they struggled to clear the river. Casualties mounted among the French Btns as the British fire discipline told and despite the French artillery targeting British formations where they could. A Btn of the 48th Foot was lost to this artillery fire as it moved to secure the British left. This position was the one worry for the British command as the British heavy cavalry Bgde failed to come up in support here. Despite these anxieties, British volleys won the day as the French, unable to come to grips, grudgingly withdrew. An Anglo-Spanish win, after defeat the last time the battle was played, but a win for all those who were there.

A few photographs of the action.



Bassecourt's Spanish await in the Sierra de Segurilla



The French advance towards the Portina stream



The British advance to try and hold the French at the stream



Things get a bit hectic along the whole line, British volley fire told in the end

For more photos see the clubs Facebook page

[jambo1]

Lovely looking game, really good to see.

[HP2Sport]

Looks great. Big visual impact.

[grant]

Massive great looking game!

[Plutarch64]

That looks like a lot of fun, and nice to see some Spanish in action.

[archiduque]

Excellent stuff!