As Reported in the Grand Fenwick Observer

"Marshal Bessieres corps long out of supply, once defeated by the British and cut off from France, at last received orders from Napoleon: `move out of Lisbon after uniting with Junot and attack the British at Pombal!'

Sir Arthur deployed his troops badly with overconfidence in their abilities, along the ridge before Pombal.

Bessieres attacked with elan, his corps formed into a hammer, overwhelming the troops in front of him by sheer weight of numbers, but with the firepower of the British, losses were heavy. With the right hill almost captured by the French, Sir Arthur sent his cavalry into the attack. Coming across the ridge and into the valley they were hit by twenty four guns of French Artillery fire. In one hour the brigade ceased to exist. Again Sir Arthur tried to take the pressure off his right wing by attacking on the left, but his brigades deployed slowly and in insufficient numbers. Being outnumbered by the exhausted but brave men of Junot's corps who outmanoeuvred them and cut them up piece meal.

The battle was now four hours old. The British had suffered about 6,000 casualties, the French 3,000. The French veteran division exhausted by its efforts and Junot's men tiring fast, shaken and dispirited they started to leave the field. To win the day, the French conscript division of Bessieres was thrown at the remains of the British line. Pushing forward with great bravery the young boys cleared one position after another, but at the moment of victory their brave Italian commander was killed. This combined with the carnage around them, the conscripts lost heart and fled the field. In the ensuing disintegration of the line, the men of Junot's corps fled with them. Bessieres, victory in his grasp, had its snatched away. with his battered veteran division he could only watch as the British left the field unmolested."

For myself, as Umpire, things had gone better than expected. The British General had deployed in one line and paid the price, only luck had saved him from complete defeat. So the campaign could be worked into history; the French were transported home to fight again, Sir Arthur muttering "I shall return" as he left for England to face a board of enquiry.

Sir John Moore then entered our campaign to meet his destiny in 1809.

The Grand Fenwick Observer: Campaign Idea