The weather is Normal, with no variation. The ground is hard. The game's Basic Length is 6 turns.

The town of Vittoria is Hard Cover. Other towns are Soft Cover. All towns are 1 base. The Zadorra river is impassable, except at the bridges, and at the one ford shown on the map.

The French deploy first. The allied forces all enter on their first Pulse of Turn one, at their respective entry points, shown on the map: (A) Hill, (B) Cole, (C) Dalhousie, (D) Graham.

The morale of the allied army is Confident. Its Break Point is 16

The morale of the French army is Shaky. Its Break Point is 9

Alternative Vittorias, Play-Balancing, and What-Ifs:

Because this scenario so obviously favors the allies, you might consider using it to teach a new player. The more experienced player can take the French side, and let the "new kid" be Wellington. If you'd prefer a more balanced scenario, however, there are many interesting what-ifs, none of which require too much bending of history:

Play-Balancing for the French Side:

1. Jourdan Isn't Sick

Marshal Jourdan was ill and feverish right up until the day of the battle, and definitely wasn't at his best. He neglected to take rudimentary precautions like reconnaissance of the various valleys and river crossings. King Joseph, of course, was not up to the task of army command. This variant assumes that Jourdan is in better mental and physical condition.

A Jourdan's Skill rating is improved to "Average."

B Due to the posting of French pickets, much of Wellington's surprise has been lost. The allies deploy first. The French may then deploy anywhere in the valley, but never within 12" of any allied unit or entry point. Finally, the French may choose any one bridge to mine for demolition. After the allies deploy, the French may then destroy the bridge.

2. The Weather Doesn't Improve

The weather had been miserable in the week leading to the battle: unseasonably cold and rainy. But then the sunshine broke right as Wellington needed it. This variant assumes that the rain continues for another day. The Wellington player now has to make a choice:

A If you want to go ahead and fight today, the weather will be Overcast and Variable. (This could be a huge problem - remember how spread out the allied army is.)

B If you choose to wait until tomorrow, when the sun comes out, then you've given the French another day to prepare, and thus General Clausel's Force will be present on the French side, deployed as desired.

3. Clausel Clears a Path on the 21st

General Clausel and his "Army of the North" were trying to get to Vittoria, but were slowed by constant action with Spanish guerillas. He was only 15 miles from the battlefield when the French army collapsed; half a day's march would have brought his 20,000 men into action. This variant assumes a battle fought as Clausel marches to the guns.

A. Starting at the end of Turn 2, the French player should roll one die. If the roll is equal to or less than the number of the current turn, then Clausel's Army of the North will enter from Point X. Keep rolling at the end of each turn until Clausel arrives.

B. The arrival of this Force increases the French break­point by 2, and the number of Forces in the French army by one.

4. Max Foy Gets Into the Act

General Maximilian-Sebastien Foy, one of the best divisional commanders in the French army, was in charge of a large, corps-sized detachment to the North of the main army. He, too, figured out what was happening and tried to march to Joseph's support, but he too was held up by narrow roads and Spanish guerillas. His Force was about 25 miles from the battlefield when he realized the French were retreating, and the battle was already lost. One day of hard marching would have brought him and his three divisions to Vittoria. As it was, he and Graham fought a series of running battles across northern Spain that summer. This variant can be played in two ways. In either case, it is very damaging to the allies.

A. Foy's arrival would have completely changed the mission of Graham, who would have been unable to outflank the French army. Spanish guerillas would have alerted the allies to Foy's approach, and thus Wellington's attack would have become a simple frontal assault, albeit broken up by the difficult terrain. Under this variant, starting at the end of Turn 1, the French player should roll one die. If the roll is equal to or less than the number of the current- turn, then Foy's Force will enter next turn, along the main road from France (Point Y). The allied IV corps' starting positions are moved back 24" West of their normal entry point U, still along the northern edge of the board.

B. Alternatively, Foy's approach would have drawn off Graham and Longa's strength, and a separate battle, "off-board," would have developed. If you choose this variant, Foy does not enter, but then neither will Longa's Spanish division, nor will Oswald's 5th Division. The allied IV Corps at Vittoria is reduced to the British 1st Infantry division, and Pack's Portuguese division. The rest goes off to handle Foy.

C. Whichever option you choose, be sure to adjust both armies' break-points accordingly.

Play-Balancing for the Allied Side:

1. Wellington Gets Over His Tiff with Picton Wellington's choice of Lord Dalhousie to command the center column Was surprising, since Sir Thomas Picton was clearly the better field commander for a major attack. In fact, during the battle, Dalhousie delayed so much that Picton finally acted on his own and attacked the French without waiting for Dalhousie's orders. Some historians have speculated that Wellington deliberately slighted Picton because the two men had been arguing lately. This variant assumes that Wellington swallows his pride and gives the command to the better man.

A. Piction commands the center column. His ratings as sub­commander are: Picton (V) 1 / 9" Aggressive

2. Giron Makes It To the Battlefield

Wellington was operating in conjunction with a corps of Spanish troops under General Giron, whose mission had been to swing broadly around the French army and prevent a retreat, thus pinning Joseph at Vittoria for the knockout blow.

As it turns out, this was unnecessary, since Joseph had been planning for days to fight at Vittoria. The result was that Giron's 12,000 men were too far away to participate in the battle, and even though they made force-marches all day, arrived after the allied victory was complete. In this variant, Wellington decides to keep Giron on a tighter leash. Note that this is a very powerful addition to the allied flanking force, and will make the French position utterly hopeless, unless using one of the French play-balance options.

A. Giron's Force will be arriving behind Graham. Starting at the end of Turn 2, the allied player should roll one die. If the roll is equal to or less than the number of the current turn, then Giron's Force will enter next turn, at the same entry point "D" as Graham's Force.

B. Giron's arrival increases the allied break point by 2 and the number of Forces by one.

3. Pakenham Arrives in Time

Pakenham's 6th Division never made it to Vittoria, but was nearby, watching Wellington's left and rear, in the event that the French relief columns appeared unexpectedly from that quarter. Under this variant, Wellington Includes Pakenham in the center column. Add Pakenham's division to Dalhousie's corps, increasing Dalhousie's radius to 9", and increasing the allied Break Point by 1.

Battle of Vittoria 21 June 1813 Wargame Scenario

Historical Background
Scenario
Orders of Battle