Some sheets that contains these amendments can be downloaded below.
Also an amended quick sheet may be found below.
The battle is described in the photo captions.
Wellington decides to leave two brigades behind the hill surmounting Fuentes, not to risk the troops being bombarded, even if the British are superior in artillery and could win a duel.Both brigades have defend orders.As soon as the flank attack is spotted, Wellington decides to send the Guard and the 42nd to defend the village which the 7th Division is defending. Also the veteran Regiment of Light Dragoons is sent in support.To the right of Fuentes de Onero a french brigade advances toward the broken ground and steep sides of the river. It will take some time before it becomes a menace for Wellington.In front of Fuentes a small brigade advances cautiously but its voltigeurs find the village defended by light troops which develop a murderous fire. The french infantry retire and Massena decides to target the village with two field batteries. The artillery zeroed against the village is rather effective, but the Lights hold their ground.On the extreme right of the British army the cavalry brigades is now visible, advancing along the river, while a heavy infantry brigade attacks the village and starts the flanking movement.The spanish guerrilla is defending the furthest village on the British right. It is immediately attacked by the french infantry brigade, attacking in column, the guerrillas are expelled from the villageThe Elite Brigade advances at maximum speed to relieve the 7th Division, but a swift (and lucky) movement by the Grenadiers a Cheval brings the horsemen on the flank of the Camerons, in line. They will hold the Grenadiers a Cheval for some time, before the rout and are pursued. The Horse Grenadiers are allowed only a single charge, before they are reclaimed by Bessier and disappear from the engagement, but this single charge is able to putin disarray the best British brigade. Another view of the charge of the Horse Grenadiers of the Guard.The hole formed by the 42nd rout is exploited by the French Cavalry brigade, lead by a Dragoon regiment.On the British left, the first skirmishers engage in a firefight their similars.At the right of Fuentes, a small french brigade manages to cross the stream and enters the wood, menacing the British units facing the french flank attack. Two british batteries are caught by the highlander rout, the guns of one battery are captured by the enemy.The french advance towards Poco Velho, the artillery of both sides fires and does damage to the advancing columns and to the British lines.The British deploy the cavalry brigade to the right of the village, the Horse artillery is very effective but sustains a few casualties by the French voltigeurs.The attack of Poco Velho as seen by the French side.The Curassiers advance boldly in the gap created by the Elite Brigade rout.The Horse Greadiers are recalled by Beziers, but they have accounted exceptionally during the battle!!
A few more photos are needed to capture the end of the battle, where the Light battalion defending Fuentes miraculously manages to extricate from the town and retire towards the rest of the British troops. Wellington at this points calls the day and orders a general retreat, he will lose one Elite Brigade, the raw troops just arrived from England and two filed artillery batteries.
The french will be able to relieve the siege of Almeida with very little casualties. They have admirably outmanuevered the british and won the battle without allowing any british line to deliver even a single volley of their murderous fire against advancing troops.
In the end we had a very entertaining game, if shorter than expected, enjoying the excellent rules created by Keith Flint. The four of us had a great time together, many thanks to Diego, Mauro, Riccardo!
I’m very pleased to see you and your friends enjoying the rules. A lovely table and that looks like a great wargames room as well.