Battle of Vimeiro 1808

The Pennisular collection has developed nicely and has reached the point where I can look at staging some historical battles. Given the scale of the battles it is likely I will focus on sections of larger battles with a plan to ‘taste’ all of the major battles at some point ? So first up the Battle of Vimeiro. A lot of resources out there on Napoleonic battles the balance is finding stuff at the right scale and it is sometimes easier using map resources 🤔 

Luckily there are a lot of these available as well

I used this version as a good basis for our scenario, with our battle covering the French attacks on the left around Vimeiro itself.

This then converted to my 8x5 table. The British are all on the table but will have to dice for the arrival of Trant’s Portuguese brigade. The french will have to roll for their second wave and Magaron’s Cavalry, but learning from previous battles we didn’t make this too hard, so they should arrive not later than turn 4. Historically Junot pretty much mismanaged the attack throwing his forces in piecemeal. To make more of a battle we would allow the French to arrive as they wished although only this side of the road to Vimeiro. The main objective is to capture the town which controls the river crossing but breaking 50% of the enemy brigades would also signal a win, and bonus points for the french capturing Vimeiro Hill.

Hill’s Brigade waiting on the hill behind Vimeiro

Acland again on high ground threatening the flank of the french assault. To give some numerical balance we didn’t continue the ridge north so Crauford is not represented.

The french come on in Attack formation with Thomiere and Charlot’s Brigades supported with Artillery

The guns open up and the french infantry begin the march towards Vimeiro Hill, some skirmish activity on both sides to distract the enemy line

Acland observes the advance but the french are out of range, although his artillery does open up

A long view down the battlefield at this early stage of the battle , Hill can be seen rushing across the bridge towards the town on the right

Using V&F the main volley ranges are 12” so the french get close before the British line opens up ! This drives one of the French columns away

Hill rushes across the river to occupy the town (it consists of three distinct defensible areas) but one of the French columns come across to attack

The leading french infantry reach the crest to assault the British, but they hold for another turn of combat

A lucky roll on the reserve die and the french cavalry arrive hoorah ! Together with the second wave of infantry who can be seen closing in on the town

Acland is ordered off the ridge to close the range to the attackers

Kellerman and St Claire arrive and are directed towards the town

The french cavalry pause to reform whilst the french guns pound the ridge

The British are now holding all three sectors of the town

Hard to believe I actually have some french infantry who weren’t needed for the OB

Acland’s infantry sweeps down off the hill

The french second wave goes in but St Claire’s brigade fails a critical assault action and stall for one turn !

The reformed cavalry prepare to charge but the pause has given the British time to form square on the ridge….so typical ! (This type of historically accurate but unsportsmanlike behaviour should be banned !)

Wavering the french cavalry seek easier targets on the ridge

The hand to hand fight for the town is hotting up, but in the distance Trant’s Portuguese have arrived at the double

Tough fighting which the french finally win capturing the first sector of the town

Kellermans grenadiers turn right and charge forward in an attempt to clear thier flank, but get halted by the British line

Portuguese reserves swarm into the back of the town, although it is hard to see form the photos the French have effectively lost half , three of their original six brigades.

They have managed to capture one of the three town sectors and their cavalry is menacing along and around Vimeiro Hill, the British have lost several Battalions but all five of their brigades remain on the table. So reluctantly we have to declare it a victory for the British hoorah 🇬🇧 certainly with the Portuguese arriving they are unlikely to capture the town. 

What can I say, a splendid battle, the french were up against it from the start, but they were historically. Needless to say it is a real pleasure to see the collection out fighting on the table ….more to come

Thanks as always Matt