The Battle of Corunna

I put this game on for the NWS Game's Day  on 15 August.  This post has also appeared on the NWS blog.

The idea for this battle was the similarity between its name and a certain virus that is currently plaguing the planet.  I also hoped that it could be played with different rules and scales (Black Powder and General de Brigade being two obvious candidates, but even adding in Shako from the ANF and even, shudder, a bit of Slaughterloo).  However, one step at a time.

Russell took on the role of Moore ably assisted by Mr Napier playing himself.  Simon was Soult and Darren was Delaborde.  I umpired and supplied the figures.  The built up areas were Darren's.  Rest of the terrain was the club's and might be the first time they had seen some use in a while.  Rules were Napoleon's Battles.

 Set up based on the Osprey map of the battle (the map of which fitted nicely on a 6x4).

Forces as per the scenario in the Red Book (the map for it requiring a 9x5).

 The French start a fire fight using their artillery and longer range of their light infantry.

Frazer is bringing up the 3rd Division.

The French cavalry are having a very hard time moving in the appalling terrain.

(hard to spot but the battlefield is littered with scrub and stonewalls).

 The British start to retreat, almost in panic...

 Paget has arrived, but the rest of the British forces have been badly shot up.

 The French Division commanded by Merle make a massive assault on Paget 

who has been too late to deploy into the village of Elris.

 Paget has been pushed back in Elris, 

but two brigades of Baird's Division are now counterattacking.

 The French have a hard time forming up in Elris.

The British still have a strong hold on  Pedralonga (on the left) 

and Elvina (on the right).

 The French make another all out attack.

With their attacks repulsed and the sun quickly setting,

the French withdraw hold their ground(!) for the night.

The British retire to the harbour and pray for good weather for their sail back to Old Blighty.

Thanks everyone for participating.

Getting the terrain "right"for historical battles is always a challenge.  Main issue with this game was possibly the size of the villages.  In my haste to put the game together I failed to see that the scenario specified that the villages could only hold two bases maximum!  Whoops.  Still Darren's BUAs were too nice not to use.