The Peninsula War 1807-1814 by Michael Glover

Continuing my research, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Chapters 17 to 22 covering the period after the Battle of Vittoria to Napoleon's abdication. 

Published in 1974 and I've no idea how I came into its possession, but I'm glad I did.  Maps are excellent. The text most informative and inspiring.  The chapter on the east coast activities were very interesting as was the coverage of the Battle of Toulouse.  The latter so much so that I am now working on a scenario for that.

Santiago and Qugong

Richard, Simon, Jeff, Stefan and myself played two games.

First was Santiago.

I was red and did well with bananas and grapes.

Then we played Qugong which I had played before, but not with five and as it turned out I had forgotten how to play. (I was the pink token, Richard was the yellow in first place, Stefan was white in second, Simon was the dark red and Jeff the blue).

Both excellent games.

Hunting The Hunters - Twice

This is semi fictious scenario that is supplied with the Torpedoes and Tides rules:

Intercepting MTBs was not easy, especially before reliable radar became available. The British developed a special type of fast attack craft, the Motor Gunboat, to hunt down German S-boats. They would lie in wait near a German base and pounce on boats returning from a sortie.

The returning S-boats are coming in from the right.

Mark B has four MGB hoping to intercept them.

So far the Germans have not been spotted.

But that all changed quickly.

The black smoke indicates damage

most of which they commence with.

One German boat is speeding off, but the second boat looks like it might be trapped.

The last German boat is having some difficulties maintaining a course

The second German boat is having a hard time 

and that last German boat seems to have lost its course.

Well, the first German boat might have escaped, but the second one has been sunk.

What will be the fate of the last German boat?

It is struggling to make progress and is close to the shore 

A triple roll of ones on the red dice!

Understandably the crew lost its nerve and ran the boat aground.

Time For A Rematch

No blinds this time, action was immediate.

I have control of the MGBs,

The S-boats are keen to get home.

The MGBs attack but lack firepower

In the confusion collisions occur.

It is a moonless night.

One S-boat has been sunk, but the other two look like they are getting away.

Only one MGB seems able to give chase and it is battered.

The MGB crew lose their nerve and decide to break off.

The Germans escape. 

Truely a delightful game!

The Peninsula War - A New History

My Orthez inspired research continues.

This 2002 publication was an uncorrected proof copy and contained no maps, although it did intend to do so.  This didn't bother me as my previous book had supplied what I needed.

I only intended reading Chapter 17 - Pyrenees: The Invasion of France, July-November 1813.  However, I enjoyed it so much I went on to read the final chapter Bascara: Peace and Thereafter.

What was unique about this book was the coverage of the political (especial Spanish) and diplomatic aspects of the closing stages of the war.  It didn't concentrate on the day-to-day location of forces as the first book I read or only minutiae of a privileged officer's life contained in the second book.  However, it was "spiced up" by the inclusion of various passages related to the fighting based on eyewitness accounts, something that was missing in the other books.

The destabilizing effect of the French occupation on both Portugal and Spain was detailed and that it led to the loss of Americas and further civil strife.  Both countries were much the poorer for their involvement in the Napoleonic Wars.

Later Visigoths versus Old Saxons

My Dark Ages figures have been fielded against Dave's Saxons before (14 February 2026).  I had planned to use my most recently painted chaps but sadly misplaced them. 

This time the Saxons miraculously out scouted the Visigoths.

and seized the hill, avoiding the reflecting pool on their right.

The Visigoths advance pushing their wings forward.

The Saxons rush to meet their adversaries.

Despite winning the initiative (every time),

the Saxons fall short of making an impact.

The Saxons are starting to feel surrounded,

but push on hoping to break the Visigoth infantry.

The Visigoth infantry grimly hang on, passing their morale tests and regaining their order.

But the Saxon commander and his nobles have been slaughtered by the Visigoth heavy cavalry.

Again we see why the Saxons never settled in Spain back then.

Big Boss and Union Stockyards

Two games played last week by Simon, Stefan, Jeff, Richard and myself.

Sadly missed taking a photo of the finished game.  Jeff was too keen to help packing it up.  Not surprising seeing the final amassed fortunes.

Then on to Union Stockyards which had the advantage that I had played it before.  However, as a five player game, it was quiet a different exercise. Everyone scored fairly close and I was surprised to win.

A Guard's Officer in the Peninsula

A GUARDS OFFICER IN THE PENINSULA. The Peninsula War letters of John Rous, Coldstream Guards, 1812-1814. Edited by Ian Fletcher.

My reading continues...

I paid $17.95 (reduced from $44.95) for this book in 1998.While a hardback it is only 144 pages all up and more a celebration of the 2nd Earl of Stradbroke as this young Guard's Officer became.  Maps were excellent.  His letters were amusing, but more about food, waiting for promotions and generally not doing much, even though he was present at a number of major engagements.  I guess you don't write home to your mum and dad about the fighting least the parentals worry about their son.