Friday 27 March 2020

Games 85 & 86 : Salamanca & Villafranca

Generals, January saw our 5th weeks game at our local hotel. The games we fought were Salamanca and Villafranca.

This also sees all our Generals bunkered down to try and avoid the Pandemic. Everyone keep safe!

Back to the games, Salamanca needs no introduction, Wellington and Marmont marching in parallel and then Wellington attacking. "Greater Arapiles, Lesser Arapiles & Los Arapiles".

Villafranca is a made up game, primarily to sow confusion in both sides as to the composition of their opponents although they had a good idea of the make up.

Rather than go through the games, I've posted various "action pics" with a small account describing the pic. One day I may get to write the battles up in a proper book/booklet.


The pics are in no particular order. The pic above shows a French Division launching an attack up the Lesser Arapiles at the point where the Allied line turns 90 degrees. The supposed weak point.


The attack is continuous to the first one with another attack to the left of the French Division above. This was a concerted effort to split the Allied army at its weakest point.


A longer shot, showing the British, in the foreground, attempting to turn the French right flank. The British led with the Guards Division, fighting in column!



This is a shot from the Villafranca game, usual thing, a village attracting a lot of attention from both sides. The battle for this particular village lasted 2 gaming days!


Believe it or not, this shows part of Viallfranca with a whole Spanish Division managing to get to grips with a French Division, without being in disorder! The Spanish would go backwards and forwards, but generally forwards, fighting a good battle.


About the only major cavalry only action during our whole week. Not surprisingly, it ended in a draw



This is near the centre of the line at Villafranca. The British are counter-attacking in this sector with all arms.
Just a taste of our experiences on a 33 foot x 18 foot table. We were 20 players and this year we nearly all managed to stay well at the actual game (a couple of wounded defaulters) and a good time was had by all. Next year is likely to be Waterloo, but we'll have to see how this world pandemic affects things.
Everyone stay well!