Peninsula in Crisis: The Siege of Villa Doro, Part II

Part 2 Of the Seige of Villa Doro...

Next time I'll use cotton balls to mark shots...

 

"Nae rum fer ye if ye cannae keep in step wi' the Sassanachs oer there!"

 

Fresh Dragoons to the fore! The Poles barely flinch.

 

The artillery turn their guns to the French in the woods.

 

 

The Frogs garrison the fort. All guns turn to the British line.

 

Turn 5: Jack equals Double Action! My artillery fire twice.

 

Situation so far, the Polish Hussars inflict heavy losses on the Dragoons, but they in turn are just as savage. Meanwhile the 34th Foot takes a hard pounding from the fort. British guns begin bombardment and hit with 6s reduced by 2 to 4s, further halved to 2s because its a fort. So 4 hits total.

 

Plus another 2 hits from the second shot.

 

Turn 6: Another double action!! And yes I gave it to the artillery again.

 

Another charge inflicts shocking casualties on the Poles as the cut their losses and flee the field. All two of them!

 

Turn 7: Joker means 1 enemy unit takes d6 hits. The Voltiguers are rattled by enemy fire. They take 3 hits.

 

 

More artillery lucky shots

 

 

Shots from the fort pile up on the Lobsters. The 34th Foot retires to the rear.

 

Artillery and infantry force the French out of the fort, the Dragoons ride round the fort to flank the rest of the French line, while the British are badly shot up.

 

Turn 8: An 8! 1-3 units may not move. 2 infantry hold their ground.

 

 

But wait! Reinforcements have arrived!

 

Sir Arthur Wellesley arrives with the main British force. The capture of Villa Doro is key to securing his southern flank as the British advance through Spain.

 

The exhausted French collectively soil their trousers.

British cavalry immediately charge the frightened Voltiguers. While artillery pound the French garrison in the town.

 

Voltiguers miss their shots.

Turn 9: a 10 means 1 of my units gains 1-6 hits.

 

For those who are curious, this is my card deck system for solo play. The main OHW Chance deck is on the bottom, the two decks for each army at the top. This game the British are the black suit and the French are the red suit. The army cards are reshuffled after each draw to keep the randomness going. 1 card to a unit in each deck. Infantry are 5-10, Skirmishers are 3-4, Artillery A-2, and Cavalry J,Q,K. So for a 6 unit army comprised of 1 cav, 3 inf, 1 skirm, and 1 art, it would be something like: K, 10,7,5, 3, and A. Then shuffle and use when required.

 

Artillery take 5 hits to their morale.

 

Cavalry give the death blow to the Frogs. With help from the artillery.

 

 

Turn 10: nothing in the Chance deck, artillery fire at the town.

 

The mayor begs the French garrison to surrender as shells hit the town square.

 

Turn 11: 3 units are confused and halt their marching. Adamstone confers with Wellesley on the best way to approach the town.

 

 

Turn 12: British almost have their objectives in hand.

A desperate cavalry attack on a weakened spot in the walls inflicts severe casualties on the French.

 

 

Final turn: overwhelmed by Lobsters, the Frogs surrender the town to an elated Adamstone. Wellesley congratulates him on his success.

 

 

 

 Conclusion: With the fall of Villa Doro, General Fromage was forced further into the Spanish interior, with his division nearly blundering into his superior's flank (Marshal Messena). Ordered by Messina to harry the British V Brigade and keep his southern flank anchored, Fromage fortified a new position along the Guadalquivir River.  In the British camp, Brig. Gen. Adamstone was decorated by Wellesley for his extraordinary courage in the assault on Villa Doro. His Brigade also received high honors especially the 13th Light Dragoons, most of them posthumously. The stage was now set for Wellesley's advance into Spain proper as the V Brigade prepared to march to the Guadalquivir to support the main advance. But that is another story.