Rolica 17 August 1808

 This is a battle in the Command & Colors scenario book that I have been wanting to try for several years.  However, a visit by Phil and the fact that Will had deposited his 20mm Anglo/Portuguese army, along with his French for safe keeping presented an opportunity not to be missed.

So, the table was set out as per the scenario we chose sides; I was the Anglo Portuguese while Phil played the French.

Having set out the scenery, this is the table ready for play:

A view across the battlefield, with the French firmly installed upon the long ridge.

As the Allied commander, I thought that this would be quite an easy action.  How wrong I was! My plan was to demonstrate on the French left, with the hop of drawing off reserves from the centre, attack in the centre to pin the French on the ridge and then sweep around the French right flank.  First of all I needed to clear the river and bring my artillery into range.  The British battalions under the command of Wellesley wade across the river and secure the far bank.

Over on the Allied left flank the Fergusson's British move more cautiously, as Phil deploys some light cavalry round the rear of Rolica village.

Meanwhile, Trant's Portuguese, supported by some Cacadores and cavalry advance on to the French left.  the French counter move with some light troops and hussars.

British light infantry hold a wood to secure the crossing, but cannot advance due to the cavalry threat

Over on the Allied right, the French counter attack causing casualties amongst the Cacadores, who are forced into a close combat brawl.

The French Hussars attack and drive off the Portuguese cavalry, while the Portuguese line are pushed back having also suffered casualties.

With the Portuguese attack being largely blunted a second Portuguese line battalion moves up to stabilise the situation.

Although the Allied right flank attack was repelled quite quickly, in the centre the british battalions, having crossed the river, move towards the ridge.  It looks a daunting task.

An over view of the situation at this point.  Allied artillery now has the range of the French on the ridge, as the British attack goes in.

Predictably, the British battalions suffer heavily and pull back, but another battalion moves up in support.

A further British battalion crosses the river on the left, mindful of those pesky French Hussars.

On the Allied left things are more successful.  Led by General Fergusson, a battalion moves around rolica village and begins to climb the ridge, having driven off the French Hussars.

While this is going on Wellesley rallies the British battalions in the centre and moves once more towards the ridge.

battle is joined, with most of the French infantry pushed back.  The sweep around the outnumbered French right forces a general French withdrawal.  

This is a costly win for the Allies with the score being 6 - 5.  The French pull back to a second ridge line as the Allies reorganise for a second attack.

Although the Allies were victorious, this turned out to be a more challenging battle, not helped by some rotten dice rolls by the Allies!