Bussaco 1810 (Ney's assault)

Played at the Sheffield Club on 5 September, this Command & Colours scenario was based on Ney's assault on the British right.  My Hexon tiles played host to 15mm toys - mostly mine but with Portuguese and Grenadier Guards from John's collection.  The former were only bought at Triples this year and were by far the most expensive figures on the table (the others were very cheap!), so what could go wrong? 

John led the Anglo-Portuguese forces while Martin fully expected to preside over a French defeat.

The action opened with Marchand's troops rushing to occupy the village of Cerquedo on the French left.

An overview of the setup - seen from the French left/Allied right.

Cerquedo was soon under attack from the Allies (including the Guards) and some interesting cards and dice meant that the streets were soon piled high with dead.

After suffering 60% casualties the Guards prevailed.  But for how long?

Oh, not that long then.  The French gunners were in line for a bonus.

In the centre, British and Portuguese lights engaged the French with long range musketry.

The centre soon came under pressure from a French advance.

By special request I photographed the Portuguese light battalion - who were doing awfully well.

Soon a French light battalion was using the Portuguese for bayonet practice.

This opened things up considerably.

The British (heavy) cavalry made a dramatic charge on the French artillery.

Despite casualties, there were plenty of French battalions left - here they are moving forward in the centre.

The dramatic French assault soon carried off another British unit - seizing a narrow and hard won victory.