Nap Campaign: Battle of Loverna. 18th April 1808. Introduction

 

Refer back to the map moves post for the lead up to this action. An Anglo/Portuguese/Spanish army under the command of Wellington pursues Soult with the French Army of the South deeper into France. Soult received an unexpected reinforcement with the arrival of a Confederation of the Rhine Division. Other reinforcements have trickled into his units and has elected to make a stand rather than cede any more territory near the village of Loverna.

You will notice a change to the numbers of figures from the map moves post. This is partly a change to adjust to Black Powder rules and also reinforcements have arrived. 

Continued -

Table Size = 7'6" x 4'6"

Figures = Baccus 6mm

    Rules = Black Powder 2

Start Time 0900 hours = 24 turns

The Battlefield

The square numbers are top 8A6 - 7. Middle 8A11 - 12. Bottom 8A16 - 17.

8A6 – Broken rocky terrain, river deep.

8A7 – Firm grazing land, farm, fences, river deep.

8A11 – Barren rocky district. Village of Loverna.

8A12 – Broken terrain, 2 cottages, river deep.

8A16 - Firm grazing land, farm, hedgerows, fences, river deep.

8A17 – Firm parkland, palatial mansion house, river deep.

Orders of Battle

For clarity, green symbols are Portuguese and brown Spanish.

A tour of the battlefield starting with the French left flank. The small 21st Division is tasked with holding the bridge preventing the allies from circling the French force from the east. A secondary role is supporting troops from the 20th Division occupying the mansion and surrounding parkland.

A building looking suspiciously like the Gettysburg Seminary is standing in for a large mansion. Battalions from the 20th Division occupy the building itself and the surrounding area.

The 22nd Division supported by the 5th Cavalry Division are deployed to the north of the mansion.

The 12th and 13th Divisions of the 4th Corps occupy the centre and right flank.

Looking across the French centre towards their rear. The 14th Division and 2nd Cavalry Corps begin moving out to cover the mostly open ground to the French right.

Looking now from the allied position, the British occupy the centre with the Spanish the right flank.

Here the centre of the Spanish position with the 5th Division supported by the 4th Division.

Another view of the Spanish. the Vanguard supported by the 2nd Division with their cavalry to the rear. 

The British contingent in front of the village of Loverna.

The Portuguese 1st Division occupying the left flank supported by the British 4th Cavalry Brigade.

Collins' independent Portuguese 4th Brigade supported by the Portuguese Dragoons in march column along the road ordered to make for the river crossing to the north.