The Battle of Vimeiro 21 Aug 1808

Fairly soon I intend to game the Battle of Oporto in my Peninsular War project. This project involves fighting the battles of the Peninsular in chronological order. Initially this will be the battles involving the British forces but in time I intend to add those fought by the Spanish.

For the sake of completeness, I am posting this After Action Report on the Battle of Vimeiro which I played 3 years ago! I had not realised it was so long. This was played solo in my garage before moving to my now permanent wargames room in the house. Lighting was poor so some of the photos are not as clear as I would have liked. I had less 6mm terrain than I have now, particularly with regard to hills. I made do with my existing collection which were designed more for 15mm + figures.

I kept few notes so the detail will be less than usual but I will hopefully be able to convey the progress of the battle that will enable the reader to understand and enjoy the action on the tabletop.

THE BATTLE OF VIMEIRO

21st August 1808

Rules = General de Brigade
Scale = 6mm

Figures = Baccus

Table size = 6'9" x 4'6" 

Continued -

ORBATS:

Overview at the start.

Vimeiro garrisoned by Anstruther's Brigade.

British left flank near Ventosa Farm

On the French right, Solignac comes under fire from a British artillery battery with minimal effect.

Fane's Brigade, holding the high ground in front of Vimeiro, opens fire on Charlot's (nearest camera) and Thomieres' Brigades. Kellerman's reserve Grenadiers move up to support the assault on Fane.

An overview of the moves so far. At the top of the photo, Brennier and Solignac's Brigades make steady progress towards Ventosa Farm. Opposing them the 3 British Brigades of Nightingall, Ferguson and Bowes make slow progress climbing the high ground. In the right centre of the photo near the hamlet of Toledo, Margaron moves his cavalry forward screening the flank of the French infantry attack on the British right.

A closer view of movements near to Ventosa Farm.

Fane managed to see off the initial attacks of Charlot and Thomieres but were beaten back by the arrival of Kellerman and the Grenadiers. The British artillery battery routed leaving their guns behind. The 60th Rifles however, refused to budge and occupied one end of the hill. Margaron's cavalry charged towards them forcing them into square.

To the right of Vimeiro, Hill's Brigade moves up to reinforce Fane.

The French seek to expel the British from the high ground around Ventosa Farm.

Fane desperately clings on to the high ground as Kellerman's Grenadiers launch repeated attacks.

Firefights erupts across the British left flank as both sides seek to gain upper hand. The French need to clear the area of British troops before reinforcements arrive.

With Fane now expelled from the hill (apart from the 60th Rifles who refuse to be budged!), Hill's Brigade deploy to Fane's rear. One battalion moves to threaten the French flank.

With the Grenadiers now attacking the perimeter of Vimeiro, Thomieres seeks to remove the 60th Rifles from the hilltop (middle left of photo).

With Brennier's Brigade now fully engaged around Ventosa Farm, a threat emerges on their right flank as Craufurd's Brigade arrives (top left of photo).

French Grenadiers attack Vimeiro.

The scene within Vimeiro.

With Craufurd's arrival the situation for the French right flank looks increasingly precarious.

The 60th Rifles have finally been cleared from the hill and French attention is now firmly on Vimeiro. Margaron's cavalry moves forward to support (upper middle of photo).

Kellerman's Grenadiers capture the perimeter of Vimeiro and prepare to assault the village centre.

An overview of the battlefield at this stage show the arrival of Trant's Portuguese Brigade at top of photo. With the French now hopelessly outnumbered on their right they must capture Vimeiro soon to have any chance of winning the battle.

A closer view of Trant's arrival (top left). The shrinking French line attempt to defend their ground.

The French defending Ventosa Farm struggle to hold on.

With the remnants of Thomieres' Brigade throwing themselves at Vimeiro's defenders it becomes increasingly apparent that the French simply do not have enough manpower to capture the village.

The French right flank finally breaks and routs from the field.

A final French cavalry charge has success and drives back the Anglo-Portuguese cavalry.

The French cavalry success was all too late. With the right flank routed, Junot ordered a general retreat.

This is an exceptionally hard battle for the French to win. They must comprehensively defeat the initial British dispositions before reinforcements arrive to have any chance of success.