The 2nd Battle of Oporto

For details regarding the scenario, orbats etc. see 'The 2nd Battle of Oporto - An Introduction'. https://grymauch.blogspot.com/2018/11/2nd-battle-of-oporto-introduction.html A note about the figures: You will notice many of the British in particular are in later war uniforms. Over time I will be painting more units specifically for the Peninsular but I decided life was too short to paint a whole load more when I already had a significant number, albeit for Waterloo. Not too obvious in 6mm though.

Foy's Brigade deployed within the eastern half of Oporto. (Western half - off table)

Continued -

The Seminary occupied by the 3rd and 48th Line Battalions. 

Foy observes British troops crossing the Douro and occupying the Seminary. He sends his ADC to alert Soult who mounts up and gallops through the narrow streets. To counter the British, Foy orders his nearest troops, the 3 battalions of the 17th Light infantry and a battery of 6pdr guns, to move on the Seminary.

The 17th Light Infantry and artillery move out of Oporto.

As the French infantry move across open ground towards the Seminary, the British artillery opens fire for the first time. Shot ploughs into the two nearest battalions killing 3 from each and generating morale tests which they both pass.

Skirmishers range out in front of the French lines to screen them from the Seminary. Musket balls strike the walls of the Seminary as the skirmishers fan out towards the garrison but none find their mark.

The 66th Line alight from the wine barges and clamber up the river bank to join their fellow brigade units in the Seminary.

The ADC sent by Foy to alert Soult of the British occupation of the Seminary was immediately successful in waking the French commander who accepted Foy's analysis of the situation. With no movement observed in or around Villa Nova, Soult believed that this was the main attack and not from the west as anticipated. He immediately ordered all French units in Oporto to move out to retake the Seminary and repulse any further British landings.

Here Delaborde with the 86th Line in the foreground and Reynaud's 4th Light Infantry to the right of the photo move through Oporto.

The 3 battalions of the 70th Line of Foy's brigade move out of Oporto to support the 17th Light infantry assaulting the Seminary.

In the meantime the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 17th Light (in middle of photo) are suffering badly from artillery fire and musket fire from the walls of the Seminary. In reply neither the French muskets or artillery have any success on the British with just one casualty suffered. Even worse news for the French, the 1/17th Light falters in the subsequent morale test meaning any assault on the Seminary walls would be delayed.

Cotton, leading 3 regiments of British cavalry arrive to the south east having crossed the Douro further up-river.

More French arrive from the west of the town including Soult himself and their cavalry.

Reynaud with his brigade continues to make progress through Oporto.

As French columns approach the Seminary, the British 66th Line reinforces the Seminary garrison occupying the building. Virtually the whole of Hill's brigade is now within the Seminary.

The deployed foot battery again fires on the Seminary without success. The two battalions of the 17th Light (bottom right) again suffer crippling casualties. The 1st battalion in the lead fails a morale test and will retreat in disorder. The 2nd battalion, now at almost half strength, falters.

Reynaud begins to clear Oporto.

In the foreground, Franceschi leads his cavalry division clear of Oporto and into open ground.

With the French now moving east the Portuguese population of Oporto take the opportunity of rowing the unguarded boats across the Douro for the British to embark. The 2nd Foot Guards with 2 companies of the 60th Rifles and their brigade commander, Campbell, begin embarking.

Murray now arrives following Cotton's Cavalry.

The situation at the Seminary at the end of the turn.

The 2nd Foot Guards along with 2 companies of the 60th Rifles and Gen Campbell alight from their boats and enter Oporto.

Reynaud panics on hearing of British troops landing in Oporto to his rear. He fails his command test and holds his current position although he wisely turns 3 of his battalions to face any threat to his rear.

On the extreme right in the photo, the two battalions of the 17th Light have yet again come under murderous fire from the British artillery on the opposite bank of the Douro. The 2nd battalion falls beneath 50% strength and disperses from the field. The 1st battalion failed to rally and continues to retreat.

Cotton deploys his cavalry into line with Murray moving up behind him.

Franceschi advances with his cavalry division around the flank of the advancing infantry.

At this stage Soult is still not aware of the threat to his rear although reports are starting to reach him of a British landing in Oporto. He is intent on capturing the Seminary and driving away Cotton and Murray. Here the French sweep around the north of Foy's brigade preparatory to a planned assault on the Seminary.

Reynaud, having sprung to life, now goes into full-on panic mode and orders his brigade to retire into Oporto! His divisional commander, Merle, is incensed and sends an order to move out of Oporto immediately.

To add to Reynaud's woes, the 3rd Foot Guards and the first battalion of Sontag's brigade embark on the boats to be transported into Oporto.

An overview of the battlefield at the end of Turn 6

The next turn sees the 3rd Foot Guards and Sontag land in Oporto.

Cameron's Brigade embarks on wine barges to be transported to the Seminary.

Foy makes his move and orders his columns to assault the Seminary. As they approach they come under sustained fire from behind the walls but they hold their nerve.

Reynaud gets the message and begins moving his brigade out of Oporto to be met with artillery fire causing casualties to two of his battalions.

As Cotton's light dragoons move towards the French..... 

The Brigade General, Girardin, allows his enthusiasm to get the better of him and he orders the Hanoverian Chasseurs into a rash charge towards the smaller formation of the 20th Light Dragoons. The charge takes him across the face of the much larger 16th Light Dragoons who order an 'opportunity charge'. The Hanoverians successfully counter charge lead by Girardin.

It could have been worse, but the Hanoverians, despite being outnumbered 2:1, only suffer a push back. The weight of numbers tells though and they suffer 6 casualties out of 16 in the unit. The 16th Light Dragoons will maintain the British cavalry reputation of indisciplined pursuits!

Foy launches his attack on the Seminary with 3 battalion columns making the charge. Fire from the Seminary and a newly deployed battalion to it's east, cuts down many of the French infantry. None succeed in making contact with one battalion making an uncontrolled retreat.

The 2nd Foot Guards charges Reynaud's rearguard in Oporto overwhelming the first battalion it meets and causing it to rout.

The 3rd Foot Guards with the first of Sontag's brigade advance into Oporto.

Overview towards Oporto.

French cavalry division manoeuvres to counter the British Light Dragoons. 

Murray's brigade deploys into line.

 More of Cameron's brigade lands to support the Seminary Garrison.

An overview at the end of Turn 8.

The 16th Light Dragoons pursued the Hanoverian Chasseurs but failed to maintain contact although Girardin was pushing his luck! The ended up as an unformed rabble in a field.

The French horse artillery battery took full advantage, unlimbering before firing off a salvo of canister. 2 more light dragoons were cut down.

The British had the initiative and a failure of French command tests put them firmly in the driving seat. The 20th Light Dragoons charged the French 8th Dragoons who counter-charged. The inferior mounts of the French cavalry cancelled out their weight advantage but they gained by outnumbering the British by 50%. A disastrous die roll by the British (double 1) meant defeat was inevitable. They were lucky to avoid a rout result but would retreat in the next turn. The French Dragoons would not pursue but were unformed.

Foy was the only French commander to be active this turn and he launched his columns at the Seminary again. This time two battalion columns succeeded in striking home. One column defeated the 3rd Line who were pushed back. The second column nearest the camera were heavily defeated and would now retreat.

Just off camera to the right the massed British batteries fired again. At last some luck for the French. One battery ran low on ammo and the other 3 only succeeded in causing one casualty among the massed French columns moving out of Oporto.

Overview turn 10 with Reynaud's brigade finally exiting Oporto.

The action around the Seminary hots up with two battalions of the French 70th Line forcing their way into the compound. A desperate fight ensues with the 3rd and 48th Line battalions fairly evenly matched.

The 16th Light Dragoons are yet to form up when they are charged by the 22nd Chasseurs. They stand to receive the charge. In the ensuing melee, they outfight the Chasseurs and push them back. Once again they enter into an uncontrolled pursuit!

The 14th Light Dragoons charge the French 8th Dragoons with the single squadron of 3rd Light Dragoons charging into their flank as they counter-charge. Another victory for the British who resoundingly rout the Dragoons. No pursuit this time with the 14th unformed and the 3rd with horses blown.

Murray's Brigade is very trusting in the British cavalry protecting them from their French counter-parts as they advance in line.

An overview of turn 11.

The melee in the Seminary compound takes a dramatic turn for the worst for the French. It was looking so promising before the 2 British battalions emphatically eject the 2 French battalions from the Compound. One battalion is routed with heavy casualties and the second retreats. Foy's brigade subsequently fails the Brigade test meaning both these battalions disperse. His one remaining battalion, the 3/17th Light, will retire 18cms in the next turn.

Reynaud's brigade makes steady progress along the road with its rearmost battalions at last putting some distance away from the advancing British. Helped by the fact that Campbell fails a command test with the Guards brigade halted in Oporto.

The 16th Light Dragoons is again outpaced by French cavalry and lose contact. They end their turn unformed as does the 22nd Chasseurs who are now joined by their Divisional commander, Franceschi.

Debelle takes it upon himself to launch an attack with the 1st Hussars. He initially charges the unformed 14th Light Dragoons who retreat prior to contact (extreme left in photo), The 1st Hussars continue their charge towards the squadron of 3rd Light Dragoons who also retreats (middle top behind infantry). They now see a juicy target in the form of the 7th KGL Line in line formation but unformed by the 3rd Light Dragoons passing through them.

The KGL fires off a ragged volley of musketry failing to score any hits. As the 1st Hussars pound towards them the fall back in an uncontrolled retreat. This morale failure saved them as the Hussars had reached the limit of their charge move. 

Murray's Brigade links up with Cameron's near the Seminary.

Sontag leads his brigade out of the northern suburbs of Oporto.

The French position in turn 12. They are now making good progress towards their escape route.

Reynaud is feeling increasingly confident as more of his brigade forms up on the road towards safety.

Murray at last orders his brigade to form squares. The French 1st Hussars again charge the 3rd Light Dragoons who retreats beyond their reach. The 1st Hussars, while proving to be a threat to Murray, are themselves in danger with the 14th Light Dragoons now reformed (bottom left).

Both the 16th Light Dragoons and the 22nd Chasseurs reform. Cotton rushes to join the 16th.

Overview turn 13 with the French struggling to make much headway along their escape route. A bottleneck threatens.

A crucial factor for both sides is winning the cavalry tussle. Here the 16th Light Dragoons in the centre are paying the price for their rashness getting caught between two French charges. As the Hanoverian Chasseurs pile into their rear the result was inevitable. They are routed with heavy losses and both Chasseur units receive a 'superb discipline' result in their pursuit test.

The 14th Light Dragoons aim to clear the French cavalry away from Murray's battalions. They start their charge towards the 1st Hussars.

Disaster strikes. They halt in their test to charge home giving the French 1st Hussars advantage as they charge to contact. The British dragoons retreat with the French maintaining 'superb discipline'.

The Guards Brigade momentarily halts as they leave Oporto (middle of photo) giving Reynaud a chance to open up the gap between them. The French foot artillery (middle left) come under very accurate skirmish fire as they limber up. The are reduced to half strength causing them to disperse.

Tension builds for the French as they start to become congested on the main road out.

The 1st Hussars charge into the retreating 14th Light Dragoons as a result of which they will continue to retreat having suffered further losses. To the right, the routing 16th Light Dragoons are pursued by French Chasseurs who fail to maintain contact.

With the French escape looking inevitable, events took a turn for the worse for them. Confusion reigns among the French columns (Reynaud failed a command test) allowing the Guards to close in on them. At the bottom of the photo, Sontag's brigade begins to outflank them. Skirmishers from both sides trade off casualties.

Seeing his opportunity, Campbell launches the 3rd Foot Guards at the rear of the French column (middle right). 2 French battalions in succession retreat prior to contact disordering battalions ahead of them. 

Just a couple of turns earlier it looked so promising for the French. Chaos starts to break out as battalions push and shove to get onto the firmer road towards safety. A foot battery is unable to fire as battalion columns swirl around them. 

Murray's and Cameron's brigades move in attack columns towards the mass of French with only skirmishers between them.

The 14th Light Dragoons is finally driven from the field by the 1st Hussars. Both units are now out of the action but the 14th Light are classed as dispersed whereas the 1st Hussars will count towards the units in command victory calculation at the end of the game.

 As yet more British reinforcements emerge from Oporto -

Sir Arthur is transported to the north bank of the Douro. 

An overview at the end of turn 16 highlighting the precarious position of the French.

At the start of Turn 17, Soult throws everything into getting his column moving to clear the battlefield. In the command phase Reynaud is given 2 command dice to reduce the chances of him failing another command test. 

As a reminder, my command and control system is a derivative of Grande Armee. Up to 2 command dice can be allocated to a Brigade C/O from his divisional commander depending on how far away he is. Those command dice are added to the base 2 he automatically receives. So Reynaud gets to roll 4 dice and can pick any two to score more than 6 for activation. All 4 dice are rolled and all are 1 - 3! Another failure of command.

This has serious consequences. The British 3rd Foot Guards (middle of photo) once again launches a charge intending to replicate it's previous success. It contacts the rear of the 3/4th Light from Reynaud's brigade. The melee is very one-sided with the French battalion dispersing having suffered heavy casualties.

Murray's and Cameron's brigades approach the mass of French troops who are desperately trying to return to some order.

The demise of the 3/4th Light infantry has a dramatic effect on Reynaud's Brigade. Several battalions fail morale tests and either retreat or rout. This generates a brigade morale test which fails. Reynaud's brigade is now broken and all units will have to retire 18cms in the next turn. Any units routing or retreating disperse. As a consequence 3 battalions disperse bringing total losses for the French army to 50%. 

This now means that Soult will have to extract all surviving units in good order from the battlefield to have any measure of success. There is a glimmer of home in that the survivors of Reynaud's brigade will put some distance between themselves and the pursuing British battalions. 

The two weakened Chasseur regiments now prepared to deal with the 16th Light Dragoons who had reformed from rout.

To add to the French problems, more British battalions pour out of Oporto.

In turn 18, Murray's and Cameron's brigades make their move to take out the surviving French units. The 9th Line (middle of photo) from Cameron's brigade charge the 2/86th Line of Delaborde's brigade. It retreats prior to contact interpenetrating a foot artillery battery to their rear. The 9th Line continue their charge into the unformed artillery battery. The outcome was inevitable with the artillery crews dispersing having suffered significant casualties.

The charge of the 9th Line from a different angle and an overview of the hopeless French position.

With the loss of the artillery battery, total French losses exceeded 50%. It was now a total victory for the Anglo-Portuguese forces.

The final scene of British reinforcements.

Out of interest, I conducted the final cavalry action. The British won the initiative and charged the 22nd Chasseurs on the left. The Chasseurs counter-charged but were hopelessly outnumbered. They managed to fight the melee to a draw but suffered casualties taking them past 50%. This lead to them dispersing. So another loss to the French!

Overview of the battlefield at the end.

This was a fascinating battle to fight which could have gone either way. The French nearly captured the Seminary although they would have had to defeat the battalion situated in the Seminary building which would not have been easy. 

At one point I did think the French were going to easily escape with the British struggling to clear Oporto. The British cavalry had been heavily defeated and thus removing a potential obstacle. It seemed all too easy for the French and I was beginning to wonder if I had made it just a little too easy for them. With the victorious French cavalry pinning Murray and Cameron's brigades it was just a simple matter of forming up on the road and marching off!

Then Reynaud suffered a couple of command failures in a row just at the point where Delaborde's and Foy's brigades were heading to make their escape. Chaos ensued as the Guards brigade rapidly closed the gap. The French had not formed a rearguard believing it would have caused unnecessary delay!

It all fell apart rapidly for the French which included the 16th Light Dragoons rallying from rout and thus cancelling out the French mounted advantage on that flank. The end came surprisingly quickly.

Skirmishers - Overall it worked reasonably well demonstrating the value of a screen. I am not sure how practical it would be for a larger battle in this scale as it does slow up the proceedings a little. I will give it some thought for the next time.

NEXT: Battle of Talavera