Nap Campaign: 2nd Battle of Youngsport - Part 1 of 5 Introduction

This first part will cover the initial deployments of both sides before battle is joined.

Firstly a reminder of the circumstances leading to this battle:

Marshall Soult (blue 5) with the French Army of the South has advanced into Portugal with the aim of driving the British back to their ships and capturing the Portuguese capital of Youngsport (beneath the cluster of tiles topped by red N11). This is the main disembarkation port for the British in supporting Portugal. 

Wellington with an Anglo-Portuguese force (red 10 and brown 1) have deployed across high ground blocking Soult's route of march. 

A significant British transport fleet has docked but there is insufficient time for their embarked troops to take part in the battle. Morillo with his small Spanish army (grey 1) is likewise too far away to arrive in time. Only Picton with the 92nd Highlanders will arrive in the early afternoon during the action.

The scene is set for a rerun of the earlier battle where Lobau and the 6th Corps failed to break through to Youngsport.

Continued -

2nd Battle of Youngsport

Table Size = 6' x 3'9"

Figures = Baccus 6mm

Rules = General de Brigade

Start time 1300 hours = 16 turns

The Battlefield

Terrain:

15A5 - Firm grazing land

15A10 - Flat firm grazing land

15A5 - Flat soft ground

21A11 - Pebble beach, rough terrain (good going but steep slopes). Farm (cap 50), Cottage (cap 12).

21A6 - Rough terrain (good going but steep slopes). Farm (cap 50), Cottage (cap 12). River deep (impassable)

21A1 - Rough rocky terrain (severe terrain on hills but otherwise difficult). River deep (impassable).

ORDER OF BATTLE

Initial Dispositions

The battlefield is a direct copy of the earlier Battle of Youngsport (you will find it under the Napoleonic Campaign battles label). The quality of my trees have improved since then but the main additions are the redoubts. Not quite the lines of Torres Vedras but Wellington ordered defences to be built to hopefully even up the odds somewhat.

From the French position looking south east. I rolled a dice for the French deployment which is a rarity for me. I normally place the figures in what looks right for the objective in hand.

Here the French have 4 infantry and 3 cavalry divisions. The dice roll was to determine which sector of the battlefield was to be the main direction of attack. This resulted in the French right being the focus. A further dice roll determined which divisions from the 4th Corps would be concentrated on that flank. The result as in the photo above. The 13th and 14th divisions will be supported by the 2nd Cavalry Corps. 

The 12th Division supported by a cavalry brigade form the centre with the 19th Division from the 6th Corps, also supported by a cavalry brigade, are situated on the left flank.

Another angle looking south west with Simmer's 19th Division in the foreground.

British left flank with Vivian's cavalry brigade to the left and Ashworth's Portuguese brigade at the top.

Another view of the same flank.

The British centre. Middle left are Fane's brigade and Doyle's Portuguese brigade in column formations. They are ready to be deployed where most needed. Wellington's army would be stretched thin had he spread them across his entire front leaving them vulnerable to any concentration of French forces. Hence significant reserves to hopefully counter such concentrations.

Another view of the British centre. Whinyates rocket battery is sited in the redoubt!

Powers' Portuguese brigade holds the right flank.

Now for a closer look at the French deployment.

Simmer's 19th Division from Lobau's 6th Corps forms the left flank supported by the Corps reserve artillery and Vinot's Dragoon brigade.

View of the British lines from Simmer's position. 

The 12th Division occupies the centre supported by Vallin's light cavalry brigade.

The view from the French centre. All British and Portuguese infantry and cavalry are positioned out of view behind high ground or on reverse slopes. Only artillery occupies the redoubts.

The French right flank from the Portuguese position sited opposite.

The 13th and 14th Divisions supported by the 2nd Cavalry Corps (all dragoon regiments) will be the main hope of French victory. Unfortunately for the British, this just happens to be their most vulnerable flank. Also, once beyond the redoubts. the only significant ground suitable for cavalry. 

The view from the French right. 

The French plan a right hook overwhelming the British and Portuguese left flank before rolling up the rest of their force. The 12th and 19th Divisions will bring as much pressure to bear as they are able on the British centre and right flanks, breaking through where possible but otherwise keeping them occupied until their inevitable defeat.