Nap Campaign: Battle of Tremleurr. 18th April 1808. - Introduction

 

A reminder of the situation leading up to this battle. This is the night of the 17th April and will only broadly reflect where the troops will be positioned the following morning within their respective part of the battlefield.

The numbers shown have changed slightly due to the change to Black Powder rules. Red 4 is Blantyre's Brigade along with the 2nd KGL Light Dragoons who will march to the sound of the guns during the morning of the 18th.

Continued -

Table Size = 6'9" x 4'6"

Figures = Baccus 6mm

    Rules = Black Powder 2

Start Time 0900 hours = 32 turns

The Battlefield

The square numbers are top 14A9 - 10. Middle 14A14 - 15. Bottom 14A19 - 20.

14A9 – Firm grazing land, hedgerows, Farm, river deep.

14A10 – Soft cultivated land, Fences, Farm. Impenetrable swamp to the north.

14A14 – Open terrain, river deep, rough roads, stone bridge.

14A15 – Firm grazing land, fences, farm.

14A19 - Firm grazing land, fences.

14A20 – Soft cultivated land, fences.

Orders of Battle

Those familiar with my orders of battle from previous games will recognise these which are modified versions. I have left space next to each unit for any notes to be made. e.g. those that have been shaken or broken which will affect casualty figures.

The single letter column refers to the size of the unit with 'R' representing 'Standard' and the number the number of cannon models. I have retained the number of figures purely for my reference. The square box in various unit stats represents 'First Fire' and will be ticked off when utilised.

The square boxes in the Corps commander stats refers to the number of re-rolls each Corps Commander is allowed. ADC's can be despatched by Army Commanders to improve brigade or division command rolls as per the rules.

A note on unit sizes. All figure bases contain 6 infantry or 3 cavalry figures. I have settled on:

Infantry - Small = 4 bases, Standard = 6, Large = 8.

Cavalry - (each unit 2 bases deep) Small = 6, Standard = 8, Large = 10.

A reminder that an infantry base has a frontage of 15mm and cavalry 20mm

Artillery are 2 per battery and 1 per 1/2 battery or battalion gun.  

Many battalions have suffered heavily from attrition leading to amalgamation with other units. For the French, their 2nd and 3rd Divisions were no longer viable as divisions in their own right and therefore the latter was scrapped with its surviving troops, now a single brigade, transferred to the 2nd Division. Many other brigades are struggling with fewer amalgamated battalions. 

The Dutch and Hanoverians, who have been in action since the beginning, are similarly struggling.

A photo tour around the battlefield beginning with the Brunswickers on the allied right flank.

Next to the Brunswickers are the Dutch/Belgians with their cavalry to the rear.

A view of the Dutch and Brunswickers from the French position.

The view towards the north of the allied line. The 3rd Division occupying the centre to the left.

Supporting the 3rd Division are the two British heavy cavalry brigades. To the rear are the combined 1st and 2nd Life Guards of the Household Brigade. More regiments are en-route from Britain.

The Anglo/Hanoverian 1st Division occupies the allied left flank. Here the Guards Brigade lines a hedgerow with Dornberg's light cavalry to the rear.

Hanoverians occupy the most northerly allied position.

The now legendary Hanoverian Brigade commanded by Best is positioned on the extreme left.

Turning now to the French. The Young Guard and Guard light cavalry are in the centre of the photo with a large cavalry presence on the far left flank.

The entire 4th Cavalry Corps now much depleted.

In the French centre, the 2nd Division deploys across the front with the 7th Division in reserve to the rear.

The 4th Division making use of as much cover as possible supported by the 1st Cavalry Division.