Battle of Britain - Scenario 6 - July 1st 1940 – Bomb the Luftwaffe

This is the sixth scenario in a Battle of Britain campaign that follows the exploits of the fictitious Country of Dampshire 369 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force. We use the Wings of Glory WW2 rules, slightly modified to give faster play, together with our own set of campaign rules. We use the Wings of Glory planes where the right model is available, other manufactures are used to fill in the gaps.

The Background

Blenheim bomber squadrons operated throughout the Battle of Britain, often taking heavy casualties, although they were never accorded the publicity of the fighter squadrons.

During the weeks between Dynamo and the Kanalkampf there were more British bombers over the continent than there were Luftwaffe bomber over England.

Bombers raided German airfields in occupied France throughout June to December 1940, both during daylight hours and at night. On 1 August 1940, 12 Blenheims were sent to attack Haamstede and Evere, destroying or heavily damaging three Bf 109s on the ground while two more Bf 109’s were claimed by Blenheim gunners.

The Action

Pilot Officers Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh (having returned from Calais in an RNR motor launch a few days earlier) and Pilot Officer Sir Price were both sitting in the dispersal hut reading old newspapers when they saw two brand new Bristol Blenheim Mk IVs land. “It’s a much better model than the old Mk I” said Cholmondeley, “something dicey must be afoot”.

Very soon after he was proved right, he and Sir Price were called to the briefing room where they saw the Squadron Intelligence Officer Squadron Leader Foxy Moron talking with the bomber pilots; ”Banger” Walls and Brett Sinclair.

Foxy explained the plan. “You will take off before dawn and escort these chappies over the channel where they will bomb the Krauts while they are still eating breakfast. Shake them up and then back here in time for a pint of Guinness for lunch”. “We’ve got two new Hurricane Mk II’s” said Foxy “and they have armour behind the pilot’s seat, not that you’ll need it old boys, but you might as well take them out for a spin”.

Early the next morning, the pilots were woken up with a mug of sweet strong tea. They rushed to the mess for quick breakfast of toast, bacon and eggs only to find out that someone had eaten all the bacon.

Climbing into the still dark sky, all Sir Price could think about was the bacon. Who had eaten it? Was it those dastardly fitters living in the bell tents or could it have been Foxy’s troublesome dog?

They crossed the channel at wave level and climbed slightly when they reached the French coast to give the bombers a good run it at the airfield. Flying eastwards into the now rising sun was not good for spotting, but soon Banger swore into the radio “Shit, there’s a couple of Huns up there in the sun”.

The 109s made a head-on pass at the bombers, hoping to make them break formation. Once through they turned around hoping to get on the bombers' tail. This tactic took Cholmondeley and Sir Price by surprise.

Sir Price's opening moves in this duel were poorly thought out. First he turned in front of the 109s and then when he had a chance to tail he turned in the wrong direction. Was he still dreaming about the bacon or had his rudder jammed.

The bombers droned on towards the target airfield, now coming under fire from the airfields Flak defenses. A swirling dogfight then occurred with the fighters. Adolf Halland shot down Cholmondeley but when doing so he was so concentrated on his target that he was jumped by Sir Price. Halland was wounded and his engine started leaking glycol. Deciding he was done for the day, he dived out of the fight without Sir Price being able to follow.

Brett Sinclair had trouble finding the target but was saved from disaster by is bomb aimer quickly explaining the difference between starboard and port. Brett managed a near miss on the hangers, which started fires and caused damage. Banger scored a direct hit on the operations block, which had previously been a girls' school.

Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen had damaged both Blenheims and wounded Banger's rear-gunner, but had himself taken severe damage from the crossfire he had been forced to endure. Like Halland, even Sepp dived out of the fight.

The bombers again came under fire from the airfield defence Flak. Sir Price strafed the Flak but it continued to fire. When the bombers passed over the Flak, they both fired at it causing the Flak gunners to dive for cover and stop shooting.

Banger sped for home and landed well before Brett. In addition to a direct hit with his bombload, he also claimed the kill of the anti-aircraft gun. When he noticed Brett coming in for a landing, he shouted "To celebrate, the drinks are on me in the Mess". Brett's landing when unnoticed, there was noone there to greet him.

Result

British Victory - by 3 VP to 2 VP

• Pilot Officer Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh: shot-down but managed to glide over the channel and land on the shore in Kent.
• Pilot Officer John ”Banger” Walls: Direct hit on buildings. Claimed one AA-gun.
• Pilot Officer Brett Sinclair: Near miss on hangers
• Leutnant Adolf Halland: 1 kill, Wounded.

Notes

Previously we had being flying the Blenheims on Ju87 stands, but now I have made a new prototype stand for them out of plasticard. The stand is the same size as that used for the Messerschmitt Bf 110, twice as wide as the normal stand, making them bigger targets than single-engine planes.

Battle of Britain - Scenario 5 - May 31st 1940 – Dynamo, The Great Evacuation

This is the fifth scenario in a Battle of Britain campaign that follows the exploits of the fictitious Country of Dampshire 369 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force. We use the Wings of Glory WW2 rules, slightly modified to give faster play, together with our own set of campaign rules. We use the Wings of Glory planes where the right model is available, other manufactures are used to fill in the gaps.

The Background

All British eyes by now were focused on Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo. The great evacuation was reaching its peak. Initially it was hoped to rescue 50,000 troops but contrary to expectations up to 40,000 troops a day were being taken off. However, the waiting men, standing in long queues on the beaches, were having a very trying time. There can be few worse experiences than standing in disciplined lines for hours on end while being strafed and bombed.

Unhappily, whilst the RAF was flying hundreds of missions – in total 2,739 fighter sorties were flown over Dunkirk – their impact was little felt by the troops on the beaches. This was partly because of the altitude of the missions and partly because the RAF was attacking the German bombers before they reached the beaches.

The Luftwaffe had had it very easy fighting out-of-date and ineffective air forces, but Dunkirk came as a bit of a shock when the now came into contact with aggressive pilots in modern airplanes.

The Action

The BEF was retreating to Dunkirk and being evacuated from the beaches. No. 369 Squadron was tasked with putting a standing patrol over Dunkirk to protect the retreating army and the troops on the beach. Flying Officer William ”Half Pint” Carruthers and Pilot Officer Sir Price took the first patrol in their Spitfire Mk Is.

Hermann Göring had promised the Führer that he would destroy the BEF encircled at Dunkirk, while the Panzer armies rested. The Luftwaffe pulled out all the stops, Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen and Leutnant Adolf Halland were in the vanguard in their Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3s.

Schlangenaugen spotted a BEF convoy just outside of Dunkirk and both 109s dived towards them. The Spitfires, high up, spotted the Germans down below.

The cannon and machine-guns of the 109s devastated the lorries before the Spitfires could come to their rescue. Half Pint and Sir Price then dived down towards the Germans and a dogfight ensued.

The two 109s made quick work of both Spitfires. Luckily they were still over BEF-held territory and could parachute to safety.

While hanging from his parachute, Half Pint decided he must have a serious chat with his fitter; Leading Aircraftman Walker. "It couldn't have been my own fault that I got shot down", thought Half Pint as he dangled in midair, "It must have been something that the useless Walker forgot to do".

Both Messerschmitts returned safely. Schlangenaugen and Halland celebrated their kills by each drinking a bottle of captured Champagne.

Result

German Victory - by 29 VP to 0 VP

• Pilot Officer Sir Price: shot down - straight back to England on the next boat.
• Flying Officer William ”Half Pint” Carruthers: shot down - straight back to England on the next boat.
• Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen: 1 kill
• Leutnant Adolf Halland: 1 kill

Battle of Britain - Scenario 4 - May 23rd 1940 – Bf 109 vs Spitfire

This is the fourth scenario in a Battle of Britain campaign that follows the exploits of the fictitious Country of Dampshire 369 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force. We use the Wings of Glory WW2 rules, slightly modified to give faster play, together with our own set of campaign rules. We use the Wings of Glory planes where the right model is available, other manufactures are used to fill in the gaps.

The Background

Om 23rd May 1940 the first documented dogfight between a Bf 109 and a Spitfire occurred. Squadron Leader F. L. White commanding No. 74 Squadron had engine trouble and was forced to land at a French aerodrome near Calais in the path of the advancing panzers.

Squadron Leader "The Prof" Leathart commanding No. 54 Squadron took the squadron’s bright orange Miles Magister trainer, escorted by two spitfires, and went to rescue White.

Leathart found White hiding in a ditch avoiding the German tanks, picked him up, and headed home at 6ft above the Channel.

The escorting Spitfires were in combats with Messerschmitt 109s resulting in three confirmed 109s killed for no Spitfire losses. Reporting on the battle, Al Deere (one of the Spitfire pilots), stated that the 109 climbed better than the Spitfire but the Spitfire could out-turn the 109.

Shortly afterwards, King George VI visited the Spitfire Wing at Hornchurch and presented Leathart with a DSO for pulling off the remarkable rescue. By which time Deere had 5 kills and the King presented him with his first DFC.

The Action

News reached the 369 Squadron officers' mess, that the intellegence officer Squadron Leader Foxy Moron was stranded in France at an old French aerodrome which was unfortunately in the path of the German panzers.

Flying Officer William ”Half Pint” Carruthers jumped up, spilling most of his whisky, and declared “Foxy's a good chappie, I will go and get him in the Maggie”. Pilot Officers Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh & Emmett Hollingberry immediately offered to fly escort in their Spitfire Mk Is. With the Miles M.14 Magister in the lead and the two Spits forming the ”Vic” they left for France.

Half Pint landed at the aerodrome while the Spits circled providing cover. Foxy was found sitting in the aerodrome bar, with a large glass of Pastis in his hand. Half Pint could only persuade him to leave his drink, by grabbing two full bottles from the bar and promising a new drink in the Mess at home. Foxy picked up his two large hold-alls and followed Half Pint out to the Maggie.

They took off and headed towards the channel with the two Spits patrolling ahead.

Two Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3s (Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen and Leutnant Adolf Halland) were performing a sweep looking for targets of opportunity. They saw the Spitfires and headed directly towards the first flown by Featherstonehaugh. Hollingberry being too far behind to offer support.

The canon fire at close range was devastating and Featherstonehaugh's Spit was riddled with holes and he had to bale out to save himself as it hurtled towards the ground.

A swirling dogfight then occurred, with Half Pint in the unarmed Maggie trying to avoid the 109s while creeping towards the coastline in is slow plane. Hollingberry tried hard to distract the Huns. Half Pint was lucky and managed to dodge most of the fire from the 109s.

As the Maggie crossed the coastline and headed out over the channel, the German pilots decided that the Spitfire was a more honourable target and turned their attention to Hollingberry.

The two 109s made quick work of the already damaged Spitfire and Hollingberry had no choice but to bale out as his engine gave up and the plane dived towards the ground.

Featherstonehaugh parachuted safely and was spotted by a BEF dispatch rider who gave him a lift to Calais where an RNR motor launch gave him a ride back across the channel. He was back home in time to enjoy a slap-up breakfast.

Hollingberry hit his head when he baled out and landed in a field full of Germans. He was captured. The Germans were in a hurry to reach the channel coast, and during a moments inattention, Hollingberry slipped away. He was helped by the French to reach Normandy from where he could cross the channel.

Half Pint got the Maggie safely home and unloaded Foxy and his two hold-alls. Leading Aircraftman Walker, a fitter, carried Foxy's bags to his room. Walker's curiosity got the better of him and he looked inside, the bags seemed to contain rolled up dokuments. Walker wondered if they were secret maps, but didn't have a chanced to snoop any more. Half Pint installed Foxy in the Mess with his two bottles of Pastis. Shortly afterwards, King George VI visited 369 Squadron and presented Half Pint with a DFC for pulling off the remarkable rescue.

Both Messerschmitts returned safely. Schlangenaugen and Halland celebrated their kills with a bottle of captured Congac.

Result

British Victory - the Maggie made it home safely

• Flying Officer William ”Half Pint” Carruthers: Lucky after surving all the 109 fire.
• Pilot Officer Hollingberry: Miss one scenario while escaping.
• Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen: 1 ½ kills
• Leutnant Adolf Halland: ½ kill

Notes

I could not find a 1/200th scale model of the Miles M.14 Magister "Maggie", so we had to made do and used the Gladiator instead.

Battle of Britain - Scenario 3 - May 18th 1940 – Vitry-en-Artois

This is the third scenario in a Battle of Britain campaign that follows the exploits of The Country of Dampshire 369 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force, a fictitious squadron that didn't exist during the Battle of Britain. We use the Wings of Glory WW2 rules, slightly modified to give faster play, together with our own set of campaign rules. We use the Wings of Glory planes from Ares where the right model is available, other manufactures are used to fill in the gaps.

The Background

In early September of 1939, two AAF squadrons flew Gloster Gladiators in France: The County of Durham 609 Squadron and the County of Surrey 615 Squadron. They reequipped with Hurricanes just in time for the German offensive.

On 18 May 1940, a Luftwaffe bombing raid destroyed many of the BEF's Gladiators and Hurricanes on the ground at Vitry-en-Artois, and airfield near the Pas-de-Calais.

It is possible that some of the British planes got off the ground in time to defend their airfield.

The Action

The first attack wave had destroyed many planes on the ground and caused chaos among the French ground troops but two brave British pilots ran through the chaos to the planes.

One Hurricane Mk I (Pilot Officer Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh) and one Gloster Gladiator (Pilot Officer Sir Price) got off the ground and climbed upwards from the smoke-filled airfield when they saw the second wave of Germans arriving.

One Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 (Oberleutnant Sepp Schlangenaugen) and one Dornier Do 17 (Oberleutnant Hans von und zu Missendorff) were heading towards the airfield, guided by the smoke from the damaged hangers.

Featherstonehaugh made a pass at the Dornier despite Schlangenaugen’s attempts to deflect him. The Dornier was damaged and Schlangenaugen’s engine started leaking oil. Sir Price’s Gladiator was slow and had problems catching the Germans.

The Dornier continued straight and level and dropped its bombload right in the middle of the one undamaged hanger destroying both it and the planes it contained. The Dornier jumped as the bombs fell and turned immediately for home. Hans von und zu Missendorff flying the Dornier had been concentrating too much on bombing the hanger giving Featherstonehaugh a chance to get on its tail. Featherstonehaugh’s eight machine-guns did enough damage so that the Dornier crash landed in a nearby field but a parting shot from the Dornier’s rear gunner hit the Hurricane which started smoking.

Featherstonehaugh decided his Hurricane had taken too much of a beating and turned away, limping back to his home base. Schlangenaugen too decided that his oil-leaking Messerschmitt had taken too much of a beating and dived out of combat. Sir Price remained circling above the wrecked and smoking airfield of Vitry-en-Artois in his slow and outdated but undamaged Gloster Gladiator.

Having greased his Dornier down in the field, Oberleutnant Hans von und zu Missendorff and his crew climbed out, shaken but otherwise unhurt. They were immediately captured by the local Gendarmerie and taken back to a nearby village. A few days later, a Panzer division heading for the coast rescued them from the French and returned them to their squadron.

Result

Draw - Germans bombed successfully but the British got one kill

• Pilot Officer Cholmondeley Featherstonehaugh: 1 kill

Notes

There are no Dornier 17 bombers in the Wings of Glory range so we used metal models of Dornier 17's from the Skytrex Action 200 range. Skytrex don't say what model and I had assumed it was the Z model which was used during the battle. Unfortunately it was the earlier model without the enlarged nose (looks to me like the E-1) it was used in the Spanish Civil War and even in the Polish campaign although by that time it was outnumbered by both the P and Z variants.

Battle of Britain - Scenario 2 - May 14th 1940 – The Meuse Bridges

This is the second scenario in a Battle of Britain campaign that follows the exploits of The Country of Dampshire 369 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force, a fictitious squadron that didn't exist during the Battle of Britain.. We use the Wings of Glory WW2 rules, slightly modified to give faster play, together with our own set of campaign rules. We use the Wings of Glory planes from Ares where the right model is available, other manufactures are used to fill in the gaps.

The Background

On 12 May, Sedan was captured. Situated on the east bank of the Meuse, it gave the Germans a base from which to capture the Meuse bridges. Once captured, the German divisions could then advance across the open and undefended French countryside beyond Sedan, and to the English Channel.

The French believed that the Germans would need to bring up artillery to support the crossing but were surprised when the Germans used the Luftwaffe as flying artillery. This, on top of their already low morale, caused the French to break.

Having captured the Meuse bridges, the Germans poured troops and panzers across the river. On 14 May the British air forces, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) tried to destroy the bridges, and stop German reinforcements reaching the west bank.

The Action

Two Blenheim Mk I bombers (Pilot Officer John ”Banger” Walls and Pilot Officer Brett Sinclair) each carrying a 1,000lb bombload took off from a French airfield escorted by two Hurricane Mk I fighters (Flying Officer William ”Half Pint” Carruthers and Pilot Officer Emmett Hollingberry) and headed towards the bridges accross the Meuse River.

The bridges were protected by ack-ack and there was a standing patrol of two Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3s (Oberleutnant Freiherr C.G.Sommarlath and Leutnant Adolf Halland). The ack-ack guns opened fire which in turn alerted the fighters which heading towards the incoming planes.

The inexperienced Sommarlath led the fighters head-to-head with the Blenhiems and a lucky shot caused one of their engines to start smoking. The defending Hurricanes then pounched on the 109s and soon Sommarlath's engine was smoking too.

While the Hurricanes kept the 109s busy, the Blenhiems only had the ack-ack fire to woryy about, but this was surprisingly ineffective. They lined up with the bridge for their bomb run. Both planes bombed successfully and then immediately turned for home and dived away from the pursuing fighters. The Hurricanes didn't stick arround, but escorted the Blenhiems safely away.

Result

British Victory - Bridge bombed successfully

Notes

There are no Blenheim bombers in the Wings of Glory range so we used metal models of Blenheim IV's from the Skytrex Action 200 range

Battle of Barrosa in 6mm - rematch

We decided to do a rematch of our first game of the Battle of Barrosa 5 March 1811. The first game was very close, so we decided to swap sides and see what happened.

Details of the background can be found in the first game, so I won't repeat them here.

The Battle of Barrosa has always interested me, and I have a print of it hanging on my wall.

The first French eagle to be captured by the British was taken by the 87th Regiment of Foot from the French 8th Line at Barrosa.

The first British Army soldier to touch the eagle was a young Irish officer, Ensign Edward Keogh, although as his hand grasped it, he was immediately shot through the heart and killed. He was supported by Sergeant Patrick Masterson, who grabbed the eagle from the French ensign who carried it, reputedly with the cry "Bejabbers boys, I have the cuckoo".

Masterson was rewarded with a battlefield commission and the Prince Regent bestowed on the regiment the title The Prince of Wales’s Own.

The eagle was taken back to Great Britain and put on display in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, from where several years later it was stolen: it's fate is unknown. The original staff is still held in the Regimental Museum.

The Setup:

View of the battlefield showing the French to the left and the Allies to the right.

The Action:

Knowing the importance of Barrosa hill, the battle started by the Allies pushing forward their Spanish line and supporting them with the British Foot Guards. To protect their right flank, they also occupied Barrosa village. In the actual battle, it wasn't a village but a look-out post.

Just like in the previous battle, the French pushed forward their artillery in order to get a good line of sight on Barrosa hill. But this time they had learnt a lesson, and they supported the artillery with light infantry in the woods.

The French opened fire on the Spanish in Barrosa village, and they retreated with losses.

The British Foot Guards advanced and opened fire on the French causing casualties.

The French decided that just standing taking fire wasn't a good idea, so they performed a bayonet charge supported by artillery fire.

The bayonet charge was devastating; both the Spanish and the British Foot Guards lost heavily and the Spanish retreated expeditiously.

A second regiment of British Foot Guards arrived just in time to support the first and they both advanced on the French.

José de Lardizábal's Spanish infantry, opened a murderous fire on the French. One French unit was decimated, much to the surprise of all parties.

At the same time, the British artillery opened up on the French light infantry in the woods causing them to retreat with light casualties. However they didn't retreat far, so the still protected the flank of the French artillery.

The French didn't want to just stand and take the volley fire from the Foot Guards, so they charged one Food Guard regiment with support from the artillery, while the supporting infantry opened fire on the other Food Guard regiment.

The charging French infantry was wiped out, but both Foot Guard regiments lost heavily.

General Dilkes rode up and rallied the Foot Guards and brought up another British regiment in support.

The Foot Guards opened a devastating fire causing the French to retire with losses.

The fight for Barrosa village continued. The Spanish infantry took heavily losses from the French light infantry therein.

Meanwhile the Foot Guards on Barrosa hill continued with their withering fire on the French infantry.

The French light infantry in Barrosa village continued to skirmish and snipe at the Spanish causing them more casualties.

The Foot Guards charged...

...and the two regiments of French infantry in front of them just disintegrated. Meanwhile the French Grenadiers were approaching the hill in column of attack.

The two battalions of French Combined Grenadiers attacked the British infantry on the hill. The French were supported by a regiment of dragoons cantering up behind.

The French caused serious damage to the British regiments with only slight loss to themselves.

The battle for Barrosa hill continued, the British brought up some light cavalry to support the Guards and deter the French dragoons. However, General Dilkes was killed leading his men and the Foot Guards ceased to exist as a fighting force.

The French grenadiers overran the last remaining British infantry on the hill.

Realizing that they no longer had control of Barrosa hill, and that the French now threatened the coast road, General Graham ordered his troops to retire on Cádiz. The French in control of the field, claimed a victory.

Battle of Barrosa in 6mm

Refight of the Battle of Barrosa 5 March 1811, using Commands & Colors Napoleonic Rules. Figures from Baccus, hex terrain from Kallistra, houses from TBM, trees from Timecast and river homemade.

Background:

In early 1811, the French were engaged in a no-win siege against the Allies in the port of Cádiz. The French under Marshal Victor were not strong enough to reduce the port without a French sea blockade. After Soult drew off 8,000 of Victor’s men for his invasion of Extremadura, the Allies saw an opportunity to raise the French siege using their sea power to land 14,000 British, Spanish and Portuguese troops on the coast south of Cádiz. If Victor remained in his siege lines, he would be trapped between Cádiz and the relief force. If he chose to fight the relief force, it would give the Cádiz garrison the opportunity to sortie and destroy the siege lines.

Victor soon learned of the Allied approach. He hoped to ambush the Allied column as they advanced, but the Allies advanced in strength and Graham’s British division occupied Barrosa Ridge. Spanish General la Peña gave him a second opportunity, ordering the Spanish and British north now that communication had been established with Cádiz. A rearguard of several Spanish battalions remained on Barrosa Ridge.

Victor jumped at the opportunity and ordered Ruffin’s division to attack the ridge with Leval’s division advancing on his right. At the first sight of the French, the Spanish battalions bolted. Graham received news that the French were attacking and chose to disobey orders. While la Peña entrenched, Graham sent Dilkes’ Guards brigade to retake the ridge and Wheatley’s brigade to attack Leval. Dilkes’ brigade came into contact with Ruffin’s French battalions of infantry and grenadiers still advancing in column. The two forces engaged in a murderous firefight with British line firepower gaining the ascendancy. The gallant Ruffin was killed and his division retreated off the ridge. Meanwhile Wheatley’s brigade advanced against Leval’s division. Another firefight between a British line and French columns resulted in French defeat.

The Allies gave away the victory. Graham urged a new round of attacks to unhinge the French siege line – exactly what Victor feared would happen. General la Peña instead ordered a withdrawal back into Cádiz. Marshal Victor could not believe his good fortune and immediately re-established his siege lines. Other than confirming the valor of the soldiers on both sides, the battle had been a colossal waste of life.

The Setup:

View of the battlefield showing the Allies to the left and the French to the right.

The Action:

General Sir Thomas Graham decided to start the offensive on his right flank and take the important Barrosa ridge before it could be occupied by maréchal Victor's French troops..

Graham took the initiative and pushed forward José de Lardizábal's Spanish infantry to hold the town of Barrosa and at the same time brought up the British 1st and 3rd Foot Guards in support of the Spaniards.

The French counterattacked the Spanish in the town...

...but instead of a bayonet charge, they opted to open fire instead. The combined fusillade caused the Spanish to retreat from the town with losses.

At the same time, the French pushed forward their artillery to cover the ridge. The British 2nd Hussars advanced, but the threat was hidden from the artillery by the woods.

The French pushed their light infantry into the vacated town. However brisk fire from the ridge caused the French line infantry to retire.

The British light cavalry then charged the French artillery in their flank. Was this ordered by the General or was it just another impetuous charge by a cavalry colonel.

The cavalry charge should have been a brilliant success, but the French saw them just in time and could react with some of their guns. The fight was long and drawn out, the French took casualties but the British cavalry took even heavier losses and were forced back.

The French were exchanging fire with the Allies in the vicinity of Barrosa town. While this was going on, Graham took the chance to push forward his Spanish infantry and British 1st Foot Guards to take all of Barrosa ridge.

At the same time, General Dilkes at the head of his infantry, charged the artillery that had just repulsed the 2nd Hussars.

Seeing the infantry approaching, the French artillery withdrew from their exposed position back into the line of battle.

Having returned to the relative safety of their original position, both batteries then opened up on Dilkes' advancing infantry. Dilkes was killed and his troops decimated by the hail of cannon fire.

The 1st Foot Guards went on the attack from Barrosa ridge, causing the French casualties and they retreated.

However the French quickly rallied and brought up their grenadiers to support their counter-attack which inflicted casualties on both the 1st Foot Guards and the Spanish.

The British attack continued with the British 3rd Foot Guards joining the fray and the Spanish following on behind in support.

But not disheartened, the French counter-attacked with two units of grenadiers and one of line infantry performing a bayonet charge.

This bayonet charge resulted in a large number of casualties. The 3rd Foot Guards timed their volley perfectly, and decimated a unit of French grenadiers before they could get into melee.

Meanwhile in the centre of the battlefield, three companies of the 95th Rifles came out from the woods hoping to distract the French attackers.

The 95th miscalculated the aggressiveness of the French grenadiers who immediately charged.

The grenadiers caused the 95th to retreat hastily with serious casualties. At the same time, the French line infantry, supported by artillery fire, assaulted the Spanish on Barrosa ridge and routed them.

The colonel of the 3rd Foot Guards saw his chance, the French column was so engrossed with the routing Spaniards that they had left their flank wide open; the 3rd charged straight into the French flank.

Having seen off the 95th, the French grenadiers returned, supported by their artillery, to deal with the Foot Guards.

The grenadiers, with luck and supported by artillery, took the 3rd Foot Guards unaware and inflicted many casualties.

Both Foot Guards regiments charged like madmen; the 1st Guards attacked the grenadiers while the 3rd Guards went for the artillery. The Guards contacted and mayhem ensued.

When the combat was over, both sides were weak and exhausted but the French just a little more so than the Allies. The French decided to withdraw and leave the field to the British who claimed a victory.

Comment:

I am not sure how well this scenario reflects the actual battle, and one day I plan to write a scenario that reminds me more of the battle itself. However this scenario is fun to play and fairly well balanced.