Battle of Ocaña (19 November 1809)

Refight of the Battle of Ocaña, 19th November 1809, using Commands & Colors Napoleonic Rules. Figures from Baccus 6mm range, hex terrain from Kallistra, houses from TBM and trees from Timecast.

Although the Battle of Ocaña is without a doubt the French army's greatest victory in Spain, it has been rarely written about. As a matter of national pride, Spanish historians could hardly be expected to tackle the subject. From a French point of view, the wars were Napoleonic, and as Napoleon wasn't present there was little interest. As for the British, they neglected the battle as none of their troops were present.  There is now however, an interesting work in English covering the battle: “The Battle Of Ocaña – the Army of Spain’s Greatest Victory by Pierre Juhel".

The History:

The Spanish campaign of fall 1809 was unfolding successfully. The subsidiary Army of the Left had beaten the French at Tamames. Now the 55,000 man Army of La Mancha commanded by Juan de Aréizaga was a mere 35 miles from Madrid. The French were reacting quickly and soon assembled over 30,000 troops, with more approaching to cut off the Spaniards. Aréizaga realized the threat and began to fall back, but not quickly enough. The French army, under the tactical command of Marshal Soult, brought the Spanish army to bay near the village of Ocaña where it deployed in terrain unfavourable for the defence. The Spanish centre and right were formed on an open plain – excellent terrain for the French cavalry. On the 19th Soult ordered Sebastiani to attack the Spanish right flank infantry with his German and Polish divisions. When the infantry was fully engaged, Milhaud’s French cavalry attacked Freire’s cavalry, severely battered in the previous day’s cavalry battle, and quickly routed the Spanish horse. Meanwhile the Spanish were funnelling reinforcements to the right and began to press back Sebastiani’s troops. The Spanish advantage was only temporary. Soon the victorious French cavalry, including the feared diablos Polacos (the Polish Vistula Legion lancers), fell upon the rear of the Spanish right flank infantry. In minutes three Spanish divisions ceased to exist.

Marshal Soult advanced infantry on the newly exposed Spanish center divisions, pinning them in place. Soon the French cavalry descended on these troops too, scattering them to the wind. Dessolles’ division then stormed Ocaña, and all remaining Spanish formations fled except for Zayas’ division. It attempted to cover the Spanish retreat, and retained its formation for several miles, but it too collapsed later in the day to a French cavalry pursuit that could not be stopped. Over 5,000 Spaniards were casualties and another 14,000 were captured, along with virtually all of the army’s artillery.

The Setup:

The armies deployed on what was basically an open plain in front of the village of Ocaña,

The view from the Spanish commander's lines:

The village of Ocaña, heavily defended by Spanish infantry. Houses are TBM and the statue is a Baccus SYW general.

The Refight:

The battle started with some infantry skirmishing on the French left flank.

The French commander then ordered an assault on his left flank with the primary objective to eliminate the Spanish right flank cavalry and a secondary objective to attack the Spanish infantry.

The Polish lancers first rode down and eliminated the Spanish Dragoons and then broke through and charged into the Spanish light cavalry eliminating them too.

This left the French dragoons free to attach the Spanish line infantry. They decided not to form square, which proved to be a fatal mistake.

The advancing French infantry were less successful, exchanged volleys and casualties with the Spanish light infantry.

Polish Vistula Legion lancers charging the Spanish Regimiento de Dragones de Almansa

The French commander then ordered a Cavalry Charge. The Spanish guerrillas tried to intercept the order but were cut down with sabres in the attempt.

The French dragoons charged the Spanish infantry who formed square with both sides taking casualties.

The Polish Lancers destroyed the Spanish artillery and forced the Spanish Grenadiers behind them to also form square.

«Los Diablos Polacos» The Polish Devils were living up to their nickname, as their charged and wiped out the Spanish artillery.

With 3 infantry units now in squares, the Spanish commander was greatly limited in his ability to manoeuvre. 

While the French dragoons kept the Spanish infantry in squares, the French line and light infantry moved forward to support the Polish lancers. Now the artillery could come into play, supporting the lancers and infantry in combined arms attacks. The Spanish grenadiers in square were the first target of this tactic.

The whole Spanish right wing was decimated.

The troops holding Ocaña and those in reserve, were so dispirited and demoralised by the speed of their right wing's slaughter, that they had no desire to stand and remain in the fight.  

This resulted in a 6-0 victory to the French.

Another Patrol in Traitor's Toll

The Guards of the City Watch were patrolling om market day in the City of Traitor’s Toll. Guards of Traitor’s Toll is a skirmish adventure game set in a fantasy city and produced by Grey For Now Games. 

 

Brynhildr Square was bustling with merchants, customers and performers as well as some more shady characters.

 

The Brynhildr Square was so named because in it's centre was the famous mounted statue of Brynhildr, a female warrior who led the town militia to victory many eons ago.  

 

Apart from the stall keepers and merchants, the area around the statue was frequented by entertainers and performers. 

On this day there were two puppeteers, a female dwarven bard with her lute and an orientally dressed snake charmer. In addition, the Town-Crier had strategically placed himself on a crate in front of the statue and was shouting out the latest news from the town's rulers to the townsfolk in the square.

 

Master Temetum Corkwood could be found in front of his stall expounding the virtues of his wines. Little did he know that the friendly youth who was listening to him, would soon try to lift the purse of one of his customers.  

 

Prince Escalus is in Traitor's Toll with a retinue of prominent refugees from the Escalid court, forced to flee after the terrible coup last year. Escalus' uncle, the bloodthirsty Duke Bruno, had seized power and was sending assassins to Traitor's Toll to kill the Prince. 

When Second Constable Amethyst Wilberson was on patrol in the square, she noticed a suspicious looking woman whose appearance reminded her of the assassin from a week before. The fan she was holding rang warning bells for Amethyst. As she started to near the woman, a knife appeared from behind the fan and was thrust at her, a dangerous killer. 

Amethyst decided that it would be best to arrest the woman so that she could later be interrogated to she what she knew about the evil Duke Bruno. So she knocked the knife aside, seized the assassin and subdued her, using the rope that always hangs at her side to secure her. Back at the guardhouse, they found the assassin's purse full of Escalid ducats.

More assassination attempts are expected on members of the Escalid court in exile, but hopefully the interrogation will produce clues to forestall them.

 

Cries of anger and dismay could be heard from the crowd. A gang of pickpockets was working in Brynhildr Square, and people started to discover their purses were missing when they wanted to pay the merchants.

Coming from a Poor Family himself, Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel knew immediately what was afoot and easily spotted one of the gang passing in front of him. The cutpurse didn't want to argue with Enhalv and his trusty halberd, so the arrest went off without a hitch. 

 

Pussy Stephens the famous - or should it be infamous - dwarven bard had placed herself behind the statue. Accompanied by her lute, her charismatic Mezzo-Soprano voice acquainted listeners to the corruption, oppression and injustice in the city. Her lyrics about "Missy Mahina" seems to suggest that she new much about the antics of one of the rulers' daughters. 

A crowd had gathered and were getting all riled up, and Pussy had just started a new song about "The Brave Duke Bruno" when Constable Überhardt Hornisse chanced upon the scene. He accused Pussy of creating alarm and distress as well as being a public nuisance. When this didn't stop the bard, he falsely accused her of singing out-of-tune!

Pussy was arrested and Constable Hornisse threatened her with the scold's bridle if she dared to open her mouth and sing when incarcerated in the guardhouse.

 

Charles Cuterie, the butcher, was at his market stall showing off his poultry. In the pen behind his stall he kept his live geese. However, unbeknownst to Charles, three of the geese had escaped and were running loose in the market. 

 

Lasse Lykta spotted one of the errant geese and wanted to impale the goose on his faithful halberd and take it to the guardhouse mess. His clever plan was foiled by the dexterous goose and the arrival of Captain Casimir Calabrone who grabbed the goose by its neck and returned it to Charles, its rightful owner.

 

While roaming on patrol, First Constable Arthur Fielding caught sight of a female pickpocket attempting to lift the purse from a passing man. She was arrested without much of a struggle.

 

One of the market stalls belongs to the wizard Balthazar Mistmantle selling books and scrolls; some of which he claims have strange and wonderful properties, perhaps even magical. He was standing in front of his stall, as he does on every market day, when he was approached by Sigrid Runeweaver, a female dwarven novice wizard. She had a purse full of Escalid ducats, so Balthazar - against his better judgement - sold her an ancient magical tome.

Sigrid Runeweaver was so curious about the contents of the book, that she opened it as soon as she had left Balthazar's stall and was still in the middle of the marketplace. Unfortunately the magic within the tome was beyond the capabilities of a wizard who was barely a journeyman. As soon as she started browsing, pyrotechnics jumped from the pages and almost blinding her. She was heard to shout "Help, I can't control it!" as an Ice Storm streaked out from the book and right through the marketgoers.

Constable Wurtz Balester was on patrol with "Bella" his trusty crossbow nestled in his arms. Luckily for Runeweaver he recognised that it was pure incompetence rather than malice. So Balester made the decision not to shoot the wizard, but instead to arrest her. He closed from behind and grabbed her causing her to drop the tome, which fell closed to the floor

Balester arrested Runeweaver for causing an affray and unauthorized use of magic on the public highway. He also returned the tome to the safekeeping of Balthazar Mistmantle who rewarded Balester with a gold coin. 

 

Captain Wilberforth Bassington Bassington was quick of the mark. He grabbed one of the escaped geese by its beak and tucked it safely under his arm.

 

Captain Casimir Calabrone and Mister Bee chased after one of the gang of pickpockets. With the aid of a peasant on his way to market, the pickpocket was apprehended and arrested.

On searching the pickpocket, Captain Casimir Calabrone discovered a lucky dragon's fang hanging on a leather cord round the perps neck. This he appropriated "for the greater good".

 

The last of the escaped gaggle of geese was spotted by Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel. He lassoed the black goose and led it back to its pen.

 

There was no more "excitement" that day, and Brynhildr Square returned to the hustle and bustle of commerce. But still the Guards patrolled to be seen and to keep the peace.

Back at his squad's guardhouse, Gregory Greystone practiced even harder with his crossbow. He shot target practice over and over, and - inspired by the events of the day - even targeted a skein of geese flying past.

Long hours of drilling in the guardhouse courtyard to build up strength. helped Überhardt Hornisse to improve his drill with the great sword.