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.

Patrol Duty in the City of 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. 

 

The central marketplace was bustling with merchants, customers and performers as well as some more shady characters.

 

 

 

The Town-Crier was shouting out the latest news from the town's rulers to the market-going townsfolk.
 

Wasted Willy, the town drunk was abusing the merchants in a loud and slurred voice, telling obscene and usually false tales about their wares. When told to calm down, and go away to sleep it off, he shouted “What’re youse lookin at? I’ll – hic – takes youse all on!”. 

Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel intervened and with the help of a passing civilian and arrested Willy for drunk and disorderly conduct.

The Town-Crier ended his monologue by shouting out the new raised tolls for market stallholders. 

The fishmonger, Vito "the Codfather" Corleone, became incensed and infuriated! “The toll is how much? That’s outrageous! You can’t expect me to pay that amount. I demand an audience with the Baron!”. 

Captain Wilberforth Bassington-Bassington mollified the annoyed merchant.

A well-dressed lady was walking through the marker, her face hidden behind a fan held in her left hand. She noticed Prince Escalus and casually strolled towards him. A blade flashed out, appearing in her free right hand, and the Prince's blood was spilled. 

Constable Wurtz Balester was on patrol with "Bella" his trusty crossbow nestled in his arms. He spotted the knife thrust and shot off a bolt that cut down the perpetrator of the stabbing before she could leave the scene. 

There is a little know fact about the stabbing of Prince Escalus, which has been kept secret from the townsfolk . It wasn't "just" a spurned mistress (as people generally believe). Prince Escalus is in Traitor's Toll with a retinue of prominent refugees from the Escalid court. They were forced to flee after the terrible coup last year, when Escalus' uncle, the bloodthirsty Duke Bruno, seized power. When the guards took the woman's body to the morgue, they found her purse full of Escalid ducats - she was an assassin sent by Duke Bruno! More assassination attempts are expected on members of the Escalid court in exile.

One of the market stalls belongs to the wizard Balthazar Mistmantle selling books and scrolls. He was standing in front of his stall, as he does on every market day, when a challenge for a duel was shouted from across the marketplace. The challenge came from Sigrid Runeweaver, a female dwarven wizard who claimed to have been sold a faulty scroll.

Sigrid loosed off the first shot, a Fireball screeched across the marketplace. Balthazar replied with an Ice Storm which hit Sigrid. The duel continued, as marketgoers dived for cover; when a magical battle breaks out, it's best not to interfere! 

Balthazar was arrested by Lieutenant Bertrand Sommerseth, but not before he had seriously wounded Sigrid who in turn was arrested by Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel.

A mugger wandering through the outskirts of the market, when he noticed a peasant farmer with a surprisingly heavy leather purse on his waist belt. The mugger gave the peasant a heavy blow to the head knocking his victim senseless to the ground. The mugger then quickly divested him of his coin.

The observant Constable Wurtz Balester saw the ruckus and once again fired off a bolt from "Bella" his trusty crossbow. This time his target was too quick for him, and dodged the bolt.

However this gave another Constable, Mr Bee, the chance to rush in and, with the aid of a passing young sorceress, arrest the mugger before he had the chance to recover. 

Two puppeteers were performing for the enjoyment and entertainment of the marketgoers. One puppet accused another puppet of doing something that no puppet should ever do! Crossed words led to flying fists and the puppeteers were at each other hammer and tongs!

Five Guards of the City Watch surrounded the brawling puppeteers as their fisticuffs was totally disrupting the business of the market. The Captains of two different guard squads made the arrests. Captain Casimir Calabrone arrested the lady puppeteer and Captain Wilberforth Bassington-Bassington made his second contribution of the day by arresting the male puppeteer.

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

When talking to the marketgoers, Constable Enoch ”Enhalv” Pommel was congratulated on his part in stopping the magic duel. He sensed that coming from a poor background, helped him communicate with the lower classes of the city.

Even Constable Gregory Greystone, who had assisted in breaking up the brawling puppeteers was remarked upon as being a silver-tongued smooth-talking devil who could charm the legs off a giant spider.

Back at his squad's guardhouse, Constable Wurtz Balester practiced even harder with his crossbow "Bella", shooting target practice over and over. He got so good that he claimed he could hit a hobbit pickpocket's big toe at twenty paces, something only a real weapon expert can do!   

Lone Sherman - Mission 2

Lone Sherman is a wargame that puts the player in charge of a Sherman tank somewhere in France after the Normandy invasion. It has fun and challenging missions, but is not completely historical, as a Sharman would not operate alone without support. Lone Sherman was written by Mike Lambo.

The game can be played on a map using counters, but I use 12mm Minifigs models on hexes from Kallistra, houses from Total Battle Miniatures and trees from Timecast.

The Sherman was commanded by Staff Sergeant Martin Lundgren from Minnesota.

Mission 2 - Tiger Hunt

This mission requires the Sherman to eliminate the Tiger Tank and exit the board at the opposite point. There is no time limit as such, but the more time the Sherman takes, the more unfortunate events can occur. These can include such things as the arrival of more German tanks, infantry or air support.

The Sherman was moving cautiously through a small French village (at the bottom of this map) when its command, Staff Sergeant Martin Lundgren, heard the rumble of a Tiger heavy tank on the road to his left. He could also, just make out a lighter Panzer III tank in the houses down the road to his right. Although the Sherman couldn't see it, a second Panzer III was lurking in the muddy fields by a farmyard further ahead. 

Deciding that it would be easier to take out the Panzer III, rather than facing a Tiger head-on on the road, the Sherman turned right. The Panzer III advanced out of the village into the fields and opened fire on the Sherman, but did no damage. The Tiger advanced down the road, but as the commander could not get a shot at the Sherman, he fired his smoke grenades to create some cover. The second Panzer III stayed lurking in the safety of the farmyard behind a smoke screen. German infantry with a Panzerschreck were seen by the Sherman occupying the far village.

The Sherman moved further along the road and then turned towards the Panzer III to get a flanking shot. However yet again, the Sherman failed to damage the Panzer, so it put out a smoke screen for cover. The Panzer returned fire but also without success. The Tiger mover forward to the fork in the road, and even it opened fire on the Sherman without success. The tank gunners on both sides were having an unlucky day. Hearing the canon fire, the second Panzer III advanced very cautiously towards the battle. More Panzerschreck armed German infantry were seen occupying the houses near the Tiger.

When the smoke screen cleared, the Sherman opened fire yet again at the Panzer III, Firing a point blank range into its rear, the Panzer III was destroyed and went up in flames.

The Sherman then turned its gun onto the Tiger. It was a large target, so easy to hit but with more luck that skill the shot penetrated the front side armour and even the Tiger started to burn. The Sherman then renewed its smoke screen. The second Panzer III continued its cautious advance, it entered the village and opened fire on the Sherman, but could not get a hit because of the smoke screen.

The Sherman advanced into the field with the burring Panzer III and turned to face the second Pamzer III in the village. It opened fire on the Panzer without success, so it found a hull-down position and created a smoke screen. The Panzer III then advanced out of the village on the road, attempting to flank the Sherman. The Panzer III opened fire and hit the Sherman immobilizing it.

The German commander had called up support from the Luftwaffe and a nearby Stuka responded. It dived at the Sherman and Staff Sergeant Martin Lundgren opened fire with his turret mounted .50-cal machinegun. This caused the Stuka to flinch and miss its target.

The stationary Sherman opened fire on the Panzer and damaged it, but failed to knock it out. The Panzer returned fire, but as the Sherman was Hull Down, it was a small target and the Panzer missed. The Sherman's assistant driver managed to rectify the problem that had immobilized the tank, and it was now mobile again.

The Sherman opened fire on the damaged Panzer, it was an easy target at close range, and this time the shot destroyed the Panzer.

The enemy having been neutralised, the Sherman continued on its way with no further problems arising.

Lone Sherman - Mission 11

Lone Sherman is a wargame that puts the player in charge of a Sherman tank somewhere in France after the Normandy invasion. It has fun and challenging missions, but is not completely historical, as a Sharman would not operate alone without support. Lone Sherman was written by Mike Lambo.

The game can be played on a map using counters, but I use 12mm Minifigs models on hexes from Kallistra, houses from Total Battle Miniatures and trees from Timecast.

The Sherman was commanded by Lieutenant Michael Wilson from Minnesota.

Mission 11 - Steel Gladiators

German forces consist of a Tiger, a Panzer IV and a Panzer III. This mission requires the Sherman to destroy all the enemy tanks.  There is no time limit as such, but the more time the Sherman takes, the more unfortunate events can occur. These can include such things as roads being mined or Luftwaffe air support. The starting positions of all four tanks are determined randomly, so the mission will feel different each time it is played.

The mission started with the Sherman at the bottom of the board. The Tiger was close by, just the other side of the woods. The Panzer IV was on the road at the top of the board, and the Panzer III in a field at the top left.

The Sherman moved to another part of the field, hoping to get a better shot at the Tiger when in emerged from behind the woods.

The Tiger advanced straight ahead, ignoring the Sherman completely, the commander seemed rather confused. 

The Panzer IV charged at full speed down the road and into the village.

The Panzer III had a very cautious commander, he decided that the other two tanks were strong enough to take on a lone Sherman, and just found a safe hull-down position in the field to hide in!

A Stuka lined up on the Sherman from behind. Lieutenant Michael Wilson had been watching the Tiger and was surprised by the Stuka's attack. He grabbed the turret-mounted Browning .50 caliber machinegun and opened fire, but in his rush to turn the machinegun rearward he failed to hit the diving Stuka. However, the hail of bullets still seemed to discourage the Stuka pilot who missed the attack.

The Sherman turned to face the rear side of the Tiger and opened fire, easily hitting such a big target, but failing to penetrate even the rear side armour plate. Thinking that he might have a very annoyed Tiger to deal with, he found a safe hull-down position in the field to hide in!

The already confused Tiger commander, advanced forward while trying to locate his adversary. He the popped his head out of the hatch, trying to fire but finding no target. Finally, in desperation, he laid a smoke screen to make himself a somewhat harder target.

The Panzer IV advanced out of the village and opened fire on the Sherman, but its hull-down position made it too hard of a target, and the shot missed.

The Panzer III advanced slowly towards the noise of the gunfire, and yet again its cautious commander took up a hull-down position.

The Sherman crossed the adjacent hedge to get a good line-of-sight on the rear of the Tiger. It opened fire, but without hitting the Tiger.

The Panzer IV continued its headlong charge straight for the Sherman, straight over the hedge and into the rough terrain beyond. Closing in on the Sherman's flank.

At point-blank range, the Panzer IV fired at the Sherman. The armour-piercing projectile hit the Sherman, penetrated its front side armour plate, and destroyed the tank causing it to brew-up.

Lieutenant Michael Wilson and his crew all bailed-out of the burning tank. In a hail of machinegun bullets coming from the Panzer IV, they turned and ran for cover.

The Panzer IV returned to camp and its commander ordered another victory ring to be painted on the gun barrel.