A major Peninsular War engagement between Marshal Soult’s French army and the Allied forces under Beresford and Blake.
Marshal Soult’s French army advanced to raise the siege of Badajoz by Beresford’s Anglo-Portuguese force. After lifting the siege, Beresford joined Blake’s Spanish army near Albuera. Faced by an Allied force larger than he had expected, Soult was nevertheless determined to attack.
Albuera has a +3 combat modifier.
The Allied 4th Division (4) must be set up in march column formation.
The Allied forces are set up first.
The SA may be set up within command range of any Spanish general.
The A1 through A7 edge forms the French base edge. The B1 through D1 and D1 through D7 edges form the Allied base edge.
07:00 to 14:30.
The French are the first side.
The French start with the initiative marker.
07:00 – W & 1/V & 2/V & R & AR one after the other (in any order), in march column formation in A5 road behind CC-.
07:00 – G in march column formation in A3 road end.
The French get 5 free rolls and the Allies get 5.
1B/2/V – Mixed with light battalions.
2B/2/V – Mixed with light battalions.
2B/4 – Mixed with light battalions.
1B/CB – Mixed with light battalions.
1B/4S – Battle hardened infantry.
2B/4S – Battle hardened infantry.
The battle ended due to heavy rain and exhaustion of the troops. To represent this in a more flexible way, instead of ending the battle automatically at 14:30, players may use the following procedure.
At the weather step of each turn starting at 14:00, roll one die and apply the corresponding modifier. If the result is 10 or more, complete the current turn and end the battle afterwards.
Beresford’s main concern was defending the Badajoz road and, due to the withdrawal of his screening cavalry, he had little intelligence about Soult’s deployment. As a result, the Allied right flank was not extended to prevent the crossing of the Chicapierna stream.
To represent this, no Allied unit may enter B5, C5 or D5 before at least one French unit has been spotted at B5, B6 or B7. Once this happens, Allied units may move freely over the map for the rest of the game.
Albuera is worth 30/35 Allied/French victory points. It is considered Allied-controlled at the start of the game.
The French get 4 victory points for each unrouted French infantry and/or cavalry unit at C3, C4, D3 or D4.
The French get 10 victory points for each unrouted French infantry and/or cavalry unit at C1, C2, D1 or D2.
The Allies get 30 victory points if there are no unrouted French infantry and/or cavalry units in C3, C4, D3 or D4.
The Allies get 15 victory points if there are no unrouted French infantry and/or cavalry units in C1, C2, D1 or D2.
Feinting with his right wing an attack against Albuera, Soult launched his major attack with the French left wing against the Spanish army. Despite the initial surprise, Zayas’ division, formed by some of the best Spanish troops, held its ground against the first assault of Girard’s division until the arrival of British reinforcements.
The French advance was halted, and for several hours there was heavy fighting along the flank while both sides gradually committed their infantry reserves. A great cavalry charge by the Polish lancers almost annihilated Colborne’s brigade; however, it was not decisive, and neither side was able to break the deadlock.
Exhaustion and heavy rain brought the battle to an end by mid-afternoon. The French eventually withdrew under cover of their cavalry superiority. The Allied forces had also suffered heavily, and Soult’s retreat was left unchallenged. Beresford resumed the siege of Badajoz the following day, although without long-term success. The battle cost the Allies around 6,000 casualties and the French between 7,000 and 8,000.
You can also download the complete Albuera scenario in PDF format.
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