Battle of Ucles (1809): 28mm Napoleonics (using General D’Armee rules)

The Spanish were holding the Sierra de Para despite being ordered to withdraw.

General Venegas decided to turn and face Victor’s corps.

Victor deployed his Vistula Legion in front of the Spanish, pinning them.

While his other troops crept around both flanks.

Craig (Victor) held the French centre – Doug attacked on the left and Alex attacked on the right.

Paul defended the Spanish right, Rob the left wing while Brian (Venegas) held the town in the centre of the ridge.

Some early hesitation on the part of Rob’s Spanish saw his troops falter and allowed a rapid French advance!

Craig’s artillery was giving excellent supporting fire.

And he followed up by bringing on his dragoon brigade.

Doug was advancing rapidly on the French left with his French and Italians.

But Paul managed to reposition his furthest brigade to face the enemy.

Meanwhile the Spanish cavalry seemed emboldened and marched onto the field – unhistorically and took position on the ridge.

Artillery and skirmish duels ensued with both sides hesitant – slowing the French attack on the right.

The Spanish cavalry saw an opportunity and advanced!!! But too far!

They presented their flank to the Vistula lancers!! The casualties were appalling and the Spanish fell back in full retreat!

The lancers followed up by charging into the unformed infantry.

The heroic lancers having destroyed the infantry were now spent and fell back – time for Alex to launch an infantry assault – the plan was made, the ADCs deployed but ahhh! They were hesitant and gave Rob breathing space.

The gallant French general rallied his troops.

Meanwhile on Doug’s flank the Spanish attacked – and left the ridge (unhistorical – but they were defending their homeland).

This attack drove the French back initially but Doug rallied and counterattacked supported by the Italian artillery!

This became a meat grinder for both sides with the French slowly wearing the brave Spanish down.

Without cavalry support Rob’s troops on the ridge formed square against the dragoon threat – this made them easy meat for French gunners. But they held on!

Another French advance on the right and another deadly volley from the fanatical Spanish.

But their weakness on the ridge was finally telling as Rob began to run out of men. The French gained the ridge line and began some withering volley fire!

As a last throw of the dice, Brian attempted to throw the Princesa regiment of cavalry against Alex – who managed to form square in the nick of time!

Despite a glorious charge they broke against the hedge of bayonets!

And Rob’s heroic defence of the southern edge of the ridge collpased – finally! However the Spanish still held Ucles – which had not been attacked in force and the north end of the ridge.

Doug had managed to hammer the Spanish into an even tougher position!

And so despite some awful dice throwing on both sides a draw was agreed upon. The French had not done as well as they had historically as the Spanish were smashed on the day. To make a better game of it Alex raised the quality of most of the Spanish troops. But even so French quality was beginning to tell. Casualties were 87 French dead vs. 129 Spanish who also lost 5 guns. But their honour was intact.

Thanks to Rob for hosting – Craig, for umpiring and all the players! We need a few more games to get these rules in our head – but most of us seem to like them.

 

 

(Game devised by Alex and held at the War Room on Sunday 28 September 2025 – Ed.)