For the Emperor! The Battle of Somosierra (1808)

Alex staged a thrilling Napoleonic game on Wednesday 28 January at the War Room, using his exceptional 28mm figures (including newly painted Poles) and General D’Armee II rules. The Battle of Somosierra (30 November 1808) saw Napoleon’s army break through a mountain pass held by the Spanish, and subsequently occupy Madrid. Historically, a heroic charge against four batteries of Spanish guns by the 3rd Squadron of the Polish Light Horse of the Imperial Guard led by Captain Jan Kozietulski decided the matter. What would happen in the refight?

We had a large turnout with 10 players (it turned out that 2 others couldn’t make it after all). Alex’s interpretation of the battle saw the Spanish artillery allocated to individual infantry brigades (as opposed to aligning in four batteries to block the road).

Doug commanded Ruffin’s infantry division on the left of the road. Paul S. commanded Merlot’s division on the right. I commanded the Polish cavalry along with the Chasseurs a Cheval of the Guard. Brian was French C-in-C (Napoleon).

Facing us was Mal’s Spanish infantry on the Spanish right (‘Kleist’), Paul B’s infantry on the left (‘Diego’), with Rob as C-in-C (San Juan) in control of Sospel’s infantry further back (behind Mal), as well as finally the largest Spanish brigade at the back. Patrick, and Richard (assisting with his modified General D’Armee II rules) were also present.

Turn One: The French Attack Begins

Doug moved off on the left, as Paul advanced on the right.

Mal (brigade seen above) and Paul formed into line, with skirmishers out front.

Artillery exchanges led to Mal and Doug taking casualties from each other’s guns.

Turn Two: Skirmishes and Cannonades

As their advance continued in the snow, Doug’s skirmishers hit Mal’s skirmishers twice, and Mal’s skirmishers replied in kind

Paul S. hit Paul B’s skirmishers twice.

Artillery fire began to hot up. Doug dealt two hits to Mal’s artillery

Paul S and Paul B struck each other’s guns once

Meanwhile, Mal hit Doug’s guns once and Paul S received two hits from Sospel’s artillery further up the Spanish position

Turn Three: The Poles Arrive

The Polish Light Horse arrived, followed by the Chasseurs of the Guard. I issued attack orders for the cavalry to assault Sospel’s artillery (seen in background, left of the road)

Merlot’s infantry (Paul S.) received two hits from Paul B’s skirmishers, though Paul S replied in kind

Doug also added a further hit to Mal’s skirmishers. Meanwhile, Sospel’s guns hit Paul S’s infantry three times, and one of his battalions was on the brink having received 9 casualties

Turn Four: Ruffin’s Infantry Assault the Spanish

As the Poles and Chasseurs moved up, Doug’s infantry charged Mal’s Spanish, taking a hit from closing fire

Rob began to reposition the last Spanish battery, to counter the opposing cavalry. He fired Sospel’s guns at the Poles but missed.

One of Paul S’s infantry units took more hits from Diego’s Spanish guns, and routed after collecting 12 hits. Merlot’s division was faltering.

The melee between Doug’s infantry and Mal’s ended in five casualties for the Spanish, who retreated.  Mal’s Spanish brigade was faltering and retired 18 inches.

Turn Five: The Approach

Both Paul S’s and Mal’s brigade passed morale tests, so did not retreat further. Paul moved his skirmishers out of the way to allow his artillery to fire on Diego’s brigade (Paul B.).

I unleashed the Polish Light Horse, supported by the Chasseurs and Guard Horse Artillery. Having missed a turn due to confusion about the rules, the cavalry advanced 45 inches! Sospel’s artillery fired on them but they passed a morale test.

Paul S added a hit to Paul B’s artillery but his skirmishers were all but wiped out by the Spanish skirmishers.

Doug’s remaining battalions formed line and destroyed Mal’s artillery, which had not retreated.

Turn Six: ‘Forward you Sons of Dogs, the Emperor is Watching!’ (words of Captain Kozietulski)

Napoleon (Brian) attached to the Polish Light Horse, who began their charge against Sospel’s guns

They passed a morale test after taking 2 casualties. Sospel’s skirmishers faced the Poles, and the Spanish infantry formed squares. I rolled 12 on two d6 and the Poles got into close combat with the guns!

Rob rolled in four casualties on the supporting Chasseurs from his infantry and two Spanish batteries…

Nevertheless, the Poles crashed into the Spanish guns and dealt them 6 hits, and winning the melee, took the ground! (Dla Ojczyzny! Dla Cesarza! etc.)

Elsewhere Doug charged Mal’s infantry, which ran away 18 inches

The Vistula Legion, another elite Polish formation, now appeared at the French table edge.

Turn Seven: High Tide at Somosierra Pass

As the French won the initiative, I chose to press home the attack on the Spanish square behind the guns.

Despite winning a roll-off, the Polish cavalry milled around the Spanish squares and had to retire 18 inches along with the Chasseurs, albeit in good order. Cholera jasna!

Although inflicting higher losses, the French side were judged to have lost the game because they had failed to break through the entire pass.

Conclusion: A Legendary Charge

A great game which ended in a Spanish victory only due to a lack of time on the night. In truth, art was unable to fully imitate life on this occasion… but the spirit of the battle was successfully represented

Historically, the 3rd Squadron of the Polish Light Horse attacked four batteries (16 guns in total) arrayed in ranks along the mountain road, after French infantry had been unable to make progress against the brave Spanish. ‘Impossible? I do not know the word. Leave it to the Poles!’ replied Napoleon to General Montbrun. The charge by 150-200 men, lasting just seven minutes, was initially led by Captain Jan Kozietulski,  but he was soon wounded. Lieutenant Dziewanowski took over, although he was also wounded. An estimated 57-80 men were killed or severely wounded, with only 20 surviving unscathed. 18 Poles were awarded the Legion of Honour after the battle. ‘I declare you my bravest cavalry! You are worthy of my Old Guard’ said Napoleon, visiting the men after the charge, allegedly pinning his own medal to one cavalryman. The Polish Light Horse Regiment had created history. The regiment was promoted to the Old Guard after the battle. It acquired lances in 1809 and continued to serve with distinction in all of Napoleon’s campaigns, saving the Emperor’s life on more than one occasion. It remains a legendary unit synonymous with Polish military prowess; the charge being an important highlight in Polish history and proud facet of national identity to this day.

Thank you Alex!