The Sharp End Gaming

One of my favorite battles during the Napoleonic Wars is Vimeiro featuring Wellington and his Anglo-Portugese Army vs. General Jean Junot and the Army of Portugal. Gen. Jean Junot I've always thought that had Junot handled his Army better that day, Wellington's career might not have taken off as it did.  Wellington dispatched the French force after some tough fighting and his career began its rapid ascent in Europe. Inexplicably Junot divides his army and reconnoiters his right flank with a third of his force while he is marching towards the main objective of the village of Vimeiro.  The flanking movement causes his army to attack in a disjointed fashion on a broad front and Wellington's well positioned troops deal with them in a piecemeal fashion. This morning I edited the JTS Vimeiro scenario for this battle and reassigned the flanking forces into the main attack on Vimeiro.  I also modified the type of attack the French would use from "normal" to ...

Battle of Vimeiro, Portugal - Final Turn Doug at Cry Havoc and I just completed the 16 turn Battle of Vimeiro from the new John Tiller Software release "Peninsular War." I highly recommend purchasing this game.  It is now my favorite title from JTS and my favorite game right now. I've always been interested in the fighting in Spain since I first read about it in C.S. Forester's " Ship of the Line , "  (a great Horatio Hornblower title). Vimeiro features Sir Arthur Wellesley and the British holding a superior position with a slightly superior force.  His infantry advantage is almost 2 to 1  and the French advance is split into three columns. It is an incredibly tough nut to crack as the French player, compounded by a skilled opponent (Wellington in the real battle and Doug in the cyber battle). Doug and I have played a few PBEM scenarios from the JTS Leipzig campaign and I know he won't miss anything. He is well versed in this period of warfare...

I have the feeling when I look back at the French attack for this battle, turn 6 will be their high water mark.  They've attacked in four separate columns instead of the two used historically and the terrain has kept them from working effectively together. The fighting to the south.  You can make out the four French columns (the northern one at Ventosa (just visible), the column of horse that flowed from Toledo, the main effort along the road into Vimeiro and the southern most column which tried to turn my flank. The overview of my turn 6 action.  Bowes has helped stabilize the center as his brigade deploys. Trant and his Portugese troops are on the march.  Nightingall and Craufurd though cutoff slightly from the main body are in good enough shape to harass what's left of the French northern column and in Vimeiro Wellington has taken direct command and is managing the defense. I am eager to play this one using PBEM. I don't think a human player would have...