From the Chronicles of Viva Iberia: The Battle Called El Tope de Velocidad

In my last post, I showed you the dispositions of the two armies for the first battle of my Viva Iberia campaign. There were some slight adjustments in the French line as their commander decided that the best plan was to pin the Spanish forces on his right while driving the veteran Swiss up the road to smash the center. While all this was going on, the two light battalions were given the dual mission of neutralizing the Spanish artillery, and clearing the woods of any Spanish lights lurking about. 

As attacker, the French moved first. There was a general advance, albeit at a stately pace. They were experienced troops and it showed. The artillery fired...three I's, and a blank. The right hand Spanish Battalion lost a full stand! Then the middle two battalions fired, but could only account for one figure! Now it was the Lights turn. The woods were too thick and the dice too unlucky to hurt the Spanish skirmishers...but on the right, they took out an artilleryman. 

 

Now it was Spain's turn to retaliate. The Spanish light infantry fired...but to no effect! Now the artillery, the best troops on their side, fired a withering blast. Had there been Cavalry or Artillery in the blast pattern, it would have devastating.  But today...no such luck! Nada! Zilch!

The second turn was much a continuance of the first. Again the French rolled well and the light infantry on the road took out two more artillerists. At this point the Spanish artillery should have turned tail and ran, but I wanted to give them a chance. Nothing. In the center, however the line fired a telling blow and two lights fell to the tabletop.   The advance of the French continued, seemingly unstoppable. The Swiss continued in their attack column. 

With turn three, the battle would be decided as was thought by all observers. The French lights formed and charged the lone gunner, who fired to no effect. The lights in the woods fired at the defending Spanish: a hit, and two flags! Even with the officer present, they would be forced back 20 cm. The woods were cleared. French artillery on the right  killed another full stand and force the doughty Spanish line to retreat.  But the final blow was struck as the Swiss smashed into the Spanish line. Despite rolling only five dice to the defender's six, the bad rolls continued for the Spanish. Causing three casualties to one, the Spanish line broke. With the Hiberian Regiment acting as rear guard, the battle broke off. A great victory for the French, including the capture of a gun! The Emperor would be pleased! The first battle of a long war and now recorded in the archives as The Battle of the Speed Bump! (El Tope de Velocidad). 

In my next installment, I'll continue my earlier discussion of the rules. They are titled About Bonaparte, written by Dirk Donvil, published by Partizan Press, and available from Caliver Books. 

Until next time!