Battle of Salamanca - Set Up

Historical background

In July 1812 Wellington fought this opportunity battle with an over extended Marshal Marmont who was trying to drive the British back to Portugal.

Historical Map

Historical Orbat

Wellington British 48,949 infantry 4,025 cavalry 60 guns

Marmont French 46,647 infantry 3,379 cavalry 78 guns

Wargame Orbat

Wellington British 96 infantry 8 cavalry 3 guns

Marmont French 96 infantry 8 cavalry 3 guns

Table at start

French army nearest the camera.

Thomiere’s division is approaching the hill on the left and has just spotted the British.

Clousel’s division is on the Greater Arapile

Brennier will enter the table from the right

Marmont is also on the Greater Arapile

Packenham is behind the hill on the left ready to attack Thomiere’s division

Leith is on the road behind Arapiles

Cole is on the Lesser Arapiles

Wellington is in front of the village observing the French movements

Thomiere is marching along the road on Move orders

He has just spotted Packenham who has been hidden from view by the hill

Clausel has orders to Hold the Greater Arapile. Marmont is also on the hill watching Wellingtons army opposite

Packenham has Engage orders and his infantry and artillery are deployed

His artillery is hidden on the ridge but ready to advance and unlimber

Leith is marching along road behind Arapiles village on Move orders

Wellington is just in front of the village observing the French

Cole has orders to Hold the Lesser Arapile
His artillery is deployed
His infantry are in column of march to move quicker when required.


Special Rules

This battle is based on Salamanca, it is not meant to be a refight of it.

Only Wellington and Marmont are allowed to change the division orders, and can only do so during their own move. The only exception to this is that each division commander may change his orders to Halt. He can then move to defend himself, but may not advance towards the enemy.

Each commander has a number, and there is a poker chip for each number. The chips are drawn to decide the sequence in which each division will move. At the start of move 1 Wellington’s chip will be drawn first. He will then roll an average dice, and add 3, to decide how many command points he has. He will then be able to change the orders of as many divisions as his command points allow.

We use our own rules to fight all of these battles.

Link to wargame rules

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/