Hi all,
We played the last of Jonathan Jones’ three scenarios from his book O’er the Hills Early Peninsular War that cover the main attack at Talavera on July 28, 1809. Previously the British had narrowly held on to the right flank against Victor’s dawn attack, turning the tide when the French twice failed to form square and were swept away by the British cavalry on both flanks. The attempt to take the Pajar-Vergara Redoubt was more of a slog for Laval’s German Division, as the combined British/Spanish forces easily held the enemy at bay as the German/Dutch forces bravely but fruitlessly broke themselves in frontal attacks on the battery.
Determined to carry the day, Victor once more masses his army for a final push on the British centre. The flanks were to be pinned by attacks by Ruffin and Villatte’s weary troops on the French right, and Laval’s Germans on the French left (and we know how that turned out!)
The attack is preceded by three rounds of cannon fire, mostly directed at the enemy batteries. Then to the sounds of drums, the French advance.
Here is the full battle report with lots of photos…
https://tinywarsplayedindoors.blogspot.com/2023/08/aar-talavera-afternoon-attack-28th-july.html
And here are a few photos of the action.