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| British Marines poised ready to attack the Spanish |
The British Invasion of the River Plate 1806. A very strange affair indeed which turned out to be a defeat for the British forces.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_invasions_of_the_River_Plate
However not before the British 'secured' a large amount of Spanish Loot to aid the war against Bonaparte. It seems one of the British Commanders heard from one of his 'chums' that a large Bullion Train was up for grabs & set up the Invasion.
An article in
Wargames Illustrated number 330 provided inspiration. A fine basis for a little campaign then...! Some preparation was needed, a few Spanish Militia Regiments were collected & painted. We already had a British Naval contingent, some Marines & Sailors. The Scottish 71st Regiment was also raised, our existing British Napoleonics would do the job.
We used the DBN rules but with a few 'House' options . The basic element would be Company size, not the Brigade size that DBN is aimed at. Just in case Infantry Squares would be needed, we would use the rule from the 'DB Colonial' rules, 2 PiPs needed for a group of elements to form square. Sub Commanders would also be used. Any elements which bared 'colours', would also have an intrinsic one PiP built into them. This would allow for grouped 'Regiments', as long as the elements are grouped together(base to base), then some limited movement would be allowed for them. The force General element would still roll a D6 for overall PiPS (Or CAPS for proper DBN terms). British Sailors would be classed as DBA Auxilia, with no ranged weaponry. The local townsfolk classed as Guerillas. The local 'Gauchos' classed as Irregular Cavalry. We also used the 'Attrition' rules, this required markers for casualties. Generals could also use PiPs to remove casualties.
My good mate SPAV took Ze Spanish/South American force & yours truly the marauding, treasure seeking British. This game would be about establishing a Beachhead for the British. It would last 20 tuns. After that it would be night time. The positions of the two forces would then would be determined for the next days Battle. Spanish forces slowly arriving from the surrounding areas. British units would arrive every 2 turns, 3 at a time being rowed ashore.
S
PAV has the same 'mindset' as my self when it comes to rules, we are both very free & easy, we are not rule junkies. When it comes down to it , if we can't agree on a situation, we roll a D6 & the highest gets the decision. Just like we used to do in our AD&D days 30 years ago....
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| The Battlefield, 3 British Units hitting the Port of Quilmes |
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| The British Fleet would provide fire support, if needed. |
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| The Spanish forces would arrive via 3 roads |
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| Captain BarnBlower lands with the Marines |
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| A tough start for the British. A 'cap marker' for casualties |
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| Gauchos ride for the town |
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| The plan would be to clear the town quickly |
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| However the 'dice gods' are clearly of Spanish origin, the British Invasion teeters on disaster |
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| At last the British General arrives |
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| British Marines march through the town |
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| British Musketry brings success |
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| Some Marines are sent around the Town alleyways & flank the Spanish |
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| More Gauchos arrive |
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| Some Spanish Militia units enter the battlefield |
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| It's tough clearing the stubborn townsfolk from the buildings |
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| It's a hard fight taking Quilmes |
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| NO! The British Marines are sent packing |
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| In desperation, I plan a river boat trip for some other Marines. |
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| Spanish Musketry destroys some Marines |
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| In go the Sailors..... |
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| ...but they are sent packing as well! |
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| The townfolk swarm the British Sailors, destroying them |
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| Another Turn & more British forces arrive. The River Expedition is abandoned & the Marines sent back into town. |
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| HooRaR! The townsfolk are put to the bayonet... |
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| Slowly the Spanish Militia gets into position. A Spanish gun is deployed on the hill overlooking the town. |
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| A Critical point, as the Gauchos pile into the British flank |
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| Luckily the Marines hold! |
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No chances here, even the British General leads an assault on one of the buildings.
The General adds +1 to the die roll. |
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| The Spanish are being forced out of the town |
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| 'Come On' British Sailors stand firm against the Gauchos |
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| Both sides are desperate for PiPs |
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| The Spanish Militia Regiment marches into the town. |
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| The 71st arrives!!! |
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| At last, the 71st Regiment piles ashore |
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| The Spanish Militia occupy the buildings on the outskirts of town. |
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| A firefight ensues, but the Spanish aren't forced out |
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| Dandy Spanish General Hector Alonzo-Fernandez arrives!!! |
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| & so does some more Militia. |
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| The British naval gun destroys some Gauchos |
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| With darkness descending, the bulk of the Spaniards arrive. |
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| 20 turns over, night time has arrived. The British manage to establish a beach head. |
Well that could of gone a lot better for the British, but it could of been a lot worse. At one point the British forces were teetering on disaster. Two British elements lost though! The Spanish townsfolk & Gauchos don't count as elements lost. The Gauchos will be replaced for the next battle. The 71st Infantry Regiment, with the naval gun in support, will be used to batter the Spanish forces outside town. It's going to be tough to force out the Spanish Militia holed up in the town though! Let's hope the Marines & Sailors can force them out. Until next time...
Web Pix==
http://showthecolours.wikia.com/wiki/Royal_Marines
http://www.expatsportugal.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5931&start=70
http://www.armchairgeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55906&page=259
