OT19 Round 3 - Bailén
A note on the scenario - it is unclear from scenario notes and FAQ what should happen to Schramm when the French Swiss desert. Based on the history of the battle and Schramm himself, we agreed that he would remain on the field and therefore vulnerable (in the battle, he was wounded and captured).
Match 1
RiverWander (Allies) 5
Gonzo (French) 7
Encouraged by a promising hand and spurred into action by the threat of an imminent close range French bombard, Spanish infantry opened with a bayonet charge against the French right. As the Spanish started to dominate the flank, French survivors wisely withdrew to refuse further combat, leaving the Spanish to take cover rather than pursue. Next, the Spanish switched focus to the opposite flank, looking for similar good fortune. However, their initial advance stalled in the face of a stiff French response. This culminated in a well-timed French Bayonet Charge that overwhelmed the Spanish right. A last desperate cavalry charge could not rescue the Spanish and shortly after the French sealed their win.
A long, tense game with a lot of plays devoted to re-organising on both sides, as fortunes swung from one to the other.
Unfortunately, due to technical problems and both of us forgetting to renew log files, we can present only the initial log and a final image for this match.
Match 2
Gonzo(Allies) 2
RiverWanderer (French) 7
This time it was the French who were able to open with an aggressive plan against the Spanish left flank. The French momentum continued unimpeded by lack of orders or unlucky combat results, until the flank and the win was taken.
I put this one down as one of the those C&C games where cards drawn and one or two key dice rolls exaggerate the result, aggravated by the dreaded double XSW roll snagging the only leader casualty across both matches. Wishing Joe better luck in his next game.
