War of the Oranges – Alentejo – May/June 1801
Historical Background
In 1800, First Consul Bonaparte and his ally, the Spanish prime-minister and Generalissimo Manuel de Godoy, nicknamed "The Prince of Peace", ultimately demanded Portugal, the last British ally on the continent, to break her alliance with Britain. Portugal refused to cede, and, in April 1801, French troops arrived in the country. They were bolstered by Spanish troops under the command of Manuel de Godoy. Godoy had, under his command, the Spanish Army of Extremadura, with five divisions.
The Spanish attack to Portugal started on the early morning of the 20 May, and focused on the Portuguese border region that included the main Garrison Town and Fortifications of Elvas and the smaller fortified towns of Campo Maior, Olivença and Juromenha. The main force of the Spanish Army advanced to Elvas, while two divisions advanced to Campo Maior and another division advanced to Olivença and Juromenha. Without having their fortifications complete and defended only by a few hundred soldiers, most of the militias, Olivença and nearby Juromenha quickly surrendered to the Spanish forces. The Portuguese garrison of Campo Maior - under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Dias Azedo - resisted the assault for 17 days, forcing the Spanish to maintain two entire divisions in its siege. The main Spanish force - under the direct command of Godoy - tried to assault Elvas but was easily repelled by the strong Portuguese garrison commanded by General Francisco de Noronha. The Spanish troops then withdrew to a safe distance from the fortress, with Godoy not daring to attack it again until the end of the war. The war entered in a stalemate, with most of the Spanish forces hold in sieges of fortresses and the rest not being able to face the blockade made by the main core of the Portuguese Army, in order to advance further inside Portugal. Despite this, Godoy picked oranges from the outside of Elvas and sent them to the Queen of Spain with the message that he would proceed to Lisbon. Thus, the conflict became known as the "War of the Oranges".
From Wikipedia
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
Battle Notes
Portuguese Army
Commander : Duque de Lafões
4 Command Cards
Optional 2 Tactic Cards
Spanish Army
Commander : Manuel de Godoy
5 Command Cards
Optional 4 Tactic Cards
Move first
Victory 8 banners
Special rules :
- For each Scout Card played, the Spanish player can first apply a "Short Supply" to any Portuguese unit except those in Elvas and Campo Maior.
- The Portuguese player gains one Victory banner for each Scout Card played. However, the very last Victory banner (to end the game) cannot be won this way.
- The Spanish player gains one Victory banner for every Portuguese city or fortress occupied by a Spanish unit. (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)
- Guadiana river is fordable.The ford does not stop movement but battle restrictions still aply.
- The Spanish Guerrilla Action rule is NOT used.
Tags : Expansion 1, Temporary Victory banners, Spanish Army, Portuguese Army
