Time for the return match at Garcia Hernandez and Evert's turn to take the British. As the French, my strategy was clear. Either get the cavalry into play from the left flank or march my infantry forward on the right and shoot down the British cavalry.
The battle started with General Foy leading two French Line infantry units forward in the centre to support the Light infantry in square and shoot at the British cavalry. The British Heavies under General Bock duly took some casualties.
Bock led his unit to attack one of the French Line. The infantry stood their ground, but were battered by the Heavy cavalry who took no damage.
On the French left, General Curto led one of his Heavy cavalry units forward, while Foy's wounded infantry battled with the British Heavy unit in the centre. This did not end well, the cavalry sabres finishing off the infantry. General Foy beat a hasty retreat to the security of another French Line unit. [Yes, Evert got lucky with the battle back, eliminating a French line to open the scoring 0:1.]
Another unit of the British Heavy cavalry and one of the Lights moved forward in the centre to engage the second French Line that had advanced with Foy. The infantry formed square, but took a hit, inflicting one on the Heavies in return.
Curto saw his chance and brought his full-strength Heavy cavalry forward to attack Bock's injured unit. However, the British cavalry were ready and gave better than they got. [Evert used a "First Strike" to get his retaliation in first.]
More Light cavalry swept into the centre from the British right wing while both sides' Heavy cavalry continued to exchange blows. The French Light cavalry on their left wing moved forward, seeking an opportunity. The British Lights struck first, however, eliminating what was left of Curto's Heavy unit. The General himself trotted back to take up position alongside the French infantry on the right. [That's 0:2.]
Two French Line began to advance on the right. [Finally, a right section card!] However, the British Light cavalry attacked again in the centre, putting the half-strength Line unit with General Foy into square. The infantry's bayonets did some damage, but the cavalry sabres did more, finishing off the unit. Foy escaped, only to be ridden down by the Lights. [With two banners for Evert's second infantry kill, the score is 0:5.]
Finally the French cavalry got into the action, the Lights and remaining Heavy unit charging the British Light cavalry in the centre. Two British units were eliminated, the third one damaged and the French horsemen were poised to go after the other under-strength British cavalry. [A "Cavalry Charge" card brought some hope as the score went to 2:5.]
However, that battered British Light cavalry seized the opportunity to bypass its opposite numbers and hack down General Curto. With no leaders left, the demoralised French conceded the field. [2:6 is the final score.]
Dashed unsporting, though, riding down lone Leaders - not once, but twice! My own fault for not taking Foy off the battlefield, but I hoped to link him up with the French cavalry. You'll notice that virtually all the action was in the centre. The lack of left or right section cards meant I couldn't carry out my initial plans. And the aggregate score is definitely with Evert: 8:11.
It's an interesting scenario, both sides being handicapped in different ways. The British by having no infantry (Evert used a "Bayonet Charge" to move one unit at one point) and the French by having fewer cards while their units are in square. The British can wear down the French squares, while the French need to get their own cavalry into the action.
Pevans