Albuera – 16 May 1811
First time we tried the Tacticians Deck.
Turn 1: The French and General Girard waste no time! Girard Takes Command on the French left and traps a Spanish infantry regiment between sharpshooting Voltigeurs and a heavy cavalry unit. The Spanish regiment is destroyed. The Spanish reply with musket fire and a light cavalry attack against the overextended French heavy horsemen. The French cavalry suffer 25% casualties. French 1, Allies 0.
Turn 2: French continue to attack the Spanish right: Spanish and French cavalry clash; the Spanish light equestrians take a beating. The French Voltigeurs push back another Spanish infantry regiment.
Turn 3: French shift additional units on their left o further press the Allied right. French 1, Allies 0.
Turn 4: French Grenadiers storm over the bridge toward Albuera, but suffer ghastly 75% casualties and fail to move the British light troops in the town. On the Spanish right, another Iberian infantry regiment is routed off the field. Meanwhile, British infantry and artillery in the center Fire and Hold against General Girard’s infantry near the Allied right ridgeline. The British fire is devastating, and Girard loses his regiment and barely escapes with his life. French 2, Allies 1.
Turn 5: The struggle over Albuera continues… General Godinot captures half of the town. But the Grenadiers are shot to pieces by the well protected British light infantry. All tied at two banners.
Turn 7: The British infantry in Albuera are finally forced to retreat from the town. French gain a temporary victory banner. French 3, Allies 2.
Turn 9: Persistent Portuguese musket and rifle fire eliminates one of Godinot’s infantry units in Albuera. The town is a kill zone… All tied at three banners.
Turn 10: French Leadership along the front eliminates a Spanish infantry unit in the center and a Portuguese light infantry unit on the Allied left. French 5, Allies 3.
Turn 12: Spanish Guerrilla Action prevents the French from executing an attack on the right flank. A British attack to re-take Albuera is foiled by Battlefield Smoke!
Turn 13: French follow through with a Fire and Hold order and eliminate a British line regiment. Allies perform a Bayonet Charge on their right and shatter Girard’s exhausted Voltigeurs and cause a French light cavalry squadron to retire. French 7, Allies 4.
Turn 15: British General Stewart urges his Brits to Give Them [the French] the Cold Steel, but the French General Werle has his Infantry Combat First Tactician Card ruin the British plan. Indeed, lo and behold, the British infantry unit attempting to offer up some Cold Steel is eliminated before they can strike! This earns the French the 8th and game winning banner! French 8, Allies 4. The Tactician Deck is a game changer!