111 Ocaña - Cavalry Action (18 November 1809)
11 %
89 %
Ocaña (Cavalry Action) - 18 November 1809
Historical Background
As the French and Spanish armies converged on Ocaña on the morning of the 18th, the French cavalry vanguard under Milhaud encountered three of General Freire’s Spanish cavalry divisions. The French deployed with Paris’ light cavalry in front of Milhaud’s dragoons and horse artillery. Paris’ light division executed a spirited charge that cut the Spanish light cavalry to pieces. Paris, in turn, was checked and forced back when Freire brought forward his heavy cavalry reserves. Milhaud then led his dragoons forward in a furious counter-charge that sent the Spanish cavalry fleeing from the field. Thus ended one of the largest cavalry actions in the Peninsular War. With the French cuirassiers fully engaged against the Austrians, the French dragoons established themselves as the premier heavy cavalry in the Peninsula.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Spanish Army
• Commander: Freire
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards
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| 7 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
French Army
• Commander: Milhaud
• 6 Command Cards
• Optional 4 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rules
The Spanish Guerrilla Action rule is in effect. The Spanish player starts with one Guerrilla counter.
Tags: Expansion 1, Banners: 7, Army: French, Army: Spanish, Special Rule: Guerrilla, Special Rule: Cavalry Battles
I'd also suggest weeding down the Command Deck to remove the 'dead' Command cards
www.commandsandcolors.net/napoleonics/fo...rd-command-deck.html
lastly.. the Guerrilla Marker, my least favourite CCN mechanic, and so perverse here.
Michael's suggestion is to give the Spanish the first turn, and I'd suggest that and getting rid of the GM.
Underneath it all, this could be a fun scenario with a bit of mild modification.
Anyway, Tom took the French first and promptly instigated a cavalry charge: four French light cavalry left of centre attacking four Spanish light cavalry. When the dust settled, the four French units were still there. Of the Spanish there was no sign.
The French decided to press their luck, the lights advancing to meet Spanish heavy cavalry. This time, one French unit went down, but both Spaniards bit the dust and the Spanish right flank was no more.
Focus now shifted to the centre as the Spanish fought back, removing a second enemy light cavalry unit. There should have been more French casualties, but they chased off the attacking guerillas and disposed of a third Spanish heavy cavalry.
2:7 to Tom and only an hour played. Could I get revenge?
Switching sides, I started by bringing the heavy cavalry into the French line and advancing slowly. The Spanish heavies moved up too.
Then came the charge, left of centre again, and again came the rout of the Spanish, three light cavalry destroyed in exchange for light casualties on the French side.
The Spanish tried to counter-attack with what was left of their right wing, but were pushed back as the French re-grouped. The centre right Spanish units now moved across to tackle the advanced French force and eliminated one light cavalry.
Again thwarting interference from guerillas, the French made the Spanish pay: another three units lost.
The final act was a bold attack by General Rivas and his heavy cavalry. The French heavy cavalry withstood the charge and wiped out his command, Rivas fleeing the battlefield ignominiously.
And that was 7:2 to me and an aggregate draw 9:9.
A fun scenario. If you're playing French.
So the French have a very good Chance, to weak and/or force to retreat the LC´s
without any battle back.
So i would change the scenario notes and give the French also only 5 cards and let the spanish Player start the game, instead the French.
Or revise the setup and and place the complete LC´s one hex in spanish direction, so the starting French Player cant reach them immediately at start.
