Historical Background
Sir Arthur Wellesley crossed into Spain and on July 20th and joined with General Cuesta’s beaten Spanish Army to oppose the French. On the evening of 27th July, the British and Spanish were deployed around Talavera. Victor’s approaching army had been reinforced by Sebastiani and cavalry under King Jerome Bonaparte.
Victor decided to assault the Cerro de Medellin without delay. Ruffin’s French division is wrecked in two unsupported assaults on the British positions atop the Cerro de Medellín and by mid-morning the French commanders meet and decide to launch concentric attacks. Victor shifts Ruffin’s survivors to the right and Sebastiani’s fresh division fills the gap. The plan is for Sebastiani’s division to attack first and then for Leval’s division to attack second. As luck would have it, Leval’s troops find their way through the trees first, and the French columns emerge disorganized onto the open ground directly in front of the Spanish batteries. The French regiments still make some progress, but finally break. Next, Sebastiani’s Germans and Poles fight like demons and capture the battery, but are driven out by a British counterattack. The French fall back to their starting positions.
On the French far left, Milhaud’s cavalry recognized the strength of the Spanish position in and around Talavera and were content to just skirmish with the Spaniards. Wellington maintains his position through the night, until he learns of Soult’s movement to cut his line of communication and pulls back. The French claim victory, even though they were soundly beaten in all of their attacks.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
Set-Up Order
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| 11 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
Battle Notes
British Army
• Commander: Wellington
• 6 Command Cards
• 6 Tactician Cards
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| 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
French Army
• Commander: Joseph and Victor
• 5 Command Cards
• 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First 
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| 15 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
Victory
15 Banners
Special Rules
• The French gain 1 Temporary Victory Banner at the start of the turn for each Cerro De Medellin hill hex occupied.
• The French gain 2 Temporary Victory Banners at the start of the turn if enemy units do not occupy both redoubt hexes.
• The French gain 1 Temporary Victory Banner at the start of the turn for each building hex occupied.
• The Allies gain 1 Temporary Victory Banner at the start of the turn if no French units occupy any Cerro De Medellin hill hexes. The Allies start with 1 Victory Banner.
• The Allies gain 1 Temporary Victory Banner at the start of the turn if no French units occupy any town hexes in Talavera. The Allies start with 1 Victory Banner.
• The Portina Brook will stop movement, but does not have any battle restrictions.
• The Spanish Guerrilla Action rule is in effect. The Allies start with one Guerrilla counter.
• Exception to Terrain Tile rules: Rugged Hill hexes of Sierra De Segurilla can be entered. Treat as hill terrain except: Infantry battle at –1 die up and hill to hill, and Cavalry battle up, down and hill to hill at –2 dice.
