LC01 Maida (4 July 1806)

Written by Laurence Cutner on 18 January 2011. Posted in Third Coalition (1803-1806)

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Total plays 8 - Last reported by Mark McG on 2012-05-27 00:00:00

Maida (Sicily Campaign) - 4 July 1806

Historical Background
French forces had invaded the Kingdom of Naples in the spring of 1806. By July, the French had crushed all Neapolitan resistance except for an uprising in Calabria and a garrison at Gaeta. The British decided to organise an expedition into Calabria to further the insurrection against the French, and prevent any potential invasion of Sicily.
A British force of over 5,000 men commanded by Major-General John Stuart sailed from Messina on 27 June. At the same time a French force of 6,000 men under the command of General Jean Reynier, the only French force in Calabria, moved to confront them.
On 4 July 1806, the two combatants met on the plain of Maida. As Reynier advanced, the British held their fire, then released a series of devastating volleys at point-blank range. The French faltered, and when the British charged at bayonet point, were completely routed. The entire action lasted only fifteen minutes. Stuart then marched south and after a series of minor skirmishes, returned to Sicily, as he felt his force was too weak to go onto a full offensive. His victory was much feted, and he received the Order of the Bath and an annuity of £1,000 a year from the British, and the title "Count of Maida" from King Ferdinand of Naples.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?

Set-Up Order 4 2 6 1

Battle Notes

British Army
Commander: Sir John Stuart
5 Command Cards

6	1	1	1	1	3

French Army
Commander: Jean Louis Reynier
5 Command Cards
Move First

5	3	1	1	3

Victory
4 Banners

Special Rules
The Limato River is impassable except at the ford.

Tags: Banners: 4, Army: British, Army: French, Unofficial

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Posts in discussion: LC01 Maida (4 July 1806)

Bayernkini replied the topic: #1575 5 years 3 months ago

Fixed with upcoming Prussians

Mark-McG replied the topic: #1574 5 years 3 months ago

Just noticed that the VASSAL scenario notes are from Roliça 1 for this scenario. Can that be fixed in the next Fax-Scenarios extension update?

davroslives replied the topic: #857 6 years 9 months ago

I'm very glad you like the scenario. I just found (from playing) that the British 5 block unit was just too much. I like the fact that the system is flexible enough to 'fiddle' with it. I initially thought that the C&C system would not work for Napoleonics but, boy was I wrong. Unfortunately, it's unlikely that I will get any of the new expansions as I am on a disability pension and therefore my spending money available on 'fun' is nil. Oh well, the base game and the Spanish will have to do.

Bolkonsky replied the topic: #856 6 years 9 months ago

I'm assuming you mean the British composite light bttn rather than the Corsican rangers? Is that again for game balance? It seems quite reasonable to have the British light to me - gives them some strike power.

I did try replacing Digonnet's French line with light and I thought it worked pretty well - French were able to bring Digonnet's brigade forward rapidly to attack the British flank. However, for the record, Brits won 4-3.

Anyway, thanks for the scenario, a great addition and certainly one I'll use to introduce people to the game!

davroslives replied the topic: #855 6 years 9 months ago

Better late than never. Actually, your observations are 'spot on'. The scenario was designed as a learning game and certain liberties were taken with the unit mix. The only changes I can see are the one to replace British light with Portuguese light and perhaps raise the victory conditions to 5 rather than 4. Thanks for your comments.

Bolkonsky replied the topic: #854 6 years 9 months ago

Sorry to be so late on this discussion.

I think it's a good introductory battle and nice to be able to depict units at battalion level.

I'm curious to know why Digonnet's Light infantry brigade has been turned into 1 light battalion and 1 line battalion rather than 2 light battalions. I wonder whether this is designed to create game balance or is intended to be reflective of a mix of formations?

davroslives replied the topic: #528 8 years 1 month ago

I made the river impassable just for the scenario. Essentially, after minor skirmishing the day before, the armies ignored the river. To balance out the scenario, I advise changing the British light infantry to Portuguese light infantry. A rifle unit is probably overkill by one die, however it's difficult to really micro-manage at that level. Actually, many of the non-British light troops were rifle armed and reasonably well regarded.

Freeloading-Phill replied the topic: #509 8 years 2 months ago

Played this against Tom last night as his first game of CCN.

It swung back and forth for most of the game before I won 4-2.

Phill

alvinczy replied the topic: #155 8 years 6 months ago

Ciao

Some notes upon Maida

1- The river (LAMATO not LIMATO) was rather dry and impassable only for artillery.
2- The power of British Fire Combat does not give good balance; aka the French often lose the match.
3- From the historical research I'm not aware about the presence of Rifle units in the Expeditionnary Corps of Sir John Stuart. British Light infantry had low numbers and was almost unuseful

Enrico

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