A Bridge not far Enough, 40mm Peninsular SP2 AAR

 This week we have the 40mm collection on table again with the Paris Municipal Guard and British Light Dragoons making a debut.

3 Groups of 8 Paris Municipal Guard cover a bridge over which the Allies must pass to reach a supply depot. Their right wing is supported by a Troop of Hussars their left by two groups of Skirmishers. Off table two more Groups of Line Grenadiers, a group of skirmishers and the Force commander wait to support them.

Opposing them under Chris Flowers are 4 Groups of Spanish line, 2 large groups of 10 60th Rifles, a Troops of British Light Dragoon's and deploying onto the left of the table 3 groups of Guerrilla Skirmishers.

The Allies have the advantage of numbers and the long range of the Rifles but the French hold the centre of the table.

There are plenty of biscuits whilst we deploy and prepare for battle.

The left has plenty of cover in the shape of vinyards where one group of Skirmishers await, the rest of the table is bare other than a hill.behind which are deployed the Hussars.

First on are Guerrillas who immediately take casualties from the French legere skirmishers. 3 men down before the rest of the Guerrillas can deploy.

However things quickly go downhill from there. My second group of skirmishers are in the open, as are my Grenadier's who take a significant volume of fire from the Rifles. As my own third unit of skirmishers fail to arrive I am left with two units of six trying to hold down 5 units 2 of 10 with rifles who take a terrible toll of my Municipal Guard.

I am forced to volley the Rifles with pretty minimal impact at long range, as the Spanish deploy and unleash a massive volley alongside the withering rifle fire Municipal Guard start to unravel.

On my right the Light Dragoons have swept around and the cavalry charge each other, this is this first cavalry bash for us.

My Ligne Grenadiers are now advancing to support the Municipal Guard who are hanging on grimly. The Spanish line have crossed the stream and despite some losses the Rifles continue to pour accurate fire into the Parisians.

The Guerrilla's take more casualties, but numbers are beginning to tell in their uneven fight with the Legere skirmishers, the third unit has eventually turned up, but an event card has the leader trip up, fall on his arse and slow them down for a further move.

The cavalry Melee is very bloody with the British losing 5 and the French 4 troopers, unfortunately the French also have their commander knocked from his horse, both units are pretty much out of the game now.

At last the Grenadiers arrive to support the Paris Municipal Guard who are on the point of breaking and only able to hit on a roll of 6.

Unfortunately, a well-timed volley from the Spanish and skirmisher fire from the Guerrillas decimates the Grenadiers before they can fire.

Things look bad for the French.

The Grenadiers are hit again and forced to fall back, one unit breaking and my force morale is falling to pieces as the Parisians are also pushed back..

My force morale is shattered, there is no real hope of recovery despite getting some good card activations to reduce some of the shock, its pretty much all over. The Rifles have been the main difference, twenty of them firing at effective range at the 24 Paris Municipal Guard was just too much for them.

An Allied victory, well done Chris Flowers and thanks for the game Steve. Nice to have the 40mm on table especially the new stuff which all got thoroughly kicked in as is traditional.

Hope you enjoyed it too.