Peninsular war. Battle of Roliça Game 1 Ohlo Marinho

7.17 am 17th August.

The Rifles advance into Ohlo Marinho as a French Voltiguer Company complete their looting of the town.  

  

The British orders

2 x 6 Skirmishers

3 x 8 Rifles in close order

Additional Support Points

Physic – 1pt        aka Dr Gordon Ottershaw, dentist, freemason and ferret wrangler

Musician – 1pt   aka young William Elliot, bugler and company dancer

Level 1 officer – 3pts       aka Sergeant Harold Lime, procurer of sundries and rarities.

Scout – 3pts        aka The Masked Shadow

#1   Captain Quitte von Weissmehr is a native of Duisburg in the old Duchy of Cleves. Once Baron of the Schloss Weissmehr, before the unfortunate affair at Austerlitz he is now exiled to serve in the Britsh Army.  The Captain is a friend of the inventor Bartholomäus Girardoni, and has a custom made Girardoni Air Rifle, which he used at Austerlitz, just before everyone else ran away.  This remarkable weapon fires 12 shots in rapid succession, and is reloaded with a magazine tube of 20 bullets.  It accounts for the Captains nickname in the rifles “Old Windy.” 

Famous for his service with The Oeels Jager during the later part of the Peninsular war, few realise that the Captain actually served in the 95^th Rifles before his transfer to the Portuguese Cacadores after Corunna.  With the arrival of the Duke of Brunswick in the Peninsular von Weissmehr was quickly offered a post in the Black Band, where he served famously until his death defending the Duke at Quatre Bras.

#2   Lieutenant Charles "Binky" Snetterton-Lewis, commission purchased by pater and in bright new boots and uniform.  Binky is a little dim.

#3   Sergeant Otto "Wachtmeister" Feuct, the captain's butler.  He is prim and proper, and the ladies swoon for his bristling moustaches.

#4   Sergeant Harold Lime. "Procurer"

After breakfast the company will advance toward Ohlo Marinho in the direction marked on the attached map.

Order of march. 2 x 6 rifles in open formation out front. One sergeant with each group.

3x8 groups in brisk march style along track. I will lead the front group, Lt Snetterton-Lewis will bring up the rearmost group.

Secure the village with all due rigour. If any locals make a nuisance then send them to me, I fancy there are more Frenchie spies than you can shake a knockwurst at in these parts.

William, stop skipping.

The French Orders

Major Figuin of 27th du Ligne addresses his Officers at Rolica early on 17th August 1808
Gentlemen, General Delaborde has deemed that we should withdraw to the heights above Roliça soon. Before we do that our battalion has some work in the valley here. It seems that the British have a number of spies hereabouts, and that we are to capture them if possible.  We will also be aggressively patrolling out towards Po and Ohlo Marinho. 
Capitaine Bernier, (Orders hidden for game 2)

Capitaine Pease Sanbeans, take your flank company through Po, and examine the road northwest to Ohlo Marinho.  Loot the town of any supplies.  These British are inexperienced and were out of control at Brilos.  Deliver an ambush if you are able.
I will make my headquarters at (Hidden for game 3).
To your men if you please.  Let us see this done.

#1   Capitane Pease Sanbeans, a young thruster who wishes only to impress General Delaborde.



#2   Sergeant Gui D`Rope 27th Flank, Voltiguers.  A man with long Moustaches and clean underwear.  A fervent Boneapartist.

#3   Lieutenant Alphonse Capone, Quartermaster, with six men and a mule train.  He is a despicable cad, even thhe mules are not safe.  He cannot command anything but his own foraging party, being an Italian, and an outsider to the 27th who detest him.


 
2 x groups of six Skirmishers
1 group of Line
1 foraging group, 1 mule train.



British Big Men 1-4 with 4 flags
French Big Men 1-3 with 4 flags
Tiffin
The ? chip for the appearance of an Exploring Officer.

 The Rifles cross the bridge easilly, and approach the town. 

The French deploy from the Church and occupy a garden on the left.  A force of French Line block the road.

The French lack of a third Big man is an issue even at this stage.

 The French in cover in the garden do well, even against the Rifles.

 But the British bring up their close order groups and Sanbeans orders a withdrawal

The sad death of Captaine Pease Sanbeans, repeatedly shot through the plume by the Girardoni air rifle of Captain Quitte himself.  

The jig is up, as the French start to break away.

The blue #1 counter is removed from the deck/ bag.










The  "?" chip appears before the Tiffin for the first time.  An Exploring Officer is seen.  Rumour has it that this is the Sir Arthur himself.

He shouts a rousing "Good show that man," to von Weissmehr.

(see Jac Weller's comments on the Wellesley's personal scoutng of the terrain on the morning of the 17th.  This is however un reported and relies solely on Weller's own battlefield walks and observations.  For what it`s worth I agree with him.)

Capone and his minions sidle off with the loot.
The Rifles later discover that he has stolen silver plate, communion wine and an elderly nun from the church. 

We may see this despicable fellow again...



A Victory for the Rifles who cleared the town as ordered.  Losses minimal, two riflemen killed, one wounded.
The French lost six men, including their Captain.  Not a good start for the forces of "Empire."