The situation in Europe is slowly heating up. More forces are being raised, especially in the north, where Sweden is going to have to do something dramatic soon or run out of money. It is further west that attention is currently focused, however, as the Spanish raised a new army and placed it in Franche-Comte. The French, as had previously been noted, have been busily raising armies, and so this, which could be construed as a defensive measure by the Spanish (Franche-Comte is, after all, a home province for them) was bound to irritate the rather active and bellicose French King (who, historically, would be Henri IV).
As the French, in Spring 1602, got a move card, and the diplomacy route between the two countries failed, due to their differing strategic aims, the French invaded. I was a bit shocked when I discovered that the Spanish army was isolated, while the French had support. Oh, OK, so a single Spanish army is to take on one and a half French armies. This already sounds like it might end badly.
Never one to shirk a wargame, however, the army lists were duly drawn up, the terrain rolled for, and the armies deployed. I could say that the terrain was favourable to the Spanish, but that would be an exaggeration. It could have been worse, would be, I think, nearer the mark.
The deployment is above, with the Spanish to the left. They have 4 pike, 4 shot, 3 demi-lancers, and a base of light horse. The foot are deployed on a hill, with the forward unit on the top of the slope, the other unit in reserve on the top. The cavalry are deployed on the left, under the general, with the idea of resisting any attempt to outflank the foot on that side. The light horse are to do the same job on the right. Now, there’s optimism for you.
The French plan was fairly simple. They would use their cavalry advantage to wipe out the Spanish lancers, and then outflank the hill on both sides, both infantry and cavalry cooperating. To this end, the general was deployed with the cavalry, while the sub-general had command of the foot on the French left, nearest the camera. The French deployed their cavalry in two groups, one in line with 3 bases to be the immediate opponents of the Spanish, and then the other two bases in column near the village, to be the reserves who mop up the victorious chargers. Well, it worked for the Muscovites a game or two ago.
With a bit of a feast of tempo points, the French surged forward, getting everyone moving, as seen above. The main cavalry strike force is getting into position, and the infantry on the near side is looking rather bulky against the comparatively slight Spanish on the hill. A lot would depend on the cavalry clash, and the French reserve cavalry are moving up in anticipation of demi-lancer for lunch.
I really thought the Spanish were going to lose this one. The initial chance of a charge at the French cavalry was missed. The French had the tempo and moved into range; the Spanish fluffed their charge roll. Next turn, the Spanish won the tempo and declared another charge. They made it this time, just, and the results are seen above. One French base routed, two others shaken, and the Spanish pushing on.
At this point, my camera battery expired, so you’ll just have to believe the next bit. The cavalry combat went the Spanish way the next turn, and the French cavalry fled. This included the general, whose risk roll indicated he was a casualty. Humbug. As the Spanish spread out pursuing the fleeing French, the latter did not have the tempo to bring their reserves into the action. Not only that, but French morale wavered, losing all units their current orders. More humbug.
The French sub-general managed to get some of his foot (the red coats) moving forward again and engaged in a firefight with the Spanish on the hill. Meanwhile, the Spanish lancers were rallying on the far side of the field, unmolested by the now orderless French right. The French were having tempo trouble, as one usually has when the general has been lost, and were not doing as well as they could in the firefight.
Things only got worse for the French. The Spanish infantry on the hill attacked downhill. The leftmost musketeers caused their foes to recoil. The pike in two ranks pushed back the French pike and, worst of all for the French, the right flank Spanish shot routed their opposition. This latter included the French sub-general, who had to roll for his risk as well and, inevitably, perhaps, became a casualty.
The end of the battle is above. The Spanish foot are advancing down their hill, while the remnants of the red coats flee. The coup de grâce was actually administered by the Spanish general and his lancers, who trotted up to the French carabiniers marooned without orders by the village, took them in flank, and routed them. This was too much for French morale, and they withdrew.
That was, to say the least, unexpected. After the last Bavarian against Austrian affair, I thought the Spanish were toast, especially after they failed the first charge attempt. They were in a far worse defensive position for one thing, and the forces facing them were more balanced and outnumbered them in almost every department.
Mind you, it was, I think, the first time my French millers had been on the table (slightly anachronistic, maybe, but really, why not?). Given the recent performance of the Bavarian cuirassiers, I suppose it should not be a surprise.
Still, Europe is now agog over the Franco-Spanish war and wondering what it might mean that the French have received an unexpected setback. I wonder as well. Obviously, the Spanish GOOS score will have improved, and one of their main war aims is to maintain the Spanish Road from Italy to the Netherlands. So far, so good….
