Tuesday 26 June 2012

Y Viva Espana! - and yet more blocks!


The Spanish have arrived - roll on the Austrians, Prussians, Russians and (hopefully) a whole host of minor nations!

Yesterday saw the arrival of the Spanish expansion for Command and Colours: Napoleonics which will round off the armies of the Peninsula War rather nicely. I hope to have a good look at this tonight when I get home from my business trip to sunny Edinburgh (and yes, it is actually sunny!). Sadly no chance to have a look around as I am staying on a business park outside of the city but I am quite near the airport.

The following review has been taken directly from the GMT description of the expansion.


The Spanish Army is the first expansion for Commands & Colors: Napoleonics.

At the time of the Napoleonic Wars, Spain was only a shadow of its former power. Spanish troops and leaders, as many Napoleonic historians point out, performed badly on a large number of occasions. Yet there are a number of battles, Bailen, Tamames, Alcaniz and San Marcial where the Spaniards fought valiantly and gained victory. Ironically, the point most historians overlook is the fact that the Spanish armies constituted a threat that the French simply could not ignore. As good as Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese field army was, that army faced multiple French armies. They could only defeat one French army at a time. The Spanish Armies and the accompanying guerrilla warfare against French troops tied down the remainder, allowing the Anglo-Portuguese army to ultimately emerge victorious.

In this expansion you will find 18 historical scenarios that focus on Peninsular battles fought by the Spanish army from 1808 to 1813, plus all the new units you’ll need to field for these engagements.

1808
Bailén - July 19 1808
Zornoza - October 31, 1808
Gamonel - November 7, 1808
Espinosa - November 11, 1808
Somosierra - November 30, 1808

1809
Medellin - March 28, 1809
Alcaniz - May 23, 1809
Maria - June 6, 1809
Talavera (Spanish Flank) - July 28, 1809
Tamames - October 13, 1809
Ocano (Cavalry Action) - November 18, 1809
Ocano - November 19, 1809
Alba de Tormes - November 28, 1809

1811
Barrosa (French Attack) - March 5, 1811
Albuera - May 16, 1811

1813
Vitoria (Hill's Attack) - June 21, 1813
San Marcial - August 31, 1813
Ordal Cross - September 13. 1813

The quality of Spanish troops varied, from very poor to good, and the Spanish National Unit Reference Card presents a wealth of subtle unit characteristics that set the Spanish Army apart from all other Coalition armies that opposed Napoleon. Command of the Spanish Army, therefore, will truly challenge even the most experienced Commands & Colors: Napoleonics player.

I am looking forward to using this in its own right but also have a cunning plan in mind for another use, details of which will follow in due course.

3 comments:

Jim Duncan Wargamer said...

Glad you appreciate the nice weather in Edinburgh. It doesn't always live up to its 'dreich' reputation!

Good luck with your Spanish, viva Espana.

Jim

David Crook said...

Hi Jim,

The sun lasted until I got to the airport to come home so I cant complain! Loved the Spitfire gate guard as well!

Big plans for the Spanish so watch this space.

All the best,

DC

Jim Duncan Wargamer said...

The EDI gate guard Spitfire is a GRP 1:1 replica and is called 'Blue Peter'.

The original gate guard was a real Spitfire outside RAF Turnhouse which is now Edinburgh International Airport (EDI).

Blue Peter is painted to represent RAF 603 Squadron who shot down the first German bomber over Great Britain since 1918.