Black Powder game in the Peninsula. Mike chose the French (Massena) with four divisions of infantry under Reynier, Loisin, Junot and Drouet, 28 battalions in all plus 5 batteries of artillery and Montbrun's dragoon division. In support, Bessieres with the Imperial Guard cavalry.
Wellington has six infantry divisions (1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th & Light plus Slade's cavalry division and Barbacena's Portuguese cavalry. 8 batteries of artillery dominate the skyline.
The empty battlefield - the French will arrive on the right.
Indeed, scouts are already examining the terrain
The French divisions mass preparatory to the attack - including two of cavalry nearest the camera.
Mike decides to attack on all fronts together
British infantry are occupying the close knit small buildings of the village
Only skirmishers visible to the French
Houston's 7th Division have occupied the small village of Poco Velho
Now we can see the British guns on the heights above the village
a local tavern keeper, El Murrio, watches anxiously.
Open fire !
The French are coming !
Big solid ranks of infantry in column
and the first of them hit the village
others head for the gap between Poco Velho and the woods
including all the cavalry
Quickly, the French get to grips with the defenders
Two houses have fallen already
The Portuguese cavalry have gone so now British light dragoons charge forward
but French dragoons punch heavier
and the British are thrown back with one regiment gone
the Light Division prepare for action as the enemy nears the woods
Wellington refuses to commit his reserves yet
the Imperial Guard cavalry now advance
the KGL cavalry have to try and hold this for as long as they can
the left side of the village is now under heavy infantry attack
just the artillery and skirmishers fire from the hills
the Allied right flank is about to be turned
the Light Division is deployed
over on the British left, more French columns approach
Wellington watches with some concern
the Horse Grenadiers have seen off the KGL cavalry and approach the British right flank
and infantry lines are getting the better of Craufurd's men in and around the woods
Houston's men are still holed up in Poco Velho and take pot shots at the passing enemy cavalry
the British are still holding on to two houses on the right
French columns now ascend the heights
which is William Erskine's cue to advance his division
French battalions have cut their way through the Light Division and now assail the British right where Wellington has thrown in Brent Spencer's 1st Division
they beat off the first attacks
its all down to this fight
Send in the Guards !
Three French battalions wait to attack but they are being hurt by Houston's men in the village
the British artillery has worn down several French battalions and they have fallen back shaken
behind the woods, others refuse to advance any more having taken too many casualties in their fight with the Light Division
even the French cavalry are being picked off by Houston's men shooting out of the windows
Erskine's men have defeated the French attacks on the left of the hill
Will the French be able to punch through the right flank ?
British troops have recaptured the houses on the left of the village as French troops recoil disordered
the left side is quiet as the French retreat
another desperate attack down the street is disordered by fire from the church
the hill line is secure
the Guards and KGL infantry cover the rear of the village
the French attack in the centre of the village falters
and attempts to make further gains on the right are thwarted
