The continuing saga of Lady Fakham
With Lady Fakham seemingly able to avoid recapture by the Portuguese they had one last chance to get her back before Captain Perna-de-pau has to inform the British high command.
The Portuguese must use the semaphore tower to alert troops close to the coast and get them to capture her...
The Portuguese were set up at the top right of the table making for the semaphore tower with a large body (soon to be bodies ha ha ha) of French to the left. A Portuguese gun was stuck in between the two opposing forces with some cavalry in the village square. French cavalry was on the southern approach road to the village although other reinforcements were expected at any time.
The Portuguese were trying to get to the semaphore tower in order to inform troops near the coast of the coach's impending arrival and with luck, Lady Fakham would finally be in the hands of the Portuguese.
The French started the advance with a small screen of light infantry in front of them using the limited terrain to lay down a screen of fire.
With the French advancing towards the gun position, the main Portuguese force made a beeline for the semaphore tower, sacrificing the artillery in favour for the mission.
Aiming to get to the cliff edge and lay down some fire to stop the French getting to the tower before the signal had been sent.
The artillery crew seemed nonplussed however after spotting the French cavalry at the far end of the field.
Speaking of which, the aforementioned cavalry started to advance on the village, knowing that there were some troublesome Portuguese troops just waiting to take a beating.
Unfortunately for the French, a couple of units of Cacadores were lying in wait and started to give fire causing the cavalry to falter somewhat. Fortunately for the French though, a couple of units of grenadiers were marching towards the village and would hopefully provide support.
The Portuguese line infantry had managed to get on the cliff edge and were starting to lay down some heavy fire into the French ranks.
The French light infantry had seen off the artillery crew, but not before the gun got off a round at the freshly arrived grenadiers, and were now slowly advancing towards the semaphore tower, preparing the ground for the main French attack.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the battlefield, the Portuguese cavalry commander had taken matters into his own hands and had gallantly charged the French hussars, with devastating effect.
The hussars were seen off the field with ne'ery a casualty inflicted on the Portuguese and the cacadores were giving a good account of themselves reducing the recently arrived grenadiers.
A fierce firefight had erupted around the semaphore tower with each side giving good fire; the French line slowly advancing and the light infantry making their way into the orchard.
But disaster had struck! The workings of the semaphore tower had been sabotaged so the message to the Portuguese troops near the coast couldn't be sent.
What will happen now...
Will the Portuguese be able to make it to the coast in time or will they be hounded and delayed by the French. Watch this space for further developments :-)
Figures are Front Rank for the French and a mix of Perry, Warlord and Front Rank for the Portuguese. Buildings this time are all OSHIRO (see link below). Terrain boards, orchard and artillery emplacement were made by me (OSHIRO). Trees from various manufacturers. Sabot trays from the catalogue.
cheers
James
OSHIROmodels
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