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Tabletop Games

Battle of Zornoza (Spain), fought on October 10, 1808, between the Army of Northern Spain, Commanded by General Joaquim Blake, and the French Corps Commanded by Marshal François Lefebvre. In the ORBATs I've put in brackets the names of the units effectively deployed on the table, in representation of the real one. Miniatures in 1/72. I.o.t. maintain the scenario balanced, both in historical terms and in playing terms, I've downsized the French Divisions from 12 to 8 battlions; even so, the Spanish have 635 points and the French have 1159. All divisions are downgraded to Brigades. The goal for the French is taking the crossroad of Zornoza (and the road to Bilbao) in 20 turns.

The map. From "The Peninsular war atlas" by Colonel Nick Lipscombe, Osprey Publishing, 2010.
The map. From "The Peninsular war atlas" by Colonel Nick Lipscombe, Osprey Publishing, 2010.
French ORBAT. The two French Divisions are reduced from 12 to 8 battalions, and all Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades, to accomodate the scenario to the rules.
French ORBAT. The two French Divisions are reduced from 12 to 8 battalions, and all Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades, to accomodate the scenario to the rules.
Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets. Even though I've been painting for 50 years, I haven't yet painted all the units I would have wished.
Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets. Even though I've been painting for 50 years, I haven't yet painted all the units I would have wished.
Spanish ORBAT. Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades. So, instead of 4 Divisions and 2 independent Brigades, we have 6 Brigades.
Spanish ORBAT. Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades. So, instead of 4 Divisions and 2 independent Brigades, we have 6 Brigades.
Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets
Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets
Villatte's Division (Brigade to the game) entring on the field.
Villatte's Division (Brigade to the game) entring on the field.
The road from Durango to Zornoza and Bilbao. On the left, the river Ybaizabal
The road from Durango to Zornoza and Bilbao. On the left, the river Ybaizabal
St. Martin Hill. 250mt higher of the valley
St. Martin Hill. 250mt higher of the valley
The field of battle, from the French side. Zornoza is the village on the opposite side, ommanding the crossroad. The road to Bilbao is getting out on the far-right corner.
The field of battle, from the French side. Zornoza is the village on the opposite side, ommanding the crossroad. The road to Bilbao is getting out on the far-right corner.
On the left, Sebastiani' Division (Brigade in the game). On the right, the German Leval's Division (Brigade, in the game)
On the left, Sebastiani' Division (Brigade in the game). On the right, the German Leval's Division (Brigade, in the game)
The French marching in the valley. Form the left: Leval, Sebastiani, Villatte.
The French marching in the valley. Form the left: Leval, Sebastiani, Villatte.
The Spanish disposition. A first line (3 Brigades) all across the valley. A second line (on the left, 1 Brigade) to deny the first river bend, which could be used as an offensive bulge to safely deploy artillery at short range from the village (on the left). A third line (1 Brigade) to defend the c...
The Spanish disposition. A first line (3 Brigades) all across the valley. A second line (on the left, 1 Brigade) to deny the first river bend, which could be used as an offensive bulge to safely deploy artillery at short range from the village (on the left). A third line (1 Brigade) to defend the c...
The second and third lines of the Spanish Army.
The second and third lines of the Spanish Army.
The first French move. Villatte marches eagerly forward. Sebastini follows with a higher die. Leval gets bad dice, and stays.
The first French move. Villatte marches eagerly forward. Sebastini follows with a higher die. Leval gets bad dice, and stays.
Villate's troops come to grip with the Spanish.
Villate's troops come to grip with the Spanish.
The engagement goes on. The Spanish suffer the fist causalties, they hold fast however.
The engagement goes on. The Spanish suffer the fist causalties, they hold fast however.
Sebastiani Joins the fray in the centre.
Sebastiani Joins the fray in the centre.
On the left and centre the melée is general.
On the left and centre the melée is general.
A French battalion is repulsed back.
A French battalion is repulsed back.
The French grinding machine is working...
The French grinding machine is working...
... But the Spanish hold their ground.
... But the Spanish hold their ground.
Eventually, the Germans too join the fight (they had bad luck with the activation).
Eventually, the Germans too join the fight (they had bad luck with the activation).
The French renewed thei attacks against the Spanish first line, which is even more thinner.
The French renewed thei attacks against the Spanish first line, which is even more thinner.
Attacks over attacks ...
Attacks over attacks ...
... and finally, at the 10th turn the first Spanish line is broken. The patience of the players is broken too, it's 1o'clock in the morning, and the game stops. Who knows if the French could overcome 1 last Spanish brigade to rout the entire Army? We will try the same game in a Sunday.
... and finally, at the 10th turn the first Spanish line is broken. The patience of the players is broken too, it's 1o'clock in the morning, and the game stops. Who knows if the French could overcome 1 last Spanish brigade to rout the entire Army? We will try the same game in a Sunday.

The map. From "The Peninsular war atlas" by Colonel Nick Lipscombe, Osprey Publishing, 2010.

French ORBAT. The two French Divisions are reduced from 12 to 8 battalions, and all Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades, to accomodate the scenario to the rules.

Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets. Even though I've been painting for 50 years, I haven't yet painted all the units I would have wished.

Spanish ORBAT. Divisions are down-ranked to Brigades. So, instead of 4 Divisions and 2 independent Brigades, we have 6 Brigades.

Historic units are replaced by those indicated in brakets

Villatte's Division (Brigade to the game) entring on the field.

The road from Durango to Zornoza and Bilbao. On the left, the river Ybaizabal

St. Martin Hill. 250mt higher of the valley

The field of battle, from the French side. Zornoza is the village on the opposite side, ommanding the crossroad. The road to Bilbao is getting out on the far-right corner.

On the left, Sebastiani' Division (Brigade in the game). On the right, the German Leval's Division (Brigade, in the game)

The French marching in the valley. Form the left: Leval, Sebastiani, Villatte.

The Spanish disposition. A first line (3 Brigades) all across the valley. A second line (on the left, 1 Brigade) to deny the first river bend, which could be used as an offensive bulge to safely deploy artillery at short range from the village (on the left). A third line (1 Brigade) to defend the c...

The second and third lines of the Spanish Army.

The first French move. Villatte marches eagerly forward. Sebastini follows with a higher die. Leval gets bad dice, and stays.

Villate's troops come to grip with the Spanish.

The engagement goes on. The Spanish suffer the fist causalties, they hold fast however.

Sebastiani Joins the fray in the centre.

On the left and centre the melée is general.

A French battalion is repulsed back.

The French grinding machine is working...

... But the Spanish hold their ground.

Eventually, the Germans too join the fight (they had bad luck with the activation).

The French renewed thei attacks against the Spanish first line, which is even more thinner.

Attacks over attacks ...

... and finally, at the 10th turn the first Spanish line is broken. The patience of the players is broken too, it's 1o'clock in the morning, and the game stops. Who knows if the French could overcome 1 last Spanish brigade to rout the entire Army? We will try the same game in a Sunday.