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Peninsular War Campaign - Turn 3 (October 1808) - Storming the fort!

Inspired by my recent visit to the impressive Castle of Segovia (Alcázar) in Spain, this campaign turn will involve the storming of a fort. I will use the rules Peninsular Storming by old-time classic author Paddy Griffith. He derived these abstract and simple rules from an statistical analysis of all sieges that took place in Spain during the Peninsular War. Therefore, the game should throw out historical casualty figures and chances of success. The rules were published in Vol. 0 Issue 0: March 1995 of the magazine Battlefields. For an explanation of the wider campaign rules check the 1st turn HERE.

One of my shots of the mighty Alcázar de Segovia

Situation at the beginning of October 1808


Random events

  • Old Castile: Uprising. Armed groups of citizens are opposing the Bourbon monarchy. Military forces are suffering high defection rates.
  • New Castile: Harsh measures. A brutal campaign to crack down on dissent solidifies the power of the monarchy and intimidates afrancesados (French sympathizers). Since the region is not currently in disorder, this result signifies absolutist tendencies. As a reaction, the region will suffer a spread of ideology roll next turn.
The Siege of Toral (Leon) 15 October 1808

Step 1. How big is the fort?

D100 Result 63. The fort is BIG (comparable to those of Badajoz, Ciudad Rodrigo, Burgos, etc).

Step 2. How big is the French attacking army?

D100 Result 56. The French army can mount only small attacks against a 'Big' fort. Ominous! 

Step 3. Will there be a storming?

D100 Result: 43. YES! The French decide to mount the attack even though they are lacking in troops.

Step 4. How many storming columns will the French use?

D100 Result: 35. The French prepare two assault columns. 

Step 5. French storming parties now make their assault! 

  • 1st column. D100 Result: 67. The attack by that column has totally failed. French casualties: Lose 200 men.
  • 2nd column. D100 Result: 68. The attack by that column has totally failed. French casualties: Lose 200 men.
Step 6. Tally Victory Points

Lose 1 point for every casualty you suffered.
Lose 1,500 points for every storming column that has participated in an overall failed attempt to capture a BIG fort, but 0 points for a 'draw'.
Lose 250 points for every storming column that has participated in an overall failed attempt to capture a small or medium fort.
Win 3,000 points if you have captured a BIG fort, but win nothing for a 'draw'.
Win 350 points if you have captured a small or medium fort.

Average historical result of all sieges in Spain: -90 points

Total Points: -3400. Decisive Spanish Victory!   

Effects of the battle

Leon: Military stability. The French retreat out of the region and the Spanish army patrols the streets and posts pickets at every crossing. The disorder that previously existed is reduced by one step. Therefore 'breakdown of order' becomes 'civil unrest'. In every future campaign turn, the region has a 50% chance of reducing any disorder by one step. This status is removed by a civil war or elitist coup.

Situation at the beginning of November 1808





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