May 18th 2013

1st Campaign battle of the Portuguese Army

The Napoleonic campaign was into its 18th week when the Portuguese army got into its first action.

The Portugese deployed facing the French across the river, behind the French where deployed the Anglo-Spanish army - The French were trapped!!!!

The battle went well for the allies, especially after the other Portuguese column had found a ford across the flanking river. The Anglo-Spanish forces pressed the French and once the side column started to cross, the main Portuguese army advanced.

  

Thr French panicked (in my eyes anyway!) and started to retreat North from between the closing vice.
If only the Portuguese 2nd Column had crossed earlier! The allies won on a casulty count and help the field. The Portuguese came away unscathed!