088 El Bodon & Carpio French Attack "What if" - WDS Bonaparte's Peninsular War

El Bodon & Carpio French Attack "What if" 25th September 1811 - This scenario allows the French player the opportunity to attack in strength against Wellington's over-extended forces. Neglecting his usual caution, Wellington didn't concentrate his forces at Fuentes Guinaldo and rely on a cavalry screen to keep an eye on the French. Instead, he rashly spread out his forces in positions from which they'd have difficulty supporting each other should the French attack in strength. Historically, the French general Marmont only sent out unsupported cavalry to probe the enemy defences, one in the direction of Carpio, resulting in a minor skirmish, and a second under Montbrun - with the bulk of the cavalry - towards Fuentes Guinaldo. Montbrun came across Picton's Division strung out on a front of six miles and, despite the strength of the position and the lack of infantry support, resolved to break through the Allied centre deployed across the main road leading to Fuentes Guinaldo.