In April 1810, Napoléon entrusted to Masséna, the hero of Aspern and Wagram, the mission of driving Wellington out of Portugal. The northerly route was chosen for the invasion, passing through Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. The French offensive began at the end of June.

On 24 July, Marshal Ney with the advance guard defeated General Craufurd under the walls of Almeida and threw him back across the Coâ River, as a prelude to laying siege to the place. The French then penetrated into Portugal. Their advance was slow and difficult.

As for Wellington, he drew up his army in the formidable position of Bussaco. On 27 September, Masséna ordered a frontal attack upon the English line of defense. After a bitter struggle he gave up the attempt and broke off the attack. It would take until the next day to find a way to turn the position at Sierra de Bussaco. With these two battles the terrible duel between Masséna and Wellington had begun!

Almeida and Bussaco 1810 is a new offering in the Jours de Gloire series. It presents 3 battles of the year 1810 between the French and Anglo-Portuguese armies.

The Battle of the River Côa (Almeida), June 24, 1810. Ney had been ordered by Masséna to capture the fortress of Almeida. To accomplish this, the Duke of Elchingen would first have to defeat the British force covering the town.

Next, the Battle of Bussaco, which took place on September 27, 1810. The Anglo-Portuguese army of the Duke of Wellington was firmly established on the heights of the Sierra Bussaco.

Finally, the engagement of Coimbra. On October 1, 1810, the advance guard of the Army of Portugal, commanded by Cavalry General Sainte Croix encountered the allied army’s rear guard under General Stapleton-Cotton.

Each battle includes a historical scenario and one or two alternate (“what if?”) scenarios (for example: what if Picton’s division had arrived on the battlefield of Almeida?). There are 7 scenarios in all.

Game Components:

• A 60cm × 42 cm map, backprinted,
• 216 die-cut counters (15mm square),
• One rules booklet,
• One Game aid

Game Scale:

Map: One hex = 250 or 500 meters, depending on battle

Unit: 1 counter = 1 regiment

Complexity = Moderate