Slitherine

HYPOTHETICAL SPANISH INVASION OF ENGLAND IN 1588

SCENARIO
The Spanish Armada manages to successfully escort a Spanish army over from its Dutch ports and lands in the south of England. An English army is mustered to meet it in the field.

LEVEL: Colonel

PLAN
My plan was to hold by ground in the centre and left flank with infantry and cavalry armed with firearms. Meanwhile, on the right my heavy cavalry would tie up their forces.

BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE

The beginning went as expected.

The English advanced on my left and centre with their infantry. On the right, my cavalry got involved in a cat-and-mouse chase with their light cavalry and some infantry units.

As the battle on the left intensified, I moved my units forward to try and maximise fire on the enemy. There were heavy casualties on both sides in both melee combat and exchanges of fire.

Meanwhile, only the right, the English cavalry routed or dispersed my cavalry and marched towards the left flank to support their compatriots.

The battle concentrated itself on my left flank. Suffering heavy casualties in the intense close quarter fighting, many units from both sides broke and fled the field.

The English faired better as many of their units rallied and rejoined the fight.

Later, the English cavalry joined the main area of fighting, overrunning my canon and remaining heavy cavalry which had managed to return to my main force.

Eventually, after sustained English pressure, the Spanish commander was forced to withdraw his forces from the field.

CONCLUSION

Both sides suffered heavy casualties.

After the defeat, the Spanish were unable to advance towards London.

Meanwhile, encouraged by their victory, the English prepared to drive the Spanish invaders from their shores.