11 Aug 2009 Scenario 31: Raid from the Sea

This game was played solo using 40mm 16thC figures and Rough Wooing.

A light mist covered the harbour as several longboats crammed full of English soldiers and sailors slipped past the Spanish batteries and entered the harbour. There was barely time for the alarm bells to ring before the first soldiers were swarming up onto the deck of the Santa Teresa, the crew, spilling out of their hammocks resisted manfully but soon smoke was billowing from the hold as the English tumbled back into their boats and looked for their next target. The 2nd boat landed its load between the Customs house and the bell tower battery as the garrison lancers came galloping up the road.

Quickly forming up, a flurry of arrows decimated the lancers as they charged. As more English swarmed ashore, one party broke into the custom house and despite prolonged resistance by the agents, drove them out and set fire to it while another company battered down the rear gate of the bell tower battery and put the gunners to the sword. A body of mercenary pikemen formed up and charged but as the bills slashed down, they faltered and then scattered, running for the hills. The rest of the garrison had not been idle and soldiers and militia were soon swarming up the main road from all around the town, unleashing a hail of fire. A charge by the local militia saw some success until their Captain was struck down.

Taking advantage of the respite, the English slipped back onto their boats and rowed across the harbour. A small garrison had been left in the barracks and they sold their lives dearly but soon more smoke was rising above the town. As the main body of pikemen trudged tiredly back around the harbour, the English assaulted Old Battery but against all expectation, the garrison put up a stout resistance. A thin line of archers formed across the rear of the assault party as the main body of the garrison approached. A cloud of arrows rose up and down as the swivel guns on the boats opened up on the dense mass of pikemen. A few brave men tried to push forward but none made it as far as the waiting line. Moments later, the battery garrison surrendered. Porto Nueva was no longer a threat.