From: "Barry, Nigel P" Subject: ALEA ALEA - LUDOPRESS (Also available from SIMTAC qv) La Simbra del Aguila / The shadow of the Eagle A series of games of the Napoleaonic Wars in Spain, scaled between La Battaille and Brigade level. The scale is 250m, 30 minutes. Infantry btns., can form square and some may skirmish. Heavy, medium and light cavalry regiments, who may charge and artillery btys, who may be limbered. All units are rated for morale, with A & B being elites and E & F modtly Spanish and Italian militia. The basic combat system is a bit like BAR(COA) with fire mostly disrupting or stopping movement and shock combat causing casualties. The command rules are the heart of the system and allow the army commanders to issue a number of order changes, with success depending on the quality of the army command and distance to the Brigade/Division commander receiving the orders. The orders are "no order", manoeuvre, harass, attack, defend, retreat; although I cannot see the point of harass, since it appears to just be an inferior form of attack. All the games include orders of battle and these are required to aid the set-up, a historical commentary is also included. A translation of the rules into English is available for all the games. Why did the historical attackers lose all 6 battles? ALEA#16 Medellin, 1809 ALEA#23 Tamares, 1809, Paper counters ALEA, SE#1 Alcaniz, 1809 Maria, 1809 Castalla, 1813 ALEA, SE#2 Bailen, 1808 Se#2, contains a complete English translation of the second edition of the rules, and the historical booklet, and is sold as a bookcase game. It also provides the most challenging scenarios. Reding is commanding the Spanish right wing, has his army deployed around Bailen with no orders (well it is 2am). Dupont manoeuvres from the West escorting his convoy of stolen goods and supplies, with the Marines of the Guards as a rearguard. The attack starts as soon as possible, since the French are suffering from a lack of water, and will have to morale check before each attack. 12 hours later Castanos's advanced guard follows Dupont and Cruz Mourgeon's guerrillas close from the flank. At 4pm it becomes more complicated as Vedel attacks Reding's rear (if Dupont has not yet surrendered). A special twist is that French Swiss troops, including ex-Spanish Swiss mercenaries, may not fight Spanish Swiss mercenaries, including deserters from the French (ex-Spanish) Swiss force. The Swiss are:- French: Reding's 2nd Rgt, Preux's 6th Rgt (both ex-Spanish) and 1/3rd & 2/4th. Spanish: Reding's 3rd Rgt, 2nd/6th combined Rgt (parts). Do not confuse Reding, the divisional commander, with Reding (senior) and Reding (junior) the Swiss regimental commanders. Nigel Barry BAE SYSTEMS Airbus IT Architect e-mail nigel-p.barry@baesystems.com