Maipo – A Liberators QPR Scenario

Maipo is a scenario in the Liberators book (Fletcher, 2005, p. 66-67). These are my notes for playing the scenario with the Liberators Quick Play Rules.

Historical Situation

Setting: Maipo, South of Santiago, Chile; 5 Apr 1818

Revised Order of Battle

I’ve updated the Patriot order of battle. The Orbat specifies the nationality of all units, in particular the Patriot Artillery. It also clarifies the identify of the various Patriot Cazadores a Caballo. The Chilean Lancers are merged into the Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial as they were probably just a company within that unit. The division commanders are specified although they don’t have a role within the rules. Finally I’ve added the unit characteristics for the Liberators Quick Play Rules.

Revised Patriot Order of Battle

  • General San Martin (good; strong strategist; sets up second)
  • Right Division (Coronel Las Heras)
    • Argentine 11th Infantry Regiment [6 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Chilean Coquimbo Cazadore Battalion [4 stands 7/7/6 sk]
    • Chilean Infantes de Patria Battalion [4 stands 7/7/6 s]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [2 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [2 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [2 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [2 stands -/5/4]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [4×4 lb 6/7/5]
  • Centre Division (Coronel Quintana)
    • Chilean 1st Infantry Battalion [4 stands 7/7/6 s]
    • Chilean 3rd Infantry Battalion [3 stands 7/7/6]
    • Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment [4 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Chilean Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial Squadron [2 stands -/6/5]
    • Argentine Artillery Battery [2×8 lb 5/7/5]
  • Left Division (Comandante Alvarado)
    • Chilean 2nd Infantry Battalion [4 stands 7/7/6 s]
    • Argentine 8th Infantry Regiment [7 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Argentine Cazadores de los Andes Battalion [6 stands 6/6/5 sk]
    • Argentine Cazadores a Caballo de la Escolta del General Squadron [2 stands -/6/5]
    • Chilean Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial Squadron [2 stands -/6/5]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [4×4 lb 6/7/5]

The Royalist Orbat is unchanged but the Royalist player has the option to merge the Chillan Dragoons (86-militia) with the Frontier Dragoons (316-regular in two squadrons). The merged unit is 402-regular in two squadrons.

Map

The original map is 4′ wide and 6′ deep.

I have experimented with a 4′ x 4′ table based on the original. But play testing showed the scenario really needs more space. The Patriots were cramped in their smaller deployment zone. And the Royalists missed the opportunity to move troops around the big hill on the road.

4′ x 4′ version of the original map = bit cramped

Next time I’d be tempted to try the original map or perhaps even a 5′ wide x 6′ wide table. The extra 1′ of width would give the Patriots in particular more flexibility on tactics. It would also mean they aren’t so cramped when deployed across the table.

References

Fletcher, J. (2005). Liberators! Volume 1: The War in the South. Grenadier Productions.

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