Cancha Rayada Scenario for Liberators QPR

The Liberators book (Fletcher, 2005, p. 64-65) has a Cancha Rayada scenario. These are my notes for playing the scenario with the Liberators Quick Play Rules.

Revised Order of Battle

I’ve updated the Patriot order of battle. The revised Orbat specifies the nationality of all units, in particular the Patriot Artillery. It also clarifies the identify of the various Patriot Cazadores a Caballo. Finally I’ve added the unit characteristics for the Liberators Quick Play Rules.

Revised Patriot Order of Battle

  • General San Martin (good; strong strategist)
  • Right Division (Coronel Las Heras – Average)
    • Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment [6 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Argentine 11th Infantry Regiment [7 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Chilean Coquimbo Cazadore Battalion [5 stands 7/7/6 sk]
    • Chilean 1st Infantry Battalion [6 stands 7/7/6 s]
    • Argentine Cazadores a Caballo de la Escolta del General Squadron [2 stands -/6/5]
    • 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 Caballeria Cazadores de la Escolta Directorial Squadron [1 stand -/6/5]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [3×4 lb 6/7/5]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [2×4 lb 6/7/5]
  • Left Division (General O’Higgins, poor; brave; impetuous)
    • Chilean 2nd Infantry Battalion [6 stands 7/7/6 s]
    • Chilean 3rd Infantry Battalion [6 stands 7/7/6]
    • Argentine Cazadores de los Andes Battalion [8 stands 6/6/5 sk]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [3 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [3 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [3 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Granaderios a Caballo Squadron [2 stands -/5/4]
    • Argentine Artillery Battery [3×4 lb 5/7/5]
    • Argentine Artillery Battery [3×4 lb 5/7/5]
  • Reserve Division
    • Argentine 8th Infantry Regiment [8 stands 6/6/5 s]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [3×4 lb 6/7/5]
    • Chilean Artillery Battery [3×4 lb 6/7/5]

Normally San Martin sets up second because of his strategic ability. In this case he was caught napping and doesn’t get that ability.

John downgraded the Argentine Granaderios a Caballo on the grounds they were surprised and fled. I left them as Elite but will play a scenario special rule allowing the Royalists to panic (rout) about four units when the engagement starts.

The Royalist Orbat is unchanged.

Night Combat Rules

The scenario includes some special and options rules. One of them mentions night rules.

[Special Rule]: Use night combat rules

But Liberators Quick Play Rules doesn’t have night combat rules. John Fletcher did make some “off the cuff” suggestions on the Liberators 1810-1830 Yahoo Discussion Forum.

  • you might consider changing morale values to fit the battle. For example, at Cancha Rayada the Patriots were the confused force. Perhaps you could make all their morale one or two points worse to reflect their reduced effectiveness.
  • Another option might be to restrict the number of Patriot units that can act in a turn. For example, only one Patriot division can move or fire each turn.

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