Saturday, January 5, 2019

San Carlos de le Barre; Fortress of Maracaibo

Latest project to be used with the Blood and Plunder games. The major pieces are about evenly divided between scratch-built, Magister Militum and Battlefield Accessories. The entrance to the sea is to the right and Lake Maracaibo to the left. The fort is connected to the mainland by a narrow peninsula shown at top. Since the French Buccanier Francois l'Lonnais' raid on this area in 1666 found the fort incomplete, I decided to model work on the landward side still going on. The plan is to recreate this battle as well as latter attacks by Henry Morgan against the completed fortress. But for now, here is the initial photo:

 Francois L'olonnais and his men at lower left begin their assault on San Carlos de le barre. the small Spanish garrison consisted of two artillery gun crews of eight figures each; a Trained Milicianos of eight men; and two Inexperienced Milicianos of eight and one of four (this off picture to right)

After successfully storming the wall at the left, L'olonnais and his unit of trained Marins are charging towards the Spanish forces deployed at the fall back bastion. The other French units are advancing down the wall towards the Bastion.

With the Milicianos and artillerists overwhelmed in the rear, the Spanish commander and the last of his men are overrun on the wall. L'olonnais now has an open door to Maracaibo.