15 March 1813 – Battle of Serrejon

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

French surprise attack

Spanish – 20000 infantry, 30 guns

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

 All Spanish start on the table

16 Italian corps arrive start of move 1

0800-1200

Italians have moved behind woods to deploy opposite valley

Cavalry, supported by one brigade, sent to pin Spanish on left hill

Spanish have moved their artillery to the centre of valley

One infantry brigade remains on left hand hill

Town garrison has been sent to support them

Militia remains in town 

1200-1500  

The main Italian attack is on the left, two infantry brigades supported by cavalry

The Spanish artillery concentrate on the brigade moving through the woods

They inflict 10% casualties, and the infantry rout

The French artillery return fire, but are less effective

1500-1800  

The Spanish gunners pound the left hand attack

They rout the cavalry and one infantry brigade

The second brigade are shaken, and then routed by Spanish volley fire

On the opposite flank the Italian infantry rout the right hand Spanish brigade

Conclusion

The Italians have lost  three infantry and one cavalry brigades.

They have routed one Spanish brigade, but are too weak to continue

The Spanish have lost 1200 infantry and one brigade in rout

The French have lost 2000 infantry and 100 cavalry, and have four brigades in rout

Outcome

The Spanish gunners have won the day

For the loss of one infantry brigade they have broken the Italian attack

Battle Summary

The Spanish occupied a weak position well in front of Serrejon

The main Italian attack was on their left flank

Two infantry brigades, supported by a cavalry brigade, attacked the hill

The Spanish gunners provided very effective support

They routed one infantry brigade and the cavalry

The remaining infantry brigade was defeated in a firefight with the Spanish infantry

A less well coordinated attack was launched on the opposite flank

One brigade was routed as they moved through the woods

The other brigade, supported by artillery, broke the right hand Spanish brigade

But by then the Italians had lost too many casualties to continue their attack

The Spanish lost 1200 infantry and one brigade in rout

The Italians lost 2000 infantry and 100 cavalry, plus four brigades in rout