30 March 1813 – Battle of Las Vantas

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

This battle is part of the larger battle of Talavera

It is fought to decide whether 4 Spanish corps can stop 16 French corps

And, if the French win, who and who will arrive on the Talavera battlefield

Spanish – 16000 infantry, 30 guns

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

16 French start on table

4 Spanish arrive start of move 1

0800-1200

The French send their cavalry to secure the bridge leading to Talavera

The remainder of the corps march to secure the village

The Spanish have sent one brigade to occupy the farm

The remainder advance as the artillery unlimber

1300-1400  

French infantry enter village top left

One brigade moves onto hill, supported by artillery

The Spanish advance to prevent French marching over the river

Their artillery hits infantry brigade, who lose their morale and rout

1400-1500 

Three Spanish brigades advance to attack hill

French artillery hit reserve brigade, who pass their morale with 10% casualties

 

1600-1700 

Spanish infantry on hill win skirmish, French make morale with 10% casualties

French cavalry charge and rout gunners with 20% casualties

Supporting Spanish square is shaken

 

1700-1800 

Spanish infantry charge and rout French line with 60% casualties

French cavalry and artillery withdraw to village

Conclusion

The French break contact and retire to secure the village

The Spanish hold their position, but are now too weak to attack.

Outcome

The result is a draw

The French have taken the village and secured the bridge

The Spanish have routed two French brigades

Neither side is defeated, but both are too weak to continue to attack

Neither side will join the main battle at Talavera

The French have lost 2000 infantry and have two brigades in rout

The Spanish have lost 1200 infantry and 200 gunners and their artillery is in rout

Battle Summary

The object of this battle was to decide who could join the main battle at Talavera

16 French corps have to secure the village (centre top) and the bridge behind it (off table) in order to reach the Talavera battlefield

The Spanish have to stop them doing so

The French send their cavalry, supported by one infantry brigade, to take the village

The remainder deploy between the village and the pass to engage the Spanish

The first Spanish plan is to hold the hill and fortified farm against French attack

It soon becomes obvious that the French do not intend to attack

To prevent them just moving to the river the Spanish attack

The main Spanish attack is on the pass

Two French brigades are sent to hold it

But one routs after receiving artillery casualties

The second deploy in line and are attacked by two Spanish columns

The French lose and rout

Meanwhile the French cavalry charge and rout the Spanish gunners

Their artillery cause casualties amongst the Spanish infantry

The French break contact and retreat to the village

The Spanish break off the attack and hold the pass and fortified farm

The result is a draw

Neither side will join the main battle at Talavera

The French have lost 2000 infantry and two brigades in rout

The Spanish have lost 1200 infantry and their artillery in rout

Both corps await the outcome of the main battle at Talavera