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Saturday, October 31, 2015

27 March 1813 - South Germany - Stuttgart Campaign



Strategic Map

Having lost the Ulm campaign Third French Army have retreated to Strasbourg to regroup.

On 27 March they are deployed between Bruchsal and Rottenberg, when they are ordered to move east and take and hold Stuttgart.

The Austrian Army have concentrated between Sulzbach and Ulm when they also receive orders to take and hold Stuttgart


Tactical Map

These are the positions occupied by both armies at midnight on 27 March 1813

Friday, October 30, 2015

27 March 1813 – North Spain



Battles fought at Benavente, Zamora and Morales

French win at Morales
British lose 800 casualties
French suffer no casualties

British win at Zamora
British lose 1600 casualties
French suffer 3200 casualties and four brigades in rout

British win at Benavente
British suffer no casualties
French lose 400 casualties and two brigades in rout

Thursday, October 29, 2015

27 March 1813 – Battle of Benavente



Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle
Encounter battle with both corps on attack orders

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
British -  12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns


Table at start of wargame

Map squares F07, E07 and F07 have been moved to the top of the table
This is to move Benavente to the centre of the table
3 French arrive start of move 1
0800-1200
Both corps deploy south of Benavente
British send two brigades into the town
French artillery deploy to fire on British cavalry

1200-1500 
British hussars charge dragoons
Melee is a draw, with both sides disordered
Two British brigades sent to garrison town
Two French brigades sent to attack town
The British secure the town before the French reach the wall
French skirmish walls, but one brigade suffers 10% casualties and routs
Second French brigade have to test due to rout, also fail and join rout

Conclusion
With the loss of two brigades the French commander accepts defeat
The French have lost 400 casualties
The British have not lost any casualties

Outcome
The British have won the battle


Battle Summary
The British start the battle closer to Benavente than the French
There is a French cavalry brigade near the town, but they are out of command range
Both armies deploy south of the town
The British infantry enter the town unopposed
British hussars secure the hill to the south of the town
A second British brigade is sent into Benavente
The French artillery are 12 pounders, and outgun the British 9 pounders
Despite this they prove ineffective and fail to cause any casualties
The British hussars charge the dragoons, the melee is a draw
Both brigades retire to regroup
The British cavalry charge again, and the result is again a melee
Meanwhile two French brigades attack the town
Secure behind the town walls, the British infantry have a strong advantage
The French lose the skirmish combat, and one brigade routs with 10% casualties
The second brigade test their morale because of the rout, fail and join the rout
With half of his infantry in rout the French commander accepts defeat
He orders the remainder of his corps to break contact and retreat.
The French have lost 400 casualties
The British have suffered no casualties