1 April 1813 – Battle of Zamora

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Surprise French attack

British – 22800 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 32000 infantry, 3000 cavalry, 90 guns

Table at start of game

Wargame

2^nd British corps arrive at the start of move 1

1100-1200 

Suchet takes command of 14 corps cavalry, artillery and one infantry brigade

He deploys them to fire on the British left flank

6^th French corps deploy ready to attack the town

14^th Westphalian corps infantry cross the river to join 6^th corps

2^nd British corps deploy between the town and the bridge

Send their cavalry over to the right bank to contain Westphalian detachment

1200-1300  

2 British cavalry move through town to take up position on the left

14 French infantry move to join 6 French corps

1300-1400  

14 French artillery hit Highland square, who rout with 800 casualties

Nearby gunners are shaken by the rout

6 French cavalry advance to charge shaken gunners

1400-1500  

4 British artillery hit 6 French gunners, who pass morale test with 100 casualties

6 French cavalry charge and rout shaken gunners

Nearby square fail morale test and are shaken

Combined French infantry advance in the centre

Conclusion

2^nd corps, less their cavalry brigade, are broken and in rout

British have lost 1200 infantry and 100 gunners

French have lost 400 infantry

Outcome

Wellington has lost one of his two corps

4^th corps is still full strength and holding Zamora

He must now decide whether to abandon Zamora

Battle Summary

4^th British corps hold Zamora

They are the elite British corps, who include the light division.

However they are attacked by two strong French corps

2^nd British corps move to support them

But they have only two of their four infantry brigades

One is in garrison at Alcanices, the other had 1600 casualties

6^th French corps deploy to pin 4^th British corps in Zamora

14^th Westphalian corps advance north of the river

Wellington orders 2^nd corps to hold the left flank

They deploy between the city and the river

They send their cavalry over the river to hinder the Westphalians

Soult orders the Westphalian artillery and cavalry to remain on the right bank

The infantry are sent to the south bank to reinforce 8^th corps

The French artillery deploy, leaving the cavalry and infantry out of range

The British artillery engage the gunners, but without effect

The French concentrate on the exposed 2^nd British corps

The highland brigade suffer 800 casualties and rout

The nearby gunners are shaken, charged by French cavalry and routed

With the loss of 2^nd Corps Wellington must decide whether to abandon Zamora

4^th Corps are still full strength, but must retire before nightfall or be pinned in the city.

The British have lost 1400 casualties and two brigades in rout

The French have lost 400 casualties