2 April 1813 – Battle of Zamora Day Two

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

One of Wellington’s two corps retreated after the first day of fighting

He ordered the second corps to continue to hold the city

This resulted in a second days fighting when two French corps continued to attack

British – 15600 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 27 guns

Table at start of wargame

 All three corps start on the table

0800-1100

British artillery fire on French gunners, no casualties

French artillery concentrate on front right city section, 20% casualties

French infantry prepare to attack

Cavalry on flanks counter British cavalry

1300-1400  

French infantry advance to attack city

British rifle brigade have retreated in front right city section

Infantry skirmish with front left city section

British artillery forced to retreat, moves to left of city

French artillery screened by their infantry

Move to deploy on flanks

 

  1400-1500  

Soult orders 6^th corps to attack the front left city section

Two brigades storm the city, which is held by the 2^nd Rifle brigade

The riflemen have already suffered 10% casualties from artillery fire

They manage to beat off the first brigade, but are routed by the second one.

They rout through the Portuguese brigade, who break and join the rout

Conclusion

Wellington has lost three of the four city sections

Three of his four brigades are also in rout

He orders the remainder of 4^th corps to break contact and retreat

Outcome

The decision to fight a second day at Zamora has resulted in the loss of 4^th corps

The British have lost 3200 casualties and have three brigades in rout

The French have lost 1600 casualties and have one brigade in rout

Battle Summary

At the end of the first day’s fighting one of the two British corps was in rout

Wellington ordered the other corps to hold the city

His 4^th corps was the best in his army. 

It was almost full strength and included two rifle brigades

It was particularly well suited to hold a built up area

In addition the cavalry from his routed brigade was added to 4^th corps

The two French corps were also relatively unharmed

However 6^th corps artillery had 10% casualties

The cavalry were well balanced, and played little part in the battle

Neither side dared to commit them in case they lost them.

The British artillery were deployed in the centre of the city

They were forced to move when both French batteries concentrated against them

The French infantry then advanced in mass and skirmished with the defenders

The two British rifle brigades bore the brunt of this attack

When one retreated the French stormed the remaining brigade

Soon three of the four British brigades were in rout

The French lost one brigade, but ended the battle in possession of Zamora

The French lost 1600 casualties and one brigade in rout

The British lost 3200 casualties and three brigades in rout