06 May 1813 – Battle of Tordesillas

Tactical map of battle area

Wellington has lost two infantry brigades and half of his artillery at the first battle of Tordesillas on 2^nd May 1813.   Despite this he is determined to take full advantage of defeating the enemy at Canzio and Mayorga on 5^th May 1813.   He orders 2^nd and 4^th corps to attack Tordesillas at first light.

Soult has also lost two infantry brigades at the first battle of Tordesillas.   In addition only 13^th corps is deployed to defend the town.   8^th corps is deployed south of the town to hold the river Douro.   When his outposts inform him that the British are making preparations to attack he rides south to order 8^th corps to join 13^th corps.

British – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

13^th Polish corps (centre) have orders to hold the approach to Tordesillas (centre right).  They can retreat at will, but must remain in front of the town.

8^th French corps (bottom right) are deployed to hold the river Douro and the Tordesillas bridge.   They cannot move until given new orders by Soult (with corps commander).

2^nd and 4^th British corps will enter the table at the centre and top left at the start of move 1.  They are on move orders and cannot engage or attack the enemy without new orders form Wellington (moving with 2^nd corps).

0800-1200

13^th Polish corps (top centre) is trying to retreat towards Tordesillas

8^th French corps (bottom right) are moving left to support the Poles

2^nd British corps (centre left) have pinned the Poles

4^th British corps (top centre) are moving to attack the Poles 

1200-1600

Wellington is determined to break the Poles before 8^th corps can come to their support.   He orders both of his corps to advance and engage 13^th corps.

2^nd British corps is nearest and must pin the Poles until 4^th corps can arrive.  They have lost their artillery and must advance without any support.   Their dragoons charge the French lancers, but lose the melee and retreat shaken.   The highland brigade suffer 800 casualties to skirmish fire.  With the loss of the British cavalry the Polish infantry can deploy into line from square.  They fire on the highlanders who suffer another 100 casualties.   They make their morale, but retire shaken.

4^th British corps has further to advance.   The rifle brigade is leading the column and advance to engage the Polish artillery.  In doing so they suffer 800 casualties, but continue to press their attack.   The Polish lancers charge the hussar brigade, who lose the melee and retire shaken.

Wellington has suffered heavy casualties in pressing home his attack.  If he can not break the Poles before 8^th French corps arrive he will have to call off the attack.

1600-2000

With both of his corps in contact, Wellington orders them to Attack.   This is more aggressive than Engage.  The infantry will close with the enemy and melee.

4^th corps (top) charge the artillery.  The rifle brigade has already suffered 800 casualties, but they rout the gunners.  The nearby square retires with cavalry support to cover the retreat

2^nd corps (bottom) have already lost their leading brigade, the highlanders.   The Portuguese brigade advance to take their place against the two Polish brigades in line.   When the gunners rout the nearest infantry brigade go with them.   4^th Polish brigade is left to face the two brigade attack, and suffer the consequences.   They receive 2400 casualties, three quarters of their strength.   The broken survivors join the Polish rout.  

Conclusion

The 13^th Polish corps is broken, it has lost 2600 casualties and 6 guns.  Two infantry brigades and all of the remaining gunners are in rout.   Fortunately there is one infantry brigade and the Polish cavalry to cover the rout.   And 8^th corps has escaped any casualties.

Wellington has scored a significant victory.

The French have lost 2600 casualties, 3 guns and three brigades in rout

The British have lost 1200 casualties and one brigade is shaken.