05 May 1813 – Battle of Mayorga

Tactical map of battle area

General Stewart, commander of 1^st British corps, has orders to attack Mayorga (off map right). 

2^nd Spanish militia brigade have orders to rest and resupply.  They will not take part in the battle unless attacked by the French.

General Abbe, commander of 7^th French corps, has orders to hold and prevent the British reaching Mayorga.   He has just sent his 28^th infantry brigade to drive the Spanish guerrilla out of Palencia and reopen the main supply route from Valladolid.

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

British – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Spanish – 4000 infantry

Table at start of wargame

7^th French corps (top centre) start the game on hold orders

Spanish militia (centre) also on hold and cannot leave the village

1^st British corps (bottom right) start the game on move orders

0800-1200

The British advance either side of the hill with the windmill

French 12 pounder guns catch British infantry by surprise, but fail to hit them

Infantry move onto hill to avoid French artillery

British artillery receive 10% casualties as they unlimber

General Abbe needs to take the Spanish held village in order to deploy

He orders one of his infantry brigades to drive them out

Initial skirmish proves ineffective, so he orders them to storm the village

The guerrillas are fierce defenders (they roll 10 with 2x6 dice)

The attackers lose 30% casualties and rout

General Stewart sends his Portuguese brigade into the village to support the Spanish.

1200-1600

The Spanish militia have been replaced by the Portuguese brigade and the village is secure.    The French attackers retreat in rout.   General Abbe calls off the attack on the village and orders his corps to concentrate around the hill occupied by his artillery.   The French gunners also receive casualties, fail their morale and are shaken.

General Stewart orders his infantry to advance and close with the enemy.   The highland brigade (centre) come under artillery fire as they advance down the hill and lose 400 men.

1600-2000

The British infantry press home their attack on the hill to the right of the village.   The French infantry stand and exchange fire, but it is too much for the shaken gunners who rout with their guns.

General Abbe attempts to concentrate to hold the hill, but with the loss of his artillery has to order a general retreat.

Conclusion

Battle casualties are equal, but the French have lost their artillery and one brigade in rout.   The remaining two infantry brigades, and the cavalry brigade, cover their retreat.

The British have lost 1300 casualties and the Spanish 400

The French have also lost 1700 casualties, but they also have two brigades in rout