11 June 1813 – Battle of Cuidad Real

Tactical map of battle area

The French advance have driven the Spanish south to the river Guadiana

General Giron is unwilling to retreat his whole army south of the river without a battle

He orders 1st and 2nd corps to hold the Cuidad Real road just north of the river.

Marshal Suchet orders 7th and 8th corps to attack and take a bridge over the river.

Both corps have detached an infantry brigade to protect their supply depots.

Spanish – 36000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

The Spanish are deployed on the table at the start of the game

Both French corps arrive at the start of move 1

The French are on Engage orders

The Spanish are on Hold orders

0800-1200

Both French corps advance onto the table

Their cavalry are posted on the flanks

The artillery advance into range of the Spanish

The Spanish cavalry deploy to counter the French

1^st corps 12 pounders open fire but fail to cause any casualties

1200-1600

1^st Spanish corps deployed behind the ridge line

8^th French artillery concentrated on the gunners, who retired in disorder

The French cavalry charged the Spanish dragoons, who retired shaken

2^nd Spanish corps also deployed behind the ridge line

7^th French artillery fired on the Spanish infantry and one brigade routed

The French dragoons charged the Spanish lancers, but lost the melee

The dragoons routed into the gunners, who retired to the nearby square

With the loss of 7^th corps cavalry and artillery the French attack stalled

Suchet ordered both corps to withdraw and regroup

Conclusion

This was a serious defeat for the French.

The Spanish artillery performed well and inflicted heavy casualties

The Spanish irregular cavalry routed a French dragoon brigade

French – 2200 casualties and cavalry brigade in rout

Spanish – 500 casualties and two infantry brigades in rout