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Tuesday, May 22, 2018

10 August 1813 – Battle of Sanabria



Tactical map of battle area

Wellington orders 1st corps to occupy Sanabria

8th French corps have orders to hold their ground
To do so they must prevent the British from taking Sanabria

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
Tactical map of battle area

Wellington orders 1st corps to occupy Sanabria

8th French corps have orders to hold their ground
To do so they must prevent the British from taking Sanabria

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame
8th French corps cannot move until the British appear on the table
1st British corps will arrive at the start of move 1

Sanabria is a walled town.   It can only be entered by the two gates.   Defenders add plus 1 to combat calculation when the enemy are on the other side of the wall.  Normal rules apply when both are inside the town.


0800-1200
The battle starts with a race for the town
French infantry arrive first, but the British are not far behind
Both sides have deployed their artillery and cavalry to the left of the town
Both are sending reinforcements towards the town
The walls and some buildings have been removed to make movement and combat easier.

 

1200-1600
The British artillery opened fire and hit the French gunners
They suffered 10% casualties which would affect their accuracy

The remainder of the battle was a prolonged infantry melee
French infantry entered the town first, promptly followed by the British
The French won the first melee, but the British sent in a second brigade
The fighting lasted four moves and all four British and French brigades took part

Both sides suffered heavy casualties
But the French won the day and held the town
The British suffered a major defeat

Not a good start to the campaign for Wellington


Conclusion
Two British brigades were routed and a third shaken
Only one French brigade was shaken, the remainder held their morale
At nightfall Stewart ordered 1st British corps to retreat

The French have lost 3300 casualties
The British have lost 4800 casualties

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