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Thursday, July 26, 2018

20 August 1813 – Battle of Leon


Tactical map of battle area
The French have won only one of the four previous battles in this campaign phase.  As a result they have been forced to retreat north towards Leon.   Marshal Soult has ordered a concentration just south of the city, where he is determined to make a stand.

Wellington has shown his usual caution in his pursuit of the French.   He has spent three days reorganising his lines of supply to ensure that his army is not defeated by lack of supplies.   He is ready to attack once more, confident that this will be the decisive battle of the campaign.

Each side has all four corps available for this battle, though both sides have suffered considerable casualties in the earlier battles.   Because the army is so large each commander will have a senior ADC who can take command of either concentrated artillery or cavalry brigades.

British – 59600 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 120 guns
French – 56400 infantry, 3800 cavalry, 114 guns

Table at start of wargame
7th, 13th and 16th French corps are in position in the centre of the table
8thcorps is in column of march to the right of Leon
A space has been left between 13th and 16th corps for them to deploy

2nd, 3rd and 4th British corps will arrive at the start of move 1 at the bottom of the table
1st British corps will not arrive until the start of move 5
City of Leon
Leon is a large fortified city, and is the main base for the 4th French Army
52 infantry brigade is the garrison of the city
They must remain in the city for the duration of the battle
0800-0900
8th French corps is marching towards its deployment area
A space has been left between 13th and 16th corps for them to deploy

2nd, 3rd and 4th British corps are marching towards their battle locations
They have not yet started to deploy
1st British corps is still off table and will not arrive until move 5
0900-1000
8th French corps continues to march to its deployment area
Remainder of the French army wait to see where British will deploy

All four British corps continue to advance towards their deployment areas
2nd corps is delayed by the woods in the centre
3rd corps is also delayed by having to cross the hill on the right
1000-1100
8th French corps start to deploy between 13th and 16th corps
7th and 13th corps artillery unlimber as British come within long range

4th British corps (on the left) start to deploy
2nd and 3rd corps continue to advance
1st corps is still off table, but marching towards the battle area
1100-1200
All four French corps are now in position
French artillery open fire, but no casualties
French cavalry advance in the centre to threaten British artillery

4th, 2nd and 3rd British corps continue to advance and deploy
British cavalry advance to engage French cavalry
4th British artillery open fire, but no casualties
1200-1300
4th British corps cavalry charge French artillery
Gunners abandon guns and run to nearby infantry square for cover
Two infantry brigades advance to engage the single French brigade on the hill

2nd British corps cavalry are hit by French artillery, lose 10% casualties and are shaken.   Charged by French cavalry they rout into the woods with 30% casualties.
French cavalry rally and charge the nearby gunners, who suffer 20% casualties and also rout.   With an hour the main British attack has lost both their cavalry and artillery.

1st British corps arrive and march into position between 2nd and 3rd corps

3rd British corps deploy on the large hill on the right flank
Their artillery opens fire, but cause no casualties
The remainder of the corps wait in cover until 1st corps are ready to attack

Good luck for the French, and particularly bad luck for the British, have caused a major problem for Wellington’s major attack.
1300-1400
Despite outnumbering he French two to one, 4th corps lose the melee on the hill
One infantry brigade falls back in rout, the second retreats shaken

On the right French lancers charge and rout 1st British hussars
The horsemen rout through the long line of infantry behind them
This throws 1st corps into disorder and halts their advance
1400-1500
On the left 4th British corps retreat from the hill
In the centre 2nd corps holds firm
But 1st corps will take two hours to sort out
On the right 3rd corps continue to hold the hill

Wellington has not suffered a serious defeat
But his attack on Leon is in a shambles

He orders his army to hold their ground until nightfall
They will retreat under the cover of darkness.

Conclusion
Wellington has failed to take Leon

Soult has reorganised his army shown them that they can beat the British
He now has an opportunity to go on the offensive and pursue Wellington

The French have lost 1800 casualties
The British have lost 2800 casualties and have five brigades in rout

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