8 September 1813 – Battle of Riopar

Tactical map of battle area

Suchet opens the campaign by ordering 16^th Italian corps to move into the eastern mountains towards Riopar to secure the French right flank.    He is aware that there is a Spanish corps in the area, but not that two guerrilla bands are also in the mountains. 

Riopar is garrisoned by a militia brigade.   3^rd Spanish corps are deployed just north of the town.   In addition the garrisons of Manzanares and Albacete have formed guerrilla bands and are holding farms on the approach to Riopar.

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30guns

Spanish – 24000 infantry, 30 guns

Table at start of battle

(photo taken from Spanish end of table, same as map)

3rd Spanish corps is deployed in and around the village in the centre of the table

1^st and 2^nd militia brigades are holding the farms top left and right

4^th militia brigade is the garrison of Riopar (centre bottom)

14^th Italian corps is off table centre top and will arrive at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900

(photo taken from French end of table)

14^th corps arrive on table

Cavalry sent to right of woods to pin Spanish artillery

Remainder of corps advance left of woods to avoid enemy artillery

Move close to woods to remain out of musket fire of Spanish held farm

3^rd Spanish corps wait to see how Italians will deploy

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Italian corps continue to advance left of woods

Cavalry brigade halt out of artillery range

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Italian corps continue to advance left of woods

Detach one infantry brigade to contain 2 militia in farm

Spanish infantry advance either side of Riopar

Brigade on right form square to protect the gunners from enemy cavalry

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Italians start to deploy

Artillery unlimber to engage garrison of Riopar

Spanish artillery open fire on Italian gunners

Very lucky hit (require 11 with 2D6 for hit, roll 11)

Italian gunners suffer 10% casualties

Test and pass morale, but are disordered

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Italian artillery fire on garrison, who receive 10% casualties

Italian infantry advance towards town

Spanish garrison test and pass morale, but are disordered

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Italian artillery fire on garrison, no casualties

Italian infantry brigade deploy and skirmish with garrison

Remainder of Italian infantry advance towards Spanish support brigade

Italian cavalry advance towards square

Spanish artillery fire on Italian gunners, no casualties

Town garrison receive 10% casualties in infantry skirmish

Garrison now have 20% casualties

Test and pass morale, but are disordered

Move 7 : 1400-1500

Italian artillery fire on town, no casualties

Second Italian infantry brigade move to support attack on town

Remaining two infantry brigades move to attack Spanish support

Spanish artillery and square retreat

Spanish garrison also retreat to avoid further casualties

Spanish infantry in support stand to cover retreat

  

Conclusion

General Losada orders his corps to retreat before the Italians can close and inflict any further casualties.   This will mean that he must abandon Riopar and its garrison.

The Spanish have lost 800 infantry casualties

The Italians have lost 100 gunner casualties