My Blog List

Thursday, January 30, 2020

20 October 1813 – Battle of Corunna

Tactical map of battle area

The French open the campaign with a surprise attack on the port of Corunna
The town is held by 2nd British corps, and 1st Spanish militia brigade
7th French corps leads the attack, supported by 16th Italian corps
16th corps will not arrive until 21 October 1813.

7th French corps have orders to attack Corunna
2nd British corps have orders to defend Corunna
4th Spanish militia brigade have orders to observe

The Spanish brigade will fight to hold the farm
They may also move into Ribadeo if the town is not defended
But they may not attack the French under any circumstances
                                                                                                     
French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
Spanish – 4000 infantry
Table at start of battle
Robadeo centre bottom
Road centre top leads to Curunna
2nd British corps holds the road centre top
7th French corps deployed to attack centre bottom
4th Spanish militia bottom right in farm 
Move 1 : 0800-0900
French corps advance with cavalry leading the way
British cavalry and artillery move forward
Move 2 : 0900-1000
French dragoons move behind farm out of artillery range
French artillery continue to advance
French infantry halt

British cavalry and artillery advance within artillery range of French
Move 3 : 1000-1100
French artillery unlimber
Infantry advance but remain out of artillery range
British artillery unlimber
Move 4 : 1100-1200

French artillery fire on cavalry but miss
French left division advance

British artillery fire on gunners but no casualties
Cavalry retire out of artillery range
Move 5 : 1200-1300

French artillery manhandle forward
French cavalry move out from behind farm

Move 6 : 1300-1400
French artillery hit British cavalry
French cavalry advance
French right infantry division advance

British cavalry pass morale test for 10% casualties
British artillery fire on French cavalry, no casualties
Move 7 : 1400-1500
French artillery fire on cavalry, no casualties
French cavalry advance to engage British cavalry
Move 8 : 1500-1600
British artillery fire on French cavalry, no casualties
French artillery fire on British cavalry, no casualties

British cavalry charge French dragoons
Dragoons fail morale to counter charge
British win melee and rout dragoons with 20% casualties


Conclusion
With the loss of his cavalry general Abbe feels unable to continue his attack
He orders his corps to halt and await the arrival of 16th Italian corps

The British have won this battle.  

The British have lost 100 cavalry
The French have lost 200 cavalry and the brigade in rout

No comments:

Post a Comment