23 March 1813 – Battle of Arevalo

Tactical map of battle area

The Valladolid campaign opens with both armies advancing to contact

In the south Wellington orders 5^th and 6^th British corps to occupy Arevalo

This results in an encounter battle with 7^th and 13^th French crops

French – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

British – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Arevalo is the walled town in the centre of the table

It is occupied by 6^th Spanish militia brigade

They are independent and will not leave the town unless forced to do so

They are dispersed throughout the town

The British right wing (left) will enter the table at the start of move 1

The French left wing (right) will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

The Spanish garrison have concentrated in the right hand section of the town

 

5^th and 6^th British corps advance in column of march to reach the town as quickly as possible

 

7th French and 13^th Polish corps also advance in column of march

They will reach the town before the British do

7^th corps have orders to attack the town

13^th corps have orders to support them

End of move 4

French artillery unlimber and open fire at short range from town

Spanish garrison receive 10% casualties, fail morale and rout

 

French wing commander takes command of two brigades from 7^th corps

With them he will attack the town

 

Remainder of 7^th corps halt and deploy to support the attack

 

13^th Corps deploy behind the woods

 

British wing commander takes command of one brigade from each corps

He leads the leading brigade into the west sections of the town

The second brigade moves up in support

 

5^th corps deploy to hold the left flank

6^th corps deploy to hold the right flank

End of move 6

Both commanders have deployed to await the outcome of the town fighting

The British artillery have opened fire but have inflicted no casualties

The French artillery are unlimbered and about to open fire

 

The leading British brigade have reached the western edge of the town

Behind them the routed Spanish brigade is moving through the support brigade

 

The leading French brigade have entered the eastern section of the town 

End of move 8

Having reached the western edge of the eastern section the British have a choice

They can deploy to garrison their half of the town, or advance to melee the French

If they garrison the result is likely to be a draw

They advance and engage the leading French brigade

The French win the melee and the leading British brigade rout

The supporting British brigade pass their morale and advance through the rout

The French take advantage of the delay to swop their two brigades

The French have won the first melee, but now two fresh brigades will continue

 

The remainder of both armies exchange artillery fire, but with no casualties on either side.

End of move 10

British artillery fire on French reserves in town, no casualties

French artillery screened by own infantry from firing on town

7 corps artillery fire on British cavalry, no casualties

13 corps artillery fire on, and hit Portuguese infantry

Infantry receive 10% casualties, but pass morale

 

Reserve brigades in town continue melee round 2 and 3, result is a draw

British have 20% casualties but pass morale test

French have 10% casualties and pass morale test

Table at end of battle

British artillery continue to fire on reserves in town

Infantry receive another 10% casualties but pass morale test

13 corps artillery hit Portuguese infantry again who again pass morale test

 

Melee in town continues

Fourth round is a draw, British have 30% casualties and are shaken

French have 20% casualties and are disordered

French win fifth round.   British rout with 30% casualties

Summary

At the end of five rounds of melee the French finally take the town

The Spanish have lost 1 casualty and the British 5 casualties

The French have lost 5 casualties (including 1 from artillery fire)

Two British brigades and one Spanish were involved

Two French brigades were involved

This was the longest melee for a town we have fought

Having captured the town the French won the battle

 

The French have lost 5 infantry casualties (2000 men)

The British\Spanish have lost 8 infantry casualties (3200 men)

 

23 March 1813 – North Spain - Day 1

 

Both armies advance to make contact.

In the north and centre both halt and deploy

In the south an encounter battle is fought at Arevalo

 

The battle for Arevalo was concentrated on the town itself

Both commanders formed an independent command of two infantry brigades

These were used to assault the town

The fighting lasted for five moves and all four brigades were involved

The Spanish lost 1 casualty, the British 7 casualties and three brigades in rout

The French lost 5 casualties and held the town at nightfall

22 March 1813 – North Spain – Valladolid Campaign

Map of Spain

On 1^st January 1813 Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

 

Two allied armies would concentrate in Spain

British army at Oporto

Spanish army at Seville

Together they would drive the French out of Spain

 

Duke of Wellington would command the British army

They would concentrate in the Oporto region

They would then march into the Madrid region and engage the French

 

Marshal Soult would command the French army

They would concentrate in the Madrid region

They would hold the region against any allied attack

Regions of Spain

There are three regions in Northern Spain

Oporto Region (on the left) is the concentration area for British army

Barcelona Region (on the right) is the held by irregular Spanish forces

Madrid Region is the disputed area in the middle

Madrid Region

This map is used for strategic (planning) movement.

It shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

 

Campaign Diary

10 January 1813 – 50% of veteran troops in Spain transferred to Germany

 

12 February 1813 – Veteran French troops replaced by conscripts

 

20 February 1813 – British army declared operational in Oporto region

 

24 February 1813 - British take Cuidad Rodrigo and move into Spain.

 

28 February 1813 – Fourth French army declared operational in Madrid region

 

6 March 1813 - British enter Salamanca

 

22 March 1813 – Start of Valladolid campaign phase

Valladolid District

This map is used for tactical (daily) movement

It shows the location of each corps at the start of the campaign

 

The first campaign phase in northern Spain is in Valladolid district

This map shows the location of both armies at the start of the campaign

The French objective is to hold Valladolid

The British objective is to defeat the French army

Fourth French Army

Marshal Soult

7^th French corps

8^th French corps

13^th Polish corps

16^th Italian corps

21^st French corps

22^nd French corps

Reserve corps

 

Each corps has four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery

The reserve corps has four infantry brigades for garrison duty

112000 infantry, 6000 cavalry, 180 guns

British Army

Duke of Wellington

1st British corps

2^nd British corps

3^rd British corps

4^th British corps

5^th British corps

6^th British corps

Spanish militia

 

Each British corps has four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery

Spanish militia has nine infantry brigades

 

British - 96000 infantry, 6000 cavalry, 180 guns

Spanish - 36000 infantry

         

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

40 - Introduction to the campaign in northern Spain

41 - Fourth French Army order of battle

42 - British Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in northern Spain

Introduction to the campaign in South Spain

Campaign areas of Spain

There are two campaign areas in Spain

North – 4^th French army v Anglo/Portuguese army

South – 5^th French army v Spanish army

This map shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

South Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fifth French army is in Madrid region

The Spanish army is in Seville region

Seville Region

This is the region where the campaign will be fought

There are nine military districts in the region.  

Each campaign phase will take place in one region

 

At the start of the campaign Fourth French army is in Madrid district

The Spanish army is in Cordoba district

The first campaign phase will be Toledo district

Fifth French Army

Marshal Suchet

3^rd French corps

7^th French corps

15^th Vistula corps

16^th Italian corps

reserve corps

 

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 51

Spanish Army

General Giron

1^st Spanish corps

2^nd Spanish corps

3^rd Spanish corps

4^th Spanish corps

Spanish irregulars

 

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 52

 

Campaign Diary – working

1 February 1813 - Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the transfer of 50% of the veteran troops in Spain to north Germany.  There they would form the cadres of the newly created Grande Armee of Germany.   These troops would be replaced by an equal number of conscripts to maintain the number of troops serving in Spain.

4 February 1813 - Spanish army operational n Saville region 

3 March 1813 - Fifth French army operational in Madrid Region

9 March 1813 – Start of Toledo campaign phase

13 March 1813 – Spanish win Toledo campaign phase

    

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

50 - Introduction to the campaign in southern Spain

51 – 5^th French Army order of battle

52 – Spanish Army order of battle

53 - Daily diary for the campaign in southern Spain

54 - Battle reports of all battles fought in southern Spain

55 - Summary of campaign in southern Spain

Introduction to the campaign in North Spain

Campaign areas of Spain

There are two campaign areas in Spain

North – 4^th French army v Anglo/Portuguese army

South – 5^th French army v Spanish army

This map shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

North Spain

There are three regions in north Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Madrid region

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Oporto region

Madrid Region

This is the region where the campaign will be fought

 

There are nine military districts in the region.  

Each campaign phase will take place in one region

 

At the start of the campaign Fourth French army is in Burgos district

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca district

The first campaign phase will be Valladolid district       

Fourth French Army

Marshal Soult

7^th French corps

8^th French corps

13^th Polish corps

16^th Italian corps

21^st French corps

22^nd Polish corps

3^rd Reserve corps

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 41

Anglo-Portuguese Army

Duke of Wellington

1^st British corps

2^nd British corps

3^rd British corps

4^th British corps

5^th British corps

6^th British corps

Spanish militia

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 42

Campaign Diary

1 February 1813 - Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the transfer of 50% of the veteran troops in Spain to north Germany.  There they would form the cadres of the newly created Army of Germany.   These troops would be replaced by an equal number of conscripts to maintain the number of troops serving in Spain.

20 February 1813 - Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region

28 February 1813 - Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region

22 March 1813 – Start of Valladolid campaign phase

   

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

40 - Introduction to the campaign in northern Spain

41 – 4^th French Army order of battle

42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in northern Spain

Introduction to the campaign in South Germany

Campaign areas of Germany

There are three campaign areas in Germany

North - 1^st French army v Prussian army

Centre - 2^nd French army v Russian army

South - 3^rd French army v Austrian army

This map shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

South Germany

There are three regions in Southern Germany

Freiburg region is the rear area for Third French army

Vienna region is the rear area for the Austrian Army

Munich region is the disputed area between them

Munich Region

This is the region where the campaign will be fought

There are nine military districts in the region.  

Each campaign phase will take place in one region

 

At the start of the campaign Third French army is in Munich district

The Austrian army is in Passau district

The first campaign phase will be Branau district           

Third French Army

Marshal Oudinot

9^th Bavarian corps

10^th Bavarian corps  

11^th Bavarian corps

12^th Baden corps

3^rd Reserve corps

 

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 31

Austrian Army

General Schwarzenberg

1^st Austrian corps

2^nd Austrian corps

3^rd Austrian corps

4^th Austrian corps

3^rd Reserve corps

 

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 31

 

Campaign Diary

 

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new army to fight the 1813 campaign

 

1 February 1813 -  Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the formation of Third French army in Munich region under the command of Marshal Oudinot.

 20 February 1813 – Third French army declared operational at Munich.

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

30 - Introduction to the campaign in southern Germany

31 - 3^rd French Army order of battle

32 - Austrian Army order of battle

33 - Daily diary for the campaign in southern Germany

34 - Battle reports of all battles fought in southern Germany

35 - Summary of campaign in southern Germany

Introduction to the campaign in Central Germany

Campaign areas of Germany

There are three campaign areas in Germany

North - 1^st French army v Prussian army

Centre - 2^nd French army v Russian army

South - 3^rd French army v Austrian army

This map shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

Central Germany

There are three regions in central Germany

Dusseldorf region is the rear area for Second French army

Dresden region is the rear area for the Russian Army

Erfurt district is the disputed area between them

Erfurt Region

This is the region where the campaign will be fought

There are nine military districts in the region.  

Each campaign phase will take place in one region

 

At the start of the campaign Second French army is in Fulda district

The Russian army is in Gera district

The first campaign phase will be Erfurt district             

Second French Army

Marshal Davout

2^nd Young Guard corps

5^th French corps      

6^th French corps

14^th Westphalian corps

3^rd Reserve corps

 

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 21

Russian Army

General Wittgenstein

1^st Russian corps

2^nd Russian corps

3^rd Russian corps

4^th Russian corps

Reserve corps

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 22

 

Campaign Diary

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new Army of Germany to fight the 1813 campaign

 

1 February 1813 - Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the formation of Second French army in Dusseldorf region under the command of Marshal Davout.

26 February 1813 – Second French army declared operational.

28 February 1813 - The Russians moved into the Erfurt region and occupied Gera district

2 March 1813 - Davout entered Erfurt region and occupied Fulda district

14 March 1813 – Start of Erfurt campaign phase

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

20 - Introduction to the campaign in central Germany

21 – 2^nd French Army order of battle

22 - Russian Army order of battle

23 - Daily diary for the campaign in central Germany

24 - Battle reports of all battles fought in central Germany

25 - Summary of campaign in central Germany