13 May 1813 – Battle of Aguilar

 

Tactical map of battle area

Wellington orders 2^nd British army to attack the border town of Aguilar

12^th French army are deployed between the town and the border

 

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

Aguiler is the town centre right

12^th French army is deployed between the town and the border

23^rd French corps is at the top

24^th Italian corps is at the bottom

Army reserve of both artillery and two infantry brigades are in the centre

 

2^nd British army is off table on the left

It will arrive at the start of move 1

3^rd British corps is at the top

Army HQ in the centre

4^th British (Light) corps is at the bottom

End of move 2

2^nd British army arrive on the left

3^rd corps infantry is at the top

Army reserve of two artillery, two cavalry and two infantry brigades in the centre

4^th (light) corps infantry is at the bottom

 

French make minor adjustments having seen the allied attack formations

End of move 4

3^rd British corps approach the northern hill

British reserve halt out of artillery range

Both artillery brigades move into range of the French

4^th (light) corps approach the southern hill

 

23^rd corps (top) keep their left back from edge of hill to avoid British artillery

Reserve artillery open fire on British gunners

24^th corps move forward to the edge of the ridge, supported by their cavalry

End of move 6

3^rd British corps skirmish with 23^rd French corps

British reserve artillery concentrate on French gunners

4^th British corps skirmish with 24^th Italian corps

British are more effective, but skirmish continues

End of move 8

3^rd British corps win skirmish, French infantry retreat shaken

French cavalry charge Portuguese brigade

Fail to break infantry and retire shaken

 

French gunners receive 20% casualties and retreat shaken

British reserve limber guns and advance

Cavalry protect flanks

 

4^th British corps win skirmish, riflemen are particularly effective

French infantry rout, covered by lancer brigade

 

Summary

The battle was decided by the superior British skirmish ability

British gunners also won the artillery duel

French retreat  and abandon Aguilar

 

The French have lost 11 infantry, 1 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (4700 men)

The British have lost 5 infantry casualties (2000 men)