12 June 1813 – Battle of Adjucen

 

Tactical map of battle area

13^th French army have orders to attack Adjucen

Three infantry and one cavalry brigades are detached

They have casualties to three brigades

 

1^st Spanish army have orders to defend Adjucen

One infantry brigade is garrison of Adjucen

Remainder of army are all present

They have casualties to four brigades 

 

13^th French Army – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

1^st Spanish Army – 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Spanish are all on the table at the start of the game

Spanish CinC has taken command of the two infantry brigades in Adjucen

The French will arrive at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Left – 39^th Polish corps is moving over the hill on the right

Their artillery has been deployed on their right to avoid the hill

Spanish have withdrawn their artillery nearer to the farm

 

Centre – 37^th Young Guard corps have moved onto the table

But the infantry and cavalry have halted out of range of the Spanish 12 pdr guns

Their own artillery has advanced within range of the Spanish

Spanish artillery have opened fire on the gunners, but no hits

 

Right – 38^th French corps has entered the table.

They also have halted their infantry out of range of the Spanish 12 pdr guns

Their own 6pdr guns have advanced within range, but must move much closer to fire

End of move 4

Left – 39^th Polish corps cross the hill

3^rd Spanish corps wait for them to move into artillery range

 

Centre – French CinC takes command of 37^th and 39^th corps artillery plus one infantry brigade.   His intention is to concentrate artillery fire to support 37^th corps

The Young Guard wait out of artillery range for their guns to weaken 1^st Spanish corps.

 

Right – 38^th French corps artillery open fire, infantry wait out of artillery range

2^nd Spanish corps infantry withdraw out of artillery range.

End of move 6

Left – Polish infantry receive casualties as they advance, but pass morale test

Polish cavalry outflank Spanish artillery, who retreat to infantry support

 

Centre – Spanish artillery retreat to infantry supports

Young Guard and reserve artillery advance

 

Right – 38^th French corps advance, artillery exchange fire with Spanish gunners

End of move 8

Left - Polish corps advance, cavalry force Spanish gunners into square

Without artillery support 3^rd Spanish corps retreat towards town

 

Centre – French artillery rout Spanish dragoons, nearby gunners join rout]

Without artillery support 1^st Spanish corps retreat towards town

 

Left – 2^nd Spanish corps is still strong, and can hold 38^th French crops

However as 37^th Young Guard move towards hill they also retreat towards town

 

 

Summary

The loss of the Spanish centre, and two of their three corps artillery, is critical

General Giron is aware that he cannot hope to hold the French advance

He orders a withdrawal to Adjucen

 

Marshal Suchet orders his army to pursue the retreating Spanish

However he cannot hope to take the town with just four hours/moves to night

He is content to allow the Spanish to retreat confident that they will not be able to recover to fight a second day

 

The French have lost 1 infantry casualty (400 men)

The Spanish have lost 1 cavalry casualty (100 men)

They also have one cavalry brigade and one corps artillery in rout