9 September 1813 – Battle of Montro

Tactical map of battle area

13th French Army commanded by Marshal Suchet attack Montoro
1st Spanish army commanded by General Elio defend Montoro

French have 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
Spanish have 16 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 4 corps artillery

All brigades are full strength

Table at start of battle

Both armies are deployed on the table at the start of the battle
All corps will move towards the battle objectives at the start of move one

There are three objectives on the table which are
Farm on the left
Small woods in the centre
Large woods on the right
The army which holds at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves will win

End of move 2

French have advanced towards objectives and start to deploy
CinC has taken command of half of 38 corps and is between 37 and 38 corps
37 corps start to deploy in front of woods on the right
38 corps start to deploy in front of the woods in the centre
39 corps start to deploy in front of the farm on the left

Spanish have reached all three objectives
CinC has taken command of half of 4 corps and is between 1 and 2 corps
1 corps start to occupy large woods on the right
2 corps start to occupy small woods in the centre
3 corps start to occupy farm on the left
4 corps remain in reserve behind Montro

End of move 4

French approach all three objectives
CinC hold centre between 37 and 38 corps
37 corps approach large woods on the right
38 corps approach small woods in the centre
39 corps skirmish garrison of farm on the left

Spanish 4 corps deployed in the centre
CinC withdraw reserve cavalry out of artillery range
1 corps mass in the centre of woods on the right
2 corps hold northern half of woods in the centre
3 corps garrison of farm withdraw with 10% casualties
4 corps deploy in the centre between HQ and 2 corps

End of move 6

French capture farm on the right
CinC hold centre between 37 and 38 corps
37 corps continue to fight for woods on the left
38 corps continue to fight for woods in the centre
39 corps capture farm on the left

Spanish continue to hold woods on the right and in the centre
CinC hold right centre
1 corps continue to fight for woods on the right
2 corps continue to fight for woods in the centre
3 corps lose farm on the left
4 corps move to support 3 corps

End of move 8

French continue to attack woods in the centre and right
CinC holds centre between woods in the centre and right
37 corps continue to attack woods on the right, but last reserve committed
38 corps continue to attack woods in the centre, but last reserve committed
39 corps secure farm on the left, pursue 3 Spanish corps

Spanish commit 4 corps to support woods in the centre and on the right
CinC holds centre between woods in the centre and woods on the right
1 corps only one brigade left to hold woods on the right
2 corps only one brigade left to hold woods in the centre
3 corps attempt to rally routed brigades in woods behind farm
4 corps committed to support fighting for woods in the centre and woods on the right

End of move 10

French blue stars show routed brigades
CinC holds centre between woods on the left and woods on the right
37 corps losing battle for the woods on the right
38 corps captures woods on the left
39 corps holds farm on the left

Spanish yellow stars show routed brigades
CinC sends two brigades to support woods on the right
1 corps last brigade routed from woods on the right
2 corps artillery fire on woods on the left
3 corps attempt to rally in woods to the left of Montro
4 corps rout from woods on the right

End of move 12

French hold farm on the left
CinC continue to hold right centre
37 corps lose melee and withdraw from woods on the right
38 corps lose melee and withdraw from woods in the centre
39 corps hold farm on the left

Spanish hold woods in the centre and on the right
CinC captures woods on the right
1 corps rally behind woods on the right
2 corps capture woods on the left
3 corps rout from farm on the left
4 corps rally behind woods on the right

Summary
Both sides suffer heavy casualties fighting for the woods
The Spanish have more reserves and retake both woods
At nightfall the Spanish hold two of the three objectives

French have lost 13 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (5300 men)
Spanish have lost 21 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (8500 men)
The French had four brigades in rout, and Spanish six.

The Spanish held two of the three objectives at the end of 12 moves and won the battle.