26 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 6

13^th French army attack 2^nd Spanish army at Malagon

7^th guerrilla attack La Roda, garrison retreat with 10% casualties

 

14^th French army and 1^st Spanish army both reorganise and resupply

8^th guerrilla attack Albacete, suffer 20% casualties and rout

 

15^th French army and 3^rd Spanish army both reorganise and resupply

9^th guerrilla attack Pozo, draw both suffer 10% casualties

 

Guerrilla continue to attack French rear depots, and capture La Roda

Detached cavalry escort supplies to the forward depots

2^nd Spanish army deploy close to the mountains to attack 13^th French army as they emerge.   In doing so they delay the French deployment, but are unable to defeat them as planned.   A second day of battle will be necessary to decide the outcome of the battle of Malagon.

25 April 1813 – Battle of Almagro

Tactical map of battle area

15^th French army have orders to attack Almagro

20^th French corps cavalry brigade are absent on patrol

30^th Westphalian corps have one infantry brigade absent on garrison duty

 

3^rd Spanish army have orders to defend Almagro

5^th and 6^th Spanish corps are present, but have light cavalry and artillery casualties

 

15^th French Army – 5 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 7 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

3^rd Spanish army are deployed on the left, in and around Almagro

Commander has taken command of two infantry brigades in the centre

 

15^th French army will arrive on the right side of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

6^th Spanish corps move forward infantry and artillery between town and farm

 

15^th French army has advanced from the right

Commander has taken control of both artillery batteries and two infantry brigades in the centre

End of move 4

29^th French corps advance to attack 5^th Spanish corps

French reserve swings right to support them

30^th Westphalian corps advance, but only to pin 6^th Spanish corps

 

5^th Spanish corps vacate farm

End of move 6

5^th Spanish cavalry charge the advancing French infantry columns

The infantry brush the cavalry aside, who then rout

The leading infantry brigade then charges the nearby artillery

The Spanish gunners join the cavalry rout

In doing so they force the nearby infantry to check their morale

They fail and in turn join the rout

The rest of 5^th Spanish corps withdraw

 

The Spanish reserve enter the town

 

6^th Spanish corps hold their position.

 

Summary

Despite their success it has taken 29^th French corps too long to defeat 5^th Spanish corps.   It is now too late for 15^th French army to redeploy and attack the town.

 

However they have advanced clear of the mountains, and have also broken 5^th Spanish corps artillery and cavalry.   They are now well placed to attack the town itself.

 

However first they must organise their supply system.

 

The French have lost no casualties

The Spanish have lost 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (200 men)

25 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 5

Spanish guerrilla activity has caused a collapse in the French supply system.   Marshal Suchet orders 13^th and 15^th armies to detach one of their cavalry brigades to secure their lines of supply.   14^th army, in the centre, will send both of their cavalry brigades to secure the main supply road from Albacete.

2^nd Spanish army rally and resupply

13^th French army rally and resupply

French detach cavalry brigade to patrol supply route

 

1^st Spanish army redeploy around Cuidad Real

14^th French army redeploy in front of Cuidad Real

French detach both cavalry brigades to patrol supply route

 

3^rd Spanish army defend Almagro

15^th French army attack Almagro

French detach cavalry brigade to patrol supply route

 

15^th French army concentrate on 5^th Spanish corps

They rout their cavalry and artillery.

But it is then too late to attack the town

No French casualties and only 200 Spanish

But three Spanish brigades are routed.

24 April 1813 – Battle of Cuidad Real

Tactical map of battle area

The French attack the main Spanish depot at Cuidad Real

27^th French corps arrive start of move 1

HQ and 28^th Italian corps arrive start of move 5

 

14^th French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

1^st Spanish Army – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

French have 100 cavalry casualties

Spanish have 800 infantry and 300 cavalry casualties

Table at start of battle

1^st Spanish army is deployed in front of the city of Cuidad Real

It is their intention to attack the French as they emerge from the pass

The Spanish commander has created a reserve of two infantry and one cavalry brigades

The city is held by 2 militia brigade

The village (bottom right) is held by 5 guerrilla brigade

Guerrillas can only attack disordered, shaken or routed enemy troops

But they can defend the village is attacked.

 

14^th French army will arrive on the road centre right

27^th French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

HQ and 28^th Italian corps will arrive at the start of move 5

All troops must move through the pass to enter the table

End of move 2

The Spanish have moved forward between the hill and woods

 

27^th French corps have arrived and are marching through the pass (right)

However their lancer brigade has turned right to enter the valley between the hill and river.

End of move 4

The Spanish artillery cover the exit from the pass down which the French must advance.

 

27^th French corps turn right and cross the ridge to avoid the enemy guns.   Their lancer brigade has deployed to cover this manoeuvre.

 

The Spanish reserve has reacted by redeploying to their left.

End of move 6

Spanish reserve hold north hill

27^th French corps advance between hill and river, towards city

 

1^st Spanish corps unlimber artillery to fire on exit from western pass

French reserve (two artillery and two infantry brigades) move through pass

 

2^nd Spanish corps advance to engage French as they emerge from pass

28^th Italian corps halt off table right to allow reserve to move through pass

End of move 8

Spanish reserve continue to hold hill, cavalry withdraw away from French lancers.

27^th French corps continue to advance towards city, covered by lancer brigade

 

1^st Spanish corps cavalry charge French artillery as they unlimber at entrance to pass.   They receive 20% casualties and rout without charging home.

French reserve infantry, plus second artillery, move onto hill either side of pass

 

2^nd Spanish corps infantry pass morale test when routed cavalry rout through them

28^th Italian corps move over hill to avoid reserve artillery

End of move 10

As the French clear the pass and prepare to attack, the Spanish commander orders 1^st and 2^nd corps to retreat towards city.

 

Spanish reserve continue to hold hill and Spanish left flank

27^th French corps continue to advance towards town

 

1^st Spanish corps withdraw to city

French reserve artillery deploy on hill and open fire

 

2^nd Spanish corps withdraw between city and woods

28^th Italian corps move down from the pass

 

Summary

The Spanish have delayed the French approach and deployment

The French have had to move over the hills either side of the pass

By the time they deploy it is too late to attack.

The Spanish claim a victory

 

The French have lost no casualties  

The Spanish have lost 2 cavalry casualties (200 men)

24 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 4

10 militia attack Tomelloso, no casualties

11 militia capture convoy between Balazote and Alcalaz, rout escort with 10% casualties

12 militia attack pozo, lose 10% casualties and rout

 

13^th French army occupy Consuegra

2^nd Spanish army retreat to Malagon

 

14^th French army attack Cuidad Real

1^st Spanish army defend Cuidad Real

15^th French army redeploy to attack Almagro

3^rd Spanish army regroup at Almagro

To approach Cuidad Real the French have to move through a narrow pass.   The Spanish deploy their artillery to cover the exit, forcing the French to move through the hills on either side of the pass.

By the time the French cross the hills either side of the pass it is too late to attack the city.   The Spanish retreat to the city as soon as the French start to deploy to attack.

Because they hold the city at nightfall, the Spanish claim a victory

Almost no fighting during this battle.   No French casualties and the Spanish only lose 200 cavalry.

23 April 1813 – Battle of Consuegra

Tactical map of battle area

Consuegra is a fortified town north of the river Giadiana

It is held by 2^nd Spanish army, plus a garrison of one militia brigade

However it only has one cavalry brigade

 

13^th French army is at full strength, and has not yet detached any garrisons

It has less infantry than the Spanish, but more cavalry.

 

13^th French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

2^nd Spanish Army – 9 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Spanish are deployed on the left of the table

Consuegra is the walled town in the centre

The Spanish commander has taken command of the centre

This includes the town garrison, one infantry brigade and the cavalry brigade

 

The French will enter the table from the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

4^th Spanish corps have reinforced the hill and deployed their artillery

 

The French commander has taken command of two infantry brigades and both artillery brigades

 

The whole army moves forward towards the Spanish

End of move 4

25^th French corps climb northern hill

 

French reserve swing south to support 26^th corps

Spanish artillery engage but no casualties

 

26^th French corps cavalry move onto southern hill

Infantry lag behind due to having to cross so many hills

End of move 6

25^th French corps descend from northern hill

Receive infantry casualties from Spanish artillery

 

French reserve artillery unlimber and open fire, no casualties

Infantry continue to advance towards town

 

26^th French corps start to climb southern hill

Cavalry face north to support reserve artillery from Spanish cavalry.

End of move 8

25^th French cavalry charge Spanish gunners

They receive 10% casualties, fail their morale and rout

In doing so they disrupt the infantry moving down from the hill

 

French reserve artillery fire on town at close range, no casualties

Infantry move into position to attack, but only when garrison weakened

 

4^th Spanish dragoons charge and rout Polish lancers

Remainder of 4^th Spanish corps retreat and redeploy

End of move 10

An extensive infantry melee between 3^rd Spanish and 25^th French corps ends with one French and two Spanish brigades in rout.

The French reserve artillery continue to pound the town at close range

But the garrison continue to hold, despite light casualties

 

4^th Spanish corps withdraw with only light casualties

26^th Polish corps are unable to pursue do to the loss of their cavalry

 

Summary

At nightfall the Spanish still hold the town and claim a victory

However they have only been able to do so by withdrawing their army behind the town.   This allows the French artillery to deploy within short range of the town walls.  

The Spanish retreat under cover of darkness

The French have lost 4 infantry casualties (1600 men)

The Prussians have lost 2 infantry casualties (1000 men)

23 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 3

Spanish guerrilla continue to attack French rear area

7 guerrilla defeated at La Roda, lose 30% and rout

12 guerrilla draw at Pozo, both sides lose 10%

 

13^th French army attack 2^nd Spanish army at Consuegra

 

14^th French army and 1^st Spanish army rally, regroup and resupply

 

15^th French army occupy Valdepenas

3^rd Spanish army retreat to Almagro

 

Both sides redistribute supplies.

The French are well supplied, having captured supplies at Daimiel and Valdepnas

The Spanish are low, but are nearer to their main supply base at Cuidad Real.

 

2^nd Spanish army hold the walled town of Consuegra until nightfall

They do so by withdrawing their army behind the town and nearby hills.   They retreat and abandon the town under cover of darkness.

The French have lost 1900 casualties, the Spanish 1200