11 March 1813 – Battle of Almarez

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

7^th and 8^th French corps launch a surprise attack on Almarez

Spanish – 32000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 24000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

7^th and 8^th French corps start the game on Engage orders

2^nd and 4^th Spanish corps start the game on Hold orders

The river can be crossed at half movement rate by infantry and cavalry

Artillery can only cross by the bridges

6 Spanish militia brigade can not be moved out of Almarez

Almarez Walled City

The city consists of four sections, each holding a full infantry brigade

It is held by 4^th Spanish corps, with only the artillery deployed outside the walls

The guns cover the bridge leading to the city.

0800-1200

7^th French corps deploy on the north bank to pin the garrison

8^th French corps are ordered to cross the river and attack the Spanish held hill

Their cavalry cross by the bridge and hold off the Spanish cavalry

The infantry ford the river between the two bridges, covered by the artillery

2^nd Spanish corps redeploy to oppose the river crossing.

1600-1700

7^th French corps artillery force Spanish infantry to retreat towards city

French cavalry charge accross bridge at Spanish artillery

Cavalry receive 10% casualties, are shaken and retreat

French infantry cross river and force infantry and gunners to retreat inside city

Suchet orders 8^th French corps to attack hill

Cavalry charge and rout Spanish lancers

Artillery cross river by bridge and fire on hill

Spanish infantry are shaken with 10% casualties

French infantry storm hill and both Spanish brigades rout

Spanish Rout  

French artillery rout Spanish infantry on hill

French infantry advance to pursue

Two Spanish infantry brigades are in rout

Spanish artillery withdraw covered by square

Spanish infantry rout covered by reserve brigade

Conclusion

With the loss of two brigades 2nd Spanish corps is forced to retreat

4^th Spanish corps is contained within the walls of Almarez

General Giron must now decide whether to leave 4^th corps to hold Almarez

Or order both corps to retreat

The French have lost 100 cavalry

The Spanish have lost 400 infantry and 200 cavalry and three brigades in rout

Outcome

The battle is a French victory

2^nd Spanish corps must retreat

4^th Spanish corps may either retreat or hold on to Almarez

The French will lay siege to Almarez if the Spanish do not abandon the city.

Battle Summary

The Spanish held a strong position behind the river Tagus.

2^nd Spanish corps held the hill overlooking the river

4^th Spanish corps held the city commanding the main road over the river.

The French cavalry forded the river and pinned the Spanish

Their artillery deployed on the northern bank to prevent a Spanish attack

7^th French corps were ordered to pin the city

8^th French corps were ordered to attack the hill

The garrison sent their artillery and one infantry brigade to fire on 7^th corps

7^th corps cavalry attempted to charge the gunners accross the bridge, but were forced to retreat.

8^th French corps established a bridgehead, and moved their guns within close range of the hill.  Their infantry then stormed and took the hill

Casualties were light on both sides.  

The French lost 100 casualties

The Spanish lost 600 casualties

But three Spanish brigades were routed

The French took the hill, but not the city

The Spanish commander must now decide whether to hold the city or retreat

If he does not retreat, the French will lay siege to Almarez