Tactical
map of battle area
Background
to battle
British corps attack French corps at Castrojarez
British – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
French – 11600 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
Note – 10 British brigade has 70% casualties and will not
take part
Table
at start of wargame
Both corps start the game on the table.
0800-1100
British and French cavalry pin each other
French have redeployed their artillery to protect the
bridge
This is their only retreat option should they lose the
battle
British deploy and send brigade to take hill on the left
1400-1500
The French have ordered the town garrison to join the
main battle line
In order to protect the bridge, they have sent one brigade
to hold the hill
The two garrison brigades have been ordered to join them
The British have sent two brigades to take the hill
The cavalry have been ordered to engage the French
lancers
1500-1800
British dragoons charge the French lancers
However they lose the melee and rout with 10% casualties
They do eventually rally, but probably too late to have
any effect on the outcome
The British and Portuguese brigades win the firefight on
the hill
The defending French brigade breaks and runs with 20%
casualties
However the two garrison brigades are now in support of
the hill
And the lancers have returned from their melee and about
to rejoin the battle
1800-2000
The British brigade advance and engage the French reserve
brigade
The first firefight is a draw, both sides suffer 10%
casualties
However the Portuguese brigade now join the firefight
Outnumbered 2 to 1 the French lose 60% casualties and rout
Conclusion
With two brigades in rout the French accept defeat
Outcome
The French abandon Castrojarez and retreat under cover of
darkness
They have lost 3200 infantry and have two brigades in
rout
The French have lost 100 cavalry and 400 infantry
Battle
Summary
The Westphalians hold the town, but must also protect the
bridge behind them
The British ignore the town and march towards the bridge
The Westphalians send one brigade and the artillery to
secure the hill
They also order both brigades to abandon the town and
move to support the hill
The British send two brigades to attack the hill
They also send their dragoon brigade to engage the
Westphalian lancers
The lancers win the melee, and rout the dragoons
Despite this the British press on and take the hill
Then continue to advance and also rout the reserve
brigade
The Westphalians accept defeat and retreat before they
lose the bridge.
They have lost 3200 infantry and have two brigades in
rout
The British have lost 100 cavalry and 400 infantry
