27 March 1813 – Battle of Benavente

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Encounter battle with both corps on attack orders

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

British -  12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

Map squares F07, E07 and F07 have been moved to the top of the table

This is to move Benavente to the centre of the table

3 French arrive start of move 1

0800-1200

Both corps deploy south of Benavente

British send two brigades into the town

French artillery deploy to fire on British cavalry

1200-1500 

British hussars charge dragoons

Melee is a draw, with both sides disordered

Two British brigades sent to garrison town

Two French brigades sent to attack town

The British secure the town before the French reach the wall

French skirmish walls, but one brigade suffers 10% casualties and routs

Second French brigade have to test due to rout, also fail and join rout

Conclusion

With the loss of two brigades the French commander accepts defeat

The French have lost 400 casualties

The British have not lost any casualties

Outcome

The British have won the battle

Battle Summary

The British start the battle closer to Benavente than the French

There is a French cavalry brigade near the town, but they are out of command range

Both armies deploy south of the town

The British infantry enter the town unopposed

British hussars secure the hill to the south of the town

A second British brigade is sent into Benavente

The French artillery are 12 pounders, and outgun the British 9 pounders

Despite this they prove ineffective and fail to cause any casualties

The British hussars charge the dragoons, the melee is a draw

Both brigades retire to regroup

The British cavalry charge again, and the result is again a melee

Meanwhile two French brigades attack the town

Secure behind the town walls, the British infantry have a strong advantage

The French lose the skirmish combat, and one brigade routs with 10% casualties

The second brigade test their morale because of the rout, fail and join the rout

With half of his infantry in rout the French commander accepts defeat

He orders the remainder of his corps to break contact and retreat.

The French have lost 400 casualties

The British have suffered no casualties