30 March 1813 – Battle of Morales

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

3 British corps attack Morales and pin 13 French corps

British – 11600 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

13 French can move no further than F02 (because of difficult terrain)

When 3 British enter E01 they would be in the French “no mans land”

The French cannot escape, they are pinned and must fight

Table at start of wargame

3 British arrive start of move 1

0800-1300  

The French reach the town first

Two brigades are sent to hold it

The remainder of the corps deploy south of the town

The British deploy and send two brigades towards the town

French artillery open fire and hit the leading brigades

The British pass their morale test with 10% casualties

1300-1500 

French now have three brigades in Morales

One is ordered to leave the town and threaten the British left flank

British artillery continue to pound garrison, who make morale with 10% casualties

Two British brigades advance and skirmish western wall of town

1500-1700 

British artillery and skirmish fire rout both brigades in Morales

Highland brigade deploy to meet French attack from the north

  

Conclusion

With the loss of two brigades the French abandon Morales and retreat

  

Outcome

The battle is a British victory

The British have lost 400 infantry

The French have lost 1200 infantry and two brigades in rout

Battle Summary

The French reach Morales first

They send two brigades to garrison the town

The British infantry receive artillery casualties as they approach the town

Confident of victory the French commander orders a general advance

Two brigades are ordered to advance through the town

A third is ordered to move through the town and attack the British left flank

The British artillery open fire on the garrison at close range

Their infantry also skirmish with the garrison

The leading French brigade are shaken with 20% casualties

The second brigade is ordered to replace them

They receive further artillery casualties whilst disordered

Both brigades lose their morale and rout

With the loss of half of his infantry the French commander orders a general retreat

The French have lost 1200 casualties and two brigades in rout

The British have lost 400 casualties