14 April 1813 – Battle of Murca

Tactical map of battle area

Wellington has ordered 2^nd corps to occupy Murca and 4^th corps to support them

4 infantry brigade has been detached from 2^nd corps on garrison duty

Soult has ordered 13^th corps to occupy Murca, and 3^rd corps to support them

British– 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

Both armies have orders to occupy Murca (in centre of table)

The leading corps of each army are approaching the town

2^nd British corps have one brigade detached on garrison duty

The remaining two corps will arrive on the table at the start of move 1

0800-1200

13^th Polish corps send two brigades to occupy the town

The remainder of the corps deploy right of the town

3^rd French corps have been ordered to deploy to the left of the town

2^nd British corps have deployed right of the town to counter the Polish deployment

Wellington has ordered them not to garrison the town

He wants to outnumber the enemy on this flank

4^th British corps have been ordered to deploy left of the town

But two rifle brigades have been ordered to occupy Murca

Both armies are deploying out of artillery range to avoid casualties

1200-1600

Wellington sends his light division into Murca to contest the town

The rifles quickly win the skirmish and force the Polish infantry to retreat

The remainder of 4^th corps is ordered to hold their position

2^nd British corps are now ordered to advance and engage Poles

With half of the Polish infantry still fighting for the town the British have local superiority.

1600-2000

The light division continue to press the shaken defenders of Murca, who break under the pressure and rout from the town.

2nd British corps come under artillery fire as they advance, and one brigade suffers 10% casualties.

The Polish lancers charge 2^nd British dragoons, but they lose the melee and withdraw shaken.

Conclusion

13^th Polish corps are in a desperate position.

They have lost two infantry brigades, and their cavalry are shaken

They have also failed to stop the advance of 2^nd British corps

To avoid disaster Soult orders a general retreat

The French have lost 1200 casualties and two brigades in rout

The British have lost 400 casualties