17 April 1813 – Battle of Moncejon

Tactical map of battle area

The French are running out of supplies and over extended

Suchet is determined to take and hold Moncejon whilst he can

He orders 8^th French and 16^th Italian corps to attack the town

Both corps are short of supplies

Giron is fighting a defensive campaign

He is aware that is at risk when fighting the French

He can afford to lose Moncejon and retreat to Toledo

But he wants to damage the French army before he does

He will then rely on his guerrilla forces to attack the French supply chain

Table at start of wargame

All four corps are on the table at the start of the game

Spanish (left) have orders to hold Moncejon

French (right) have orders to attack Moncejon 

0800-1200

Giron orders two regular infantry brigades to garrison Moncejon

2^nd corps is deployed on the right and 4^th corps on the left

Both have orders to hold and await the French attack

Suchet orders 8^th French corps to attack to the left of the road

Their cavalry advance along the windmill hill

16^th Italian corps is ordered to attack to the right of the road

Two of their brigades advance along the hill

The Spanish artillery opens the battle

2^nd corps artillery hit the Italian gunners with their first fire (2x6 on dice)

The Italians pass their morale, but their chance of a hit is reduced

1200-1600

Suchet orders 16^th hussar brigade to engage the 2^nd Spanish lancers, to cover the attack of 2^nd corps infantry.   The French lose the melee and retire shaken.  Despite this the infantry are ordered to advance.

Suchet then joins 8^th corps and orders them to advance.   Their artillery concentrate their fire on the square supporting the Spanish artillery.   The artillery fire is effective and the Spanish square is disordered.   Suchet takes command of 8^th lancers and orders them to charge the disordered square.  The Spanish infantry suffer 50% casualties and rout.

1600-2000

8^th French corps (left) press home their attack, however the Spanish continue to hold the town.   Outside the town French artillery continue to pound the Spanish infantry, who are then charged and routed by 8^th Lancers led by Suchet himself.

16^th Italian corps (right) have less success with their attack.   The two infantry brigades on the hill come under fire as they approach the town.  They lose the skirmish and fail to cause any casualties to the garrison.   To their right the other two infantry brigades engage in a firefight with the Spanish infantry.   One Spanish brigade routs, but the second hold their ground.   16^th Hussars now charge, and rout the Spanish artillery.

Conclusion

At nightfall Giron retains control of Moncejon.  However he has lost three of his eight infantry brigades, plus one of his two corps artillery.   Both of his corps are so battered that they must now retreat.  However he can, if he wants, continue to hold the town and attempt to withstand a siege.   This is not a walled town, and is unlikely to be able to withstand a siege.

Suchet has also lost serious casualties, however both of his corps are still intact.

The French have lost 2100 casualties

The Spanish have lost 5900 casualties