02 May 1813 – Battle of Tordesillas

Tactical map of battle area

Having won the diversion battle at Medina, Wellington now orders 2^nd and 4^th corps to carry out the main attack on Tordesillas.

Soult has deployed 8^th French and 13^th Polish corps to hold the city.

British – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

Wellington (left) does not have sufficient space to deploy his two corps

Both will have to advance to deploy

Soult has a similar problem, though the woods will provide good cover to defend

0800-1200

Wellington deployed his two corps to attack either side of the farm and woods.  However the French infantry advanced to occupy the farm and woods

The weakest British infantry had been positioned behind these two features

The stronger brigades, who had been tasked to carry out the flank attacks, had to be redeployed to meet this unexpected French attack.

In doing so one of the two rifle brigades received artillery casualties

1200-1600

The melee for the farm (left) is undecided.   Wellington has changed the orders of 4^th corps to Attack, hoping to achieve a decisive result.  However the French prove just as determined.

In the centre the the result is uneven.  The British infantry hold the top left section and the French retire shaken.   However the French take the top right section and rout the Portuguese brigade, who in turn rout the British brigade in support.  

On the right the French lancers charge the artillery, forcing the gunners to take shelter in the nearby squares.

The battle is not decided, but it is not looking good for the British.

1600-2000

Both armies are now on attack orders, and there is a period of intense fighting.

On the left 4^th British corps hold the farm and rout the attacking Polish infantry.

On the right 8^th French corps take the woods and rout four of the six brigades of 2^nd British corps.

Conclusion

With the loss of 2^nd British corps Wellington orders 4^th corps to cover their retreat and to occupy and hold Toro

The British have lost 43000 casualties and 9 guns, four brigades are in rout

The French have lost 28000 casualties and two brigades are in rout