20 July 1813 – Battle of La Carolina

Tactical map of battle area

General Jubert has orders to attack the town of La Carolina with his Vistula Legion.   One of his infantry brigades has been detached to garrison Almargo.

The town is on the right of the Spanish deployment and is garrisoned by militia brigade.   General Espana has deployed his 2^nd corps in front of the town.

This battle is being fought at the same time as El Hoyo, which is on the left of the Spanish deployment.

Spanish – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

The Spanish militia brigade is in the right hand section of La Carolina.

2^nd Spanish corps has been deployed to hold the approach to the town

15^th Vistula corps will enter the table on the road top centre      

0800-0900

The Poles have started to arrive behind their deployed cavalry screen

The Spanish cavalry have moved on to the hill on the left flank

One infantry brigade has been sent to garrison the village on the right flank

0900-1000

The Poles continue to arrive on the table

The Spanish artillery have unlimbered

One infantry brigade has formed square to protect the gunners

Another brigade continues to occupy the village on the right

1000-1100

The Poles start to deploy out of artillery range

The Spanish continue to occupy the village

1100-1200

The Polish artillery advance so that they can unlimber in range of the Spanish

The Spanish gunners open fire on them, but fail to inflict any casualties

The Spanish infantry have completed their occupation of the village

1200-1300

Polish cavalry advance to pin Spanish lancers

Polish infantry advance and start to deploy

Polish artillery man handle into range

Spanish wait for French to advance into artillery range

1300-1400

Polish infantry complete their deployment

Spanish artillery open fire on French gunners, but no casualties

1400-1500

Jubert is aware that the Poles must start their attack or run out of time

Artillery opens fire on Spanish infantry, cause 400 casualties

Cavalry move onto hill to engage Spanish lancers

Infantry advance into artillery range

Spanish are unable to react because they moved first this turn

Spanish infantry pass their morale test for casualties

1500-1600

Spanish win dice throw and move first this turn

Spanish lancers charge and win melee

Spanish artillery fire on infantry, no hits

Polish lancers lose melee and retire shaken

Polish infantry continue to advance

1600-1700

Polish cavalry withdraw behind supports to rally

Polish infantry continue to advance

Polish artillery fire on enemy, but no casualties

Spanish cavalry retreat towards supports to rally

Spanish infantry move to join front line

Spanish gunners manhandle guns back to infantry

1700-1800

Polish infantry continue to advance

Polish cavalry rally and advance in support

Spanish cavalry retreat to supports to rally

Spanish artillery fire, but no casualties

Spanish infantry complete deployment

1800-1900

Polish cavalry charge guns but are shaken and retreat with 100 casualties

Polish infantry charge and rout both Spanish infantry brigades

The garrison of the nearby village join rout

The gunners also join the rout

Conclusion

Espana has lost three of his four brigades in rout, plus his gunners

He still holds the town, and have one infantry and his cavalry brigade intact

He must decide whether to continue to hold the town or retreat

The Poles have lost their cavalry in rout and suffered minor infantry casualties

The Poles have lost 500 casualties and cavalry in rout

The Spanish have lost 2400 casualties and three brigades, plus gunners, in rout

The Spanish hold the town at nightfall and can claim a victory

However 2^nd corps are broken and the town cannot hold without support