10 August 1813 – Battle of Sanabria

Tactical map of battle area

Wellington orders 1^st corps to occupy Sanabria

8^th French corps have orders to hold their ground

To do so they must prevent the British from taking Sanabria

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Tactical map of battle area

Wellington orders 1^st corps to occupy Sanabria

8^th French corps have orders to hold their ground

To do so they must prevent the British from taking Sanabria

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

8^th French corps cannot move until the British appear on the table

1^st British corps will arrive at the start of move 1

Sanabria is a walled town.   It can only be entered by the two gates.   Defenders add plus 1 to combat calculation when the enemy are on the other side of the wall.  Normal rules apply when both are inside the town.

0800-1200

The battle starts with a race for the town

French infantry arrive first, but the British are not far behind

Both sides have deployed their artillery and cavalry to the left of the town

Both are sending reinforcements towards the town

The walls and some buildings have been removed to make movement and combat easier.

 

1200-1600

The British artillery opened fire and hit the French gunners

They suffered 10% casualties which would affect their accuracy

The remainder of the battle was a prolonged infantry melee

French infantry entered the town first, promptly followed by the British

The French won the first melee, but the British sent in a second brigade

The fighting lasted four moves and all four British and French brigades took part

Both sides suffered heavy casualties

But the French won the day and held the town

The British suffered a major defeat

Not a good start to the campaign for Wellington

Conclusion

Two British brigades were routed and a third shaken

Only one French brigade was shaken, the remainder held their morale

At nightfall Stewart ordered 1^st British corps to retreat

The French have lost 3300 casualties

The British have lost 4800 casualties