15 August 1813 – Battle of Sanabria

Tactical map of battle area

Suchet has ordered 7^th and 8^th French corps to hold the Astorga road at a pass just north of Sanabria.

Wellington has ordered his army to advance and attack the French.   This has resulted in two battles, this one and a second further to the east at Benevente.

1^st and 2^nd British corps are ordered to attack the critical pass and secure the road to Astorga.

British – 26800 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 27200 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 57 guns

Table at start of wargame

Sanabria is the walled town in the centre of the table

It is unoccupied by either side at the start of the game

The French objective is to hold the road to Astorga (centre top)

All four corps are on the table and deployed at the start of the game.

Both 1^st British corps and 8^th French corps have casualties from previous battle.

0800-1200

1^st British corps start with casualties

They deploy to pin the French in Sanabria

4^th British corps are full strength and advance to engage the enemy

Artillery open fire but do not cause any casualties

7^th French corps occupy both sections of Sanabria

Their artillery and cavalry occupy the hill on the left of the town

8^th French corps start with casualties

They take up a defensive position to the right of the town

1200-1600

1^st British corps come under attack from 7^th French corps

French artillery rout left hand brigade, which is joined by centre brigade

French dragoons and infantry advance to follow up success

British cavalry fall back to join Portuguese brigade and artillery

4^th British corps rout 8^th French corps

They then swing left to attack the town

1600-2000

8^th French corps (top right) is in rout

7^th French corps (centre and left) is under attack

                  

1^st British corps have regrouped (centre bottom)

Their hussar brigade has forced French dragoons on hill to retire shaken

Artillery exchange fire but no casualties either side

4^th British corps have taken the right hand town section

Garrison has routed into the left hand section

French reserve brigade has also been routed

At nightfall the French retreat

Conclusion

The French have six brigades in rout and have lost half of the town

The British have lost two brigades in rout, but are attacking with determination

General Abbe orders 7^th corps to break contact and retreat under cover of darkness

The French have lost 5200 casualties

The British have lost 1200 casualties