20 August 1813 – Battle of Leon

Tactical map of battle area

The French have won only one of the four previous battles in this campaign phase.  As a result they have been forced to retreat north towards Leon.   Marshal Soult has ordered a concentration just south of the city, where he is determined to make a stand.

Wellington has shown his usual caution in his pursuit of the French.   He has spent three days reorganising his lines of supply to ensure that his army is not defeated by lack of supplies.   He is ready to attack once more, confident that this will be the decisive battle of the campaign.

Each side has all four corps available for this battle, though both sides have suffered considerable casualties in the earlier battles.   Because the army is so large each commander will have a senior ADC who can take command of either concentrated artillery or cavalry brigades.

British – 59600 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 120 guns

French – 56400 infantry, 3800 cavalry, 114 guns

Table at start of wargame

7^th, 13^th and 16^th French corps are in position in the centre of the table

8^thcorps is in column of march to the right of Leon

A space has been left between 13^th and 16^th corps for them to deploy

2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th British corps will arrive at the start of move 1 at the bottom of the table

1^st British corps will not arrive until the start of move 5

City of Leon

Leon is a large fortified city, and is the main base for the 4^th French Army

52 infantry brigade is the garrison of the city

They must remain in the city for the duration of the battle

0800-0900

8th French corps is marching towards its deployment area

A space has been left between 13^th and 16^th corps for them to deploy

2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th British corps are marching towards their battle locations

They have not yet started to deploy

1^st British corps is still off table and will not arrive until move 5

0900-1000

8^th French corps continues to march to its deployment area

Remainder of the French army wait to see where British will deploy

All four British corps continue to advance towards their deployment areas

2^nd corps is delayed by the woods in the centre

3^rd corps is also delayed by having to cross the hill on the right

1000-1100

8^th French corps start to deploy between 13^th and 16^th corps

7^th and 13^th corps artillery unlimber as British come within long range

4^th British corps (on the left) start to deploy

2^nd and 3^rd corps continue to advance

1^st corps is still off table, but marching towards the battle area

1100-1200

All four French corps are now in position

French artillery open fire, but no casualties

French cavalry advance in the centre to threaten British artillery

4^th, 2^nd and 3^rd British corps continue to advance and deploy

British cavalry advance to engage French cavalry

4^th British artillery open fire, but no casualties

1200-1300

4^th British corps cavalry charge French artillery

Gunners abandon guns and run to nearby infantry square for cover

Two infantry brigades advance to engage the single French brigade on the hill

2^nd British corps cavalry are hit by French artillery, lose 10% casualties and are shaken.   Charged by French cavalry they rout into the woods with 30% casualties.

French cavalry rally and charge the nearby gunners, who suffer 20% casualties and also rout.   With an hour the main British attack has lost both their cavalry and artillery.

1^st British corps arrive and march into position between 2^nd and 3^rd corps

3^rd British corps deploy on the large hill on the right flank

Their artillery opens fire, but cause no casualties

The remainder of the corps wait in cover until 1^st corps are ready to attack

Good luck for the French, and particularly bad luck for the British, have caused a major problem for Wellington’s major attack.

1300-1400

Despite outnumbering he French two to one, 4^th corps lose the melee on the hill

One infantry brigade falls back in rout, the second retreats shaken

On the right French lancers charge and rout 1^st British hussars

The horsemen rout through the long line of infantry behind them

This throws 1^st corps into disorder and halts their advance

1400-1500

On the left 4^th British corps retreat from the hill

In the centre 2^nd corps holds firm

But 1^st corps will take two hours to sort out

On the right 3^rd corps continue to hold the hill

Wellington has not suffered a serious defeat

But his attack on Leon is in a shambles

He orders his army to hold their ground until nightfall

They will retreat under the cover of darkness.

Conclusion

Wellington has failed to take Leon

Soult has reorganised his army shown them that they can beat the British

He now has an opportunity to go on the offensive and pursue Wellington

The French have lost 1800 casualties

The British have lost 2800 casualties and have five brigades in rout