9 September 1813 – Battle of Elda

Tactical map of battle area

Elda is held by 6 militia brigade

4^th Spanish corps is deployed to hold the road through the mountains

3 guerrilla band holds a farm overlooking the road

Suchet has secured his right flank by taking Riopar

He now orders 15^th Vistula corps to take Elda to secure his left flank

The Poles greatly outnumber the Spanish in and around Elda.

So a French victory is likely, but it needs to be a decisive one

Although the French took Riopar, the Spanish retreated intact

This must not be allowed to happen at Elda

French – 16000 infantry, 1900 cavalry, 30 guns

Spanish – 20000 infantry, 30 guns

Table at start of battle

4^th Spanish corps hold the village in the centre

They have 3 infantry brigades and corps artillery, but no cavalry

6 militia brigade must remain within Elda

3 guerrilla band can only leave the farm to attack shaken or routed enemy

15^th Vistula corps will enter the table at the start of move 1

They have 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery

Move 1 : 0800-0900

The Polish infantry advance to the left of the road

Their cavalry are on the right flank to contain the guerrilla

artillery moves along the road itself

The Spanish wait to see how the attack will develop

Move 2 : 0900-1000

The Poles continue to advance

The Spanish artillery, supported by an infantry brigade, move forward and unlimber

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Polish infantry and artillery continue to advance

Cavalry half outside of Spanish artillery range       

Spanish gunners manhandle their guns towards the Polish lancers

The supporting infantry form square

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Polish infantry continue to advance

Artillery unlimber on flank of Spanish artillery

Lancers hold their ground

Spanish infantry in village fire on gunners, no casualties

Spanish artillery fire on lancers, no casualties

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Spanish artillery limber and retreat

Supporting square move with them

Polish infantry continue to advance

Lancer brigade follow up retreating Spanish artillery

Polish gunners fire on square, no casualties

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Spanish artillery unlimber

Village garrison fire, no casualties

Polish lancers retreat out of artillery range

Polish gunners fire on square, no casualties

Polish infantry skirmish with garrison, no casualties

Move 7 : 1400-1500

Spanish artillery fire on lances, no casualties

Spanish infantry in support of village form line

Polish artillery fire on square, 10% casualties

Square test and pass morale

Polish infantry fire on garrison, 10% casualties

Garrison test and pass morale

Remainder of Polish infantry advance towards Spanish line

Move 8 : 1500-1600

Spanish in village start to withdraw

Spanish gunners fire on cavalry, no casualties

Polish lancers advance to charge artillery

One infantry brigade enters village

Remaining infantry redeploy and advance towards Spanish line

Artillery fire on square, no casualties

Move 9 : 1600-1700

Spanish infantry in village continue to retreat

Infantry line to left of village fire on approaching infantry

Polish lancers charge Spanish gunners

Receive 10% casualties, fail morale and halt in front of guns

Polish infantry advance through village

Remainder of infantry prepare to charge Spanish line

4^th brigade receive 10% casualties, fail morale and are shaken

Move 10 : 1700-1800

Spanish artillery fire on lancers and limber

Supporting infantry retreat

14^th brigade (in line) receive 10% casualties, fail morale and are shaken

Lancers receive artillery fire, fail morale for 20% casualties and rout

Polish infantry occupy village

Remainder of infantry skirmish with Spanish line

4^th brigade fails morale again and remains shaken

Move 11 : 1800-1900

Spanish infantry and artillery break contact and retreat

Italian lancers continue to rout

Infantry are too disorganised to pursue Spanish

Conclusion

Joubert has forced the Spanish to retreat

He will claim a victory, but it is a hollow one

Longa has managed to withdraw his whole corps, including his artillery

He has suffered more casualties than the enemy

But his corps is still intact and will be able to regroup and fight again

The Poles have lost 600 casualties

The Spanish have lost 1200 casualties