13 September – Southern Spain – Day 6

Suchet has two major concerns

First his lines of supply are under attack, and his army is running short of supplies

Second he is facing the main Spanish army and his own is too widespread

He orders 15^th and 16^th corps to join him at Hellin

But each will leave one infantry brigade to garrison Riopar and Elda

Despite the danger of active guerrilla bands he must move his supplies

The main depot at Albacete is ordered to send 4 days supplies to Hellin

Giron also has resupply problems

The Spanish are always short of supplies

This makes it difficult for them to concentrate to fight

Although he outnumbers 7^th corps at Hellin, Giron delays an attack

He orders 3^rd and 4^th corps to join him south of Hellin

When his army is concentrated he will attack if the French do not do so first

5 militia (now guerrilla) brigade move towards Albacete

In doing so they find, and attack, the French supply column moving to Hellin.

They capture the supplies and the escort suffer 10% casualties

1 militia (now guerrilla) brigade continue their attack on Manzanares

They lose 30% casualties and are destroyed

3 militia (now guerrilla) brigade continue their attack on Almansa

The garrison hold, but lose 10% casualties.

Guerrilla out of supplies and retreat