14 September 1813 – Battle of Molina

Tactical map of battle area

Despite his victories at Elda and Riopar Suchet is in a desperate situation

His lines of supply have been attacked by guerrilla bands

A vital supply convoy has been captured by the guerrilla

His army is short of supplies, 15th corps is about to run out

He is outnumbered by the Spanish army, but must destroy them to survive

French – 39600 infantry, 2900 cavalry, 87 guns

Spanish – 54400 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 120 guns

Table at start of battle

Three of the four Spanish corps are on the table at the start of the game

They are all deployed and on Hold orders

3^rd corps will arrive, behind 1^st corps, at the start of move 2

They will be in column of march and on Move orders

The three French corps will arrive on the table at the start of move 1

They will be deployed and on Engage orders

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Three French corps arrive at top of table

Marshal Suchet is with the centre corps

Spanish cavalry move to the left flank to counter French cavalry

General Giron moves to meet 3^rd Spanish corps when they arrive start of move 2.

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Three French corps advance

7^th corps moves in support of 16^th corps

It is the French intention to break the Spanish centre

Spanish artillery open fire and hit 16^th corps cavalry

They lose 10% casualties but pass their morale test

3^rd Spanish corps arrive on the left and move towards the centre

Move 3 : 1000-1100

French continue to advance

Spanish artillery hit one of 7^th corps infantry brigade

They suffer 10% casualties but pass their morale test

3^rd Spanish corps continue to advance towards the centre

They are joined by General Giron who will position them

 

Move 4 : 1100-1200

16^th Italian corps advance on the left

Cavalry charge Spanish dragoons on the hill

Lose melee and retire shaken

3^rd Spanish corps start to deploy behind hill

7^th French corps advance in the centre

Dragoons charge and rout gunners, who evade into village

Supporting infantry in square lose morale test and are shaken

5^th Polish corps advance between village and right hand hill

4^th Spanish corps start to redeploy on hill towards centre

Move 5 : 1200-1300

1^st Spanish dragoons charge and rout shaken Italian cavalry

Dragoons then test morale, fail and charge nearby infantry square

They lose melee and rout with 10% casualties

Artillery fire on approaching Italian infantry and hit centre brigade

Infantry pass morale test, despite 20% casualties

3^rd Spanish corps deploy behind hill on the left

7^th French corps continue to advance in the centre

Their cavalry charge 3^rd Spanish artillery

Gunners pass morale test  and take cover in nearby square

15^th Polish corps continue to advance on right

Their lancer brigade charge and rout Spanish militia cavalry

4^th Spanish corps redeploy on right hand hill

Move 6 : 1300-1400

16^th Italian corps attack the hill on the left

The Spanish infantry have sheltered from artillery fire behind the crest

They must test morale when enemy infantry reach crest

All three Spanish brigades fail and rout

                                               

7^th French corps, in the centre, ordered to swing right behind hill

15^th Polish corps by pass hill on right

4^th Spanish corps ordered to retreat

With the loss of both his left and right flanks Giron orders a general retreat

Conclusion

Giron has lost four infantry, two cavalry and one artillery brigade in rout

He orders his army to break contact before the French can  pin them

The French have lost 1100 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Spanish have lost 2800 casualties and five brigades in rout