Tactical
Map
The campaign opened with the French Army in and
around Albacete.
The French were heavily outnumbered by the
Spanish, who were deployed over a large area south of Albacete. The Spanish field army was slightly smaller
than the four French corps, but there were also nine brigades of infantry
providing garrisons for the nine town spread through the campaign area.
The French plan of campaign was to advance with
three corps in line, and the fourth in reserve. The reserve corps would provide garrisons
for each town as it was captured and establish supply depots.
The first battle was at Riopar, which was a
French victory. But the defeated Spanish
were allowed to retreat without pursuit.
Suchet ordered a more determined attack at
Elda. This resulted in heavier
casualties on both sides. Once more the
Spanish were allowed to retreat without pursuit.
With his flanks secured Suchet now ordered an
attack on Hellin. But the Spanish retreated
without a battle. The French now had to
halt in order to reorganise their supply chain.
This allowed the Spanish to regroup in front of Molina.
The French now concentrated their army at
Hellin, in preparation for a final push south against Molina. This allowed the guerrilla bands to attack
the rear French depots, disrupting the French lines of supply.
Suchet ignores the threat to his lines of
supply and orders an attack on the Spanish in front of Molina. This results in a third French victory, but
again an inconclusive one. The Spanish
retreat south of Molina, but still hold the city.
The French are now desperately short of
supplies. A vital supply column has been
ambushed and taken by the guerrilla.
Three of his northern depots are under attack by the guerrilla. A further pursuit of the Spanish field army
risks the destruction of his own army.
He orders his army to fall back on Hellin and resupply.
Both armies pause to regroup and resupply. During this period Suchet is able to
reorganise his lines of supply and tackle the guerrilla problem. However before he can complete his
reorganisation the Spanish attack him at Hellin.
Due to the success of the guerrilla on the
French lines of supply, the Spanish field army has also managed to regroup and
resupply. Giron orders an attack on
Hellin, hoping to catch the French unprepared.
Both commanders are aware that this battle will
decide the campaign, and both are determined to win. The result is a hard fought battle, and one
that results in a draw. By nightfall
both armies have suffered heavy casualties, and have committed all of their
reserves. The Spanish have lost more
casualties than the French, and more brigades broken and in rout. As a result the odds are more even, should
the battle continue for a second day.
The Spanish hold half of the town and the left flank, the French hold
the other half of the town and the right flank.
The campaign is decided on the supply
situation. The Spanish army are about to
run out, and will face heavy attrition casualties until they resupply. To do so they must retreat south to their
depots. At nightfall Giron orders his army
to break contact and retreat.
Both armies are exhausted and unable to
continue without offensive operations without a lengthy period of rest and
regrouping. The French have failed to
take Molina, and the Spanish have no chance of taking Albacete. Suchet hold two thirds of the towns and has
defeated the Spanish in all four battles fought. He claims victory in the campaign.
Strategic Map
The
Albacete campaign was the sixth phase in Southern Spain between the Fifth
French and the Spanish armies. It
lasted 13 days and there were four battles.
The French won all four.
The
French lost 7200 infantry, 300 cavalry and 3 guns
The
Spanish lost 22400 infantry, 300 cavalry and 12 guns
The
French won the campaign
The
campaign started on 23 February 2019 and ended on 20 April 2019
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