20 October 1813 – Battle of Corunna

Tactical map of battle area

The French open the campaign with a surprise attack on the port of Corunna

The town is held by 2^nd British corps, and 1^st Spanish militia brigade

7^th French corps leads the attack, supported by 16^th Italian corps

16^th corps will not arrive until 21 October 1813.

7^th French corps have orders to attack Corunna

2^nd British corps have orders to defend Corunna

4^th Spanish militia brigade have orders to observe

The Spanish brigade will fight to hold the farm

They may also move into Ribadeo if the town is not defended

But they may not attack the French under any circumstances

                                                                                                     

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

British – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Spanish – 4000 infantry

Table at start of battle

Robadeo centre bottom

Road centre top leads to Curunna

2^nd British corps holds the road centre top

7^th French corps deployed to attack centre bottom

4^th Spanish militia bottom right in farm 

Move 1 : 0800-0900

French corps advance with cavalry leading the way

British cavalry and artillery move forward

Move 2 : 0900-1000

French dragoons move behind farm out of artillery range

French artillery continue to advance

French infantry halt

British cavalry and artillery advance within artillery range of French

Move 3 : 1000-1100

French artillery unlimber

Infantry advance but remain out of artillery range

British artillery unlimber

Move 4 : 1100-1200

French artillery fire on cavalry but miss

French left division advance

British artillery fire on gunners but no casualties

Cavalry retire out of artillery range

Move 5 : 1200-1300

French artillery manhandle forward

French cavalry move out from behind farm

Move 6 : 1300-1400

French artillery hit British cavalry

French cavalry advance

French right infantry division advance

British cavalry pass morale test for 10% casualties

British artillery fire on French cavalry, no casualties

Move 7 : 1400-1500

French artillery fire on cavalry, no casualties

French cavalry advance to engage British cavalry

Move 8 : 1500-1600

British artillery fire on French cavalry, no casualties

French artillery fire on British cavalry, no casualties

British cavalry charge French dragoons

Dragoons fail morale to counter charge

British win melee and rout dragoons with 20% casualties

Conclusion

With the loss of his cavalry general Abbe feels unable to continue his attack

He orders his corps to halt and await the arrival of 16^th Italian corps

The British have won this battle.  

The British have lost 100 cavalry

The French have lost 200 cavalry and the brigade in rout