10 March 1813 – Battle of Mocejon

Tactical map of battle area

Soult has won the first battle of the campaign

He keeps up the pressure by attacking Mocejon

The Italians are supported by 10 brigade from the reserve

 

4^th Spanish corps have orders to hold Mocejon

They are a weak corps of just three infantry brigades and no cavalry

They also have the support of the town garrison

 

French – 5 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Spanish – 4 infantry brigades, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

4^th Spanish corps are in position in and around Mocejon

A walled town adds plus 1 to garrison combat test

16^th Italian corps will arrive centre top at the start of move 1

Table at end of move 4

Spanish artillery have deployed to the left of the town

Two infantry brigades are deploying to the right of the town

Artillery fire on Italian gunners, but no casualties

 

Italian infantry are deploying on the right

Artillery in the centre

Cavalry on right to prevent enemy artillery moving closer to infantry

The cavalry have halted just out of artillery range

Table at end of move 8

Italian cavalry charge Spanish artillery

Receive 10% casualties, which prevent them charging home

Receive another 10% casualties and retreat disordered

 

Italian artillery fire on right side of town

Hit military garrison twice, but they pass morale with 20% casualties

Infantry advance against the town and supporting infantry on right

Table at end of move 12

Italian infantry attack infantry to right of town

Win melee and rout Spanish infantry with 30% casualties each brigade

However they also receive 10% casualties each brigade

 

Two brigades storm right side of town

Militia garrison already have 20% casualties

Rout garrison with 40% casualties

But again each Italian brigade receive 10% casualties

 

Spanish artillery hit Italian gunners who lose 10% casualties

But pass morale test

 

Italian cavalry again charge Spanish artillery

Receive another 10% casualties and halt disordered with total 30% casualties

 

Summary

At nightfall the Spanish still hold the left halt of the town

Their artillery are still full strength

But they have lost two infantry brigades

And the Italian infantry are in the town

The Spanish retreat under cover of darkness

 

The Italians have lost 4 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 gunner casualties (2000 men)

The Spanish have lost 10 infantry casualties (4000 men)