12 March 1813 – Battle of Albareal

Tactical map of battle area

Having lost the battle of Bargas, Suchet has two options

He can halt and fight a defensive campaign

Or he can continue to attack and increase the pressure on Giron

He orders 15^th Vistula to pursue and destroy 3^rd Spanish at Albareal

Unknown to him, Giron has ordered 1^st Spanish to move to Albareal

They will arrive at the start of move 9

1 guerrilla is resting in the inn

4 militia is garrison of Albareal

 

15^th Vistula – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

1^st Spanish – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish -  2 infantry brigades, corps artillery

4 militia       -  1 infantry brigade

1 guerrilla   -  1 infantry brigade

Table at start of battle

15^th Vistula arrive centre top at the start of move 1

1^st Spanish arrive centre right at the start of move 9

1 guerrilla can only attack shaken or routed brigades

4 militia cannot move out of Albareal

End of move 4

Vistula infantry advance in the cenre

Artillery on their right open fire and hit Spanish square

Lancers advance within charge move of enemy gunners

 

Spanish infantry pass morale test with 20% casualties

Artillery open fire on enemy gunners, but no casualties

End of move 6

Polish artillery hit Spanish infantry supporting artillery

They fail morale and rout with 20% casualties

Gunners pass morale test for nearby rout

 

Polish lancers charge Spanish gunners

Receive 10% casualties, fail morale and retire shaken

Meanwhile infantry advance towards village

Right hand brigade charge Spanish gunners

Also receive casualties, also fail morale and rout

Nearest Polish infantry fail morale test for nearby rout

Are shaken and must rally to advance

End of move 9

Polish infantry engage in fire fight with last Spanish brigade

Spanish lose 20% and rout.

Spanish gunners test morale for their supports running away

Pass test, but limber and withdraw anyway

 

1^st Spanish corps (top left) arrive on table

They march towards town.

 

15^th Vistula corps cavalry and one infantry brigade in rout

They are too weak to tackle full strength 1^st Spanish corps

They abandon any further advance towards Albareal

 

The Spanish have won the battle.

 

 

Summary

The Vistula have lost 2 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (900 men)

The Spanish have lost 4 infantry casualties (1600 men)