28 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 8

13^th French army have failed to take Malagon, and they are also out of supply

Fortunately there are 6 days supplies at Consuegra, so they do not have to retreat to resupply

2^nd Spanish army is also out of supply, but fortunately there are two days supply at Malagon

So they can continue to hold the town, but must receive more supplies from Cuidad Real

Because of the destruction of 13 French brigade, 26 French cavalry brigade is now garrison of La Roda

 

14^th French army recall 6 cavalry brigade in preparation for attack on Cuidad Real

 

15^th French army ordered to attack Almagro,

29 French cavalry brigade ordered to return to take part in the attack

 

All three French armies are running short of supplies

All available supplies are moved forward from the rear depots

Fortunately the guerrilla bands are regrouping and resupplying after a busy period

The recall of French cavalry brigades to the forward armies also helps to safeguard the supply convoys

After a hard fought battle the French won the battle of Almagro.   The Spanish fought longer and better than expected, and at  nightfall still held both flanks.   But the French took the town, and broke the Spanish centre.   At nightfall the remaining Spanish brigades had to retreat.

 

27 April 1813 – Battle of Malagon Day Two

 

Tactical map of battle area

The retreat of 2^nd Spanish army on the previous day prevented 13^th French army from attacking them.

Both armies are on their last day supplies, both will have run out by nightfall.   Despite this the French are committed to a second day’s battle.  If they win they can resupply from Malagon, but if they lose they must retreat and suffer attrition casualties.

13^th French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 10 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Spanish are deployed on the left

CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades in the town

 

French are deployed on the right

CinC has taken command of both corps artillery, one infantry and one cavalry brigade.

End of move 2

Spanish unlimber artillery and wait for French to approach

 

25^th and 26^th French corps form column of attack

Artillery move forward to engage Spanish right wing

End of move 4

26^th Polish corps move into the woods to outflank 3^rd Spanish corps

French reserve artillery open fire and hit 4^th Spanish corps infantry

25^th French corps wait for reserve artillery to soften up Spanish

End of move 6

26^th Polish corps occupy woods to pin 3^rd Spanish corps

French reserve artillery continue to fire on Spanish infantry

25^th French corps advance towards 4^th Spanish corps

End of move 8

26^th Polish corps start to occupy the woods

3^rd Spanish corps counter attack and rout the leading Polish brigade

 

Reserve artillery rout nearest Spanish infantry brigade

Nearest supporting brigade retreat out of range of the French artillery

 

25^th French corps advance to engage 4^th Spanish corps

End of move 10

26^th Polish corps occupy half of the woods

Spanish do not attack, but are deployed to stop them advancing

Spanish artillery and cavalry redeploy to support town

 

Spanish reserve occupy town

French reserve artillery move forward to short range of town

 

25^th French infantry charge and rout Spanish south of town

Three Spanish brigades retreat, two of them in rout

French infantry brigade receive artillery casualties, but pass morale test

End of move 12

3^rd Spanish corps attack the woods held by the Poles

At nightfall battle is still undecided, with two Polish and one Spanish brigades in rout

 

In the centre the French reserve artillery move within close range of the town

But they fail to inflict any casualties, and their infantry attack

At nightfall the Spanish hold the northern half and the French the southern half

 

4^th Spanish corps lose two brigades in rout, and 25^th French corps one

At nightfall the battle continues, but is also undecided

 

Summary

Although battered the Spanish still hold half of the town at nightfall and claim a victory

The French have lost 6 infantry casualties (2400 men) and have three brigades in rout

The Spanish  have lost 6 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2500 men) and have three brigades in rout

27 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 7

13^th French army attack 2^nd Spanish army at Malagon for second day

French have one days supply, by nightfall they will have run out

10 guerrilla attack and destroy routing 13 French brigade

7 guerrilla retreat when 26 French cavalry retake La Roda

 

14^th French army prepare to attack Cuidad Real

27 and 28 cavalry brigades ordered to return to corps

 

15^th French army reorganise

12 guerrilla attack Pozo, routed with 20% casualties

The second battle of Malagon resulted in a draw.   However at nightfall the Spanish still held half of the town, and despite having to withdraw most of their army was still intact.   The French had clearly failed to either destroy 2^nd Spanish army, or take Malagon.   The Spanish claimed a victory.

26 April 1813 – Battle of Malagon

Tactical map of battle area

 

13^th French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

2^nd Spanish Army – 10 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

The French have done well so far in the campaign, and have taken three of the six Spanish towns.   However they have serious supply problems due to guerrilla attacks.   Most of the French cavalry have been detached to secure their lines of supply.   There is also pressure to end the campaign before the supply situation gets worse.

 

13^th French army are outnumbered in infantry, and have 20% casualties in their single cavalry brigade.   Despite this Suchet orders them to attack to maintain the pressure on the Spanish.

Table at start of battle

Unusual Spanish initial deployment

Both corps are well forward, and in column of march

HQ is in command of the town, but has not taken any brigades from the corps

 

13^th French Army is off the table right at the start of the game.

26^th French corps will arrive at start of move 1

25^th French corps will arrive at start of move 5

End of move 2

Both Spanish corps move forward to meet French as they exit the hills

Town garrison is also ordered to move forward

 

26^th Polish corps enter table from right

Artillery unlimber and open fire on guerrilla in fortified farm

Guerrilla move to exit the farm, but receive 10% casualties as they do so

End of move 4

3^rd Spanish corps block 26^th Polish corps advance

4^th Spanish corps wait to see where 25^th French corps arrive

Poles unable to advance until 25^th corps arrive

Artillery redeploy to engage Spanish gunners

Infantry move closer to the woods as protection from Spanish artillery

End of move 6

26^th Polish corps increased the pressure on 3^rd Spanish corps as 25^th French corps started to arrive.   In doing so the Spanish lost 100 cavalry and 800 infantry.

With the arrival of 25^th French corps the Spanish commander ordered a general retreat to either side of Malagon.  

Summary

The Spanish attempt to attack the French as they emerged from the mountains has failed.   However they have delayed the French deployment and prevented them attacking.

The French are now clear of the mountains and are ready to attack tomorrow.00

The French have lost no casualties  

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

26 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 6

13^th French army attack 2^nd Spanish army at Malagon

7^th guerrilla attack La Roda, garrison retreat with 10% casualties

 

14^th French army and 1^st Spanish army both reorganise and resupply

8^th guerrilla attack Albacete, suffer 20% casualties and rout

 

15^th French army and 3^rd Spanish army both reorganise and resupply

9^th guerrilla attack Pozo, draw both suffer 10% casualties

 

Guerrilla continue to attack French rear depots, and capture La Roda

Detached cavalry escort supplies to the forward depots

2^nd Spanish army deploy close to the mountains to attack 13^th French army as they emerge.   In doing so they delay the French deployment, but are unable to defeat them as planned.   A second day of battle will be necessary to decide the outcome of the battle of Malagon.

25 April 1813 – Battle of Almagro

Tactical map of battle area

15^th French army have orders to attack Almagro

20^th French corps cavalry brigade are absent on patrol

30^th Westphalian corps have one infantry brigade absent on garrison duty

 

3^rd Spanish army have orders to defend Almagro

5^th and 6^th Spanish corps are present, but have light cavalry and artillery casualties

 

15^th French Army – 5 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 7 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

3^rd Spanish army are deployed on the left, in and around Almagro

Commander has taken command of two infantry brigades in the centre

 

15^th French army will arrive on the right side of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

6^th Spanish corps move forward infantry and artillery between town and farm

 

15^th French army has advanced from the right

Commander has taken control of both artillery batteries and two infantry brigades in the centre

End of move 4

29^th French corps advance to attack 5^th Spanish corps

French reserve swings right to support them

30^th Westphalian corps advance, but only to pin 6^th Spanish corps

 

5^th Spanish corps vacate farm

End of move 6

5^th Spanish cavalry charge the advancing French infantry columns

The infantry brush the cavalry aside, who then rout

The leading infantry brigade then charges the nearby artillery

The Spanish gunners join the cavalry rout

In doing so they force the nearby infantry to check their morale

They fail and in turn join the rout

The rest of 5^th Spanish corps withdraw

 

The Spanish reserve enter the town

 

6^th Spanish corps hold their position.

 

Summary

Despite their success it has taken 29^th French corps too long to defeat 5^th Spanish corps.   It is now too late for 15^th French army to redeploy and attack the town.

 

However they have advanced clear of the mountains, and have also broken 5^th Spanish corps artillery and cavalry.   They are now well placed to attack the town itself.

 

However first they must organise their supply system.

 

The French have lost no casualties

The Spanish have lost 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (200 men)

25 April 1813 – South Spain – Day 5

Spanish guerrilla activity has caused a collapse in the French supply system.   Marshal Suchet orders 13^th and 15^th armies to detach one of their cavalry brigades to secure their lines of supply.   14^th army, in the centre, will send both of their cavalry brigades to secure the main supply road from Albacete.

2^nd Spanish army rally and resupply

13^th French army rally and resupply

French detach cavalry brigade to patrol supply route

 

1^st Spanish army redeploy around Cuidad Real

14^th French army redeploy in front of Cuidad Real

French detach both cavalry brigades to patrol supply route

 

3^rd Spanish army defend Almagro

15^th French army attack Almagro

French detach cavalry brigade to patrol supply route

 

15^th French army concentrate on 5^th Spanish corps

They rout their cavalry and artillery.

But it is then too late to attack the town

No French casualties and only 200 Spanish

But three Spanish brigades are routed.

24 April 1813 – Battle of Cuidad Real

Tactical map of battle area

The French attack the main Spanish depot at Cuidad Real

27^th French corps arrive start of move 1

HQ and 28^th Italian corps arrive start of move 5

 

14^th French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

1^st Spanish Army – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

French have 100 cavalry casualties

Spanish have 800 infantry and 300 cavalry casualties

Table at start of battle

1^st Spanish army is deployed in front of the city of Cuidad Real

It is their intention to attack the French as they emerge from the pass

The Spanish commander has created a reserve of two infantry and one cavalry brigades

The city is held by 2 militia brigade

The village (bottom right) is held by 5 guerrilla brigade

Guerrillas can only attack disordered, shaken or routed enemy troops

But they can defend the village is attacked.

 

14^th French army will arrive on the road centre right

27^th French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

HQ and 28^th Italian corps will arrive at the start of move 5

All troops must move through the pass to enter the table

End of move 2

The Spanish have moved forward between the hill and woods

 

27^th French corps have arrived and are marching through the pass (right)

However their lancer brigade has turned right to enter the valley between the hill and river.

End of move 4

The Spanish artillery cover the exit from the pass down which the French must advance.

 

27^th French corps turn right and cross the ridge to avoid the enemy guns.   Their lancer brigade has deployed to cover this manoeuvre.

 

The Spanish reserve has reacted by redeploying to their left.

End of move 6

Spanish reserve hold north hill

27^th French corps advance between hill and river, towards city

 

1^st Spanish corps unlimber artillery to fire on exit from western pass

French reserve (two artillery and two infantry brigades) move through pass

 

2^nd Spanish corps advance to engage French as they emerge from pass

28^th Italian corps halt off table right to allow reserve to move through pass

End of move 8

Spanish reserve continue to hold hill, cavalry withdraw away from French lancers.

27^th French corps continue to advance towards city, covered by lancer brigade

 

1^st Spanish corps cavalry charge French artillery as they unlimber at entrance to pass.   They receive 20% casualties and rout without charging home.

French reserve infantry, plus second artillery, move onto hill either side of pass

 

2^nd Spanish corps infantry pass morale test when routed cavalry rout through them

28^th Italian corps move over hill to avoid reserve artillery

End of move 10

As the French clear the pass and prepare to attack, the Spanish commander orders 1^st and 2^nd corps to retreat towards city.

 

Spanish reserve continue to hold hill and Spanish left flank

27^th French corps continue to advance towards town

 

1^st Spanish corps withdraw to city

French reserve artillery deploy on hill and open fire

 

2^nd Spanish corps withdraw between city and woods

28^th Italian corps move down from the pass

 

Summary

The Spanish have delayed the French approach and deployment

The French have had to move over the hills either side of the pass

By the time they deploy it is too late to attack.

The Spanish claim a victory

 

The French have lost no casualties  

The Spanish have lost 2 cavalry casualties (200 men)