21 April 1813 – Battle of Daimiel

Tactical map of battle area

 The campaign opens with 14^th French army crossing the border and advancing down the main road to Cuidad Real.

Daimiel is held by 1^st Spanish army.  They are deployed in and around the town.

1^st French Army – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Spanish Army – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

1^st and 2^nd Spanish corps are deployed either side of the town

Daimiel is held by two brigades under the command of General Giron

 

14^th French army will arrive on the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

The French advance from the right

A small reserve of two brigades in the centre is commanded by General Gerrard

27^th French corps is on his right, 28^th Italian corps on his left

 

1^st Spanish corps are moving forward, the rest of the Spanish army wait for the French to approach.

End of move 4

French infantry and cavalry halt outside of Spanish artillery range

French gunners unlimber within range of Spanish and open fire

1^st Spanish cavalry receive 10% casualties but hold their ground

 

2^nd Spanish corps advance to engage 28^th Italian corps

End of move 6

In the north French cavalry charge and rout Spanish dragoons

They lose control and pursue the Spanish cavalry

In doing so they also rout a shaken Spanish infantry brigade

 

Spanish commander sends second brigade into town

 

French commander commits reserve to support 28^th Italian corps attack

 

Extensive melee on the southern flank

Spanish and French cavalry fight an inconclusive melee

Both sides lose 10% casualties, both sides continue the melee

Two French and two Spanish infantry brigades clash south of woods

Spanish win one melee and rout Italian brigade

Italians win second melee and rout Spanish brigades

 

Summary

With three brigades in rout General Giron loses his nerve and orders a retreat

The Spanish have lose the battle on the northern flank

However they still hold the town

The battle on the southern flank is still undecided

But the arrival of the French reserve will almost certainly decide the outcome

Giron orders a general retreat to avoid further casualties

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (500 men)

The Spanish have lost 2 infantry and 5 cavalry casualties (1300 men)