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)