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)