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)