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)