26 June 1813 – Battle of San Martin

Tactical map of battle area

3^rd British army has orders to hold San Martin and the Talavera-Madrid border

12^th French army has orders to defeat the British and take San Martin

 

French – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

British –    8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Spanish – 3 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Anglo-Spanish army start the game in and around San Martin

9^th Spanish corps is the garrison of the town

5^th and 6^th British corps are in support of the town

 

12^th French army will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French arrive on table and advance towards San Martin

4^th and 5^th British corps advance either side of San Martin

 

Left – 36^th Vistula corps advance to the left of the fortified farm

Centre – 35^th French corps advance towards San Martin

Right – 34^th French corps advance either side of woods

End of move 4

French infantry attack San Martin

 

Left – Polish infantry deploy out of range of British guns

Centre – French infantry attack San Martin

Centre – Spanish garrison lose 10% casualties but pass morale test

Right - French infantry deploy out of range of British guns

End of move 6

French infantry continue to attack San Martin

 

Left – French artillery rout Spanish militia cavalry

Centre – French infantry and artillery continue to fire on San Martin, no casualties

Centre – French cavalry force gunners to seek shelter in nearby square

Right – French artillery continue to fire on British infantry, no casualties

End of move 8

French infantry continue to attack San Martin

French army advance to attack

 

Left – French and British infantry receive artillery casualties, both pass morale test

Left – British dragoons charge Polish lancers, melee is a draw

Centre – San Martin garrison receive more casualties, but pass morale test

Right – 34^th French corps advance to attack

Right – British dragoons charge chasseurs, both lose 20%, both pass morale test

End of move 10

French capture half of San Martin

British win both cavalry melee

Extensive fighting in centre and right

 

Left – British dragoons rout Polish lancers

Left – British infantry brigade routed by artillery fire

Centre – French capture left half of San Martin

Centre – Fighting continues for right half of San Martin

Centre – Routed Spanish cavalry rally

Right – Cavalry melee results in both sides routing

Right – French rout British artillery

Right – Extensive skirmish and musket combat

End of move 12

French rout 5^th British corps

French take San Martin

 

Left – British hold despite French support from centre

Centre – French take San Martin as night falls

Right – French rout 5^th British corps

 

Summary

Spanish held San Martin until last move of game

They lost left hand section, but counter attacked and took it back

French stormed town on move 12 and just managed to take it

French routed British on right flank

French unable to move British on left flank

Hard fought battle, but French finally won

 

French have lost 5 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2500 men)

British have lost 10 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (4200 men

Spanish have lost 8 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (3300 men)