10 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 9

 

Main French depot at Hellin – 0 days supplies

French have no more reserve supplies
French occupy Linares
French attack Martos

Spanish retreat to Andjuar
Spanish attack Jean
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – occupy Linares
14th French army – attack Martos
15th French army – regroup and resupply at Mortalalla

1st Spanish army – retreat to Andjuar
2nd Spanish army – attack Jean
3rd Spanish army – regroup and resupply at Huelma

4 guerrilla attack convoy Tobarra to Riopar – fail no casualties
8 guerrilla attack convoy Elche to Jodar – fail no casualties
15 guerrilla attack convoy Hellin to Minateda – fail 10% casualties

9 August 1813 – Second battle of Linares

Tactical map of battle area

13th French Army commanded by Marshal Suchet attack Linare
1st Spanish army commanded by General Giron attack Ubeda

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply
They have lost 4 infantry and 1 cavalry battle casualties (1700 men)

Spanish have 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
They have lost 9 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery battle casualties (3800 men)

On 6 August Marshal Suchet was unable to take Linares, and retreated to Ubeda to regroup and resupply. General Giron remained at Linares to regroup and resupply. The Spanish had suffered more casualties than the French, but Giron was determined to follow up his victory and take Ubeda. Suchet was determined on a second attempt to take Linares. At first light the Spanish set off to take Ubeda, and the French to take Linares. Neither side was aware of the intentions of the other.

Table at start of battle

Linares in the town at the top of the table
Ubeda is behind the camera at the bottom of the table

Spanish army start the game in the town and on the high ground either side
All are in column of march and all will start their advance to Ubeda at the start of move on

French army is off camera at the bottom edge of the table
They will arrive on the table at the start of move one.

End of move 2

French advancing towards Linares
CinC between 37 and 38 corps
37 corps advancing slowly over the hill on the right
38 corps advancing between the farm and the woods in the centre
39 corps advancing to the left of the farm

Spanish advancing towards the three game objectives in the centre of the table
CinC in the centre between 1 and 2 corps
1 corps nearing the farm on the right (game objective)
2 corps advancing towards the woods in the centre (game objective)
3 corps advancing towards the large woods on the left (game objective)

End of move 4

French advance in column of march
CinC advance between 37 and 38 corps
37 corps reach north edge of hill on the right
38 corps reach southern edge of woods in centre
39 corps reach southern edge of woods on the left t

Spanish start to deploy behind the three game objective
CinC observe between 1 and 2 corps
1 corps deploy behind farm on the right
2 corps deploy behind woods in the centr
3 corps deploy behind woods on the left

End of move 6

French attack all three objectives
CinC takes command of 37 corps artillery and one infantry brigade
37 corps advance towards farm on the right
38 corps advance between woods in centre and farm on the right
39 corps artillery rout Spanish cavalry and one infantry brigade

Spanish rout between woods on left and in the centre
CinC takes command of farm on the right
1 corps withdraw to rear of farm on the right
2 corps cavalry and one infantry brigade rout
3 corps reinforce northern half of woods on the left

End of move 8

French attack all three objectives
CinC occupy woods in the centre supported by cavalry and artillery
37 corps enter farm, receive 10% casualties, pass morale test
38 corps enter woods in the centre
39 corps enter woods on the left, one brigade rout

Spanish fight to hold all three objectives
CinC prepares to counter attack farm on the right
1 corps withdraw towards hill
2 corps withdraw towards town
3 corps one brigade rout, remainder fight to hold woods on the left

End of move 10

French capture woods on the left and centre
CinC enter farm on the right but driven out by Spanish
37 corps withdraw having lost farm
38 corps secure farm in the centre
39 corps secure woods on the left and rout Spanish

Spanish hold farm on right, but loss woods in centre and left
CinC orders general retreat
1 corps retake farm on the right
2 corps abandon woods in centre and retreat
3 corps abandon woods on the left and rout

Summary

Despite starting the battle with more casualties than the French, general Giron fought a hard battle. Aware that with so many casualties his brigades would have brittle morale, he kept them behind cover to reduce artillery casualties. He also used his more powerful artillery, and his cavalry, to deter the French attacking.

The loss of the Spanish cavalry in the centre allowed the French infantry to attack the woods on the left and in the centre. This allowed their artillery to pound the Spanish infantry, who were too weak to maintain their morale.

At the end of the battle the French had taken all three game objectives, but a Spanish counter attack retook the farm. However the Spanish army was battered and had ten brigades in rout, compared with three French brigades in rout. Giron ordered the remaining brigades to retreat at nightfall

French have lost 9 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (3700 men)
Spanish have lost 13 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (5400 men)

9 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 8

Main French depot at Hellin – 9 days supplies

Spanish occupy Huelma
Spanish attack Ubeda

French retreat to Mortalalla
French attack Linares

Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – attack Linares
14th French army – regroup and resupply at Jean
15th French army – retreat to Mortalalla

1st Spanish army – attack Ubeda
2nd Spanish army – regroup and resupply at Martos
3rd Spanish army – occupy Heulma

10 guerrilla attack convoy Hellin to Tobarra – fail no casualties