07 June 1813 – Battle of Castanar

Tactical map of battle area

16th Italian corps attack Castanar

4^th Spanish corps is deployed just north of the town

The town is held by 4 militia brigade

Spanish – 16000 infantry, 30 guns

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

4^th Spanish corps is deployed just north of the town

4 militia brigade is in the town

16^th Italian corps is approaching off table centre left

It will arrive on the table at the start of move 1

0800-1200

The Italians have deployed ready to attack the Spanish

1^st division and cavalry brigade is on the right

2^nd division on the left

1200-1600

The Italian artillery prove ineffective and Harispe orders a general attack

As the infantry advance 5 brigade (left) suffer 10% casualties but keep their morale

6 and 7 brigades (right) storm the woods and each suffer 10% casualties

However they rout 13 Spanish brigade who are holding the woods

As the Italian hussars advance they also suffer artillery casualties

They pass their morale test, charge and rout the Spanish gunners.

Conclusion

The Italians take light casualties but press home their attack

The Spanish lose one infantry brigade and their gunners

General Longa orders a general retreat to avoid the destruction of his corps

The Italians have lost 1300 casualties

The Spanish have lost 2600 casualties and have infantry and gunners in rout

06 June 1813 - Southern Spain

Marshal Suchet orders his army to advance and deploy ready to attack Castanar, Aguda and Malagon.   Three infantry brigades are detached to garrison Navalmoral, Guadalupe and Alcoba.

The Spanish are surprised by the French advance and hold their positions whilst waiting for orders to react.

05 June 1813 - Southern Spain

Marshal Suchet has deployed his army between Alcoba, Guadalupe and Navalmoral.   It is his intention to advance direct on Cuidad Real with 7^th and 8^th corps.   15^th corps will take Aguda and then cross the river Guadiana and take Almadan.   16^th corps will take Castanar and then continue south to cross the river and take Don Pedro.   In doing so he hopes to force the Spanish Army to disperse over a wide area and allow him to defeat each enemy corps in turn.

General Giron has deployed his army to meet the anticipated French advance.   In addition to his field army of four corps, he also has one militia brigade in each town as a garrison.   1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd militia brigades have been forced to abandon Alcoba, Guadalupe and Navalmoral, and have become guerrilla bands.