Albacete Campaign

Campaign Map on 8 September 1813

The map shows the location of all troops at the start of the first day of the campaign.

The French occupy the three northern towns.  There is one corps in each town, plus a brigade from the reserve corps as garrison of each town.

The large yellow markers show the location of the four Spanish corps.    They are deployed in front of the three towns in the centre of the map, plus one in reserve in front of Molina.

The smaller yellow markers show the location of the militia brigades, one to garrison each of the nine towns.   The three which had garrisoned the towns now occupied by the French have become guerrilla bands.

The French commander orders 16^th corps (on the left) to advance and take Ropar.   This will secure his right flank, and prepare for the main advance down the valley towards the Spanish main depot at Molina.

Thus the campaign opens with the battle of Riopar.

Wargame table at the start of the battle of Riopar

Riobar is centre bottom of table.  It is garrisoned by 4 Militia brigade.   The village north of the town is occupied by 3^rd Spanish corps.   The two farms (top right and left) are each occupied by a guerrilla band.

16^th Italian corps will enter the table on the road centre top.   It has four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery

3^rd Spanish corps has three infantry brigades and corps artillery

The three militia brigades are independent and do not come under command of the Spanish corps commander.   4 Militia brigade must remain within Riopar, but can move between the left and right sections of the town. 

The two guerrilla bands will fight to hold their respective farms.   They can attack an Italian brigade which is shaken or in rout.   If this happens the Italian brigade will surrender without fighting.

Wargame table at the end of Move 4

The Italian infantry and cavalry have advanced to the left of the woods, with the cavalry on the right of the woods.   The artillery and three infantry brigades have advanced towards the village and are about to engage 3^rd Spanish corps.  

One infantry brigade has remained behind to pin the guerrilla in the left hand village.

The cavalry have halted out of range of the Spanish artillery.  They pin the garrison of the right hand village.   They also prevent the Spanish gunners moving to fire on the flank of the advancing Italian infantry.  In addition one of the Spanish infantry brigades is required in square to protect the gunners.

On paper this should be an easy French victory.   The Italian corps is stronger than the defending Spanish corps.   However the two guerrilla bands cannot be ignored.  And if one Italian brigade lose its morale and retreat shaken or in rout they could be captured by either of the guerrilla bands

Because the French are outnumbered by the Spanish they must achieve a convincing victory in the early battles of the campaign.   They cannot afford to take too many casualties, particularly amongst their artillery and cavalry, if they are to maintain the advance and take the campaign objective.

This is a good example of how a small and relatively unimportant campaign battle can have hidden and unexpected consequences not normally found in a one off game.