Santiago Campaign – Day 5

Campaign Map on 23 October 1813

Despite his defeat at Lugo, Wellington orders an attack on Corunna

He is determined to strike at the French before they can regroup

3^rd corps, retreating from Lugo, is ordered to rally at Santiago

This town will now be his main base and supplies are moved from Ourense

The French have advanced beyond their depots and must reorganise

Four days supplies are sent from Oviedo, to resupply 7^th and 16^th corps

However the convoy is captured by guerrilla and the escort routed

The last thing that Suchet wants is a battle at Corunna

The battle of Corunna

The battle opens well for Wellington

2^nd corps is ordered to attack Corunna

The infantry attack, supported by artillery

The leading brigade inflicted 10% casualties on the garrison

Wellington takes command of their hussar brigade to form his reserve

1^st corps attacks the Italian corps in the open ground to the right of the town.

To do so the infantry have to advance through the dense woods

Meanwhile the artillery and cavalry move forward on the right

The cavalry receive 10% casualties from artillery fire

They are immediately charged, and routed, by the Italian hussars

Wellington moves his reserve cavalry to support 1^st corps

The infantry attack on the Italian infantry is disordered by the woods

As they attempt to regroup the centre enemy brigade moves forward

The Italian line engages the British column in a firefight, which they win

Suchet has taken command of 7^th corps artillery to form his reserve

They now move forward to engage the British attacking Corunna

Without their cavalry 2^nd corps have no answer to this threat

With two brigades in rout Wellington accepts defeat and retreats

Campaign Notes

Both armies were evenly matched in this battle

1^st British corps cavalry started with 10% casualties

The rest of the corps was full strength

2^nd British corps started at full strength

7^th French corps cavalry started with 20% casualties

The rest of the corps was full strength

16th Italian corps started at full strength

The French held a strong position

Corunna is a fortified town and had a full garrison of two brigades

That left two brigades and the artillery to counter any attack

With 20% casualties their cavalry was too weak to deploy, and hid behind the town

The Italian corps was more exposed as they held the open ground to the right of the town

However a large woods would disrupt any enemy approaching their battle line

Consequently Wellington had a difficult task

1^st corps would find it difficult to clear the woods and deploy to attack

To do so their artillery and cavalry must damage the enemy

In particular their cavalry and infantry

2^nd corps would have to attack over a very narrow front

A large farm prevented a full deployment

Soult could divide his forces either side of the farm

But this would mean considerable difficult in command and control

Or he could attack either side of the farm

He choose to attack on the left

Only on the British far right was there room for cavalry

So Wellington took command of 2^nd corps hussar brigade to form his reserve.

First blood went to the British when they attacked the left town section

It was held by a conscript brigade, and the loss of 10% casualties reduced their combat ability

However the loss of a cavalry on the exposed British right flank was a much more serious setback

Without cavalry he could not hold the ground for his infantry to deploy as they left the woods

Wellington moved his hussar reserve to replace the routed dragoons

This allowed the French to bring forward their reserve artillery in the centre

It was deployed to engage any British infantry attacking Corunna

After just five moves Wellington had to admit defeat

He had only suffered minor casualties

But both of his corps had suffered critical casualties

To press home the attack would almost certainly result in a major defeat

This short game was a master class in move and counter move

The loss of the British dragoon brigade was the critical factor

Wellington had to move his remaining cavalry to make up for this loss

This in turn allowed the French to place their reserve artillery to fire on the flank of any attack on Corunna

Very enjoyable wargame, but a terrible result for the campaign.

The British really needed to win this battle, to prevent being forced to retreat south

By doing so Wellington abandoned his last chance to regain the initiative

He would now have to concentrate at Santiago and await the next French attack

Soult could now take his time to reorganise his depots and replace his battle casualties

He would have to attack Santiago to win the campaign, but he could do so when it suited him to do so.