Valladolid Campaign – Day 1

 

23 March 1813 – Northern Spain – Day 1

Both armies advance with orders to make contact with the enemy, but avoid a battle

The Centre and north wing both halt as soon as they sight the enemy

Wellington orders the southern wing to probe the town of Arevalo

Soult orders his southern wing to react to the enemy

Battle of Arevalo – move 2

Both armies advance towards the town of Arevalo

Neither commander want to engage in a major battle

 

The eastern half of the town is held by 6^th Spanish brigade

The British commander is determined to support them

 

The French will reach the Spanish held part of the town first

The French commander takes command of two brigades from 7^th corps

With them he will attack and take the town

7^th and 13^th corps are ordered to hold the north and south of the town

 

French artillery rout the Spanish garrison

The British commander takes command of one brigade from each corps

He leads them into the town to prevent its capture by the French

 

The battle is decided by the fight for the town.

Artillery on both sides support the attack, but have little effect

 

At nightfall the French hold the town and win the battle

Town Fighting

The ground area of all built up areas is defined by 6x6” squares of felt.  One square represents a village or farm, two squares a small town and four squares a city.   Arevalo is one of three walled towns in this campaign.

 

Only infantry can fight in built up areas, they move 4” per turn which is half speed.   As soon as they enter the town the buildings are removed to allow skirmish and hand to hand fighting, plus exact location of each brigade.

 

Two brigades are allowed in each town section.   Only one can fight, the second is a reserve.   If the support it within 2” they can replace the forward brigade.   It takes a full move and both are disorganised during that move.

 

When a brigade reaches the forward edge of the felt square they have two options.   They can become a garrison, which takes a full move.    They then have advantage of cover and have an advantage is skirmish and hand to hand fighting.   Fighting for a defended town section often ends in victory for the defender, unless the attacker can attack with at least one more brigade outside the town.

Or the brigade can advance to engage in hand to hand fighting.   When the two brigades are within 4” the one who moves first next move can charge and gain plus one on the first melee for impetus.   This hand to hand fighting always results in casualties and usually does not last more than one or two moves.

 

In this game the town fighting went on five moves.   At the end of the first move the British lost and routed.   The reserve brigade moved forward to replace them.   The French reserve took advantage of this lull to do the same.   The two reserve brigades then fought for four moves, each taking casualties each move.    Finally the British routed with 30% casualties and the French stood with 20% casualties.

 

During the fighting for the town the Spanish lost 1 casualty, the British 5 and the French also 5.   One French casualty was caused by artillery fire.

 

The rest of both armies just stood and watched.   Both had orders to observe, and not to engage in a major battle.   Both probably exceed their orders to risk so much in town fighting.

 

Very interesting game for town fighting, but did not put the larger 6 corps armies to the test.