Cuidad Real Campaign - Day 4

 

24 April 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 4

Guerrilla attack Tomelloso and Pozo.  

They also ambush and capture a convoy of three days supplies

 

13^th French army occupy Consuegra

2^nd Spanish army retreat to Malagon

 

14^th French army attack Cuidad Real

1^st Spanish army defend Cuidad Real

 

15^th French army redeploy to attack Almagro

3^rd Spanish army regroup at Almagro

 

Battle of Cuidad Real end of move 10

To reach the city the French must move through the pass (far right)

It will take at least 8 of the 12 moves to do so.

 

The Spanish deploy their artillery to cover the exit from the pass.  Any attempt to do so must result in heavy French casualties.

27^th French corps leads the French column.  They turn right and climb the hill into the northern valley.   They then move towards the city.   The Spanish reserve of one cavalry and two infantry brigades occupy the hill.

Meanwhile the French reserve of both artillery batteries and two infantry brigades move through the pass.   The leading battery deploys at the mouth of the pass, the second battery deploys on top of the southern hill. 

28^th Italian corps turn left and cross the hills into the southern valley.  However this takes them the rest of the day.

As soon as the French clear the pass the Spanish commander orders 1^st and 2^nd corps to withdraw to the city and the woods.   His reserve continue to hold the hill facing the river to cover this withdrawal.

There is only one combat in the whole day.   2^nd Spanish lancers charge the leading French battery as they deploy at the exit from the pass.   The gunners fire at close range (two “sixes”) and rout the Spanish cavalry.

The Spanish claim a victory because they hold the city at nightfall.

Comments

This was an unusual wargame.  

The Spanish outnumbered the French in infantry.  They also occupied an excellent defensive position in front of the city.   They deployed well forward, so that their artillery could cover the western exit from the pass.

Any attempt by the French to march through the pass would result in heavy casualties.  The head of the column would come under fire from both Spanish batteries.

It was decided to move the leading French corps over the hills on the north of the pass, and the second French corps the hills on the south.  A reserve of both French batteries would move through the pass, supported by two infantry brigades.   The leading battery would open fire as soon as they reached the exit.  The second battery would deploy on the southern hill.  They would engage the enemy whilst the two corps advanced either side of the pass.

The Spanish cavalry charged the leading French battery as they deployed at the mouth of the pass.  Had they charged home the French gunners would have routed back into the pass, disrupting the long column behind them.     This would have given the Spanish a real victory.

However the Spanish cavalry were routed, due to an exception dice throw.   2D6 were thrown to decide how effective the French artillery were.   Both came up six!

Despite this set back the French are doing extremely well in the set piece battles.  However their rear areas are under constant attack by the Spanish guerrillas.   And the loss of a convoy with sufficient supplies for three corps is a major loss.