Cuidad Real Campaign - Day 8

28 April 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 8

All three French armies are running short of supplies

All available supplies are moved forward from the rear depots

Fortunately the guerrilla bands are regrouping and resupplying after a busy period

The recall of French cavalry brigades to the forward armies also helps to safeguard the supply convoys

15^th French army ordered to attack Almagro,

29 French cavalry brigade ordered to return to take part in the attack

Battle of Malagon end of move 8

General Halbert is well aware that he must not only defeat the Spanish, but also take the town if 15^th French Army is to survive. He has one more day’s supplies, and he must take the town to feed his army. If he is defeated he will have to retreat without any supplies, and will lose attrition casualties until he gets more. In this condition his army will be easy prey to the numerous guerrilla bands.

Once more he robs both corps to create a strong reserve of both artillery batteries and the two best infantry brigades. The reduced corps will attempt to pin the enemy whilst the reserve moves to close artillery range of the town.

His right wing is the weakest, and they cannot advance until 29 cavalry brigade re-joins them from patrolling the lines of supply. They are not expected until mid afternoon, and may be too late to take part in the battle.

The Westphalian corps on his left moves to attack the Spanish corps opposite. The reserve deploys close to the town, but offers covering fire to the Westphalian infantry. Together they break the Spanish right wing, and the artillery then concentrate on the town. The conscript garrison break after a short defence, and the reserve infantry move into the town.

At nightfall the Spanish flanks are still fighting. But with their centre gone, and the town taken, they retreat under cover of darkness.

Comments

To win the French must concentrate, and this means weakening both corps.

To take the town, which is the game objective, they must concentrate the reserve against the garrison. By the time the guns are in position it is usually at least move eight. They have four moves to weaken, and then storm, the garrison. In effect they have two attempts to use their artillery at close range. This is not the time to throw a run a low dice.

In this game the French pulled it off, but only just.

The Spanish attacked their weak right flank, and won the flank

The reserve had to support the attack against the Spanish right flank before they could concentrate on the town. On move eight the Spanish still held, and the reserve had to be redeployed to attack the town. Fortunately the garrison broke quickly, otherwise it would have been a draw. In this battle a draw would be a Spanish win.

This was one of those games where the outcome is uncertain right until the last move.