13 June 1813 –
Southern Spain – Day 5
Siege
of Adjucen day 1
15th
French army attack Calamonte
In
the north 37th French corps start siege of Adjucen
1
and 3 Spanish corps retreat off map and leave campaign
Lines
of supply restored by recapture of Bargas
In
the centre 2nd Spanish army rally and regroup after the battle of
San Pedro.
14th
French Army move into position to attack Merida
In
the south 15th French army attack Calamonte
Comments
The
French have occupied Bargas and opened the northern lines of supply once
more. However it will take many days
for 13th French army to be fully supplied, because supplies have to
be moved from the main supply depot in Toledo.
The
French lay siege to Adjucen, but they have no siege artillery and must wait for
the garrison to surrender. However the
garrison is strong and has 6 days supplies.
It may be a long wait for the French.
Both
French and Spanish prepare for the critical battle of Merida
Meanwhile
Marshal Augereau attacks Calamonte with 15th French army.
After five days of nonstop marching and fighting the French army is feeling the strain. They have won the first four battles, but have failed to occupy Adjucen. Their supply system has been disorganised by the fall of Bargas, and will take many days to get sufficient supplies to the front line. In fact time is running out for the French. They must complete the destruction of the Spanish army and take the city of Merida. However they must do so in the next two or three days. If not they will have to retreat to Toledo and regroup.
Thistlebarrow,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting situation! One hopes that the Spanish can prevail in the forthcoming battle, although even if they don’t, it looks as if the French are going to have to fall back and reorganise and resupply. My impression is that the campaign could end up as a draw … but with the French emerging with the situation more in their favour.
All the best,
Bob
DeleteHi Bob
Thanks for your comment
The campaign is going pretty well as planned. The Spanish field army are not doing very well against the French, but that is to be expected. I would have wished that they might have done a little more damage in the early battles, but that is the luck of the draw.
As the French advance they lose more infantry brigades to garrison captured towns. The Spanish gain more guerrilla bands to attack the French lines of supply. The next couple of day will decide the outcome.
I have no idea how it will go, but I would prefer that everything did not go too well for the French - even though I usually command them on the table !
regards
Paul