New Orbat for Southern Spain

 

French v Spanish corps

When I updated my 28mm collection for the last time back in 2004 it was in preparation for our retirement to Spain. I knew the size of our proposed wargames room in our new house, and I knew that the wargames table would be 6x6 foot. My new collection would include all of the major, and many of the minor, Napoleonic armies. Each major nation would have four corps, each of 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery. Infantry brigades would be 8 figures and cavalry brigades 4 figures. Each corps would be 32 infantry, 4 cavalry and 4 gunners.

I cannot remember why I made an exception for the Spanish army, but I have regretted it ever since. They would have two corps of 32 infantry, 4 cavalry and 4 gunners. The other two corps would not have any cavalry, and would have a guerrilla brigade in place of regular army.

Before I moved to Spain I had planned that the maximum game we would fight would involve all four corps. The scenery was 2x2 foot squares, and three corps could fit comfortably with one in each square and one in reserve.

There are five areas in our campaign, each with nine corps per side, as follows:
North Germany French v Prussians
Central Germany French v Russians
South Germany Bavarians v Austrians
North Spain French v English
South Spain French v Spanish

The first four have always worked well, with balanced armies on each side. However I am constantly changing orders of battle or campaign system for south Spain. This is mostly due to the inbalance in the actual figures.

I have tried many local rules over the years, but none have been really satisfactory. The problem is always too great an advantage for either the Spanish or the French on the wargames table. Whilst I want to keep a “Spanish feel” to the wargames, my first priority is to provide an enjoyable wargame.

My latest adjustment is to reduce the cavalry for each army to two brigades each, with similar combat ability. There are three corps artillery per side, and both have the same combat and morale ability. The Spanish are stronger in infantry, but not such good quality. The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades the French have 9. The French infantry have slightly better morale, melee and skirmish ability.

                                    Morale      Melee      Musket      Skirmish

1st French brigade      class A      class A      class B      class C
2nd French brigade      class B      class B    class B      class B
3rd French brigade       class B      class B    class C      class 

1st Spanish brigade      class B      class B      class C      class C
2nd Spanish brigade    class C      class C      class C      class C
3rd Spanish brigade     class B      class B      class C      class B
4th Spanish brigade     class C      class C      class C      class C

Class A is plus 1
Class B is no change
Class C is minus 1

End of Cordoba Campaign

 

Battles fought during campaign phase

The Spanish won the first two battles at Montoro and Espinal, but suffered heavy casualties which caused them to retreat.

The French won the third battle at Muriano, which secured the border area and allowed them to advance towards the campaign objective of  Cordoba.

They also won the fourth battle at El Carpio, which forced the 1^st Spanish army to retreat and abandon the campaign.   The French now held the northern part of Cordoba region.

The fifth battle was fought at Montilla in the south.   The Spanish won, and pursued 15^th French army back to Baena.   This was a serious set back for Marshal Suchet as it exposed his southern flank.   He must decide on a prompt attack on Cordoba to end the campaign before General Giron could march north.

The sixth battle was for possession of Cordoba, which was the military base for the Spanish Army of the South.   It  was also the campaign objective.   If the French lost they would have to retreat back into Jean region.   This was the hardest fought battle of the campaign, and the outcome was in doubt right to nightfall.   For a time it looked like the Spanish would win, but their luck deserted them as night fell.  

The French took Cordoba and won the campaign.

The campaign started on 9 January and ended on 28 April 2026

A new order of battle was introduced for this campaign, giving the Spanish four corps in each army against three in the French armies.  This proved too great an advantage for the Spanish, and the order of battle was adjusted after three battles

The French and Spanish would have three armies of three corps. However each French army would have to detach three infantry and one cavalry brigades to guard their lines of supply. This would leave the Spanish with 12 infantry brigades in each army and the French 9 infantry brigades. Both sides would have three corps artillery and two cavalry brigades. The cavalry and artillery would all be trained. The French would have slightly better trained infantry, particularly grenadier and light brigades. The revised order of battle worked very well for the last three battles of this campaign, but that is too few battles to properly test the revision. Unfortunately we shall not be back in southern Spain until we have fought a campaign in each of the other four campaign areas.

Cordoba Campaign – Day Seven

15 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 7

French occupy Cordoba and win campaign
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army occupy Cordoba
15 French Army occupy Espinal

Spanish abandon Cordoba and lose campaign
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
3 Spanish Army retreat to Montilla

Comments
The Spanish retreat from Cordoba allows the French to take the city,
which is the campaign objective. In doing so they win the campaign.

In the north 1st Spanish army has already abandoned the campaign
In the centre 2nd Spanish army retreat from Cordoba means they have also done so
In the south 3rd Spanish army abandons their pursuit of 15th French army
With the loss of Cordoba they are in danger of being surrounded
They retreat to Montilla, and will eventually also abandon the campaign

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Cordova

Battle of Cordova – table at start of game

Both armies are full strength at the start of the game
Each army has three corps
The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French infantry are better quality, the cavalry and artillery the same quality

There are three game objectives
The centre bridge on the left, the hill in the centre and the hill on the right
The Spanish occupy each objective with one corps

The French start the game on the south bank of the river Guadalquivir
They can only cross the river by using the four bridges and one ford
To do so they must cross in column of march

Cordova is the main Spanish supply and administrative city
To win the campaign the French must occupy the city

End of move 12

St Cyr takes command of half of 42nd Italian corps on the right bank
Roussard has command of two elite brigades on the left bank
St Cyr pins the Spanish on the right bank, Roussard attacks on the left bank
The Spanish are quickly routed and the Italians secure the left end of the brigade
The Spanish rally and counter attack, but are routed once more
However their artillery on the right bank fire on the Italian infantry causing heavy casualties
Both brigades retreat out of artillery range, leaving the Spanish in control of the bridge

In the centre 41st Polish corps cross the river and attack the hill in the centre
The Spanish reinforce the hill and fight despite heavy casualties
Abbe moves his infantry from the centre to reinforce the hill
A desperate Polish attack takes the hill as night falls

On the right 40th French corps advance on both banks of the river
Spanish dragoons charge and rout the French dragoons
Despite this the French infantry attack and take the hill.

At nightfall the French hold two of the three objectives and win both the game and the Campaign

French have lost 8 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3600 men)
Spanish have lost 16 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (6600 men)

French have 3 brigades in rout
Spanish have 11 brigades in rout

Comments

Despite the heavy Spanish casualties this game was in doubt until the end of the final move.
At the start of move 12 the Spanish were in possession of all three objectives
A prolonged infantry melee was fought on both hills, and was in debate right to the end
The Spanish only had to have one brigade on either hill to win the game and campaign
However their three critical dice rolls to decide the outcome were 1,1 and 2
It was a much more tense and uncertain game than the final casualties would indicate.

Cordoba Campaign – Day Six

14 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 6

French attack Cordoba
13 French Army regroup at Muriano
14 French Army attack Cordoba
15 French Army retreat to Baena

Spanish defend Cordoba
1 Spanish Army withdraw from campaign
2 Spanish Army defend Cordoba
3 Spanish Army occupy Espinar

Battle of Cordoba opening positions

14th French Army commanded by Marchar Saint Cyr attack Cordoba
2nd Spanish army commanded by General Elio defend Cordoba

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Cordoba is the regional capitol and the main depot of 2nd Spanish army group.
The side which occupies it at the end of 6 days will win the campaign.
It is the large town at the top centre of the table

There are three game objectives
The bridge on the left, the hill in the centre, the hill on the right
The side which occupies at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves is the winner

The Spanish army are deployed on and around the three game objectives
The French army are deployed south of the river Guadalquivir
The river is unfordable and can only be crossed using one of the five bridges

Comments

Cordoba is the campaign objective, and the French must take it to win the campaign.

Both armies are deployed on the table at the start of the battle. However the French are on the wrong side of the river Guadalquivir, which they must cross using one of the five bridges. If the Spanish can pin them near the river they will have no room to deploy and any set back will probably result in total defeat.

To win the campaign the French must take Cordoba, which is the campaign objective. So far the Spanish have won three battles and the French only two. There is a lot riding on this battle for the French commander.

Cordova Campaign – Battle of Montilla

Battle of Montilla – table at start of game

Both armies are full strength at the start of the game
Each army has three corps
The Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry and 3 corps artillery
The French infantry are better quality, the cavalry and artillery the same quality

There are three game objectives
The woods on the left, the hill in the centre and the villa on the right
The Spanish occupy each objective with one corps

The French start the game on the table, but out of artillery range of the Spanish
One corps is allocated to attack each game objective
The CinC has taken command of the corps artillery of 43 and 44 corps
He has placed this reserve between the two corps to support either as required

End of move 12

On the left 46 Westphalian corps advance against the woods
Their cavalry charge and rout the Spanish cavalry and then threaten their artillery
The Westphalian infantry and artillery deploy to attack the front two sections of woods
The Spanish cavalry, and the infantry in the front line, withdraw to the rear wood sections
The Westphalian infantry quickly occupy the southern section of woods
But their cavalry and artillery have to redeploy to threaten the northern woods
The Westphalian attack takes three wooded sections, but are unable to take the fourth

44 Baden corps are supported in their attack on the hill by the reserve artillery
The Spanish gunners on the road withdraw to the rear of the hill/pass
The Baden infantry take the left hand hill, but are unable to take the right hand one
Once more the Spanish have held part of an objective

43 French corps are delayed by having to cross the hill to reach the villa
This allows the French reserve artillery to redeploy to support their attack
The villa is a strong defensive position, and the French need to attack more than one side
However the Spanish artillery and cavalry make this impossible
The French reserve artillery cause casualties to the garrison
The French grenadier brigade then attack the villa and rout the garrison

The French have only taken one of the three objectives

The Spanish have lost 4100 casualties to just 900 French
There are also four Spanish brigades in rout and only one French
But the Spanish have managed to hold part of two objectives

The French have only taken one, and thus lose the battle

Comments

The new balance between the French and Spanish armies seems to be working well
Being outnumbered in infantry the French cannot afford to take any risks
They must win the cavalry and artillery battle before commiting the infantry.
However the Spanish gunners and cavalry are just as good as the French

The Spanish held the forward locations, supported by cavalry and artillery
Their infantry were safe behind the objectives

The French deployed to attack the front line, and the Spanish fell back to the second line
This meant the French had to advance and redeploy, which wasted precious time
There are only 12 moves to each battle, and this does not allow time to redeploy

The Spanish deserved to win this game

Cordova Campaign – Day Five

13 September 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 5

French attack Montilla
13 French Army occupy Muriano
14 French Army regroup at El Carpio
15 French Army attack Montilla

Spanish defend Montilla
1 Spanish Army retreat and leave campaign
2 Spanish Army retgroup at Cordoba
3 Spanish Army defend Montilla

Battle of Montilla opening positions

15th French Army commanded by Marshal Augereau attack Montilla
3rd Spanish army commanded by General Del Parque defend Montilla

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
12th corps has been disbanded to bring other three corps up to full strength

Comments

Having lost the battle of Muriano 1st Spanish army have two choices
They can occupy the city and accept a siege
Or they can retreat, abandon the city and leave the campaign.
Having lost 5700 men, against 2500 French, they have no choice but to retreat.

If the result had been more even I would have allowed the Spanish to accept the siege
The campaign is designed to produce a series of battles to wargame
In the past I had considered allowing siege, which happened quite often in the Peninsular
However they are better suited to a solo campaign than to this type of campaign.

In the past I have been tempted to run a siege as a project, but have always resisted the urge.
It would require a lot of preparation and I don’t have any suitable figures
I have not painted a single figure in 20 years, and doubt if I still have the skill and ability to do so
I could run the siege as an abstract paper exercise, but that does not really appeal to me
Finally it would detract from my long running campaign, and I am reluctant to allow that

So for the present I will have to accept one side retreating off the map at the end of the phase.