Albacete Campaign – Day 2

Campaign Map on 9 September 1813

The battle of Riopar has secured the high ground to the west, and the French right flank.      The defeated 3^rd Spanish corps retreat south towards Calasparra.   16^th Italian corps enter Riopar and secure the depot there.  The Spanish garrison flees and becomes the fourth guerrilla brigade.

Suchet now orders 15^th Polish corps into the hills to the east to take the town of Elda.  

This will secure his left flank, and allow him to make his main advance down the valley towards Hellin.

Move 5 Battle of Elda  

Joubert is determined to destroy 4^th Spanish corps and take Elda

He orders a similar attack to Harispe, infantry on the left and cavalry on the right

The Spanish offer a similar defence, artillery on their left and infantry in reserve

The Polish attack is much more aggressive than the Italians at Riopar

As a consequence they suffer heavier casualties, particular the cavalry.

The lancer brigade charge the enemy guns, lose 20% casualties and rout

The Poles lose 20% of their cavalry and 10% of one infantry brigade

The Spanish lose 10% from each of their three infantry brigades

Longa orders his corps to retreat.

Campaign Notes

Suchet has won a second battle, and has secured both of his flanks.  At first sight it would appear that the campaign is going well for the French.   However this is not in fact the case.

Suchet may claim two great victories in his despatches to Napoleon.  But as an experienced commander he is well aware that he has not taken full advantage of his initial element of surprise.

In both battles a full French corps attacked a weaker Spanish corps.

Despite this they failed in both battles to inflict serious damage to the Spanish

They also allowed both Spanish corps to withdraw without pursuit

Both Spanish corps will be fully operational within a few days

The Spanish again suffered more casualties than the Poles

But all were infantry casualties

The Poles lost 20% of their much needed cavalry

They also lose 10% in one of their four infantry brigades

The casualties to the Poles are more damaging than to the Spanish

The initial advantage of surprise has now been lost

The Spanish are aware that a major attack is under way

They can now start to react by retreating and concentrating