Merida Campaign Day 1

 

9 June 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 1

The Spanish army deployed west of the Merida-Toledo district border.

Three corps occupy the border towns of Santa Amalia, San Pedro and Manchita.  

However they are not close enough to prevent the French crossing the border.

The remaining three corps are further west in Adjucen, Merida and Calamonte.

 

The French army are closer to the border, and all nine corps are deployed to attack

 

The campaign opens in the north where 13^th French army attack Santa Amalia

 

Comments

The Spanish army are deployed in a defensive position.  

Their have three corps observing the border

But the remaining six corps are in reserve

This deployment makes it much easier to supply all nine corps

But there will be a delay of 4 and 8 hours for  the reserve corps to reach the front

 

The French army have concentrated in preparation for an advance into Merida region  

The three forward corps are in contact with the Spanish

The remaining six corps are out of sight, but can reach the border within 4 hours.

This deployment makes resupply more difficult.

 

The French have occupied all of the towns in Toledo region.

The Spanish garrisons of those towns have formed guerrilla brigades

Each of these brigades must operate within one square of their original town

For example 1 militia brigade was the garrison of Bargas

They must remain within one square of that town.

 

Each French corps can carry a maximum of four days supplies

Each Spanish corps, and militia brigade, can carry only three days

This gives the French a considerable movement advantage

It also allows them to go one day more without resupply

 

The entire French army have a minimum of 51 days supply

This is 36 with the corps and a reserve of 15 in the supply depots

This reserve is to allow time for supplies to be moved to each corps

 

The entire Spanish army has a minimum reserve of 38 days

This is 27 with the corps and a reserve of 11 days supply

 

Each town gathers one days supply each day

Any surplus required to make the daily minimum is received by the main supply base

This is Toledo for the French and Merida for the Spanish