Merida Campaign – Battle of San Pedro

Start of game

14^th French army have orders to attack San Pedro

The town is held by 2^nd Spanish army

 

The Spanish are deployed either side of San Pedro at the top of the table

Spanish CinC has taken command of the only cavalry brigade in the army

 

The French are deployed at the bottom of the table

French CinC has taken command of cavalry brigades of 41^st and 42^nd corps

41^st Baden corps is on the right bank of the river Guadiana

The river can only be forded by one of the three bridges

 

French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Spanish Army – 11 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Battle of San Pedro – Move 6

By midday the Spanish CinC ordered a general retreat

42^nd Polish corps routed the Spanish artillery and two infantry brigades

40^th French corps artillery were within close range of the town

41^st Baden corps had fought their way across the northern bridge and routed two infantry brigades

Only the French cavalry had failed in their mission

The Baden cavalry fought four rounds of melee and three were a draw

They won the fourth round but by then had lost 30% casualties

The Polish lancers charged the Spanish artillery twice, and were repulsed twice with 20% casualties

 

The French lost 5 cavalry casualties (500 men)

The Spanish lost 8 infantry, 4 artillery and 4 cavalry casualties (3900 men)

Comments

The French started this battle concentrated and deployed

So it was always very likely that they would win

But it was not anticipated that they would win so quickly

After just six moves the Spanish abandoned the town and retreated

 

At midday all three Spanish corps were still in position and they held the town

However 4^th and 5^th corps had suffered heavy casualties

6^th corps still held San Pedro.  But French artillery were within close range of the town

French infantry were moving into position to assault the town as soon as the garrison was shaken

 

41^st Baden corps had the most difficult task

They were deployed on the eastern side of the river, which could only be crossed by one of the bridges

A defended river crossing was always going to be difficult.

 

The French CinC took command of the Baden and Polish cavalry brigades

He would advance along the west side of the river and attack in support of the Baden infantry

He would force the Spanish infantry into square and distract or capture their artillery

 

The Baden cavalry led the advance, and they were charged by the Spanish militia lancers

The Spanish held their own for three moves, and both sides suffered 30% casualties

The Baden horse won the fourth round of melee and routed the Spanish

But in doing so suffered so many casualties that they were non operational

The Polish lancers were given the task of attacking the Spanish artillery

They suffered 10% casualties in their first attack and withdrew shaken

Having rallied they again attacked the guns, and again were held at bay and shaken with another 10%

However they forced the Spanish gunners to concentrate on the left bank of the river

In doing so the Baden infantry were allowed to reach the bridge without any casualties

And the Baden artillery were allowed to deploy within short range of the Spanish infantry holding the bridge

 

This is the first game in which infantry have been able to cross a defended river

It would not have been possible without the support of the two cavalry brigades

 

Cavalry were the only casualties suffered by the French

They lost 5 casualties between the two brigades

This loss will have a significant effect on future battles.