Jean Campaign – Day Seven

Campaign Ma

Main French depot at Hellin – 18 days supplies

French occupy Je
Spanish attack Huelma
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – regroup and resupply at Ubeda
14th French army – occupy Jean
15th French army – defend Huelma

1st Spanish army – regroup and resupply at Linares
2nd Spanish army – retreat to Martos
3rd Spanish army – attack Heulma

5 guerrilla attack convoy Hellin to Tobarra – fail no casualties
9 guerrilla attack convoy Hellin to Elche – fail no casualties
13 guerrilla attack convoy Mortalalla to Huelma – fail no casualties

Second battle of Heulma – End of Move 2

15th French Army commanded by Marshal Augereau defend Heulm
3rd Spanish army commanded by General del Parque attack Heulma

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, and 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply
They have lost 3 infantry and 2 artillery battle casualties (500 men)

Spanish have 12 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, and 3 corps artillery
They have lost 7 infantry, and 1 cavalry battle casualties (2900 men)

Marshal Augereau was defeated at the battle of Alcaudete on 5 August
He retreated to Heulma where he rallied, regrouped and resupplied
This was the first French defeat of this campaign
General del Parque is determined to repeat his victory and retake Heulma

Comments

This is the first time in the campaign that the Spanish have attacked the French. Recent changes to the campaign mean that the French have to defend longer lines of supply and that the campaign does not end as soon as the French occupy the main Spanish city. They now have to be able to defend that city against a counter attack.

On the left 45th French corps have to hold the woods against 9th Spanish corps. The French outnumber the Spanish and they have 9pdr guns against Spanish 6pdr. The French hold this objective, but are unable to support the centre and right.

In the centre 44th Westphalian corps has to hold the woods and road junction against 8th Spanish corps. They do so until the last two moves, when the Spanish artillery weakens the infantry in the woods, who are then routed by an infantry attack.

On the right 43rd Italian corps have to hold the farm against 7th Spanish corps. The Spanish attack on the far right, and rout most of Iranian infantry and artillery. They then attack the farm, which is held by the elite 1st infantry brigade. Despite 20% casualties from close range artillery, the garrison hold, but are finally routed by an infantry attack. By then the farm is surrounded by Spanish infantry and casualties, and the garrison is forced to surrender.

The battle was won by infantry attacks, but decided by superior artillery. The Spanish had two 12pdr and one 6 pdr guns, the French had one 12pdr and two 9 pdr guns. The French started the battle with 10% casualties on two of their corps artillery, the Spanish were full strength. This gave the Spanish a considerable advantage in counter battery fire, which they took full advantage of. They could then move their artillery into close range of both the woods in the centre and the farm on the right. This allowed them to inflict heavy casualties on the defending infantry before their own infantry attacked.

A very interesting game resulting in a Spanish victory. But also enjoyable because it was not decided solely on the luck of the dice. The Spanish threatened with their weak 9th corps on the left, and attacked with their superior artillery in the centre and right. The Spanish commander took command of 8th corps artillery, which he used to support 7th corps attack on the farm, and then 8th corps attack on the woods. The result a well deserved Spanish