Burgos Campaign – Day Six

31 August 1813 – North Spain – Day 6

French attack Laguna
10 French army – regroup at Quintana
11 French army – attack Laguna
12 French army – retreat to Cuellar

British win battle of Laguna
1 British army – regroup at Palencia
2 British army – defend Laguna
3 British army – occupy Coca

Battle of Coca – Start of Battle

2nd British army retreated to Laguna having lost the battle of Santa Maria
11th French pursue and attack them at Laguna

French army is commanded by Marshal Oudinot
British army is commanded by General Hill

French – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
British – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

French have 9 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (3800 men)
British have 6 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2500 men)

The game objectives are the three squares at the top of the photo
Hill on the left
Woods in the centre
Bridge on the right
The side who controls two of the three at the end of move 12 will be the winner

Both armies are deployed on the table at the start of the game

The French started the battle with more casualties than the British
To have any chance of success they would have to weaken the British cavalry or artillery
To do so they would have to attack aggressively and hope to win the opening battle
They failed miserably and had lost the battle within 4 moves out of 12.

At the end of move 4 the British held all three game objectives
They were so confident that they advanced to rout the retreating French army

Comments
In a wargame, even more than in real life, it is really difficult for the side with more casualties to win. To do so they have to fight an aggressive game, and hope to win the opening moves and inflict casualties on the enemy cavalry or artillery. With superiority in either cavalry or artillery the weak infantry can then advance and hope to win the main battle.

This game opened with the French cavalry advancing on the left flank. They were charged by the defending British cavalry, and routed with 10% casualties. The British cavalry rallied and forced the nearby gunners into an infantry square. By the end of move 2 the battle was over on the left flank.

In the centre both CinC had taken command of two cavalry brigades to form a cavalry reserve. The French cavalry now advanced and were charged by the stronger British horse. The French won the first phase, but lost the second. Both French brigades were routed with 20% and 30% casualties. The British suffered 20% to one brigade, but both rallied. By the end of move four the battle was over in the centre.

On the right flank the British occupied both ends of the bridge, with the elite light division was on the right bank. There was never any real likehood of a French victory on this flank. With the loss of their centre and left, the French retreated without a shot being fired.

When one side has such overwhelming reverses so early in the game both players have to decide whether to accept the outcome, or go back to the start positions and refight the game. Most would agree to do so, and thus avoid the sheer waste of time setting up the game. However in a campaign game this is not really an option. We both felt obliged to accept the sheer unfairness of the poor dice rolled by the French player (which was me). Even if this did mean losing a critical battle, which in turn would decide the campaign in favour of the British.