Santiago Campaign – Day 2

Campaign Map on 20 October 1813

The French launch a surprise attack on Corunna.

7^th French corps attacks 2^nd British corps just east of the town

16^th Italian corps is moving to support the attack, but will not arrive until 21 October

The battle of Corunna

The town of Corunna is off table centre top

2^nd British corps is supported by 4 Spanish militia in the farm bottom right

They can defend the farm, or occupy the town if abandoned, but can not attack

16^th Italian corps will arrive centre bottom on 21 October 1813

The French dragoons lose a cavalry melee and rout

The French commander halts the attack until the Italians arrive.

Campaign Notes

General Abbe, the commander of 7^th French corps, is an Average commander.  He has been ordered to attack 2^nd British corps just outside Corunna.   The two corps have the same organisation, and both are at full strength.

Abbe is aware that 16^th Italian corps is marching to support him.   However they will not arrive until the next day.   He must attack immediately before the British become aware of his approach.

He is also aware that there is a Spanish militia brigade in a nearby farm.   He does not have sufficient troops to detach a brigade to contain or engage them.

As attacker he can expect to receive casualties before he can close with the British.   In particular from the enemy artillery, who become more effective as he advances closer.   He must also contain the enemy cavalry to allow his infantry to advance.

The battle opens with an exchange of artillery fire.   This is largely ineffective, as it is at long range.   He sends his cavalry brigade forward, and the British counter with their own cavalry.   The French gunners manage to hit the British, who receive 10% casualties.  However they pass their morale test and halt to rally.   Abbe orders his cavalry forward into charge range.

With both brigades of cavalry within charge range, and effective artillery range, a lot depends on which side moves first.  With only one corps per side this is decided by a dice throw.   The British win and their artillery fire on the French dragoons.  They miss and inflict no casualties.

The British cavalry declare a charge.   The French roll 1D6 to counter charge, they require 2 or more.   They roll 1.   This means they cannot counter charge and must receive the British charge at the halt.

The British gain one for charging and another one for the French at the halt.  However they lose one for their casualty.   They then roll 2D6 to determine the outcome of the melee.   On average most cavalry melee result in no casualties, or at worse one casualty on each side.  Both brigades are then disordered and must return to within 8” of their corps commander to rally.   However the British roll 10.   The French lose 20% and rout.   The British lose no casualties but are disordered.

General Abbe now faces a difficult decision.   His infantry and artillery and both intact.   His cavalry have 20% casualties, but the British also have 10% casualties.   But his brigade has routed and he will not be able to rally them until nightfall.

If he tries to advance he will face the rallied British cavalry.  Both corps have full strength infantry and artillery.  But to advance the French infantry would have to do so in square.   It would take longer to reach the enemy, and they would be exposed to their artillery fire at close range for longer.   The British infantry could then form line to defeat the squares by firepower.

If the attack fails, the Spanish guerrilla will occupy Ribadeo and delay the arrival of 16^th Italian corps.

Abbe halts the attack and falls back to Ribadeo to await the arrival of the Italians.

The British have won the battle, but must retreat before the Italians arrive.  

A hollow victory for the British, who will have to abandon Corunna and its vital harbour.

Santiago Campaign – Day 1

Campaign Map on  19 October 1813

The campaign opens with a bold move by Marshal Soult.  

In the south 13^th corps is sent to occupy Ponferrada.  This is to make Wellington think that the French are about to attack his communications with Portugal.  And hopefully prompt him to move his reserve south to hold Ourense and the road south.

But the main attack is in the north, against Corunna.

Campaign Notes

The opening move sets the scene for the whole campaign.

An attack in the centre, against Santiago, would come up against Wellington’s strongest position.  He has placed two corps east of Lugo in anticipation of such a move.

Both Corunna and Ourense are attractive options.   The latter would cut his communications with Portugal, and force him back on the northern coast.   Should he then lose the campaign he would have to use the Royal Navy to escape.    This is the obvious choice, but it then allows the British to concentrate behind the river Minio, making it a very strong and easily defended position.

The capture of Corunna would place the French on the same side of the river Minio, making it easier to attack the same concentrated position at Ourense.  However it does give Wellington the option of containing the French in the north, and striking at their main base at Astorga.

Marshal Soult is a gifted commander and is not adverse to taking a risk.   He is determined to drive the British out of Spain, and this offers the best option.

Screened by the river he takes command of 16^th corps and moves north to join 7^th corps.  Together they will attack Corunna.   This leaves Astroga exposed to attack.   But he is banking on achieving victory before Wellington is aware that he has launched his main attack in the north.

Wellington is unaware of the planned offensive in the north.  It will take at least two days before he receives reports from the guerrilla bands in that area.