Link to 1813 Gera Campaign

The next phase of the 1813 campaign will be in central Germany and will deal with the French attempt to take the city of Gera from the Russians.

I have started a new blog for that phase and you can find it at

http://1813geracampaign.blogspot.com/

Campaign Summary

  6 August 1813

The campaign opened with two French corps deployed forward to cover the crossings of the river Ebro, and two more in reserve.  

The four Spanish corps were concentrated just west of the river, and both 3^rd and 4^th corps had already crossed to the east bank.  

A British corps had sailed from Alicante and was approaching Vinaros.

  7 August 1813

The Spanish attempted to storm the French garrisons at Flix and Miravat, but failed.   2^nd Spanish corps then laid siege to the garrison at Miravat.  

Meanwhile the French corps were concentrating their corps by abandoning isolated garrisons.  Both 7^th and 8^th French corps were marching west to support the forward corps.  

The British fleet had arrived at Vinaros.

  8 August 1813

Miravat is still under siege by 2^nd Spanish corps.  But 17^th French corps is moving to raise the siege.   Both 7^th and 8^th French corps are moving west towards Reus.  

 

 

To the north 16^th Italian corps is becoming isolated as 3^rd and 4^th Spanish corps move towards Lerida.

 

 

The English fleet has finally landed at Vinaros and has started to disembark 5^th British corps.  However it will be two days before they are ready to march north and east

  9 August 1813

16^th Italian corps must decide whether to raise the siege of Flix and save their brigade there, or withdraw to Lerida to secure their communications and abandon the garrison of Flix.   Unless they retreat promptly they face a battle with 3^rd and 4^th Spanish corps.

 

 

17^th French corps face a similar problem at Tortosa.   They have a brigade at Miravat, which is under siege by 2^nd Spanish corps.   However 1^st Spanish corps is poised to take Tortosa should the French move to Miravat

 

 

7^th and 8^th French corps are approaching Miravat and are available to raise the siege.

 

 

The French are unaware that 5^th British corps have landed at Vinaros and are now ready to move north to support the Spanish effort.

  10 August 1813

This was the day when the initiative passed from the Spanish to the French, and they were not slow to take advantage.

 

 

The battle of Torrente started at first light.  16^th Italian corps managed to withdraw to the east of Torrente, and join the garrison on the Lerida road.   4^th   Spanish corps occupied Torrente, but were too slow to close with the Italians before nightfall.   3^rd Spanish corps did attack and suffered heavy casualties, as did 16^th Italian corps.   At nightfall the Italians retreated towards Lerida

 

 

The battle of Miravat started at midday when 8^th French corps attacked 2^nd Spanish corps who were covering the siege of Miravat.    It took most of the afternoon for the French to deploy and launch their attack.  The Spanish quickly broke and withdrew towards Gandesa, raising the siege of Miravat

 

 

The battle of Tortosa also started at midday when 1^st Spanish corps and 17^th French corps clashed as they both approached Tortosa.   The Spanish fell back to the bridge over the river Ebro, and the French were unable to reach them before nightfall.  

 

 

5^th British corps reached Amposta just as night fell.  But they were too late to take part in the battle of Tortosa.

 

 

7^th French corps have reached Reus.  They should join the main French army within a day, unless they halt to allow their detachments to rejoin the main corps.

  11 August 1813

A day of frantic activity for both armies.  The defeated from the previous day’s battle retreated in an attempt to find somewhere to halt and regroup   The victors prepared to take advantage of the new circumstances.

 

 

In the north 16^th Italian corps retreated to Lerida, hotly pursued by 4^th Spanish corps.

 

 

3^rd Spanish corps retired south to reestablish their lines of supply with Capse, whilst maintaining the siege of Flix.

 

 

2^nd Spanish corps retreated west of the river Ebro and deployed to hold the bridge.   8^th French corps paused at Miravat to regroup.

 

 

1^st Spanish corps also retreated west of the river, to hold the bridge at Amposta.  Here they were joined by 5^th British corps.   Opposite them 17^th French corps held Tortosa and observed the combined allied corps with caution.

7^th French corps has reached Reus.  They are still too far from the centre of operations to have an influence on events.  

 

 

Murray has met with Copons in an attempt to coordinate a Spanish/British attack, but has met with little more than promises.    He must now decide whether to push ahead on his own, or wait for the promised Spanish support. 

  12 August 1813

16^th Italian corps have decided to make a stand at Mora.  They fight an inconclusive skirmish with the advance guard of 4^th Spanish corps, who deploy for battle.

 

 

8^th French corps have suffered a comprehensive defeat at Miravat, and rout towards Flix pursued by British and Spanish cavalry.  

 

 

7^th French corps have arrived at Cambrils, just too late to support 8^th French corps.  

 

 

The Spanish CinC calls a conference with Murray and Elio to decide how best to exploit the crushing defeat of 8^th French corps.

 

 

Despite orders to hold Tortosa, Halbert orders an attack on the bridge over the river Ebro.   1^st Spanish corps are well deployed to resist such an attack, and their artillery cause the leading French brigade to rout as soon as they attempt to cross the bridge.

  13 August 1813

Despite their casualties 16^th Italian corps put up a brave fight, but eventually lost to 4^th Spanish corps.   Both corps suffered heavy casualties, and the Italian corps ceased to be operational.

 

 

8th French corps continued their retreat throughout the night, pursued by 2nd Spanish corps.   As they approached Flix they were confronted by 3rd Spanish corps, who were themselves recovering  from battle casualties.   Unable to field a single formed brigade to break through, 8th corps surrendered.   The French garrison  in Flix had been under siege for some days, the loss of 8th corps was the final straw and they also surrendered.


 

3^rd Spanish corps withdrew to Flix to rest and recover.  It would be some days before they could hope to take the field again.

 

 

5^th British and 2^nd Spanish corps are now concentrated at Miravat, and have agreed to launch a joint attack on 7^th French corps at Cambrils on 14 August.  

 

 

17^th French corps have slipped away from Tortosa to join 7^th French corps at Cambrils.   As night falls 1^st Spanish corps are unaware of their departure.

14 August 1813

5^th British and 2^nd Spanish corps attack Cambrils at daylight, but abandon the attack as soon as they realize that they are opposed by 7^th and 17^th French corps. 

 

 

7^th corps deploy west of the Mora road to allow 16^th Italian corps to retreat to Cambrils.  

 

 

17^th corps move west, but halt when the British withdraw.

 

 

4^th Spanish approach Cambrils during the late afternoon in pursuit of 16^th Italian corps

 

 

1^st Spanish occupy Tortosa and move north towards Cambrils.

 

 

As night falls Suchet becomes aware that he is facing four allied corps.  With only two French corps he immediately orders a retreat to Reus.  

 

 

As the French abandon Tortosa and the line of the river Ebro it is clear that the Spanish have achieved a notable victory. 

Campaign Move 24

1600 to 2000 14 August 1813

Marshal Suchet called a meeting of his three corps commanders to decide how to proceed with the campaign.

7th corps had now received their fourth brigade and are at full strength.    General Munsier recommends continue to attack

16th corps are starting to arrive at Cambrils.   They have suffered heavy casualties and will require some days rest and reinforcement to become operational   General Severoli recommends a retreat to Reus or even Tarragona.   He reports that 4th Spanish corps are in hot pursuit, but have battle casualties

17th corps are one brigade short.   General Halbert recommends continue to attack   He reports that he has lost contact with 1st Spanish corps


Suchet is aware that if he moves west to engage 2^nd Spanish and 5^th British corps he will have to leave Cambrils undefended and at the mercy of 4^th Spanish corps.

He is confident that he can defeat two allied corps and probably hold Cambrils against 2^nd and 4^th Spanish corps plus 5^th British corps.  But if 1^st Spanish corps moves north from Tortosa he is likely to face destruction and the loss of northeast Spain to the allies.

Just before 2000 a report is received from 7^th cavalry brigade to confirm that 1^st Spanish corps has entered Tortosa and is moving north towards Cambrils.

Suchet orders an immediate retreat towards Reus.   16^th corps will lead, followed by 7^th corps.   17^th corps will form the rearguard

Campaign Move 23

1200 to 1600 14 August 1813

Marshal Suchet met with General Severoli as the Italian corps approached Cambrils.   It was all too apparent that the Italians would require two or three days rest and reinforcement before they could become operational again.

Worse still, Severoli confirmed that 4^th Spanish corps was close behind in hot pursuit.

Suchet was aware that Cambrils was now in immediate danger.   7^th corps could hold 2^nd Spanish corps at bay, but only until 4^th Spanish corps arrived on the Mora road.

In the circumstances it would be madness to press home his attack on 5^th British corps well to the west of Cambrils.

He ordered 16^th corps to continue their retreat through Cambrils and on to Reus through the night.

7^th corps would hold their position until the Italians were clear of Cambrils.  They would then fall back on the town and hold it until nightfall.

17^th corps would immediately break contact with 5^th British corps and retreat to Cambrils.   They would send one of their cavalry brigades south to determine whether 1^st Spanish corps were moving north from Tortosa.

He would hold Cambrils until nightfall and wait to receive his cavalry reports before deciding whether to abandon Cambrils and retreat to Reus.

Campaign Move 22

0800 to 1200 14 August 1813

When Captain-General Copons agreed with General Murray that 2nd Spanish corps would attack Cambrils with 5^th British corps they both believed that they would be faced with only 7^th French corps.

He had ordered 1^st Spanish corps to pin 17^th French corps at Tortosa, and if the French should move north they were to follow and attack them on the march.

He was not aware that 17^th corps had broke contact with 1^st corps and was already approaching Cambrils on the Tortosa road.

As 5^th British corps approached Cambrils they were confronted by 7^th corps in front of the town, and also by 17^th corps approaching them from the south.   The latter was marching directly towards the British.

2^nd Spanish corps were screened from view by the hills north of the hills north of the Miravat road.   It was last morning before the French brigade holding this high ground spotted them.

Marshal Suchet was now faced with a difficult decision.    16^th Italian corps were approaching Cambrils on the Mora road.  They were in rout from the battle of the previous day, and if they were to be saved 7th corps would have to redeploy to halt 2^nd Spanish corps and hold the road.

17^th corps were well positioned to attack the British.   But to do so they would have to move further west, leaving Cambrils open to attack from the south.   Suchet had no intelligence to indicate what 1^st Spanish corps were doing.   They might well be marching towards Cambrils from Tortosa.

If he ordered 17^th corps to attack the British, and they failed, they would be in a very dangerous position.   If 1^st Spanish then arrived at Cambrils at first light on 14 August 1813 it was likely that the entire French army would have to surrender of be destroyed.

Battle of Cambrils - Move 5

1200-1300 14 August 1813

  table at start of move 5

 Top – French are deployed to hold the Mora road

Bottom – British have halted to await reinforcements

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage British

Artillery fire on gunners (total 7 – no casualties)

Gunners manhandle guns 2” towards enemy

22^nd and 24^th brigades advance 6”

Commander moves to command range of 23^rd brigade

23^rd brigade advance 6” towards hill

  16^th Italian corps

General Severoli

6 Command Points

Orders – Avoid contact with the enemy

Arrive on table and move towards Cambrils.

All brigades have heavy casualties and must avoid the enemy until nightfall

  7^th French corps

General Munsier (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Move to right of hill

Artillery fire on 5^th Spanish (total 6 – no casualties)

26^th brigade advanced 8” and form column of attack

25^th brigade retire 2” facing enemy (back from edge of hill)

Commander changes orders to “Halt”

  2^nd Spanish corps

General Elio (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Move to Cambrils

Commander changes orders to “Halt”

6^th brigade advance 6” and form square

5^th brigade retreat 3” facing enemy

Artillery limber and move 4” to right flank

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

8 Command Points

Move to join 7^thcorps

Change corps orders to “Hold”

Move to join 17^thcorps

Change corps orders to “Withdraw to Cambrils

  5^th British corps

General Murray (Poor)

10 Command Points

Orders – Hold

Artillery fire on 22^nd French (total 5 – no casualties)

Spanish cavalry about turn to face enemy

British cavalry retreat 6” facing enemy

8^th brigade turn right and move towards hill

6^th brigade form column of attack and move towards hill

Game Notes

Both the Spanish and British corps have halted and taken up a defensive position to support each other and await reinforcements.

Suchet has decided that it would be too dangerous to advance further west to attack the British, and thus leave Cambrils undefended.

He has ordered 7^th corps to cover 16^th corps retreat to Cambrils, and 17^th corps to withdraw to Cambrils.

All three of his corps commanders are now at Cambrils, and he has called a meeting to decide whether to make a last stand at Cambrils or to abandon Tortosa and retreat to Reus

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

table at end of game

The British and Spanish corps have withdrawn to the left side of table

16th Italian corps approach Cambrils

7^th French corps hold Mora road

17^th French corps are about to retreat towards Cambrils

Game Result

Spanish and British halted as soon as they realised they were facing two French corps  to await reinforcements

French are expecting Spanish reinforcements from Mora and Tortosa and are not prepared to move any further west to attack British corps.

Only artillery fire exchanged and no casualties

Result – a  draw

Battle of Cambrils – Move 4

1100-1200 14 August 1813

  table at start of move 4

 

Top – French move to right to stop Spanish and defend Mora road

Bottom – French move towards British behind reinforced cavalry screen

  2^nd Spanish corps

General Elio (Poor)

6 Command Points

Orders – Move to Cambrils

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

6^th, 7^th and 8^th brigades advance 6”

Commander moves to centre of corps

  5^th British corps

General Murray (Poor)

10 Command Points

Orders – Move to Cambrils

Change orders to “Hold”

Artillery advance 2”

Spanish lancers about turn and retire 14”

5^th and 7^th brigades form square

British dragoons retire 6” facing enemy

Captain-General Copons (Poor)

3 Command Points

Move to join 2^nd corps

(not enough CP to change their orders)

Marshal Suchet (Gifted)

6 Command Points

Move to 17^th corps

Change orders to “Engage British”

Move to join 7^th corps

  17^th French corps

General Halbert (Average)

10 Command Points

Orders – Engage British

Artillery advance 2”

12^th chasseurs advance 14”

7^th dragoons advance 12”

23^rd and 24^th brigades form column of attack and advance 3”

22^nd brigade advance 6”

Commander moves to centre of corps

7^th French corps

General Munsier (Average)

7 Command Points

Orders – Move to right of hill

Commander moves to centre of corps

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

27^th brigade advance 4” and form column of attack

26^th brigade advance 6”

Commander moves to centre of corps

Game Notes

Suchet has decided to hold his right flank and attach with his left.

7^th corps are taking position to stop the Spanish advance, hold the Mora road and cover the retreat of 16^th Italian corps.

 

 

17^th corps have been given orders to engage the British.  The combined cavalry brigades  have been moved to the right flank, to prevent the Spanish moving to assist the British.  The remainder of the corps are advancing on the British

 

 

The Spanish CinC has twice failed to gain sufficient CP to change the orders of 2^nd Spanish corps to halt!   Meanwhile the Spanish continue to advance towards the Mora road, and the waiting French.

 

 

Murray has reacted to the advance of 17^th French corps by halting his corps and withdrawing his cavalry behind the infantry squares.  He is not  prepared to risk his horsemen against equal numbers of French cavalry.

 

 

Suchet must now defeat the British before Spanish reinforcements can arrive.   As 17th corps moves west to do so they leave Cambrils undefended.

 

 

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/