Second Battle of Cambrils - 28 May 1813

Tactical Map 26 May 1813

Cambrils is a small village on the military road from Tortosa to Tarragona. It is the most direct road from Reus to the river Ebro at Vandellos.

Captain-General Copons has concentrated his four armies at Cambrils in an attempt to destroy the isolated 4^th French corps. Having failed to do so he is now intending to retreat to Vandellos and recross the river Ebro.

Marchal Suchet had gathered his three corps at Reus and is determined to engage and destroy the Spanish armies before they can recross the river Ebro.

WARGAME

Photo 1 - table at start of game – Spanish left and French right

Top is road to Prades

Left is road to Vandellos

Right is road to Reus

Map squares

E10, F10, G10

E11, F11, G11

E12, F12, G12

Spanish must hold for 12 moves (one day) to allow 3^rd Army to arrive

French must destroy Spanish before they can retreat to Vandellos

3^rd Spanish army arrives top left of photo move one in column of march

Photo 2 – Spanish left

2^nd Spanish army started the battle deployed around the village which was the Spanish left, one brigade is in the village (buildings have been removed). 3^rd Army is arriving on the road nearest the camera, with orders to move to Cambrils

Photo 3 – Spanish centre

1^st Army hold Cambrils and have deployed in front to protect the Vandellos road on which they intend to retreat at nightfall.

Photo 4 – Spanish right

4^th Army are deployed behind the village to hold the right flank. The light infantry are holding the village and are under attack from the French, so the village buildings have been removed to allow the fight to be resolved.

Photo 5 – French left

5^th corps approach infantry are about to assault the village (buildings have been removed), more infantry is moving to the left to engage the square, cavalry and one infantry brigade in reserve.

Photo 6 – French centre

15^th Polish corps have the most difficult task, because all of the Spanish artillery are in position to cover any approach to Cambrils. The Poles deploy outside of artillery range.

Photo 7 – French right

4^th corps move down from the heights to deploy in the plain opposite the Spanish left flank They are about to assault the village, so the building has been removed. The French artillery and infantry have already received casualties as they approach.

Photo 8 – French right

The Spanish hold the centre of the village (buildings removed), so only one French brigade can engage them. The French are on Engage orders, so they can only skirmish in the village, not launch an all out attack. You can see by the dice that French casualties are mounting.

Photo 9 – French centre

Faced by so much Spanish artillery the Polish corps commander has ordered his troops to halt and await developments on the flank. He is still within artillery range and will continue to receive casualties.

Photo 10 – Spanish right – The Crisis

French infantry have entered the village (buildings removed) on Engage orders. They lose the exchange of skirmish fire and are Shaken. Even worse the French column is also Shaken after a brief exchange of fire with the square. Both sides are taking heavy casualties, but the Spanish are holding firm.

Photo 11 – Spanish right – the end

During the Spanish move they continue the fight in the village (buildings removed), but fail to rout the Shaken French. Outside it is a different matter. The Spanish square forms line, advances and fires on the Shaken French column, who break and run. Their comrades in the village also break and cause their supports to rout. Three of the four French infantry brigades are now in rout.

CAMPAIGN RESULT

With the loss of his left flank, Marshal Suchet has no option but to call off the attack. During the night the Spanish withdraw and cross the river Ebro at Vandellos. The French have failed in their objective and this was a Spanish strategic victory.

GAME NOTES

The 1,2,,4 Spanish and 4,5,15 French are placed on the table as blinds

Maximum blind for each corps is 4

At start both sides roll 1D6

Loser rolls again to place one corps on table

Winner rolls to place one corps on table

Repeat until all corps are on the table.

Special rules for Spanish

Corps commander must be in base contact with brigade to issue orders