North East Spain 6 August 1813
General
This phase covers the period 6 to 14 August 1813 and the fighting in North East Spain between Fourth French Army and the Spanish Army supported by 5th British corps.
This phase covers the period 6 to 14 August 1813 and the fighting in North East Spain between Fourth French Army and the Spanish Army supported by 5th British corps.
It was fought during the period November 2011
to May 2012
Corps
positions at start of campaign
Summary of
the Campaign
Marshal Suchet has deployed two corps to hold
the eastern bank of the river Ebro at Lerida and Tortosa, with a further two
corps in reserve at Tarragona and Barcelona.
His corps have deployed garrisons to hold the line of the river Ebro and
important ports along the eastern coast.
Captain-General Copons has deployed his four
corps along the western bank of the river Ebro and is awaiting the arrival of 5th
British corps by sea from Alicante.
His objective is the capture of the town of Tortosa and the destruction
of the French in North East Spain.
The allied plan of attack was to engage the
two forward French corps before reinforcements could arrive from the east. This plan failed when two attacks on
fortified villages were repulsed with casualties. The Spanish decided to hold the attack until the promised British
reinforcements arrived.
The two forward French corps were
overconfident and attacked despite being heavily outnumbered. 8th corps was surrounded by two
Spanish corps and forced to surrender.
16th corps narrowly escaped a similar fate, but was so badly
damaged that they could take no further part in the campaign.
By the time Suchet could concentrate his army
he had already lost half of his strength.
Despite this he held at Cambrils to cover the retreat of 16th
corps, and hoping to achieve local superiority long enough to defeat one or two
of the Spanish corps. This tactic
almost cost him the rest of his army.
Four Spanish corps closed on Cambrils and the French were lucky to
escape without a major battle.
The loss of Tortosa, plus almost half of the
French army, and a hasty retreat to Tarragona left the Spanish army the clear
winners of this phase of the campaign.
Location of campaign battles
Campaign
History
06 August Start
of campaign
07 August Siege
of Miravat
08 August British
land at Vinaros
10 August Battle
of Torrente Spanish victory
10 August Battle
of Miravat French victory
10 August Battle
of Tortosa French victory
12 August Second
battle of Miravat Spanish
Victory
13 August 8th
French corps surrender
13 August Battle
of Mora Spanish
victory
14 August Battle
of Cambrils Allied victory
14 August End
of campaign
Link
to Campaign Blog
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