21st April 1814 – Battle of Savaltiere

Savaltiere Campaign area

Wellington has ordered all four corps to launch an all out attack on the French

In preparation he has ordered all garrisons to rejoin their respective corps

The attack is a complete surprise

All four French corps have orders to hold and resupply

The main attack in on Savaltiere

2^nd and 4^th corps are ordered to attack at first light

1^st corps is ordered to march south and join the attack

5^th French corps follow 1^st British south and join the battle

British - 38800 infantry, 3000 cavalry and 90 guns

French - 43200 infantry, 3000 cavalry and 90 guns

Table at start of wargame

British Brigades        10 infantry     3 cavalry        3 artillery

French Brigades      11 infantry     3 cavalry        3 artillery

1 British corps arrive start of move 1

5 French corps arrive start of move 2

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

1 British corps arrive top left

All British corps advance towards French

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

5 French corps arrive top right

British are spotted as they near French positions

Replace blinds with figures

1 and 2 British move to engage 5 French

4 British pin 17 French

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

1 British move north of farm, cavalry threaten 5 French in column of march

5 French cuirassiers advance to counter British hussars

11 French advance in centre to engage 2 British

2 British halt and redeploy to meet 11 French

4 British and 17 French pin each other

Move 4 -1100 to 1200

5 French cuirassiers charge and rout hussars

British infantry and artillery are shaken by rout of hussars

Cuirassiers lose morale and charge British gunners

Gunners rout and take two nearest infantry brigades with them

With the rout of 1 British corps Wellington orders his army to break contact and retreat

Rout of 1 British corps

British cavalry, artillery and infantry all rout

French cuirassiers are out of control and pursue them

Game Casualties

French lose no casualties

British lose 100 cavalry

Game Summary

The French occupy a difficult defensive position

They hold the eastern hill in the centre, allowing the British to deploy unhindered

4 British corps is ordered to pin the town garrison

1 and 2 British corps are ordered to attack 11 French

The British are cramped as they advance either side of the farm

1 hussar brigade leads the advance

11 French corps halt and deploy to meet the attack

11 cuirassier brigade charge and rout the hussars

In fleeing the cuirassiers they rout through the massed ranks of gunners and infantry

The cuirassiers fail morale test to rally and charge the shaken British

Both gunners and two infantry brigades break and rout

Wellington´s attack is in tatters

Worse still he is now outnumbered three to two

He orders 2 and 4 corps to break contact and retreat

Total casualties, including from earlier battles, at the end of the battle

French 2100 casualties no brigades in rout

British 4500 casualties five brigades in rout