Baylen
Combatants: French versus Spanish 19 Jul 1808
Refought 6 April 2008
Spanish Technical victory on points!
Battle Plans
The initial setup with the french convoy of loot on its way to Baylen. French troops are not yet visible as they are in the Olive groves. The Spanish are setting up in the background in front of Baylen.
Baylen
Although not particularly large this was generally felt to be the most complex battle we have fought with two sides deployed on the field and both having enemy division advancing on their rears.
The French attacked immediately on the right flank and were successful in getting there cavalry round the flank and forcing half a spanish division into square. Unfortunately the French could not fully exploit this as the Spanish attacked their left and centre. The French right eventually caved in and allowed the Spanish to getv through to attack the convoy; but this came at enormous cost as the Spanish attack in the centre was decimated and the Spanish right severly mauled.
Towards the end of the day a French division arrived in the Spanish rear and took Baylen which was only lightly defended, the main Spanish reserve force designated to defend the town had to be redepoloyed to meet the French cavalry threat to the Spanish rear.
Further Spanish forces arrived in the French rear and started attacking the Convoy.
The aim for the French was to get a proportion of their convoy to Baylen; this they could not do in the time allowed (particulalry as much of it was destroyed by the Spanish) so technically they lost the battle. However due to the enormous losses taken by the Spanish they were in a position to claim at least a morale victory (which the Spanish commander had to admit).
Altogether a fascinating battle.