The Battle of Talevera
Combatants: French versus British/Spanish
Date: 28 Jul 1809 - British/Spanish Win
Refought: 18 Oct 2009- British/Spanish Win Just!
The French decided to try something slightly different and their plan required the moving of I Corps and the cavalry around to their right and then developing a flanking assault. Unfortunately, due to the confusion engendered by the orders, this only happened in a perfunctory way and without too much coordination. The troops did not really move far enough or fast enough. Thus before the French forces could really get into place, the Allies had started to redeploy to meet them, and with internal lines, it was always a race they would win.
The first French attack went in with a full Division committed on less than a Brigade’s front. The supporting troops were deployed hard in the rear of the assault troops, giving very little room for manoeuvre for anyone. I watched with a sinking heart as the first French attack rolled up the hill and briefly pushed the British line back However as the French pressed on hoping for an advantage and the expected happened. The lines stopped the columns dead and then counterattacked. The French broke back down the hill, straight into the path of their supporting troops. With no space left on the hill, they burst through their own troops and the division was in trouble. To complete the French discomfiture, a Brigade of Light cavalry turned up in support of the British Infantry as it pursued the French back down the hill.
Another French attack formed up shortly afterwards and this enjoyed some limited success, but it too was thrown back as the allies had by this time brought the Spanish Grenadiers into action. After a short burst of glory the 2nd French division was coming back down the hill and the overall French attack was in serious trouble. The cavalry manoeuvre on their right flank had not worked out, having been stalled by the speedy arrival of the British Heavy Cavalry. The French were reluctant to mix it up with them and the opportunity to overwhelm the Allied left slipped past. Meanwhile on the Allied Right the Spanish had started to move forward to attack the French it was slow work and a premature Spanish Cavalry charge was decimated as it passed through the French squares. Nevertheless the Spanish were slowly gaining ground although they were never going to break through the French.
By late afternoon it was clear that the battle had almost reached stalemate. It was decided to offer the French a chance to conduct a fighting withdrawal, which they took. It was interesting how quickly they were able to depart the battlefield given all the problems they had had deploying onto it!