María - 15 June 1809
Historical Background
After the defeat at Alcañiz, Suchet fell back to Zaragoza to reorganize his dispirited troops, while Blake lingered for several days at Alcañiz waiting for reinforcements. Once his reinforcements arrived, Blake cut west across the mountains with 25,000 men and then turned north at the Huerva River to threaten Suchet’s lines of communications and force Suchet to abandon Zaragoza. Inexplicably, Blake split his army, sending his best division to the far side of the Huerva. Suchet now had a chance to defeat Blake in detail. On the morning of 15th Blake’s two remaining divisions formed up in line of battle on a series of ridges waiting for the inevitable French attack. It did not come. The French formed up on a parallel ridge to the north, waiting for 3,000 promised reinforcements. Despite wishing to fight a defensive battle, Suchet’s inactivity provoked Blake into launching an attack against the French right, but the Spanish attack was repulsed. Suchet launched a counter attack across the ravine, trying to capitalize on the Spanish disruption. The attack was stalled by fire from artillery and infantry as the Spanish held firmly. Around 3pm there was a lull in the battle brought on by a hailstorm. During the hailstorm, the French reinforcements arrived and Suchet ordered an attack against the Spanish right. French infantry attacked first, and while they did not force the Spaniards into retreat, they opened gaps in their lines. Now the French cavalry poured through those gaps, routing the Spanish cavalry and effectively destroying the Spanish infantry on the right. The French cavalry then turned on the Spanish center, forcing the rest of the Spanish army to quit the field. The French did not pursue closely, but once again, a defeated Spanish army melted away. Only 12,000 troops reached the rallying point at Belchite.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Spanish Army
• Commander: Blake
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 3 Tactician Cards
• Move First
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| 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
French Army
• Commander: Suchet
• 5 Command Cards
• Optional 5 Tactician Cards
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| 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Victory
6 Banners
Special Rules
• Spanish Guerrilla Action Rule is in effect. The Spanish player starts with one Guerrilla counter.
• The Abbey of Santa Fe is treated as a Town.