14 June, 2011

Battle of Salamanca

Following the capture of Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo, Wellington advanced into Spain where Marshal Marmont’s Army of Portugal awaited him. The two armies sparred for position, each looking to catch the other at a disadvantage. When Marmont threatened the British supply lines, Wellington began a retreat, but still looked for an opportunity. On July 22nd, Marmont found a British force in plain view on a ridge and great clouds beyond the hills to the south. Thinking this was just a rearguard, Marmont made a fatal mistake. He extended his army to try and flank the defenders and catch up to what he thought was Wellington’s fleeing main body.


It turned out the “rear guard” was the left flank of Wellington’s army (the clouds were from the baggage train) and Marmont’s army became badly strung out and vulnerable before the hidden allied main body.

The Anglo-Portuguese Attack

The French cavalry, along with some artillery move slowly through the woods on the right flank

French cavalry move up on the right flank

The British, having kep to their ridge, tempt the cavalry to swoop out of the woods and into the flank of the Rifles, foolishly staying in line

Rifles hit in the flank

With the joining in the general melee of a second French cavlary unit the British left is forced into square

British left forced into square

The Portuguese advance en masse in the centre

Portuguese advance in the centre

The French are soon on the ropes and the Portuguese have the scent of a famous victory!

French on the ropes in the centre

A French surge on their right overwhelms the British there and threatens to overrun the centre as well

French surge on the right

The Portuguese General is under fire as the French left, until now spectators join in

Portuguese General under fire

The Portuguese cavalry on the British right finally move, putting pressure on the French line

Portuguese cavalry put pressure on the French left

The French counter attack from the hilltop, flanking one unit and driving them into the river!

Portuguese flanked and driven back

The French right flank cuts off the Portuguese attack in the centre, which is unsupported by the British reserve units to the rear

French cut off the Portuguese attack

Enfilading fire from the French artillery takes a fearful toll on the Portuguese

Enfilading fire from French artillery

British light cavalry joins in the general struggle on the French left

British cavalry join the fray

But to no avail! French stern defence drives the cavalry from the field

Stern French defence carries the day

Victory to the French! Perhaps the rest of the battlefield will favour the British...
Mr. Kinch, our splendid host on the night in question relates events on the other flank

3 comments:

  1. Sadly, it was not to be a great evening for the redcoats...

    ReplyDelete
  2. A disaster for the allies, good batrep.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Herr Derflinger16 June, 2011 16:15

    The Marseillaise will play long and loud tonight!!!

    ReplyDelete

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