Battle of Talavera - Turns 11 - 16

 

Having stated that the French should secure their right flank barring any major setbacks by their cavalry, that setback appears to have arrived! On the right of the photo the French 2nd Hussars charged the Spanish levy dragoons. Halfway into the charge, the morale of the 2nd Hussars evaporated and they halted. The Spanish had no such qualms and counter-charged into the static French light cavalry. In the ensuing melee they defeated the French causing them to retreat.

The French cavalry problems mounted as the rampaging British 3rd Dragoon Guards, pursuing the Hanoverian Chasseurs (on the left), came face to face with the reforming Vistula Legion. Being outpaced by the French light cavalry they ploughed into the Polish cavalry instead comprehensively routing them (I was a little hasty and removed the Poles before taking the photo!).

This also resulted in the demise of the Hanoverians being unable to rally with the British cavalry continue to pursue anything in sight! 

Continued -

British troops continue to hurry along the Medellin to form a new defensive line.

Ruffin urged his troops on along the Segurilla hills with no less than 3 battalion columns charging into the defending Spanish line. The Spanish had no chance and were routed with heavy loss. This proved too much for the already broken division of Bassecourt and they collectively fled the field.

Spanish cavalry attempted to defeat the last formed French cavalry regiment and came close! They were pushed back leaving the French 26th dragoons unformed.

The situation at the end of turn 12 showing the Spanish along with the KGL light dragoons firmly in control of the valley. 

Worse news was to come for the French with the 14th Dragoons (top left of photo next to the road) failing to rally and dispersed.

The British 3rd Dragoon Guards (bottom left) now suffered from blown horses and would have to return to their own lines to recover. This would normally leave them very vulnerable to any French formed cavalry in the area but fortunately for them, the French have problems of their own.

To the right, the 26th Dragoons are being pulled back to regroup. The only other French cavalry unit in the area, the 2nd Hussars (top right) successfully rallied and now reformed.

With allied cavalry now firmly in control of the valley, Ruffin's division had no option but to form squares. Any thought of assaulting the Medellin would have to wait.

Meanwhile on the Medellin, Stewart's brigade prepare to form a line at the top of the steep slope with Donkin in reserve behind.

The Pajar redoubt is now back firmly in allied hands.

In the centre more French infantry and artillery is brought forward to join the firing line.

As the French infantry continue to suffer badly from British musket volleys, additional artillery batteries are brought forward in an effort to counter the losses suffered. It partially pays off with the British foot guards in particular losing heavily to blasts of canister.

The deteriorating situation on the French right flank triggers a request for cavalry reinforcements. The two remaining brigades of Maubourg's dragoon division that had been held in reserve are ordered to move to the right. One brigade failed to get the message (left of photo) necessitating an irate Maubourg himself to get the brigade moving (middle bottom). 

In Talavera, the Grenaderos Provinciales have been moved forward to defend the perimeter. 

To the north of Talavera, the two Polish battalions plunged into the Spanish line. The two Spanish battalions stood to receive the charges but both succumbed to the determined Poles.

A Dutch battalion lead by Chasse now joins the Poles in driving in the Spanish (middle right). They charge and quickly overrun a Spanish 12pdr artillery battery.

Both Polish battalions defeat two more Spanish battalions and here the 1/4th infantry maintain good order having resoundingly demolished the Provinciales de Guadix battalion.

The depleted Liger-Bellair's division, have regrouped, are ordered to ignore the redoubt and strike directly towards the weakening Spanish in the hope of capitalising on the success of the Polish and Dutch battalions.

Milhaud's 3rd Brigade move towards the centre to replace Maubourg's division in reserve.

The Spanish gain a respite from the two Polish battalions with one having to reform and the other (bottom left) failing to charge home against a battery of artillery.

Not so with the 2/4th Dutch Line breaking two Spanish battalions before contact. Here they have reached the limit of their charge movement. In the background two Spanish battalions have manoeuvred to meet the Dutch threat only to see the conscripts make a hash of it and both become unformed. One has also taken fright at what has occurred in front of them.

Numerous morale tests are conducted among the Spanish troops as various commanders attempt to steady the line. Fortunately for them nothing disastrous occurs with all divisions holding their morale tests. They are not out of the woods yet though will several battalions retreating and yet to be rallied.

Zayas' division is still broken with attempts to issue new orders having failed. Zayas has now taken it upon himself to order his division to retire, clearly perturbed by the mayhem around him. Here his battalions begin their retreat through Talavera.

Three photos presenting an overview at the end of turn 13. At the top right Henestrosa attempts to extricate his cavalry from the morass of Spanish infantry swirling around him.

In the valley floor on the opposite flank, the allied cavalry reform to counter Ruffin on the left and the build up of French cavalry opposite. A British artillery battery on the Medellin begins pounding the French squares.

Maubourg's cavalry division continue to arrive.

With the final Dragoon brigade arriving the French are almost ready to commence another attempt at clearing the valley of allied cavalry.

On the Cascajal Vilatte's division readies itself to advance on the Medellin.

The French continue to struggle in the centre with one battery of artillery forced to retreat having suffered heavy casualties from British musketry. Two further batteries run low on ammo.

The French are ordered to retire from the firefight before more damage is caused to them.

As the French withdraw, the British use the lull to reorganise some of their battered units.

The Spanish position is looking dire. The green dice indicate units that will have to take morale tests this turn (turn 14).

The Dutch continue to sweep all before them.

The Poles rout a Spanish unit when it charges it but the latter fails to put enough distance between them and are caught resulting in their destruction.

The situation at the end of turn 14 with the Spanish commanders desperately attempting to hold their force together. Portago fails and his brigade breaks. This includes the battery occupying the Pajar redoubt.

Henestrosa orders his cavalry to attack the French columns and here they begin positioning themselves ready to charge. The British are increasingly concerned about the events unfolding on their right flank and Kemmis begins to reposition his brigade to prevent a French breakthrough into the rear of their line (bottom left).

Iglesias' division held in reserve, form attack columns in the hope of relieving pressure on the rest of the shaky Spanish army.

Liger-Belair's French division sweep around the Pajar redoubt to reinforce Leval's attack.

M. Zayas' brigade now breaks triggering a Spanish army morale test. Failure! The Spanish army now breaks and flees the battlefield.

As Liger-Belair's division round the redoubt they are met by a murderous volley from the 40th line causing one battalion to falter.

The now empty right flank poses a serious threat to the British who hurry to plug the gap. In the bottom left of the photo, Mackenzie's brigade who had been heading to the Medellin, about-faced and hurried to reinforce Kemmis (middle left).

An overview at the end of turn 16 highlights the precarious position of the British. I made one concession to the Spanish and allowed Alburquerque's cavalry to remain in the valley to the north of the Medellin. This was on the basis they would have been oblivious of the events on the opposite flank at this stage. 

It would be small comfort to Wellington given the incredibly thin red line facing the massed columns of the French.