French victory at Reus

20 May 1813

The battle of Reus

Reus is a small town just north of Tarragona.

It commands both the main military road along the east coast, and also the approach to the city of Tarragona.

5^th French corps have occupied the town to keep open their lines of communications between Tarragona and Barcelona and also to defend Tarragona itself.

1^st and 2^nd Spanish armies are determined to destroy the French before they can be reinforced.

Table at start of game

The game objective is to destroy the enemy

5^th French corps (Paul) is deployed in and around Reus

1^st Spanish army (Jan) enters on blind west road (left side)

2^nd Spanish army (Jan) enters on blind on north road (top)

French infantry and cavalry move forward to meet the Spanish

1^st Spanish have a competent general and approach the town in good order

As they near the town, the French advance their cavalry and two infantry brigades to engage them.

2^nd Spanish is much slower to arrive, and the bulk of the fighting falls on 1^st Spanish.

It is a very uneven fight, which the Spanish never looked likely to win.

Spanish break and run

Predictably both Spanish armies withdrew, leaving the French in possession of Reus.

A victory for the French against greater odds, but both Spanish armies are still intact and capable of further operations.

Effect on Campaign

Although defeated, the Spanish are still an effective fighting force.

Only half of 1^st army broke and ran. The remainder, and nightfall, prevented a French pursuit.

2^nd army were not engaged at all.

The French had held Reus, but failed to break the Spanish army.

Tarragona was safe, but still under threat

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19 May 1813

3^rd Spanish army vacate Lerida as 4^th corps approach, they move south to put themselves between Lerida and Tarragona.

15^th Polish approach Barcelona, still shadowed by 4^th army.

With only the weak garrison of Barcelona, Suchet must wait for the Poles to arrive before he can take any action to support 5^th corps at Reus.

5th French corps at Reus

Copons orders 1st and 2nd armies move to attack Reus.

Orders are sent to 3rd army to take up position at Mora and to delay any attempt by the French at Lerida to march towards Tarragona.

4th army is ordered not to make any move against Barcelona, but to be prepared to block any attempt by 15th corps to march towards Tarragona.