Albuera 16 May 1811
Marshal Soult's moved his forces to relieve the first allied siege of Badajoz. General Beresford lifted the siege and moved to intercept the approaching french forces. This brought about the bloody battle of Albuera.
The allied forces consisted of some 32,000 men (including only 7,000 British). First we will look at the opening positions on the morning of 16 May 1811. Here we are roughly in the centre of the allied line facing east and we have to our front the shallow valley of the Albuera river and the village itself. The day commenced with a minor french attack (by light infantry) on the village from the opposite side.
The same location but looking left (north) along the line of the British 2nd Division.
The same location but looking slightly right (south east) the direction from which the main french assault was anticipated.
The same location but looking right (south) along the line of Blakes Spanish division. These forces stretched to the line of trees in the distance. When Beresford realised french forces to the south were moving west to turn the allied flank he ordered Blake to wheel his forces and face south. It was not appreciated by Blake that the flanking forces actually consisted of the bulk of the french army (19 batalions of infantry with cavalry support), so his wheeling manoeuver of only four of his spanish batalions was somewhat inadequate.
The allied forces consisted of some 32,000 men (including only 7,000 British). First we will look at the opening positions on the morning of 16 May 1811. Here we are roughly in the centre of the allied line facing east and we have to our front the shallow valley of the Albuera river and the village itself. The day commenced with a minor french attack (by light infantry) on the village from the opposite side.
The same location but looking left (north) along the line of the British 2nd Division.
The same location but looking slightly right (south east) the direction from which the main french assault was anticipated.
The same location but looking right (south) along the line of Blakes Spanish division. These forces stretched to the line of trees in the distance. When Beresford realised french forces to the south were moving west to turn the allied flank he ordered Blake to wheel his forces and face south. It was not appreciated by Blake that the flanking forces actually consisted of the bulk of the french army (19 batalions of infantry with cavalry support), so his wheeling manoeuver of only four of his spanish batalions was somewhat inadequate.
posted by Lorena & John | 3:14 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home