25 April 1813 – Battle of Helmstedt

Tactical map of battle area

Blucher is aware that Napoleon is preparing to attack his centre at Eilseben.   To disrupt this attack he orders 4th corps to attack Helmstedt.  

Napoleon orders 13th Polish corps to attack 4th Prussian corps.   He hopes to distract Blucher from his planned attack on Eilseben, and possibly send reinforcements to support 4th corps.

Prussians – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Polish – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

4^th Prussian corps (on the right) are deployed ready to advance

13^th Polish corps must march through Helmstedt before they can deploy

Both corps start the battle on move orders

42 French brigade is the garrison of Helmstedt and must remain in the town

0800-1200

Both corps have deployed their cavalry and artillery south of the town and woods

Prussian infantry have taken possession of the woods

Polish infantry are moving to attack the woods

Prussian artillery have caused 100 Polish gunner casualties

The Polish artillery have failed their morale and are shaken.

1200-1600

Polish lancers charge Prussian dragoons, dragoons win melee and lancers rout

The battle for the woods now has three brigades on each side

The Poles have lost 400 casualties, the Prussians 1200

But both sides continue to fight for the woods

Prussian cavalry and artillery have advance to threaten the Polish right flank.

1600-2000

Polish lancers (left) fail to make their morale and rout from the battle

The Prussian dragoons rally and charge the artillery

The Polish gunners suffer 300 casualties and rout

The nearby square suffers artillery casualties, lose 800 casualties and also rout

The battle for the woods continues until nightfall, and the Poles have the advantage

However the Poles are outnumbered and have no cavalry or artillery

Conclusion

Decouz has lost his artillery, cavalry and one brigade all in rout

However his infantry are winning the melee for the woods

The garrison of Helmstedt is shaken by the infantry rout

Without cavalry and artillery he cannot hope to hold the town

At nightfall he orders 13^th Polish corps to abandon Helmstedt and retreat

The Poles have lost 2300 casualties and three brigades in rout

The Prussians have lost 2000 casualties