23 May 1813 – Battle of Meiningen

Tactical map of battle area

Unaware of the major French attack on Dolstadt, Wittgenstein orders two of his corps to attack the isolated Westphalian corps in front of Meiningen

Russian – 22000 infantry, 1700 cavalry, 57 guns

French – 14400 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

All three corps start the battle with campaign casualties

14th Westphalian corps start on the table

4th Russian corps arrive start of move 1

1st Russian corps arrive start of move 5

0800-1200

4^th Russian corps arrive on table top right

14^th Westphalian react by redeploying their artillery and cavalry

They have also sent an infantry brigade to garrison the walled farm top left.

1200-1600

4^th Russian corps deploy within artillery range of the walled farm

1^st Russian corps have arrived and deploy level with 4^th corps

Both are now ready to advance

14^th Westphalians form square and await the Russian attack

1600-2000

The Russians advance to attack

4^th corps cavalry charge the Westphalian guns

They receive 10% casualties from canister fire and rout

Their infantry skirmish the walled farm, but are inconclusive

Westphalian lancers advance and force the infantry into square

1^st corps artillery concentrate on the square supporting the artillery

The square receive 30% casualties but hold their ground

The Russian infantry skirmish with the inn but it is inconclusive

The remaining infantry advance in the centre

The leading brigade suffer heavy casualties and rout

The supporting brigade join the rout

By nightfall the attack has run out of steam

Conclusion

The Russians have failed to take Meiningen

They still outnumber the Westphalians, but need to rest and reorganise

The Russians have lost 1300 casualties and have three brigades in rout

The Westphalians have lost 800 casualties