27 May 1813 – Battle of Erlangen

Tactical map of battle area

Marshal Oudinot has ordered 10^th and 12^th corps to hold Erlangen

General Schwarzenberg has ordered 1^st and 4^th corps to take the city at all costs

Bavarian – 45000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Austrian – 45000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

23 Bavarian infantry brigade are the garrison of Erlangen

They are supported by 10^th Bavarian corps

Marshal Oudinot and 12^th Baden corps are marching towards the town

Schwartzenberg will arrive at the start of move 1 with 1^st Austrian corps

4^th Austrian corps, plus 20 infantry brigade, will also arrive at the start of move 1

0800-1200

1^st and 4^th Austrian corps are deployed and about to open artillery fire

10^th Bavarian corps have sent one infantry brigade to help garrison Erlangen

12^th Baden corps are deploying top right

1200-1600

4^th Austrian corps (left) advance to attack

Cavalry charge Baden dragoons, melee is a draw

Artillery concentrate on 23^rd brigade in town, garrison hold despite 20% casualties

1^st Austrian corps (right) also advance to attack

Artillery concentrate on grenadier brigade in support of artillery

Infantry also suffer casualties but continue to hold their position

1600-2000

4^th Austrian corps (left) win cavalry melee and rout Baden dragoons

Austrian cavalry rally and charge the artillery, who also rout

Infantry storm left hand section of Erlangen and rout garrison

However their attack on the woods on the left is repulsed with heavy casualties

1^st Austrian corps take the right hand section of Erlangen and rout garrison

Infantry storm the centre and rout both infantry and gunners

Bavarian cavalry are not engaged and cover the retreat.

Conclusion

Oudinot has suffered a major defeat.  

Seven of his thirteen brigades are in rout

Fortunately his cavalry are formed and cover the rout

The Bavarians have lost 2900

The Austrians have lost 2100