24 June 1813 – Battle of Wolfsburg

Tactical map of battle area

With the loss of both Jeggau and Lehre, Blucher is in a very exposed position at Wolfsburg.   Both 2^nd and 3^rd corps are badly placed to hold the city, but they are also low on supplies.  He has ordered both to hold the city, but also to resupply.

Napoleon is determined to follow up his victory at Lehre by attacking Wolfsburg before he Prussians can retreat.   1^st and 3^rd corps are widely separated, but he is concerned that if he tries to concentrate then the Prussians will retreat.   1^st corps is also low on supplies, but again he fears any delay.

Prussian – 32000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 31600 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

2^nd Prussian and 3^rd French corps are both on the table at the start

Napoleon and 1^st French corps will arrive bottom right at the start of move 1

3^rd Prussian corps will arrive top right at the start of move 4

0800-1200

1^st French corps are advancing (bottom centre)

3^rd French corps immediately engage 2^nd Prussian corps

French dragoons charge Prussian cavalry, who retire shaken

However the Prussian horsemen rally behind the infantry square

Their retreat forces the Prussian gunners to seek shelter in the square

Two French brigades attack the Prussian held farm (centre left).

Both attackers and defenders suffer 400 casualties each

However both sides make their morale and the fight continues.

3^rd Prussian corps have arrived on the table

They are moving to deploy to the left of Wolfsburg

3^rd French corps will have to redeploy to meet them.

Game Note

The wargames table is not large enough to cover the approach march of 3rd Prussian corps.   Now that 3rd French corps has advanced into what had been the centre square, the table has been moved to the left.   The three squares on the right hand side are new.   This was done to allow 3rd Prussian corps to advance on to the table either to the left or right of Wolfsburg, or indeed through the city itself.

1200-1600

3^rd Prussian corps artillery engaged the nearest infantry brigade

The French suffered 20% casualties, lost their morale and routed

3^rd Prussian cavalry now advanced, but were routed by the French dragoons

By late afternoon 3^rd French corps had redeployed and held 3^rd Prussian corps

The battle would be decided by Napoleon’s guard

The artillery opened fire and routed the nearest Prussian infantry brigade

The guard cavalry advanced and the Prussian gunners sought safety in the square

The guard infantry stormed the Prussian held woods

Again the Prussians lost and ran

Conclusion

Blucher had lost both of his cavalry brigades

His gunners had abandoned their guns and were hiding in infantry squares

Two of his eight infantry brigades were in rout

Although he still held Wolfsburg it was clear that he was defeated

He ordered both corps to withdraw before they were pinned by the French

Napoleon has captured Wolfsburg, together with five days supplies

However most of the battle casualties are from the guard infantry

The French have lost 2400 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Prussians have lost 3500 casualties and three brigades in rout