11 July 1813 – Battle of Erfurt

Tactical map of battle area

6th and 14th French corps are east of the river

Both are ordered to attack

2nd and 5th corps are ordered to support the attack

1st, 2nd and 4th Russian corps are ordered to hold the east bank

3rd corps is ordered to “march to the sound of the guns”

6 and 8 brigades ordered to return to 2nd corps

Russian – 75600 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 120 guns

French – 78000 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 120 guns

Table at start of wargame

The river is fordable to infantry and cavalry at half move rate

Whilst crossing they will be disorgansied

Artillery can only cross using one of the bridges

1^st, 2^nd and 4^th Russian corps are in defence on the right

6 and 8 infantry brigades on 2^nd corps will arrive at move 5

2nd French corps must move towards the centre to make room for 5^th corps

6^th French corps is in position ready to attack

14^th Westphalian corps will arrive at the start of move 1

5^th French corps will arrive at the start of move 5

0800-1200

14^th Westphalian corps has arrived top left and engage 2^nd corps

6^th French corps attack the farm in the centre

2^nd French corps have deployed in the centre

Marshal Davout has joined 5^th French corps who are nearing bottom left

2^nd Russian corps await the arrival of their two infantry brigades

1^st Russian corps are fighting for the farm in the centre

Their garrison have lost 10% casualties, and also their Cossack brigade

4^th Russian corps wait to see how the French will attack

Both sides have suffered minor casualties to artillery fire

1200-1600

14^th Westphalian corps have been ordered to attack

6^th French corps are also on attack orders and broken the enemy

2^nd French corps are on engage orders and are about to cross the river

5^th French corps are approaching the river

2^nd Russian corps are holding their position

1^st Russian corps have suffered heavy casualties and are retreating

4^th Russian corps have not yet been engaged

All four French corps are now on the battlefield

6^th and 14^th corps are bearing the brunt of the fighting

2^nd corps is about to join the battle

5^th corps are still in column of march

The Russians have lost their centre, but both flanks are secure

They must defeat at least one of the French corps to avoid defeat

 

1600-2000

On the right 14^th Westphalian corps have pushed home their attack.

2^nd Russian corps continue to hold their position, but have lost their cavalry

6^th French corps have broken 1^st Russian corps and taken the hill

All four infantry brigades, plus the cavalry, are in rout

2^nd French corps have crossed the river Saale, but no longer need to attack the hill.

Davout orders them to swing left and support 5^th French corps

5^th corps cavalry join with 2^nd corps cavalry to cover the river crossing

They rout 4^th Russian cavalry brigade and artillery

Without support the Russian infantry are easily broken

Wittgenstein orders the Russians to retreat

Conclusion

Wittgenstein has suffered a decisive defeat

8 out of 12 of his infantry brigades, and 2 out of 3 cavalry brigades, are in rout. 

Davout has firmly established his army on the east bank of the river Saale.

Only one of his infantry brigades are in rout.

The French have lost 1300 casualties

The Russians have lost 6900 casualties and 6 guns