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Saturday, January 12, 2019

5 September 1813 – Battle of Kulmbach


Tactical map of battle area

Wittgenstein has rallied his army at Kulmbach
They have suffered heavy battle casualties during the campaign
However he has rallied his routed brigades and reorganised his corps
He has also received some replacements for his casualties

Davout has taken three days to redeploy and reorganise his army
This was necessary because he had to reorganise his supplies
He is determined to end the campaign with the defeat of the Russian army

French – 64000 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 117 guns
Russian – 60000 infantry, 3700 cavalry, 108 guns
Table at start of battle
The four Russian corps are deployed on the table
The four French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900
3rd Russian corps open fire on approaching French cavalry
4th Russian corps ordered to advance ready to support battle line
2nd, 5th and 14th French corps all advance
Move 2 : 0900-1000
Russian artillery open fire on approaching French
4th Russian corps continue to advance from hill

2nd, 5th and 14th French corps infantry form column of attack
6th French corps arrive centre left 

Move 3 : 1000-1100
4th Russian corps start to deploy behind 2nd corps
2nd French cavalry charge and rout 1st Cossacks
2nd, 5th and 14th French corps all advance in column of attack
6th French corps form column of attack centre left
Move 4 : 1100-1200
4th Russian corps start to deploy behind the hill in the centre
They have orders to form a reserve in the centre
Russian artillery pound the approaching French columns
On the right Westphalian lancers charge and rout 3rd Russian artillery

French artillery opens fire to support the four corps who are all advancing
Move 5 : 1200-1300
4th Russian corps is ordered to plug the gap either side of the centre hill

French cavalry move forward to attack the Russian gunners
Both 1st and 3rd Russian artillery are in rout

French gunners are proving more effective than their Russian counterparts
They have broken two Russian brigades, one infantry and one cavalry
White stars show Russian brigades in rout

French infantry have masked their artillery as they approach the Russian line
Move 6 : 1300-1400
The battle is going badly for the Russians
White stars indicate brigades in rout

1st Russian corps, on the left, is breaking
2nd and 6th French corps press home their attack

French approach Russian held hills in the centre and right

4th Russian corps, in reserve, is struggling to deploy

Move 7 : 1400-1500

French setback on the left
2nd (Guard) corps attack is driven back
This allows 1st Russian corps to withdraw towards Kulmbach

5th French and 2nd Russian, in the centre, continue to melee

14th French and 3rd Russian, on the right, continue firefight

Move 8 : 1500-1600
1st Russian corps retreat to Kulmbach
2nd Russian corps retreat from hill
3rd Russian corps retreat from hill
4th Russian corps prepare to cover retreat
White stars indicate brigades in rout


Conclusion
Wittgenstein has lost 10 of his 24 brigades in rout
He still holds Kulmbach, but orders the rest of his Army to retreat

The Russians have lost 10,000 casualties
The French have lost 5,100 casualties

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