22 September 1813 – Battle of Dahre

Tactical map of battle area

The campaign opens with 3^rd French corps attack on Dahre.

1^st Prussian corps has been deployed just south of the town with orders to hold

14 infantry brigade is the garrison of Dahre, and is not under corps command

They will fight to hold the town, but cannot be ordered to join 1^st corps.

Table at start of battle

The town of Dahre is top centre, with its garrison of 14 infantry brigade

1^st Prussian corps is deployed in the centre square

3^rd French corps will arrive centre bottom at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900

3^rd French corps arrive on the table.

The cavalry and three infantry brigades move to the left of the farm

Corps artillery supported by one infantry brigade move on the road

One Prussian infantry brigade has been sent to occupy the farm on the right

Move 2 : 0900-1000

3^rd French corps continue to advance either side of the farm

The cavalry have moved ahead to protect the infantry columns

It is now clear that the French plan to attack the Prussian right flank

1^st Prussian corps start to redeploy to meet this attack

Move 3 : 1000-1100

3^rd French corps continue to advance

1^st Prussian corps continue to redeploy

Move 4 : 1100-1200

The French start to concentrate north of the farm

The Prussians have completed their redeployment

Move 5 : 1200-1300

French infantry form column of attack

Infantry brigade on right form square to protect gunners as they unlimber

Prussian artillery open fire on enemy gunners, no casualties

Move 6 : 1300-1400

French continue to advance

Prussians hold their ground

Move 7 : 1400-1500

French advance, cavalry move forward to protect infantry columns

Prussian artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Move 8 : 1500-1600

Prussian hussars charge and rout French dragoons

Dragoons rout through nearest infantry brigade, who also rout

Hussars fail morale and pursue dragoons, causing more casualties

French infantry continue to advance. 

Artillery redeploy to fire on approaching Prussian infantry

Despite the loss of one brigade, they still have as many infantry as the Prussians

 

Move 9 : 1600-1700

French infantry charge and melee

On the left two French brigades in column attack Prussian brigade in line

French receive 10% casualties in each brigade, Prussian rout with 30% casualties

In the centre French brigade charges and routs Prussian gunners

Prussians fire at close range, but no casualties

On the right Prussian infantry charge French artillery

Prussians receive 10% casualties, fail morale and halt shaken

Move 10 : 1700-1800

Prussians break and rout

The grey star indicate brigade in rout

French cavalry and one infantry brigade are also in rout

Conclusion

The French have failed to take the town of Dahre

However they have routed three infantry brigades and corps artillery

The Prussians still hold the town and the farm on the right

Their cavalry will rally now they are back within command range of commander

However with four brigades in rout they will have to retreat overnight

This is a French victory

The French have lost 1100 casualties

The Prussians have lost 3100 casualties