Summary of Central Germany Campaign

Regional areas of Central Germany

There are three regions in Central Germany

Dusseldorf Region is the rear area for Second French army

Their main depot is in Dusseldorf

Dresden Region is the rear area for the Russian Army

Their main depot is in Dresden                 

Erfurt Region is the disputed area between them

 

 

Diary of Central German Campaign

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new army to fight the 1813 campaign

 

1 January 1813 - Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

 

10 January 1813 - The Russian army concentrated in the Dresden region

 

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the formation of Second French army in Dusseldorf region under the command of Marshal Davout.

 

26 February 1813 – Second French army declared operational.

 

28 February 1813 - The Russians moved into the Erfurt region and occupied Gera

 

2 March 1813 - Davout entered Erfurt region and occupied Gera

 

14 March 1813 – Start of Erfurt campaign phase

 

21 March 1813 – French win Erfurt campaign phase

Erfurt Campaign - 14 to 21 March 1813

Davout won four of the six battles fought, including the final one

Wittgenstein won the remaining two

 

Davout took and held the city of Erfurt and therefore won the campaign

 

The campaign started on 18 August 2020 and ended on 27 December 2020                                    

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

20 - Introduction to the campaign in Central Germany

21 – 2^nd French Army order of battle

22 - Russian Army order of battle

23 - Daily diary for the campaign in Central Germany

24 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Central Germany

25 - Summary of campaign in Central Germany

21 March 1813 – Central Germany – End of Erfurt Campaign

Battles fought during campaign phase

Davout won four of the six battles fought, including the final one

Wittgenstein won the remaining two

 

Davout took and held the city of Erfurt and therefore won the campaign

 

The campaign started on 18 August 2020 and ended on 27 December 2020

 

During this campaign we experimented with finding a new role for the CinC.   Previously he had only given orders to each of the corps commanders

We allowed him to take command of one or more brigades to form a reserve

This added a new, and welcome, element to the wargames.

Erfurt Region

Weinstein ordered his army to retreat to Gera

He established his headquarters in the city

 

Davout ordered his army to deploy around Erfurt

He moved his headquarters to the city

21 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 8

The French victory at Weimar forced General Wittgenstein to order a general retreat.

 

Second French army was already over extended, and at the furthest extent of their lines of supply.   Despite this Marshal Davout ordered 2^nd and 6^th corps, and the reserve, to continue to advance towards Weimar.  Occupation of the Russian main supply base would seal his victory

 

5^th corps was ordered to regroup at Wiessensee, and 14^th corps at Saalfeld.

 

20 March 1813 – Battle of Weimar

 

Tactical map of battle area

Both armies have concentrated for the decisive battle of the campaign

The Russians occupy a very strong position just west of the city

A Russian defeat will result in them having to retreat off the map

A French defeat will force them to retreat to regroup and reorganise

 

French –7 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery

Russian – 8 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades,  3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Russian army has been deployed in the centre three squares

The CinC has transferred one infantry brigade from 1^st and 3^rd corps to the Reserve

18 infantry brigade is the garrison of Weimar, and must remain there during the battle

 

The three French corps will arrive on the table at the start of move one.

Move 2

On the left the French army move onto the table

 

First blood to 1 Russian corps artillery who hit infantry brigade

Second to 2 French corps when Guard Grenadiers charge and rout the Cossack brigade.

Move 4

Top – Both sides exchange artillery fire, no casualties

Russians are too strong for French to attack

 

Centre – Russian heavy cavalry charge artillery.   Gunners run away and cavalry can not reach them.   French cuirassiers counter charge and rout Russian cavalry.

 

Bottom – French cavalry charge and rout Russian gunners.   Nearby square fail their morale and join rout.   Remander of French advance towards hill.

 

French CinC joins 2^nd corps to give them new objective

Russian CinC take command of last brigade of 1 corps.

Move 6 - Table at end of battle

Top – Russians are stronger than the French, and hold their position until the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.   Only then do 6^th French corps advance.

 

Centre – Without cavalry support the Russian infantry are forced to form square as the French cavalry advance.  They hold their position until the general retreat is ordered.

 

Bottom – Only one infantry brigade of 1^st Russian corps is unaffected by the general rout.   The CinC takes command and moves them to support the reserve.

The French CinC takes command of 2^nd corps, who are now free to move to support the centre.   Before they can do so the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.

 

Summary

 The Rout of 1^st Russian corps results in a general retreat before the French can reach the remaining Russian brigades.

 

Casualties are light, but due to earlier campaign casualties the morale of both armies is fragile.   The Russians are the first to break and run.

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (600 men)

The Russians have lost 6 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (800 men)

 

20 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 7

In the north 5^th French corps retreat to Wiessensee, having lost the battle of Sommerda.   2^nd Russian corps regroup and resupply.

 

In the centre 2^nd, 6^th and French reserve attack Weimar

1^st, 3^rd and reserve Russian corps defend the town

 

In the south 14^th Westphalian corps regroup and resupply in Saalfeld

4^th Russian corps rout towards Weimar to rally with the main army.

 

Both armies at the battle of Weimar have brittle morale due to earlier campaign casualties.   Despite relatively light casualties 1^st Russian corps break and run, leaving 3^rd corps and the reserve to face three French corps.   Before the French can pin them, the remainder of the Russian army retreat

The French lost 600 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Russians lost 800 casualties and four brigades in rout

19 March 1813 – Battle of Sommerda

 

Tactical map of battle area

Davout is anxious to attack the Russian army before they can concentrate at Weimar.   He orders 5^th French corps to attack 2^nd Russian corps and pin them at Sommerda

 

French – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery         

Russian – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2^nd Russian corps is deployed directly in front of Sommerda

They are angled to prevent either a frontal attack on the town

But also to counter a drive against the Weimar road

Their orders are to defend the town, but if forced to retreat move to Weimar

To do so they must protect the road from the town to bottom right of the table

5^th French corps will arrive centre left at the start of move 1

Move 4

5^th French corps send their cavalry to secure he high ground

But also to threaten the Weimar road

The rest of the corps advance directly towards Sommerda

 

2^nd Russian corps redeploy to meet the French infantry

Their cavalry move to their left flank to counter the French cavalry

 

Both French and Russian artillery fire on the enemy infantry

Russians fail to hit their target

French hit square beside artillery and cause 10% casualties

Infantry pass their morale test

 

French cavalry halt short of edge of hill

The Russian guns cannot engage them, because they cannot see them

However they must advance to the edge to charge the Russian cavalry

Move 8

Artillery on both sides concentrate their fire on the enemy infantry

The Russians hit three times, the French twice

 

French cavalry charge Russian cuirassiers.

First round of melee is a draw, with each losing 10% casualties

French break and rout after second round of melee, losing a further 20% casualties

 

Meanwhile French infantry advance to attack

One brigade charge and rout the Russian gunners

Move 10

Russian cavalry (with 20% casualties) charge French infantry (with 10% casualties)

Infantry win melee and cavalry rout into nearby square

 

French infantry charge Russian artillery, who fire canister but fail to stop infantry

Gunners rout with 20% casualties

 

Supporting Russian infantry charge French infantry, who lose melee and rout

 

French commander orders a general retreat

 

Summary

After a hard fought battle the Russians still hold Sommerda

The French have lost 8 infantry and 4 cavalry (3600 casualties)

The Russians have lost 4 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 gunners (2100 casualties)

There are three French brigades in rout and 2 Russian brigades

 

19 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 6

 

In the north 5^th French corps attack Sommerda to prevent 2^nd Russian corps marching south to join the main army at Weimar.

 

In the centre the main French army redeploy at Erfurt in preparation for the critical attack on Weimar.   Supplies are moved from Gotha to Erfurt.

The main Russian army are already in position to the west of Weimar.  They use the delay to resupply and replace battle casualties.

 

In the south 4^th corps are forced to retreat east, following their defeat at the battle of Saalfeld.  The victorious 14^th Westphalian corps enter the town.

 

The battle of Sommerda was hard fought, with both sides suffering heavy casualties

The French lost 3600 and three brigades in rout

The Russians lost 2100 and two brigades in rout

At nightfall the Russians still held the town, and won the battle

18 March 1813 – Battle of Saalfeld

Tactical map of battle area

To prevent the Russian army from concentrating at Erfurt, Soult orders 14^th corps to attack Saalfeld, which is defended by 4^th Russian corps.

 

Both corps have minor casualties.

 

French – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Prussian – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

4^th Russian corps is deployed in front of Saalfeld

The road to Erfurt runs off the top right of the photo

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

End of Move 4

The Westphalians move to threaten the road to Saalfeld (top left)

This forces the Russians to redeploy to defend their communications to the main Russian army.

 

Russian gunners hit the leading Westphalian brigade

The infantry pass their morale test, but have lost 10% casualties

 

Westphalian cavalry charge Russian cuirassiers, who start with 10% casualties

After one round of melee both sides have lost 10% casualties and are disordered.

End of Move 8

Westphalian lancers win melee, cuirassiers rout with 30% casualties

Lancers then charge artillery, receive casualties and also rout

 

Russian artillery fire on 5 brigade (with flag)

Fire three times, hit three times

Infantry pass morale test with 30% casualties

 

Russian infantry (on right) charge leading infantry brigade

Lose melee and rout with 30% casualties

End of Move 10

Russians centre is broken

 

On the right Westphalian infantry follow up Russian rout

Nearby Russian brigade fail morale test and join rout

 

Russian artillery also fail morale and are shaken

They limber and retreat as Westphalians advance

 

The Westphalians have won the battle

 

Summary

 

The Westphalians have lost 5 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2300 men)

The Russians have lost 9 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (3900 men)

There are three Russian brigades and one Westphalian brigades in

18 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 5

In the north the French move their depot from Eisenach to Wiessensee

5^th French corps resupply in preparation to attack Sommerda

2^nd Russian corps deployed to hold the town and northern flank

 

In the centre the Russians regroup and resupply 1^st, 3^rd and reserve corps

They also move supplies from Saalfeld to Weimar

2^nd, 6^th and reserve French corps resupply at Erfurt

They also establish a depot in the town

 

In the south 14^th Westphalian corps attack 4^th Russian corps at Saalfeld

Their aim is to prevent a concentration of the Russian army at Weimar

 

Both sides start the battle with casualties.

But the Russians have more than the Westphalians

The resulting more fragile morale played a part in the Russian defeat

 

The Russian artillery were more effective than the Westphalian gunners

They concentrated on one brigade, and caused 30% casualties

But the infantry passed their morale test three times

 

The Russian infantry charged the Westphalian infantry

But they lost the morale, and routed

This caused weak infantry nearby to fail their morale and also rout

This in turn caused the gunners to retreat shaken

 

The Westphalian infantry followed up and the Russians retreated

 

The Westphalians lost 2300 men, the Russians 3900

17 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 4

 

In the north 5^th French corps are ordered to attack Wiessensee

However 2^nd Russian corps have already abandoned the town

They have retreated to Sommerda and moved the depot with them

 

In the centre 1^st, 3^rd and reserve Russian corps retreat to Weimar

6^th French corps enter Erfurt

2^nd and reserve French corps halt, regroup and resupply

 

In the south 14^th Westphalian corps halt, regroup and resupply

 

4 of the 5 French corps are now regrouped and resupplies

2 Russian corps are resupplied, 2 have 1 days supplies, 1 is out of supply

 

The advantage has now passed to the French.

16 March 1813 – Battle of Erfurt

Tactical map of battle area

The French and Russian armies are deployed either side of Erfurt

 

Both commanders have been awaiting the outcome of the battles of Wiessensee and Suhl.   Neither have detached support to either battle.  The time has come for a major battle in the centre

 

French – 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Prussian – 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Russian army to the right of the city of Erfurt

French army to the left of the city of Erfurt

Both commanders have concentrated three infantry brigades to attack the city

Table at end of move 2

Both armies have advanced

 

Left

Russians have occupied the farm, the French the woods

In the centre infantry have entered all four sections of the city

 

Right

Russians have occupied the woods

The Russian reserve have been committed on the far left

The French reserve centre left.

Table at end of move 4

Both armies have advanced

 

Left

Russian gunners have hit 6^th corps artillery, who are shaken

Russian reserve artillery hit Cossacks, who rout with 10% casualties

 

Centre

French have secured south Erfurt and Russians the north

 

Right

French gunners have hit 1^st corps artillery, who are disordered

French cavalry then charge gunners, who retreat into nearby square

Cossacks have advance right of woods to engage advancing French infantry

Table at end of move 7

Left

Russian artillery rout French gunners

The nearby reserve cavalry fail their morale and join rout

 

Centre

French have attacked to clear Erfurt

Their artillery have caused casualties to both Russian garrisons

The Russian reserve brigade has been sent in to support the left garrison

After two rounds of melee two Russian brigades are shaken

The remaining French and Russian brigades are all disordered.

The melee continues

 

Right

French cavalry have forced the gunners to abandon their guns

The Russian Cossacks have pinned the attacking French infantry

One French brigade is in rout

Table at end of move 9

 

Left

Russians hold left wing and suffer only light casualties

6^th French hold woods but do not attempt to attack

corps artillery rout after receiving artillery casualties

reserve cavalry rout without casualties having failed morale test

 

Centre

French take city of Erfurt

Lose one brigade in rout

Russians lose three brigades in rout

 

Right

Russians hold right wing and suffer light casualties

Cossack brigade routed in melee with Guard cavalry

French lose one brigade in rout

 

Summary

 

The Russians hold both flanks, but lose the city in the centre

They also lose considerably more casualties

French win the battle

 

The French have lost 8 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (3400 men)

The Russians have lost 12 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (5300 men)

 

16 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 3

2^nd Russian and 5^th French corps both reorganise and resupply

 

2^nd, 6^th and French reserve corps attack Erfurt

1^st, 3^rd and Russian reserve corps attack Erfurt

 

4^th French corps retreat to Saalfeld

14^th Westphalian corps occupy Suhl

11 brigade move depot from Meiningen to Suhl

 

A major battle is fought for Erfurt

The French attack with two corps and their reserve

The Russians defend with two corps and their reserve

Both sides commit three infantry brigades to take the city

The major fighting there decides the outcome of the battle

The Russians hold both flanks, but lose the city

 

Russians lose 5300 casualties and 7 brigades in rout

French lose 3400 casualties and 4 brigades in rout

15 March 1813 – Battle of Suhl

 

                       

                                     Tactical map of battle area

14^th Westphalian and 4^th Russian corps both have orders to take Suhl

Both corps are at full strength

 

Westphalian – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Russian – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

14^th Westphalian corps will enter from the left at the start of move 1

4^th Russian corps will enter from the right at the start of move 1

Both corps are in column of march and must enter on the road

 

The town of Suhl is the walled town in the centre of the table

It does not have a military garrison

But the civilian population have closed the gates to both sides

End of move 4

Both commanders have opted to ignore the town

The winner of the battle will secure the town

 

Both corps enter the table behind a cavalry screen

The cavalry have deployed to the right to protect the corps deployment

The faster moving Westphalian lancers have delayed the Russian advance

End of move 8

4^th Russian corps continue to deploy

Their artillery has opened fire, but not caused any casualties

The cavalry brigade on the left is providing protection for the deployment

 

14^th Westphalian corps is fully deployed and ready to advance

Their artillery are firing on the enemy cavalry, but no casualties

If they do not advance now they will not reach the enemy before nightfall

End of move 12

As the Westphalian lancers prepared to attack their artillery fire on the cuirassiers

The Russian cavalry received 10% casualties, failed their morale and were shaken

They were unable to counter charge and broke when the lancers charged

This left the Russian gunners exposed, and they promptly retreated

The Westphalian infantry now advanced, supported by their cavalry

On their left the leading brigade routed the conscript Russian brigade

They routed into the Grenadier brigade behind them, who also broke and ran

 

On the right the Westphalian infantry attacked a Russian square

This should have been an easy victory

But the Russian infantry won the melee (good dice again)

This melee was a draw, but the rest of the Russian corps was in retreat

 

Summary

Until move 8 no one had suffered any casualties and either corps could win

The Westphalians were lucky with their final artillery round, which hit the Russian cavalry.   This led to the retreat of the Russian artillery, just as the Westphalian infantry advanced.

 

The Westphalians have lost 1 infantry casualty (400 men)

The Russians have lost 3 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (1500 men)