5 November 1813 – Central Germany – Day 4

Wittgenstein moves supplies to Konnern and Gerbstedt

But has no more transport available to move large stocks from Landsberg

2^nd corps finally has an opportunity to rally and resupply

Davout orders 3^rd and 4^th corps to attack Halle

14^th corps is brought up to four days supplies from Schraplau and Merseburg

Both armies move to secure the road from Halle to Landsberg.  

The battle starts badly for the Russians when they lose a cavalry melee on their left flank.   It gets worse when they lose their Cossack brigade trying to capture a French battery.   But it the loss of the woods on their left which decides the battle.

Casualties are fairly even with 1700 French and only 1800 Russian.

But whilst the French only have one brigade in rout, the Russians have four

As both French corps move against 3^rd Russian corps at Halle, Wittgenstein orders a general retreat.   In doing so he abandons both Halle and Landsberg.

5 November 1813 – Battle of Halle

Tactical map of battle area

Wittgenstein is desperate to move supplies north from Halle and Landsberg

Both 3^rd and 4^th corps are down to two days supplies, and are ordered to resupply

Before they can do so they are attacked by 5^th and 6^th French corps

French – 64000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Russian – 68000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of battle

The Russian army are at the top of the table

Wittgenstein has created a reserve of two infantry and one cavalry brigade

19 infantry brigade is the garrison of Halle

The French army are at the bottom of the table

Davout has created a reserve of both corps artillery and one infantry brigade

Move 1 : 0800-0900

3^rd and 4^th Russian corps advance

Russian reserve hold on the hill top centre

Both French corps and the reserve all advance

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Russian 3^rd, 4^th and reserve corps all advance

5^th French corps advance towards woods, but halt at edge

French reserve artillery unlimber

6^th French corps advance towards woods on right

6^th lancers charge and rout Russian cuirassiers

They then fail morale test and charge nearby square

They in turn are routed with 20% casualties

Move 3 : 1000-1100

3^rd Russian corps advance towards woods on left

Russian reserve advance in support, cossacks threaten artillery

4^th Russian corps occupy both half of woods on right      

5^th French cuirassiers advance to counter Cossack threat

Reserve artillery exchange fire with Russian gunners, no casualties

6^th corps infantry charge woods on right

They win melee in right hand section and rout Russian infantry

On the left the melee continues, though Russian infantry are shaken

Move 4 : 1100-1200

French reserve artillery charged by Cossacks

Abandon guns and take shelter in nearby square

5^th French corps advance

Cavalry charge and rout Cossack brigade

6^th French corps win melee in woods on right

4^th Russian corps start to rout

3^rd Russian corps and reserve hold their ground

Move 5 : 1200-1300

3^rd Russian corps have one brigade in rout

4^th Russian corps have four brigades in rout

remainder of corps start to retreat

French 6^th corps have one brigade in rout

Both 6^th and French reserve move to support 5^th corps

Conclusion

With the loss of 4^th corps Wittgenstein is greatly outnumbered

Although 3^rd corps and his reserve are still strong he orders a general retreat

The French have lost 1700 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Russians have lost 1800 casualties and five brigades in rout

4 November 1813 – Central Germany – Day 3

On the east bank Davout takes command of 5^th and 6^th corps and moves to threaten Halle and Landsberg

On the west bank Schraplau has insufficient supplies to support 2^nd and 14^th corps

2^nd corps take control of the abandoned Russian depot, and can resupply

However 14^th corps must retreat to be within supply range of Schraplau and Merseburg.

Wittgenstein also has considerable supply problems

Eisleben was his only depot on the west bank.   

He orders 2^nd corps to retreat to Gerbstedt and set up a depot there

But this is not enough to resupply both 1^st  and 2^nd corps

He moves supplies from Halle to Konnern and Landsberg to Radegast

The French advance towards Halle and Landsberg threatens the depots there

He takes command of 3^rd and 4^th corps and moves them between the two depots

He must hold both depots until he can remove the supplies there.