1 March 1813 – Battle of Gifhorn

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon opens the campaign with an attack on Gifhorn

1^st Prussian corps have orders to hold the town

3^rd French corps have orders to attack

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

Gifhorn is the town on the right

1^st Prussian corps is deployed in the centre square

3^rd French corps will arrive as shown at the start of move 1

End of Move 4

The French cavalry have advanced right of the woods

The rest of the corps to the left of the woods

The infantry have halted out of artillery range

The gunners have pushed forward into range

With their opening fire they hit the Prussian infantry

The Prussians lose 10% casualties, but pass their morale test.

End of Move 8

Prussian hussars charge French dragoons

They win the first round of melee, but lose the second round

Both brigades receive 20% casualties

French are disordered, Prussians shaken

Prussian artillery hit leading French brigade

However they pass their morale test

They then charge the gunners

Who need total of 6 with 2D6, but only get 4

Infantry charge home and gunners rout with 20% casualties

Remaining three French brigades charge infantry on left of woods

Prussians in line, and win one melee

However lose the second and rout with 20% casualties

Summary

Mostly due to good dice at the critical time the French win

Prussians lose three infantry brigades and their artillery in rout

Convincing French victory

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

Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 gunners (2800 men)