3 March 1813 – Battle of Brunswick

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon has won the battles of Gifhorn and Wolfenbuttel

He now orders the main attack on Brunswick

French – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Prussian – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle     

Brunswick is the large built up area on the centre right

2^nd Prussian corps is deployed in the centre square

Blucher and 4^th Prussian corps will arrive as shown at the start of move 1

4^th French corps will arrive as shown at the start of move 1

Napoleon and 1^st French corps will arrive as shown at the start of move 5

End of Move 4

4^th French corps are engaged with 1^st Prussian corps

The Prussian dragoons have charged the French cuirassiers 

The first round of melee is a draw, both brigades have lost 10% casualties

French are disordered, Prussians are shaken

1^st Prussian corps has reached the battle area

Their cavalry are within charge range of the French artillery

4^th French corps have halted to await the arrival of Napoleon and 1^st corps

End of Move 6

The arrival of the Old Guard (bottom left) save 4^th French corps

They have been unable to advance due to the prolonged cavalry melee (right)

They can hold their own against 2^nd Prussian corps

But would be in serious danger once 4^th Prussian corps entered the battle.

The cavalry melee has now fought three rounds.   Each side has lost 10% casualties in each round, but both manage to continue the melee.   However 40% casualties mean an automatic rout, so it must end during the next move.

End of Move 7

4^th Prussian corps cavalry (left) fall back out of artillery range

Cavalry melee (right) end with both sides losing 40% casualties

Both brigades automatically rout, causing nearby brigades to test morale

Nearest French and Prussian brigades both fail test and also rout

4^th French corps attack has stalled due to cavalry and infantry routs

Napoleon joins them to help rally shaken and routed brigades

4^th Prussian corps (left) have halted and exposed 2^nd corps flank

In doing so they are out of range of 1^st French corps

2^nd Prussian and 4^th French corps (right) are both disordered due to routs following cavalry melee.

End of Move 9

Guard cavalry charge Prussian dragoons (left)

After two rounds of melee the Prussians rout with 20% casualties

Old Guard advance in the centre

4^th brigade charge Prussian infantry supporting the artillery

The first round of melee is a draw, both sides lose 10% casualties

Both cavalry brigades on the right flank continue to rout

4^th French corps having problems reforming

Napoleon joins shaken brigade near artillery

They receive 10% more casualties, lose morale and rout

They take Napoleon with them!

Blucher joins shaken Prussian brigade, and with more success

He manages to rally them and brings them forward to the battle line

End of Move 11

French guard (left) continue to advance

4^th brigade melee and rout Prussian brigade

Cavalry charge and rout gunners, despite 20% casualties

Artillery rout second brigade with 20% casualties

But 4^th Prussian corps continue to hold their ground

4^th French corps (right) infantry lose one brigade to artillery fire

Remainder continue reach 2^nd Prussian corps and fight large melee

One brigade on each side is routed, other two are draw

With just one move to go to nightfall either side could wi

End of Move 12

French guard (left) press home their attack

4^th Prussian corps break contact and start to retreat

4 Old Guard brigade support 4^th French corps (right)

Together they break 2^nd Prussian corps who have four brigades in rout

Both 4^th French and 2^nd Prussian corps have suffered heavy casualties

With the Prussian army in retreat the French have won the battle

Summary

A brutal game in which both 2^nd Prussian and 4^th French suffered heavy casualties

The Imperial Guard arrived too late to make their full power felt

However their cavalry and artillery both did damage to the enemy

The French have lost 7 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (3400 men)

The Prussians have lost 15 infantry, 8 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (7000 men)