7 March 1813 – Battle of Cremlingen

Tactical map of battle area

Blucher has concentrated his army for a last stand at Cremlingen

1^st corps is marching south to join him, but will not arrive for 24 hours

There are three Prussian reserve brigades in the town

They come under direct command of Blucher

The three French corps are in need of resupply and reinforcements

But Napoleon has ordered them to attack anyway, before 1^st corps can arrive

All arrive on table start of move 1

If the French do not win on the first day, the Prussians will have another corps on day 2.

French – 10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Prussian – 13 infantry brigades, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Prussian army are deployed on right of table

3 military brigades beside town are under command of Blucher

They cannot move until he takes personal command of them

French army will arrive on table at the start of move 1

End of move 4

Napoleon has taken command of 4^th and 13^th corps artillery

He has created a grand battery between 4^th and 13^th corps

1^st corps, on the left, is the main attack

4^th corps has deployed out of artillery range to support 1^st corps

13^th corps is also deploying out of artillery range

The grand battery will engage 3^rd Prussian corps

If they do sufficient damage 4^th and 13^th corps will attack

Blucher has taken command of 3 military brigades

He is moving them into position between 2^nd and 3^rd corps

2^nd and 4^th corps have deployed on the ridge out of sight

Only the Prussian artillery are in view

4^th corps artillery were unlucky with their first shot

They required 12 to hit the guard artillery, they got 11.

End of move 6

Guard (left) approach ridge

2^nd Grenadiers receive 10% artillery casualties and are shaken

Guard artillery hit Prussian gunners who pass morale test with 20% casualties

4^th French corps (centre) hold their position

They are outnumbered and will not attack unless 1^st or 13^th corps breakthrouogh

Napoleon’s grand battery hit 3^rd corps gunners and infantry

Both fail morale test and are shaken

13^th corps advance to attack 3^rd Prussian corps

Blucher halts behind hill out of sight of French artillery

End of move 9

French guard attack left hand hill

1^st brigade melee but rout after losing 20% casualties

2^nd brigade receive artillery casualties, fail morale and also rout

3^rd and 4^th brigade in rear unable to advance

cavalry advance to charge guns, but receive 20% casualties and are shaken

4^th corps (centre) and 13^th corps (right) both too weak to attack

Grand battery prevent Prussian reserve infantry advancing

Summary

A French victory depended on the guard attack, which failed

Artillery played a role, but 1^st brigade losing melee was the decider

Guard cavalry halted by Prussian artillery

With the rout of the guard the French lost the battle

The French have lost 7 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2900 men)

The Prussians have lost 3 infantry and 4 artillery casualties (1400 men)