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