20 March 1813 – Battle of Weimar

 

Tactical map of battle area

Both armies have concentrated for the decisive battle of the campaign

The Russians occupy a very strong position just west of the city

A Russian defeat will result in them having to retreat off the map

A French defeat will force them to retreat to regroup and reorganise

 

French –7 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery

Russian – 8 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades,  3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Russian army has been deployed in the centre three squares

The CinC has transferred one infantry brigade from 1^st and 3^rd corps to the Reserve

18 infantry brigade is the garrison of Weimar, and must remain there during the battle

 

The three French corps will arrive on the table at the start of move one.

Move 2

On the left the French army move onto the table

 

First blood to 1 Russian corps artillery who hit infantry brigade

Second to 2 French corps when Guard Grenadiers charge and rout the Cossack brigade.

Move 4

Top – Both sides exchange artillery fire, no casualties

Russians are too strong for French to attack

 

Centre – Russian heavy cavalry charge artillery.   Gunners run away and cavalry can not reach them.   French cuirassiers counter charge and rout Russian cavalry.

 

Bottom – French cavalry charge and rout Russian gunners.   Nearby square fail their morale and join rout.   Remander of French advance towards hill.

 

French CinC joins 2^nd corps to give them new objective

Russian CinC take command of last brigade of 1 corps.

Move 6 - Table at end of battle

Top – Russians are stronger than the French, and hold their position until the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.   Only then do 6^th French corps advance.

 

Centre – Without cavalry support the Russian infantry are forced to form square as the French cavalry advance.  They hold their position until the general retreat is ordered.

 

Bottom – Only one infantry brigade of 1^st Russian corps is unaffected by the general rout.   The CinC takes command and moves them to support the reserve.

The French CinC takes command of 2^nd corps, who are now free to move to support the centre.   Before they can do so the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.

 

Summary

 The Rout of 1^st Russian corps results in a general retreat before the French can reach the remaining Russian brigades.

 

Casualties are light, but due to earlier campaign casualties the morale of both armies is fragile.   The Russians are the first to break and run.

 

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

The Russians have lost 6 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (800 men)