18 April 1813 – North Germany - Day 6

Having destroyed 1^st Prussian army, Napoleon has won the campaign

The sensible thing to do would be to redeploy his army to the south

In one day 3^rd French army would be able to support 1^st French army

2^nd French army would replace them to pin 2^nd Prussian army at Schwerin

 

However Napoleon was in no mood to wait.

The defeat of 1^st (Old Guard) corps at Fletchingen was unacceptable

1^st and 3^rd corps were still recovering and had only one days supply left

Despite this he ordered them to retake Fletchingen immediately

A victory would be the destruction of the whole Prussian army

A defeat would force 1^st French army to abandon Wolfsburg and the area south of the river Elbe.

All of the fighting fell on the French guard, and the result was a convincing French victory.  Both sides suffered light casualties, but they were already fragile due to earlier casualties.   The French lost 100 casualties, the Prussians lost 1500.

17 April 1813 – Battle of Boltenhagen

Tactical map of battle area

Having lost three of the four battles Blucher is desperate to regain the initiative

A victory today would secure the borders and take the campaign into Lubeck district.

 

Both armies have recovered from the first battle of Boltenhagen. 

They are both well supplies and have received sufficient reinforcements to replace most of their battle casualties.

 

2^nd French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Prussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The French (left) have deployed forward of the town and ridge

Augereau has created a reserve of three infantry brigades in the centre

 

The Prussians (right) are in column of march ready to advance

Bulow has created a reserve of two infantry brigades and 1^st corps artillery

End of move 2

Augereau orders two brigades back into the town (top left)

He has also retreated his reserve (centre) onto the hill

13^th Polish corps has taken up position between the hill and the farm

However they have not detached a brigade to garrison the farm

 

2^nd Prussian corps has deployed to pin 4^th French corps

The Prussian reserve is advancing between the woods and farm to support 1^st corps

1^st corps is moving to advance behind the farm and hit the Polish flank.

End of move 4

2^nd Prussian corps advance

Leading infantry brigade receive 10% casualties but pass morale test

Artillery hit French cuirassiers who retreat shaken with 20% casualties

 

Prussian reserve artillery receive 10& casualties, fail morale and rout

 

1^st Prussian corps continue to advance south of farm

One infantry brigade enters farm

End of move 6

2^nd Prussian corps continue to advance

Cavalry charge shaken cuirassiers, but the melee is a draw

Leading infantry brigade receive more casualties and rout with 20% casualties

Nearby gunners fail morale test and are shaken

 

French reserve move down from hill to support the Polish corps

Prussian reserve infantry continue to advance

 

1^st Prussian corps have cleared the farm and are about to engage the Poles

Polish artillery have fired on farm at close range, but failed to inflict any casualties

 

Two Prussian brigades are now in rout (grey stars)

One infantry brigade from 2^nd Corps and gunners from reserve

End of move 8

The cavalry melee ends with both sides breaking and running away

2^nd Prussian corps swing south to engage the French reserve

 

The Prussian reserve half and deploy into line

The French reserve have moved down from the hill

 

1^st Prussian corps lose the cavalry melee and rout

The leading infantry brigade exchange fire with the square

Both brigades suffer casualties, but the Prussians retire shaken

A second brigade moves forward and the resulting melee is a draw

 

There are now four Prussian brigades in rout, and only two French

The outcome is still uncertain, but looking bad for Blucher

End of move 10

4^th French corps attack and rout 2^nd Prussian corps

With two brigades in the town, there is only one brigade available to attack

Their nearest opponent is a landwehr brigade, who break and run

Their support is a line brigade with 20% casualties, who also break

The artillery attempt to retreat, but are caught up in the general rout

 

In the centre the two reserves fight an infantry melee. 

There are two elite infantry brigades on each side

The melee ends in a French victory, but not in a Prussian rout

The Prussian infantry retire shaken

 

13^th Polish corps also have a convincing victory against 1^st Prussian corps

The Polish lancer brigade has suffered 20% casualties

But they still charge a shaken Prussian infantry brigade (they roll two “sixes)

Meanwhile the extended infantry firefight is proving inconclusive

However the rout had a knock on effect, resulting in all of 1^st Prussian corps retreating

 

Summary

With such heavy casualties 1^st Prussian army is now non operational

They are effectively out of the campaign

2^nd French army have also suffered heavy casualties, but will soon recover

A crushing Prussian defeat

 

The French have lost 8 infantry and six cavalry casualties (3800 men)

The Prussians have lost 13 infantry, 6 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (6000 men)

 

17 April 1813 – North Germany - Day 5

Having lost three of the four battles, Blucher is desperate to regain the initiative

 

He orders 1^st Prussian army to attack Boltenhagen

A victory here would secure the borders and take the campaign into Lubeck district

 

2^nd Prussian army has been forced to retreat to Schwerin.

They are short of supplies, and must stand and fight if 3^rd French army pursue

 

South of the river Elbe things are looking better for the Prussians

They have occupied Fletchingen and forced the French to retreat to Wolfsburg

 

The battle of Boltenhagen ended in the destruction of 1^st Prussian army

The French held the town throughout the battle

They also inflicted 6000 casualties for the loss of 3800 of their own

The French suffered heavy casualties, but they would recover in days

The Prussians would take weeks, and are non operational for the rest of his campaign phase.

16 April 1813 – Battle of Gadebusch

Tactical map of battle area

2^nd Prussian army still have considerable battle casualties from Wittingen

Both cavalry brigades have suffered 20% casualties

But they must hold Gadebusch until Blucher receives news from Fletchingen.

 

3^rd French Army – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

2^nd Prussian Army – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2^nd Prussian army are deployed in front of Gadebusch at the start of the battle

There is a strong reserve in the centre of 2 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 corps artillery

3^rd corps hold the left flank with only 2 infantry brigades

4^th corps on the right flank is stronger with 2 infantry, 1 cavalry and corps artillery

 

3^rd French army will arrive on the left edge of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

3^rd French army are advancing from the left

 

4^th Prussian corps are moving into position far side of village

Prussian reserve 12 pounder artillery open fire, but no casultie

3^rd Prussian corps deploy on hill

End of move 4

5^th French corps start to deploy

Prussian cavalry charge artillery, gunners take shelter in square

16^th Italian cavalry move forward to engage Prussian cavalry

End of move 6

4^th Prussian corps withdraw

5^th French corps follow up

 

French reserve infantry and artillery advance

 

16^th Italian cavalry charge Prussian reserve cavalry

Italians win and Prussians retreat shaken

However both brigades now have 30% casualties so are non effective

Italian infantry advance towards hill

End of move 8

5^th corps artillery open fire on Gadebusch at short range

But no casualties to garrison

 

French reserve artillery unlimber and open fire on Prussian reserve

Reserve infantry advance

 

3^rd Prussian corps advance to left edge of hill

Italian infantry skirmish with Prussian infantry on hill

Prussians receive 20% casualties but pass morale test

End of move 10

5^th corps artillery continue to fire on garrison, who receive 10% casualties

French cavalry charge and melee Prussian brigade, early result a draw

 

Large infantry melee in the centre between the two reserves

French artillery redeploy to fire on village

 

The Italian attack on the hill is going well

The first Prussian brigade has been routed

They are supported by an elite grenadier brigade, who hold their ground

 

At this stage either side could still win the battle

End of move 12

5^th French corps rout 4^th Prussian corps, but suffer heavy casualties

French reserve win in the centre and take the farm

16^th Italian corps lose melee for hill and rout

 

At nightfall the Prussians retreat and abandon Gadebusch

Summary

3^rd French army won the battle in the last two rounds

However they have suffered so many casualties it will take days to recover

 

3^rd Prussian corps hold the southern hill, but most of the corps are in rout

 

The French have lost 10 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (4600 men)

The Prussians have lost 17 infantry, 7 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (7600 men)

16 April 1813 – North Germany - Day 4

 

1^st Prussian and 2^nd French armies both regroup and resupply

In the centre 3^rd French army attack 2^nd Prussian army at Gadebusch

Both armies start the battle with heavy casualties, especially in the cavalry

The battle swings from French to Prussian right to the end

At nightfall the Prussians retreat and abandon the town

But the French have suffered so many casualties they will take days to recover

 

1^st French army retreat to Wolfsburg, followed by 3^rd Prussian army

15 April 1813 – Battle of Fletchingen

Tactical map of battle area

Blucher has lost the first two battles of the campaign

So he desperately needs this one to be a victory

However he is attacking Napoleon and the Old Guard

 

1^st French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

3^rd Prussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Napoleon has deployed his army in front of Fletchingen

3^rd corps are between the town and the river

He has created a reserve with 2 brigades from 3 corps and 1 from 1 corps

They are deployed in front of the town

1^st (old guard) corps are behind the fortified farm

 

Blucher had decided to attack south of the hill

6^th corps will occupy the hill and pin 3^rd French corps

He has created a reserve of one brigade from each corps, plus 5 corps cavalry

5^th corps will take the fortified farm, supported by the reserve

End of move 2

6^th Prussian corps move their artillery into range of the French

One infantry brigade has moved onto the hill

 

The Prussian reserve is advancing in the centre

They come under fire from the French guard artillery, but no casualties

 

5^th Prussian corps advance towards the farm, out of range of the guard artillery

Their artillery are moving into position to engage the guard infantry south of the farm

End of move 4

3^rd French corps withdraw between town and river

6^th Prussian corps continue to advance, artillery unlimber

 

Prussian reserve cavalry charge French guard cavalry

Guard lose melee and withdraw shaken with 10% casualties

nearby gunners abandon their guns and seek cover in farm

 

1^st (old guard) start to withdraw

5^th Prussian corps advance

Artillery unlimber in short range of French infantry

Two infantry brigades move towards the farm

End of move 6

6^th Prussian corps advance between the hill and the river

Their cavalry receive 10% casualties from artillery fire, but pass morale test

 

Prussian reserve advance towards town

Their cavalry pin the French infantry brigade in square

 

5^th Prussian corps artillery pound infantry south of the farm

One French brigade routs, the second moves into the farm

French cavalry fail to rally from shaken and also rout

Two guard infantry brigades and the gunners are now inside the farm

Prussian infantry move to surround the farm, but hesitate to attack

They will wait to see what damage their gunners can do before they storm the farm

End of move 8

6^th Prussian cavalry win melee, but withdraw with 20% casualties

Infantry melee on hill continues, each side have suffered 20% casualties

The rest of 6^th Prussian corps advance

3^rd French corps start to withdraw

 

The Prussian reserve skirmish with the town garrison

The town is held by the elite 1^st grenadiers

The garrison receive 10% casualties but pass their morale test

The Prussian cavalry pin the reserve infantry brigade in square

 

5^th Prussian corps have surrounded the farm

It is held by two guard brigades, plus the artillery crew.

The Prussians consider it too strong to attack at present

Their artillery continue to pound the garrison, but no casualties

The remainder of 1^st French corps are retreating

End of move 10

6^th Prussian corps win the infantry melee on the ridge

3^rd French corps are in retreat, now joined by he defeated infantry brigade

However their cavalry have rallied and cover the retreat

6^th Prussian corps halt and regroup

 

The French reserve hold both sections of the town

 

5^th Prussian corps finally take the farm

A combination of three infantry brigades and close range artillery win the day

When the garrison have suffered 20% casualties to artillery fire the infantry attack

Two brigades storm the farm from opposite sides, a third remains in reverse

The garrison break with 40% casualties, taking the reserve brigade and gunners with them

 

Summary

Napoleon still holds the town at nightfall

But both 1^st and 3^rd corps are in retreat

To avoid further casualties he orders the garrison to retreat under cover of darkness

 

The French have lost 9 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3900 men)

The Prussians have lost 6 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2700 men)

15 April 1813 – North Germany - Day 3

 

1^st Prussian army retreat towards Wismar

2^nd French army occupy Boltenhagen

 

2^nd Prussian and 3^rd French armies face each other at the border

Both are regrouping and resupplying

 

South of the river Elbe 3^rd Prussian army attack Fletchingen

The town is held by 1^st French army, including the Old Guard corps

At nightfall the French still hold the town, but both 1^st and 3^rd corps are in retreat

The Old Guard bear the brunt of the fighting, and suffer the heaviest casualties

A significant victory for the Prussians

14 April 1813 – Battle of Boltenhagen

Tactical map of battle area

Following the Prussian attack on Wittingen, Napoleon orders 2^nd French Army to attack Boltenhagen 

2^nd French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

1^st Prussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Boltenhagen is the town top right

1^st Prussian army is deployed in the centre of the table

Prussian commander has deployed both corps along the length of the table

He has then taken command of infantry and artillery in the centre square

2^nd French army will arrive on the left at the start of move 1

End of move 2

1^st Prussian army wait to see what the French will do

2^nd French army advance towards the centre

French commander has deployed his army across the length of the table

He has then taken command of the infantry and artillery in the centre

End of move 4

Top – 4^th French corps deploy and artillery open fire

2^nd Prussian corps deploy their artillery but wait for French to advance

 

Centre – French reserve move across the hill in the centre

Prussian reserve deploy their artillery to support 1^st corps

 

Bottom – 13^th Polish corps deploy into column of attack

1^st Prussian corps move forward to the front of the bottom hill

End of move 6

Top – French artillery hit hussars, who pass morale test with 10% casualties

4^th French corps advance towards town

 

Centre – Prussian Reserve artillery concentrate on infantry square, but no casualties

French reserve advance towards village

 

Bottom – 13^th Polish corps advance towards hill

Polish lancers move from right to left flank, to counter Prussian cavalry on hill.

End of move 8

Top – Cuirassiers charge and rout Prussian hussars

They then fail to rally and charge nearby square

The infantry hold and rout cuirassiers with 20% casualties

 

Bottom – Polish lancers charge and rout Prussian heavy cavalry

Lancers then charge and rout gunners, causing nearby landwehr square to break and run.

 

Summary

Within two game moves two Prussian cavalry, and two infantry brigades are in rout

Bulow orders the remainder of 1^st Prussian army to retreat before the French pin them down.

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (700 men)

The Prussians have lost 2 infantry, 4 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (1300 men)