Summary of North Germany Campaign – 7 June 1813

 

Regional map of North Germany

There are three regions in North Germany

Osnabruck Region is the rear area for First French army

Their main depot is in Osnabruck

Brunswick Region is the rear area for the Prussian Army

Their main depot is in Berlin                     

Brunswick Region is the disputed area between them

 

Diary of North German Campaign

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new army to fight the 1813 campaign

 

01 February 1813    Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

01 February 1813    Formation of First French army in Osnabruck region

19 February 1813    First French army declared operational.

20 February 1813    Prussians invade Brunswick region

25 February 1813    Prussians occupied the city of Brunswick

26 February 1813    Napoleon advanced into the Brunswick region

28 February 1813    French occupy the city of Hannover

01 March 1813        Start of Brunswick campaign phase

08 March 1813        French win Brunswick campaign phase

12 April 1813           Start of Lubeck campaign phase

19 April 1813           French win Lubeck campaign phase

21 May 1813           Start of Goslar campaign phase

07 June 1813          Prussians win Goslar campaign phase

        

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.  

The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

10 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Germany

11 – 1^st French Army order of battle

12 - Prussian Army order of battle

13 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Germany

14 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Germany

15 - Summary of campaign in Northern Germany

 

7 June 1813 – North Germany – End of Goslar Campaign

Battles fought during campaign phase

Blucher won four of the six battles fought

At the end of the campaign the French had been forced to retreat into the Hildesheim district

 

To allow his army to regroup and resupply Blucher concentrated them at Goslar

 

The campaign started in September 2022 and ended in December 2022

Brunswick Region

Napoleon ordered his army to retreat into Hildesheim district

 

Blucher deployed his army around Goslar

He also moved his headquarters to Goslar

7 June 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 7

French retreat and abandon Goslar and Liebenburg

In the north French abandon Liebenburg

In the centre French abandon Goslar

In the south Prussians occupy Osterode

Prussians win Goslar campaign 

6 June 1813 – Battle of Osterode

Tactical map of battle area

Blucher is aware that his army are running out of supplies and must soon rest

He orders one last attack which he hopes will force the French to retreat

 

3^rd French Army – 11 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

1^st Prussian Army – 11 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

3^rd French Army is deployed in front of the town of Osterode

Marshal Murat has not created a reserve

Each corps commander has his complete corps under command

 

1^st Prussian Army is off table, but will arrive at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Prussians have arrived on table

1^st corps deploy out of artillery range, but advance their artillery

2^nd corps deploy out of artillery range

Kleist has taken command of the grenadier brigade from each corps

3^rd corps deploy out of artillery range, but advance their artillery

 

French occupy woods on each flank

7^th corps occupy woods on right, artillery in front of woods

8^th corps remain in front of Osterode

9^th corps occupy woods on left, artillery on their left

End of move 4

Prussians advance

1^st corps advance, artillery receive 10% casualties but pass morale test

2^nd corps advance, cavalry charge and rout French gunners

Reserve advance and force French gunners to retire

3^rd corps advance and force French cavalry to retire

 

French withdraw cavalry and artillery

7^th corps cavalry withdraw, gunners routed

Murat takes command of 8^th cuirassiers and advance to save guns (too late)

8^th corps wait for Prussians to advance within artillery range

9^th corps cavalry and artillery withdraw, infantry occupy woods on left

End of move 6

Prussians attack

1^st corps artillery fire on French cavalry

2^nd corps advance, infantry rout disordered French cavalry

Reserve advance, receive 10% casualties but pass morale test

3^rd corps clear nearest half of woods, cavalry win melee

 

French withdraw and regroup

7^th corps artillery routed, cavalry withdraw behind woods

Reserve cavalry rout Prussian cavalry but are  then routed by infantry

8^th corps artillery hit approaching infantry columns

9^th corps cavalry lose melee, infantry withdraw northern half of woods

End of move 8

Prussian attack continues

1^st corps swing left to support attack in centre

2^nd corps rout infantry right of main road

Reserve rout artillery in centre

3^rd corps occupy half of woods on left

 

French withdraw towards Osterode

7^th corps withdraw from woods, artillery in rout

8^th corps cavalry and one brigade in rout

9^th corps withdraw from woods, one infantry brigade in rout

End of move 10

Prussians break French centre

1^st corps continue to move left to support attack in centre

2^nd corps rout French centre

Reserve rout French centre

3^rd corps continue to advance through woods

 

French break and run

7^th corps retreat with three brigades in rout

8^th corps retreat  with five brigades in rout

9^th corps retreat with two brigades in rout

 

Summary

French are broken and routed before they can rally around Osterode

Prussian infantry enter Osterode as darkness falls

The French have lost 4 infantry, 4 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2200 men)

The Prussians have lost 2 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (1100 men)

 

6 June 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 6

Prussians attack Osterode

In the north both armies rest and reorganise

In the centre French retreat to Goslar

In the south Prussians attack Osterode

 

Battle of Osterode

Prussian main attack is in the centre

On the left 3^rd corps take the woods, but are unable to support the centre

On the right 1^st  corps swing towards the centre as the French withdraw

French suffer a crushing defeat and are forced to abandon osterode

5 June 1813 – Battle of Harzburg

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon ordered a surprise attack on Harzburg

His aim was to disrupt the Prussian preparations to attack Goslar

Both armies started the battle with light casualties

But the French has slightly more than the Prussians 

 

1^st French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

3^rd Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

 

Table at start of battle

Prussian army is deployed on the table at the start of the game

CinC has taken command of the defence of Harzburg

He has created a reserve of two grenadier brigades and one cavalry brigade

 

French will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French enter table

1^st corps advance through the woods on the left

2^nd corps advance between the inn and the woods on the left

Napoleon has taken command of two infantry brigades and 2^nd corps artillery

3^rd corps advance through the woods on the right

 

Prussians react to French arrival

4^th corps redeploy

Reserve and 5^th corps are deployed behind Harzburg

6^th corps cavalry advance on the right

End of move 4

French advance

1^st corps pass through woods on left

2^nd corps advance towards town

Reserve swing right to support 3^rd corps

3^rd corps lose cavalry melee

 

Prussians occupy Harzburg

4^th corps wait for French to advance

Reserve enter left half of town

5^th corps enter right half of town

6^th corps win cavalry melee

End of move 6

French advance, but suffer heavy casualties

1^st corps receive artillery casualties but continue to advance

2^nd corps approach Harzburg

Reserve cavalry charge guns, receive casualties and are shaken

3^rd corps cavalry routed, rest of corps advance slowly

 

Prussians withdraw to stronger position

4^th corps withdraw as Imperial guard advance

Reserve infantry garrison left half of town

5^th corps infantry garrison right half of town, artillery withdraw

6^th corps infantry withdraw into woods on the right

End of move 8

French lose centre and left

1^st corps press home their attack

2^nd corps attack fails, one brigade routed

Reserve attack fails, one brigade and artillery routed

3^rd corps attack fails, two brigades in rout

 

Prussians hold centre and left

4^th corps withdraw towards town, two brigades in rout

Reserve hold left half of town

5^th corps hold right half of town

6^th corps hold woods on right

End of move 10

French attack stalls

1^st corps rout 4^th corps and attack town

2^nd corps win musket exchange, but abandon attack on town

Reserve broken and in rout

3^rd corps unable to advance beyond woods

 

Prussians hold town and win centre and right

4^th corps broken and in rout

Reserve take casualties but hold town

5^th corps hold town and move to counter 1^st corps attack

6^th corps content to hold woods

End of move 12

French attack fails

1^st corps rout 4^th corps and capture one infantry brigade

2^nd corps capture one infantry brigade

Reserve halt and regroup

3^rd corps hold woods

 

Prussians hold Harzburg and win battle

4^th corps is routed

Reserve holds left half of town at nightfall

5^th corps holds right half of town at nightfall

6^th corps holds woods at nightfall

 

Summary

French attack fails, apart from 1^st Old Guard corps

However they reach the town too late to launch an attack

Prussians suffer more casualties, and have more brigades in rout

However they have the main attack and held off the Old Guard

They hold the town at nightfall and therefore win the battle

 

The French have lost 7 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3100 men)

The Prussians have lost 8 infantryand 3 cavalry casualties (3500 men)

The French have 5 brigades in rout, the Prussians have 7 brigades.

5 June 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 5

 

French attack Harzburg

In the north surprise French attack on Harzburg

In the centre French prepare Liebenburg for a siege

In the south both armies regroup and resupply

Second battle of Harzburg

The French plan was to pin the Prussian left

The main attack would be in the centre against Harzburg

The Guard would crush the Prussian right and support the centre

The Prussians put up a fierce resistance and held their centre and left

Their right was broken, but delayed the Guard until it was too late to take the town

At nightfall they still held Harzburg and won the battle

4 June 1813 – Battle of Liebenburg

Tactical map of battle area

3^rd Prussian army is ordered to attack and occupy Liebenburg

They have 5 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties

2^nd French army is deployed to the east of the town

They have 6 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties 

 

2^nd French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

3^rd Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

 

Table at start of battle

French army is deployed in front of the town of Libenburg

The town itself is not occupied

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

End of move 2

 

French wait for Prussians to advance

4^th corps artillery open fire, no hits

5^th corps wait for enemy to come within artillery range

Reserve also wait for enemy to come within range

6^th corps occupies woods

 

Prussians advance onto table

7^th corps advance through woods

8^thcorps advance centre right

Reserve advance centre left

9^th Prussian corps advance to left of farm

 

End of move 4

French artillery open fire

4^th corps cavalry fight melee, result draw

5^th corps artillery open fire, no casualties

Reserve artillery open fire, no casualties

 

Prussian artillery deploy at long range

7^th corps cavalry advance to charge guns, engaged by French cavalry

8^th corps advance, artillery deploy

Reserve advance, artillery deploy

9^th corps advance

End of move 6

Prussians advance

7^th corps lose cavalry melee and rout, infantry in woods hit and rout

8^th corps advance towards town

Reserve advance towards town

9^th corps lose cavalry melee and rout, infantry form square

 

French shaken in woods

4^th corps win cavalry melee and rout infantry coming out of woods

5^th corps wait for Prussians to advance

Reserve wait for Prussians to advance

6^th corps win cavalry melee but lose two brigades in the woods

End of move 8

Prussians continue to advance

7^th corps artillery rally, cavalry and one infantry in rout

8^th corps advance, cavalry charge and rout gunners

Reserve advance

9^th corps advance towards woods, cavalry and one infantry in rout

 

French withdraw towards town

4^th corps withdraw behind farm

5^th corps artillery open fire, infantry form square

Reserve artillery routed, infantry form square

6^th corps withdraw through woods, one infantry in rout

End of move 10

Prussians attack

7^th corps badly mauled but advance out of woods

8^th corps infantry approach French

Reserve cavalry charge 5^th French cavalry, first melee is a draw

9^th corps swing right to support attack in the centre

 

French take heavy casualties

4^th corps swing right to support defence of town

5^th corps artillery hit approaching enemy infantry

Reserve infantry form column, one brigade routed

6^th corps broken and rout, one cavalry brigade remain

End of move 12

Prussian attack fails

7^th corps advance to support the attack in the centre

8^th corps lose infantry melee and both brigades rout

Reserve lose infantry melee and one brigade rout

9^th corps advance to support attack in the centre

 

French hold Liebenburg

4^th corps redeploy to hold area between farm and town

5^th corps lose cavalry melee, but win infantry melee

Reserve win infantry melee

6^th corps rout, only cavalry brigade left

 

Summary

Prussians were very unlucky to lose the vital infantry melee in the centre

7^th and 9^th corps are both moving to support the centre, but arrive too late

French centre holds and Liebenburg is secure

6^th corps are routed, 4^th corps in close support of the town

Both armies have suffered heavy casualties

French 9 infantry, 4 cavalry, 2 artillery casualties (4200 men)

Prussian 10 infantry, 7 cavalry casualties (4100 men)

4 June 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 4

 

Prussians attack Liebenburg

In the north Prussians attack Liebenburg

In the centre both armies resupply and reorganise

In the south Prussians enter Lauterberg, French retreat to Osterode

 

The battle of Liebenburg

A very hard fought battle, where it looked like the Prussians would win

As a result of bad luck they lost the critical infantry melee in front of the town

The French lost their right flank, but their left was in position to support the centre

They held the centre and no Prussians approached the town.

 

 

3 June 1813 – Battle of Lauterberg

Tactical map of battle area

Murat - 3^rd French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Blucher - 1^st Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

 

3^rd French army have been warned of the Prussian attack redeploy close to the border

1^st Prussian army have orders to take and hold Lauterberg

Table at start of battle

Murat has created a reserve of two artillery, one cavalry and one infantry brigades

7^th corps, on the right, have lost their artillery to the reserve

8^th corps, less their cavalry and artillery, are behind Lauterberg

9th corps, on the left, have lost one infantry brigade to the reserve.

 

Blucher has created a reserve of two artillery, two infantry and one cavalry brigades

1^st corps, on the right, have lost their artillery to the reserve

2^nd corps, in the centre, have lost two infantry plus their cavalry and artillery

3^rd corps, on the left, are complete

End of move 2

Prussians advance

1^st corps enter the woods on the right

Reserve artillery unlimber, remainder remain out of artillery range

2^nd corps remain out  of artillery range.

3^rd corps enter the woods on the left

 

French artillery advance and unlimber

7^th corps deploy in column of attack

Reserve artillery open fire on Prussian gunners

8^th corps remain behind the town

9^th corps deploy in column of attack

End of move 4

Prussians advance, artillery open fire

1^st corps occupy woods, cavalry advance on right

Reserve artillery open fire, no casualties

2^nd corps advance in support of reserve

3^rd corps occupy woods, cavalry advance on left

 

French artillery open fire, no casualties

7^th corps retire out  of artillery range

Reserve artillery open fire, no casualties

8^th corps remain behind town

9^th corps artillery has no targets due to woods

End of move 6

Prussians attack

1^st corps lose cavalry melee, infantry retreat into woods

Reserve advance to attack

2^nd corps advance to attack

3^rd corps win cavalry melee, infantry and artillery advance

 

French attack on right, retreat on left

7^th corps win cavalry melee, infantry advance to attack woods

Reserve artillery redeploy to fire on woods

8^th corps remain behind town

9^th corps cavalry rout, infantry and artillery retire towards hill

End of move 8

Prussians attack town

1^st corps occupy woods on right , win first melee in woods

Reserve cavalry force artillery to withdraw

2^nd corps attack left half of town, first melee is a draw

3^rd corps pursue retreating 9^th corps

 

French fight for town

7^th corps lose first melee in woods, but continue to attack

Reserve artillery withdraw when outflanked by Prussian cavalry

8^th corps occupy town, under attack in left half of town

9^th corps cavalry in rout, remainder of corps retreat

End of move 10

Prussians continue to attack

1^st corps lose top woods and brigade routs

Reserve infantry attack right half of town, melee is draw both lose 10% casualties

2^nd corps attack left half of town, rout garrison but lose 30% casualties

3^rd corps rout 9^th Polish corps and move to support attack on town

 

French take part of woods, but lose part of town

7^th corps take top right section of woods, but lose one brigade with 30% casualties

Reserve withdraw but still support town

8^th corps garrison rout from left half of town with 50% casualties

3^rd corps rout onto hill

End of move 12

Prussians continue to attack

1^st corps hold southern half of woods

Reserve cease attack on right half of town

2^nd corps occupy left half of town

3^rd corps break and rout infantry square

 

French hold half of town and half of woods on the right

7^th corps occupy northern half of woods on the right

Reserve artillery hit Prussian gunners

8^th corps hold right half of town

9^th corps break and run

Summary

French hold half of town at end of battle and claim victory

 

The French have lost 13 infantry. 1 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties (5600 men)

The Prussians have lost 9 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (4900 men)