6 May 1813 – Second Battle of Naumburg

Tactical map of battle area

5^th French army attack 2^nd Russian Army west of Naumburg

This is the second battle to be fought for Naumburg

Both armies have considerable casualties from the earlier battle

 

French – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Russian – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

5^th French army (left) deployed either side of Sommerda

Lefebvre has created a reserve of two infantry brigades and 14^th corps artillery

2^nd Russian army (right) deployed west of Naumburg

Constantine has created a reserve of three infantry brigades and 3^rd corps artillery

Naumburg is off table on the right

End of move 2

French have too many casualties to risk a frontal attack

Lefebvre concentrates his army for an attack in the centre

7^th corps move north to make space

Reserve move into woods for cover during attack

14^th corps move towards centre

End of move 4

Russians react to French redeployment

3^rd corps retire into woods

Reserve infantry retire into pass

Artillery hit French gunners who are shaken with 10% casualties

4^th corps advance from hill to support reserve

 

7^th French corps move closer to centre

Reserve infantry advance through woods

Gunners shaken by Russian artillery fire

14^th Westphalian corps advance between woods and inn

One infantry brigade moves into inn

 

End of move 6

7^th French corps swing south to support the attack in the centre

3^rd Russian corps advance from the woods to disrupt this movement

 

Russian reserve artillery rout French reserve gunners

Then retreat to second Russian position between the two hills in the centre

French reserve infantry move forward through the woods

 

4^th Russian corps join reserve in the centre

Their artillery fire on French infantry in inn

One Russian brigade moves to attack inn

End of move 8

3^rd Russian corps move forward to attack 7^th French corps

French gunners are charged by reserve infantry brigade and rout

Nearby cavalry and infantry brigade also fail morale and join them

 

French reserve brigade halt on edge of woods]

Without support of 7^th corps they are unable to attack

Westphalian garrison of inn lose melee and rout

Supporting lancer brigade also fail morale and join them

Summary

With the loss of both their cavalry and artillery the French can no longer attack

Although casualties have been light, their morale is broken and 6 brigades in rout

Lefebvre orders the infantry to break contact and retreat

 

The French have lost 1 infantry, 1 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (700 men)

The Russians have lost 1 infantry casualty (400 men)