8 May 1813 – Battle of Jena

Tactical map of battle area

4 French army attack Jena

1 Russian army hold Jena

 

Both armies have minimal battle casualties

Two brigades with 10% casualties on each side

 

French – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Russian – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

1^st Russian army is deployed on the right side of the table

Witgenstein has created a reserve of two infantry brigades

They are held behind Jena, ready to occupy the town when required

 

4^th French army are off table on the left

They will arrive at the start of move 1

End of move 2

4^th French army advance on the left

Compans has also created a reserve of two infantry brigades in the centre

Both corps have their artillery close to the main road to support the reserve

 

1^st and 2^nd Russian corps have advanced to support Jena

The reserve remain behind the town

End of move 4

2^nd French corps deploy out of artillery range

Artillery move forward into range

2^nd Russian corps move forward to defend town

 

French reserve march towards the town

Russian reserve infantry enter the town

 

6^th French corps move forward

1^st Russian corps move forward to meet them

End of move 6

2^nd French corps cavalry melee with Russian guard cavalry

Russians withdraw shaken

French artillery deploy within close range of Jena

 

Russian reserve infantry garrison Jena before French arrive

French reserve infantry halt short of the town

 

6^th French corps artillery deploy within short range of Jena

Cavalry advance to protect gunners, charged by Cossacks

Cossacks win melee, French cavalry rout

Cossacks retreat with 20% casualties

End of move 8

2^nd French corps cavalry charge and rout gunners

Nearby square fail their morale and join rout

French gunners hit garrison, who make their morale with 10% casualties

 

Russian reserve infantry in town retire to avoid close range artillery fire

French reserve infantry enter town

 

6^th French corps artillery redeploy to fire on Russian infantry

French infantry advance in column of attack

1^st Russian corps cavalry rally with 10% casualties

Russian infantry form line to meet French attack

End of move 10

2^nd French corps pursue retreating Russians

French reserve infantry take Jena

6^th French corps advance in the south

One brigade is routed by Russian artillery fire

End of move 12

2nd Russian corps cavalry rally and threaten French gunners

2^nd French corps infantry form square and gunners seek safety in nearest one

 

French reserve infantry occupy Jena

Russian reserve infantry rout

 

6^th French corps halt and form line

1^st Russian hold their position

Summary

At nightfall both armies hold defensive positions

However the French occupy Jena and win the battle

 

The French have lost 3 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (1500 men)

The Russians have lost 4 infantry 3 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (2100 men)