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)