15 July 1813 – Battle of Ludwigslust – Day Two

Tactical map of battle area

The Prussians claimed a victory because they held the town at nightfall
However they had not defeated 2nd French army.
They had withdrawn to the town without a fight

Overnight Yorck reorganised his army
He used the weakest infantry brigade in each corps to reinforce the rest
He did the same with the cavalry brigades and corps artillery for the army

Victor attacked again at first light

2nd French army is commanded by Marshal Victor
3rd Prussian army is commanded by General Yorck

2nd French Army – 11 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3rd Prussian Army – 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

French deploy out of artillery range
6 corps – cavalry and 2 infantry brigades
Cinc – keep command of artillery and 2 brigades from 6th corps
5 corps – ordered to attack town
4 corps – occupy farm and prepare to attack

Prussian occupy town and cross roads
9 corps – hold bridge with cavalry and two brigades
Cinc – taken command of artillery and one brigade from 9th corps
8 corps – occupy town, no cavalry or artillery
7 corps – hold woods

End of move 2

French artillery move into range
6 corps – hold bridge
Cinc – artillery move into range of cavalry on west bank
5 corps – artillery fire on garrison, 10% casualties
4 corps – artillery fire on woods, no casualties

Prussian wait for French to advance
9 corps – hold bridge
Cinc – counter battery fire, no casualties
8 corps – garrison pass morale test for 10% casualties
7 corps – hold woods

End of move 4

French attack
6 corps – cavalry win melee, infantry advance
Cinc – artillery manhandle forward to keep within range
5 corps – artillery hit garrison again, infantry advance
4 corps – artillery hit woods, cavalry advance

Prussian retreat out of artillery range
9 corps – cavalry fail morale and retreat disordered
Cinc – infantry retreat out of artillery range
8 corps – garrison of right half of town retreat out of artillery range
7 corps – infantry in woods retreat out of artillery range

End of move 6

French extensive fighting
6 corps – cavalry lose melee and rout, taking one brigade with them
Cinc – attack between river and town
5 corps – skirmish with garrison
4 corps – win cavalry melee, two brigades rout due to artillery fire

Prussian extensive fighting
9 corps – win cavalry melee, hold bridge
Cinc –retreat artillery to main line road over bridge
8 corps – garrison of town withdraw to near edge of town
7 corps – cavalry lose melee and rout, taking brigade with them

End of move 8

French take Ludwigslust
6 corps – rally, but fail to take bridge
Cinc – infantry pursue Prussians, artillery redeploy to support 6 corps
5 corps – occupy Ludwigslust
4 corps – pursue Prussians

Prussians abandon Ludwigslust and retreat
9 corps – continue to hold bridge
Cinc – infantry and artillery rout
8 corps – withdraw from Ludwigslust and retreat
7 corps – three brigades rout, remainder retreat

Summary

French occupy town and take woods
Prussian have five brigades in rout and remainder retreat
French win battle

The French have lost 7 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2900 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2800 men)

15 July 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 5

Second battle of Ludwigslust

1st Prussian Army – retreat to Wismar
2nd Prussian Army – regroup and resupply at Schwerin
3rd Prussian Army – second battle of Ludwigslust

3rd French Army – advance to Boltenhagen
1st French Army – regroup and resupply Gadesbusch
2nd French Army – second battle of Ludwigslust

14 July 1813 – Battle of Ludwigslust

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon orders 2nd French army to attack Ludwigslust
This will keep up the pressure on the retreating Prussian army
It may also force 2nd Prussian army, in the north, to fall back on Boltenhagen
Both armies have moderate campaign casualties

2nd French army is commanded by Marshal Victo
3rd Prussian army is commanded by General Yorck

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

Table at start of battle

French will enter the top of the table at the start of move 1
6 corps – on the left
cinc – between inn and river
5 corps – in the centre
4 corps – on the right

Prussian army are deployed in front of Ludwigslust
9 corps – on the left of the river Elbe
cinc – has taken command of half of 9 corps
8 corps – in the centre, Ludwigslust is not occupied
7 corps - on the right

End of move 2

French have arrived at the top of the table
6 corps – advance on the left bank of the river Elbe
cinc – between river and inn, taken command of half of 6 corps
5 corps – advance in the centre between inn and woods
4 corps – advance on the right, through and either side of woods

Prussian army wait for French to come within artillery range
9 corps – on the left bank of river Elbe
cinc – taken command of half of 9 corps, on the right bank of river Elbe
8 corps –in the centre
7 corps – on the right and have occupied farm

End of move 4

French halt and deploy out of artillery range
Man handle their guns into range
6 corps – cavalry advance into charge range
cinc – halt and deploy infantry and cavalry out of artillery range
5 corps – halt and deploy infantry and cavalry out of artillery rang
4 corps – artillery open fire and hit infantry

Prussian artillery open fire, no casualties
9 corps – wait for French to approach
cinc – 6pdr guns ineffective against gunners
8 corps – artillery open fire, no casualties
7 corps – infantry receive 10% casualties and retreat shaken

End of move 6

French artillery open fire on infantry
6 corps – win cavalry melee
Cinc – artillery fire on infantry, no casualties
5 corps – artillery fire on infantry, who receive 10% casualties
4 corps – artillery fire on garrison, who receive 10% casualties

Prussian artillery fire on gunners (infantry out of range)
9 corps – cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken
Cinc – 6pdr artillery too weak for counter battery fire
8 corps – infantry fail morale and retreat shaken
7 corps – garrison pass morale test and continue to hold farm

End of move 8

French attack bridge and farm
6 corps – secure bridge and send cavalry over river
Cinc – artillery cause infantry casualties
5 corps – artillery rout enemy gunners
4 corps – capture farm

Prussian start to retreat towards town
9 corps – cavalry routed, infantry retreat in square
Cinc – retreat in square to avoid artillery and cavalry crossing river
8 corps – gunners routed, corps retreat towards town
7 corps – farm garrison routed, remainder of corps retreat towards woods

End of move 10

French secure bridge and farm
6 corps – halt at bridge
Cinc - regroup
5 corps –regroup
4 corps –regroup

Prussian retreat to Lugwigslust
9 corps – retreat and abandon brigade
Cinc – retreat
8 corps –retreat
7 corps – retreat and abandon farm

Summary

The Prussians have lost more casualties
They have also lost the bridge on their left and the farm on their right
General Yorck orders a general retreat to Ludwigslust

It is too late for the French to pursue
Marshal Victor orders them to regroup
If the Prussians do not retreat he will attack again tomorrow

The French have lost 1 artillery casualty (100 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 1 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2700 men)

14 July 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 4

Prussians retreat to Schwerin
Battle of Ludwigslust

1st Prussian Army – resupply at Boltenhagen
2nd Prussian Army – retreat to Schwerin
3rd Prussian Army – battle of Ludwigslust

3rd French Army – rally and regroup at Ratzeburg
1st French Army – occupy Gadesbusch
2nd French Army – attack Ludwigslust

13 July 1813 – Battle of Gadebusch

 

Tactical map of battle area

Despite his defeat at Boltenhagen, Napoleon attacks Gadebusch
This will allow 3rd French army to retreat, rally and reorganise.

1st French army is commanded by Emperor Napoleon
2nd Prussian army is commanded by General Bulow

1st French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
2nd Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

French army will arrive at the top of the table at the start of move 1
Cinc – has taken command of guard artillery and 2 infantry brigades
3 corps – will arrive on the left
2 corps – will arrive in the centre
1 corps – will arrive on the right

Prussian army is deployed in front of Gadebusch
Cinc – no command at present
6 corps – on the left and have one brigade in the fortified farm
5 corps – in the centre in front of Gadebusch, no garrison in the town
4 corps – on the hill on the right

End of move 2

French arrive and advance towards Gadesbusch
Cinc – advance through small valley to the right of the main road
3 corps – advance over the hill on the left
2 corps – cavalry lead on the main road in the centre
1 corps – guard cavalry and two infantry advance on the right

Prussian redeploy to meet French advance
Cinc – has taken command of 4 corps cavalry, artillery and one infantry brigade
6 corps – advance to the left of the farm to engage French as they come off hill
5 corps – wait in position for French to advance
4 corps – infantry wait on hill for French to advance

End of move 4

French cavalry advance to cover deployment of artillery
Cinc – deploy artillery against Prussian centre
3 corps – cavalry cover advance on left hand hill
2 corps – cavalry cover deployment of artillery against Prussian centre
1 corps – cavalry cover infantry movement off right hand hill

Prussian far right advance
Cinc – cavalry cover deployment of artillery on far right
6 corps – cavalry and infantry retire out of artillery range
5 corps – wait for French to advance in centre
4 corps – wait for French to advance on right

End of move 5

French move down from hills, artillery deploy
Cinc – advance towards town
3 corps – move down from left hand hill
2 corps –advance towards town
1 corps – swing left to protect attack on town

Prussian wait for French to move into artillery range
Cinc – advance towards 1st French corps
6 corps - cavalry retreat shaken with 10% casualties,
5 corps – wait for French to come within artillery range
4 corps – hold right hand hill

End of move 8

French attack Prussian left
Cinc – reinforce 1st corps to hold left flank
3 corps – cavalry rout cavalry, gunners and infantry join rout
2 corps – cavalry lose melee and retreat , infantry move down from centre hill
1 corps – cavalry rout gunners, infantry deploy to hold right flank

Prussian lose all three cavalry brigades, half of 6th corps rout
Cinc – gunners rout, cavalry return to 4th corps
6 corps – still hold farm, but cavalry, gunners and one brigade rout
5 corps – cavalry win melee, infantry lose casualties but pass morale test
4 corps – move forward on hill

End of move 10

French attack farm on left and hill on right
Cinc – artillery hit infantry who pass their morale test with 20% casualties
3 corps – infantry skirmish farm, one French brigade routed
2 corps – too weak to attack Prussian centre
1 corps – infantry skirmish hill but no casualties

Prussian – fight to hold farm and hill on the right
Cinc – infantry and gunners pinned French cavalry
6 corps – hold farm, but unable to rally cavalry, gunners and one infantry brigade
5 corps – hold centre despite artillery casualties to infantry
4 corps – hold hill despite skirmish casualties to infantry

End of move 12

French attack farm on left and hill on right
Cinc – move artillery forward
3 corps – continue to attack farm, no casualties
2 corps – hold their position
1 corps – attack hill on right

Prussian withdraw centre towards town, hold farm on left and hill on right
Cinc – skirmish with enemy infantry
6 corps – hold farm, gunners and infantry brigade rout
5 corps – withdraw closer to town
4 corps – hold hill, landwehr and cavalry brigade rout

Summary

Prussians hold all three objectives at night fall and win the battle
Despite suffering many more casualties than the French

The French have lost 1 infantry casualty (400 men)
The Prussians have lost 7 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3100 men)

13 July 1813 – Northern Germany – Day 3

 

French retreat to Ratzeburg
Battle of Gadebusch

1st Prussian Army – regroup at Boltenhagen
2nd Prussian Army – battle of Gadebusch
3rd Prussian Army – regroup at Ludwigslust

3rd French Army – retreat to Ratzeburg
1st French Army – attack Gadebusch
2nd French Army – regroup at Hagenow

12 July 1813 – Battle of Boltenhagen

Tactical map of battle area

Marshal Murat has command of Third French Army
His task is to attack Boltenhagen

General Blucher has command of First Prussian Army
He has ordered 1st and 3rd corps to advance to support 2nd corps on the border

Third French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
First Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2nd Prussian corps is deployed in front of Boltenhagen
1st and 3rd Prussian corps have orders to join them on the Lubeck/Wismar border

Third French army will arrive at the top of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French arrive on the table
9th corps move either side of the village towards hill on the left
CinC has taken command of half of 9th corps on right of village
8th corps arrive in centre and advance towards Boltenhagen
7th corps arrive on the right and advance to the right of farm

Prussians deploy in the centre
3rd corps arrive on the left and move onto hill
CinC takes command of half of 2nd corps left of the main road
2nd corps are deployed in the centre between road and woods
1st corps move through woods on the right

End of move 4

French fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
9th corps halt just short of hill
CinC fire on, and hit, infantry
8th corps halt and fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
7th halt cavalry charge and force Prussian hussars to retreat disordered

Prussians halt and deploy
3rd corps halt on hill
CinC landwehr brigade retreat disordered with 10% casualties
2nd corps artillery fire on enemy gunners, no casualties
1st corps occupy woods, cavalry retire disordered but rally

End of move 6

French lose cavalry melee and gunner casualties
9th corps cavalry lose melee and retreat shaken with 10% casualties
CinC artillery advance towards hill
8th corps artillery receive 10% casualties and are shaken
9th corps artillery receive 10% casualties and are shaken
9th corps cavalry win melee but lose 30% casualties

Prussians win artillery counter battery fire and cavalry melee
3rd corps win cavalry melee
CinC retreat infantry to avoid further artillery casualties
2nd corps artillery hit enemy gunners
1st corps artillery hit enemy gunners
1st corps cavalry lose cavalry melee and retreat with 30% casualties

End of move 8

Murat accepts defeat
9th corps cavalry fail morale and rout
CinC artillery fire on hill, no casualties
8th corps artillery move out of artillery range
7th corps cavalry rally with 30% casualties

Blucher retreats out of artillery range
3rd corps firmly hold hill
CinC retreat infantry out of artillery range
2nd corps withdraw out of artillery range
1st corps firmly hold woods

Summary

Prussians redeploy closer to town
French have lost too many cavalry and gunners to continue the attack
Prussians win battle

The French have lost 4 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (600 men)
The Prussians have lost 3 cavalry and 2 infantry casualties (1100 men)