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Tuesday, March 18, 2025

14 August 1813 – Battle of Bergheim



Tactical map of battle area

8th French army, commanded by Marshal Mortier, attack Bergheim
2nd Austrian army, commanded by General Klenau, defend the border

French have10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
2 infantry brigades are detached on garrison duty

Austrian have 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry brigades are detached on garrison duty

The French have lost the first two battles of the campaign
Despite this Mortier is ordered to cross the border and attack Bergheim
It is hoped that a victory in the south would cause the Austrians to delay their pursuit.

Table at start of battle

The game objective is to capture or hold the three centre squares
First be bridge on the left
Second the T junction in the centre
Third the farm on the right

2nd Austrian army is on the table at the start of the game
4th corps in and around the farm on the right
5th corps on and around the T junction in the centre
6th corps to the right of the bridge on the left

8th French/Bavarian army will arrive on the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

Bavarian army arrive on the table at the top
CinC observe on hill centre left
22 Corps advance through woods on the right
23 Corps advance in the centre between woods and hill
24 Corps advance on the right bank of the river

Austrian adjust to sighting the enemy
CinC observe centre left
4 Corps cavalry advance on the right
5 Corps infantry form square in the centre
6 Corps cavalry advance on the left
End of move 4

Bavarian deploy out of artillery range
CinC move to take command of attack on farm
22 Corps infantry advance to attack farm
23 Corps artillery unlimber at long range
24 Corps artillery unlimber at long range

Austrian vacate farm to avoid artillery
CinC observe centre left
4 Corps infantry vacate farm to avoid artillery
5 Corps wait for enemy to advance
6 Corps wait for enemy to advance

End of move 6

Bavarian adv
CinC takes command of attack on farm
22 Corps cavalry advance to charge
23 Corps artillery hit infantry square
24 Corps gunners evade to square

Austrian cavalry charge gunners
CinC observe centre left
4 Corps withdraw to rear of farm
5 Corps infantry pass morale for 10% casualties
6 Corps cavalry charge gunners, who evade to square
End of move 8

Bavarian advance in general attack
CinC occupy farm and charge grenadiers in the centre
22 Corps cavalry rout dragoons and gunners
23 Corps cavalry rout gunners, corps advance
24 Corps cavalry rout dragoons, corps advance

Austrian have 5 brigades in rout
CinC orders a general retreat
4 Corps gunners and cavalry rout
5 Corps gunners and grenadiers rout
6 Corps cavalry rout

Summary

Bavarians win two out of three cavalry melee
Austrian infantry forced into square, and receive artillery casualties
Bavarian cavalry then rout all three Austrian corps artillery
Austrians retreat and abandon all three game objectives
Bavarians win the battle

Bavarians have lost 1 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (800 men)
Austrians have lost 1 infantry, 4 cavalry and 3 artillery casualties (1100 men)

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