15 August 1813 – Battle of Manching

Tactical map of battle area

9th Bavarian army, commanded by Marshal Ney, attack Manching
3rd Austrian army, commanded by General Mervedt, defend Manching

Bavarian have 9 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry brigades are detached on garrison duty
They have 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (200 men)

Austrian have 10 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
2 infantry brigades are detached on garrison duty
They have 2 infantry, and 3 cavalry casualties (1100 men)

The Bavarians start the battle with just two days supplies, the Austrians have 4 days
If Ney is defeated, his army will have to retreat with just one days supplies
If they run out of supplies they will suffer attrition casualties (400 men per day)

Table at start of battle

3rd Austrian army are on the table when the game is set up
9th Bavarian army will enter the table from the top a the start of move

There are three game objectives, the winner must occupy at least two of them
The hill on the left, the road junction in the centre, the inn on the right

Austrian CinC has taken command of 8 and 9 cavalry brigades left centre
7 Austrian corps occupy the inn on the right
8 Austrian corps occupy the road junction in the centre
9 Austrian corps occupy the hill on the left

End of move 2

Bavarian army enter the table at the top of the photo
CinC has taken command of 26 and 27 cavalry brigades in the centre
25 Corps pass through the woods on the right
26 Corps advance to the right of the main road
27 Corps advance either side of the farm on the left

Austrian army react to sighting the Bavarian army
CinC advance cavalry reserve in the centre
7 Corps cavalry advance on the right
8 Corps artillery unlimber, infantry form square
9 Corps infantry move onto hill, artillery advance to their right

End of move 4

Bavarian advance to attack
CinC deploy cavalry reserve in front of woods in the centre
25 Corps advance to attack inn on the right
26 Corps artillery hit grenadier square
27 Corps advance to attack hill on the left

Austrian adjust to approaching enemy
CinC redeploy cavalry to counter Bavarian cavalry
7 Corps wait for enemy to advance
8 Corps square pass morale for 20% casualties
9 Corps advance to front of hill in line

End of move 6

Bavarian win cavalry melee and fire fight
CinC win cavalry melee centre left
25 Corps win cavalry melee on right
26 Corps artillery force infantry to retreat
27 Corps win fire fight on hill on the left

Austrian lose all three cavalry melee
CinC charge gunners who evade to square
7 Corps lose cavalry melee
8 Corps infantry retire to avoid artillery casualties
9 Corps infantry lose fire fight on hill and retire shaken

End of move 8

Bavarian capture all three game objectives
CinC cavalry reserve pursue retreating Austrians
25 Corps occupy inn on the right
26 Corps occupy road junction in the centre
27 Corps occupy hill on t he left

Austrian army retreat
CinC cavalry lost melee, both brigades in rout
7 Corps cavalry in rout, remainder of corps retreat
8 Corps withdraw in square
9 Corps lost firefight on hill, corps in rout

Summary
Without cavalry support the Austrian gunners were forced to seek cover in squares
The whole army started to retreat, but 9th corps lost morale and routed
Bavarian army captured all three objectives and won the battle.

The Bavarians have lost 2 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (900 men)
The Austrians have lost 6 infantry, 3 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2800 men)
There are seven Austrian brigades in rout

15 August 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 4

French attack Manching and occupy Bergheim
7th French army – rally and resupply at Lauf
8th French army – occupy Bergheim
9th French army – attack Manching

Austrian defend Manching and retreat to Ingolstadt
1st Austrian army – regroup and resupply at Buxheim
2nd Austrian army – retreat to Ingolstadt
3rd Austrian army – defend Manching

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)

14 August 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 3

French attack Bergheim and retreat to Lauf
7th French army – retreat to Lauf
8th French army – attack Bergheim
9th French army – regroup and resupply

Austrian defend Bergheim
1st Austrian army – advance to border
2nd Austrian army – defend Bergheim
3rd Austrian army – regroup and resupply

13 August 1813 – Battle of Buxheim

 

Tactical map of battle area

7th Bavarian army, commanded by Marshal Massena, has orders to attack Buxheim
1st Austrian army, commanded by General Schwartzenberg, has orders to defend Buxheim

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

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

The Austrians know that the French have attacked the town of Weichering, but are not yet aware of the outcome of that battle. 2nd corps is deployed close to the border to observe any enemy movement. 1st and 3rd corps are under orders to move forward at daybreak to support 2nd corps.

Massena is aware that he has lost the element of surprise, and orders his army to advance at first light and attack Buxheim

Table at start of battle

The game objectives the three squares in the middle of the table. The hill on the left, the T junction in the centre and the farm on the right. The army which holds at least two of those three will win the game.

2nd Austrian corps occupies the T Junction at the start of the game. 1st and 2nd corps will advance during move 1 to take and hold the hill on the left and the farm on the left. At the start of the game Schwartzenberg does not have direct command of any troops. However he can create a reserve by taking command of any elements of the three corps. To take command of a brigade he must be within 4” at the start of his move.

The Bavarian army will enter the table at the start of move 1. 21st corps is on the right and their objective is the hill. Massena has taken command of the cavalry brigades of 21st and 20th corps and had positioned them between those two corps.

20th corps is in the centre and thjeir objective is the T Junction. 19th corps is on the left and their objective is the farm.

End of move 2

Bavarian arrive on the table
CinC cavalry reserve advance centre left
19 Corps advance through the woods on the right
20 Corps advance through the pass
21 Corps advance either side of the farm on the left

Austrian take up position in the centre
CinC creates cavalry reserve from 2nd and 3rd corps
1 Corps deploy behind and to the right of the farm
2 Corps hold T junction
3 Corps deploy behind hill on the left

End of move 4

Bavarian win cavalry melee on the right
CinC hold cavalry reserve out of artillery range
19 Corps cavalry charge and rout Austrian cavalry
20 Corps deploy south of pass in the centre
21 Corps deploy north of the hill on the left

Austrian withdraw out of artillery range in the centre
CinC withdraw reserve cavalry out of artillery range
1 Corps cavalry lose melee and rout with 20% casualties
2 Corps withdraw out of artillery range
3 Corps deploy south of hill on the left

End of move 6

Bavarian lose cavalry melee, two brigades rout
CinC lose cavalry melee centre left
19 Corps cavalry force gunners to abandon guns
20 Corps force Austrians to retreat in the centre
21 Corps hold north of hill on the left

Austrian win cavalry melee
CinC rout cavalry reserve in the centre
1 Corps all withdraw, gunners abandon guns
2 Corps withdraw in the centre
3 Corps dominate hill on the left

End of move 8

Bavarian unable to halt enemy cavalry
CinC both cavalry brigades fail morale and continue to rout
19 Corps artillery routed by cavalry
20 Corps infantry brigade routed by cavalry
21 Corps ordered to withdraw

Austrian cavalry break Bavarian centre
CinC cavalry rout gunners and infantry brigade
1 Corps hold farm on the right
2 Corps hold road junction in the centre
3 Corps hold hill on the left

Summary
Austrian cavalry rout two Bavarian cavalry brigades, then rally and rout nearby artillery and infantry brigade. Rally again and threaten Bavarian centre.

With the loss of so many cavalry, gunners and infantry Massena orders a general retreat

The French have lost 1 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (700 men)
The Austrians have lost 2 cavalry casualties (200 men)

3 August 1813 – Southern Germany – Day 2

French attack Buxheim and occupy Weichering
7th French army – attack Buxheim
8th French army – hold Amberg
9th French army – occupy Weichering

1st Austrian army – defend Buxheim
2nd Austrian army – advance to border
3rd Austrian army – retreat to Manching

12 August 1813 – Battle of Weichering

Tactical map of battle area

9th French army, commanded by Marshal Ney, attack Weichering
3rd Austrian army, commanded by General Mervedt, 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, and 3 corps artillery
3 infantry brigades are detached on garrison duty

The French have the element of surprise in this first battle of the campaig
They use this in the south because this is the most difficult area to attack
All three corps are concentrated and will reach the river together

Only one of the three Austrian corps are in position to defend the river
The other two will not be able to reach until the start of move 2

Table at start of battle

French enter able start of move 1
7th and 9th Austrian corps react start of move 2
CinC has formed a reserve by taking command of 7th and 9th corps cavalry

End of move 2

French cavalry threaten Austrian artillery
CinC has formed cavalry reserve from 26th and 27th corps cavalry
27 Corps cross river on the left
26 Corps wait for Austrian guns to retreat before crossing river
25 Corps cross river on the right

Austrian 7th and 9th corps advance
CinC moves to support 8th corps in the centre
7th Corps advance towards hill on the right
8th Corps withdraw artillery due to enemy cavalry

9th Corps advance towards hill on the left

End of move 4

French cross river
CinC wins cavalry melee, withdraw reserve cavalry
27 Corps advance towards hill on the left
26 Corps cross river now artillery withdrawn
25 Corps move towards pass between hill in the centre and right

Austrian deploy south of hills on the right and left
CinC deploy cavalry to support 8 corps in the centre
7 Corps halt south of hill on the right
8 Corps cavalry lose melee and rout wit h 10% casualties
9 Corps halt south of hill on the left

End of move 6

French attack in centre
CinC rout dragoons who charged artillery
27 Corps gunners evade to square when charged by dragoons
26 Corps infantry move towards hill in the centre
25 Corps advance between hill in the centre and on the right

Austrian lose another cavalry melee
CinC reserve cavalry charge gunners, who evade to square
7 Corps infantry form square
8 Corps infantry on hill in centre withdraw
9 Corps hold position behind hill on the left

End of move 8

French prolonged undecided cavalry melee in the centre
CinC cavalry melee continues, one brigade routs with 10% casualties
27 Corps move towards centre to support main attack
26 Corps artillery concentrates to support cavalry melee
25 Corps artillery open fire, infantry move onto hill on the right

Austrian lose two cavalry brigades, but melee continues
CinC rallies routed cavalry brigade, melee continues
7 Corps redeploy to meet attack through pass
8 Corps withdraw, but one infantry brigade still on hill in the centre
9 Corps redeploy to meet cavalry attack, infantry move onto hill on the left

End of move 10

French cavalry lose melee and rout, but rally behind centre
CinC rally cavalry to support 26th corps in the centre
27 Corps artillery support attack in centre
26 Corps infantry attack hill in the centre
25 Corps occupy hill on the right

Austrian rally routed cavalry in the centre
CinC rally routed cavalry to support 8 corps in centre
7 Corps retreat from hill on the right
8 Corps prepare to hold hill in the centre
9 Corps occupy hill on the left

End of move 12

French hold hill on the right, but unable to take hill in the centre
CinC hold cavalry in reserve
27 Corps unable to take hill on the left
26 Corps firefight on hill in the centre is undecided
25 Corps hold hill on the right

Austrian hold hill on the left and dispute hill in the centre
CinC hold cavalry in reserve
7 Corps re treat with one brigade in rout
8 Corps continue firefight for hill in the centre
9 Corps hold hill on the left

Summary

The prolonged cavalry melee in the centre ends in a draw
Both withdraw their cavalry into reserve

Austrians hold hill on the left without any casualties

Bavarian artillery force Austrians to withdraw in the centre
But Austrian infantry hold their own in firefight on the hill in the centre

Bavarians capture hill on the right and force Austrians to withdraw

At nightfall the French hold the hill on the right

The Austrians the one on the left

The firefight continues for the hill in the centre

The French have failed to take two of the three game objectives

The Austrians win the battle
However with 7th corps in retreat they will have to retreat overnight

The French have lost 2 cavalry casualties (200 men)
The Austrians have lost 4 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (1900 men)