7 March 1813 – Battle of Kassel

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Two French and two Russian corps have orders to attack Kassel

Russian – 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

3 Russian – start on table

1 Russian – arrive start of move 1

Russian HQ – arrive start of move 1

6 French – arrive start of move 1

2 French – arrive start of move 5

French HQ – arrive start of move 5

0800 - 1100 

6^th French corps are outnumbered two to one until 2^nd corps arrives at the start of move 5.   They have sent one brigade to occupy each of the left hand sections of Kassel.   Their cavalry will try to slow down the Russian deployment

1^st Russian corps has been sent south of the town, 3^rd corps north.

Each has sent one brigade into the two right hand sections of the city.  The remainder of both corps are deploying to attack the French corps 

1100 - 1400

2^nd French corps arrives and starts to deploy behind town.

CinC has sent their artillery north to form a grand battery

He has joined the cavalry of both corps to form a reserve division

Russian artillery batter town and cause casualties to top section 

Garrison are shaken, but hold the town and rally 

1400 - 1800 

The Russian artillery pound both sections of the town held by the French at close range.  In addition the garrisons of the sections held by the Russians skirmish with the French.  

Both French brigades in the town lose their morale and rout.  In doing so they disrupt the newly arrived 2^nd corps deploying.

Conclusion

Marshal Davout can see that there is insufficient time left for 2^nd corps to deploy and take the town.   Any delay would result in more casualties for no good purpose.  He orders a general retreat.

Outcome

The Russians win

They will spend the next day reorganising

The French will retreat to create the “no mans land” square

Battle Summary

Both armies race to occupy Kassel

Both occupy two town sections

However there are two Russian corps and only one French

The Russians use their cavalry superiority to move their artillery into short range

They then bombard the two French brigades in the city

By the time the second French corps arrives both brigades are battered

They rout through the arriving young guard corps, causing confusion

It is too late for the French to disengage, deploy and take the city

The French lost 1600 infantry and two brigades in rout

Russians had no casualties

Davout accepts defeat to avoid further futile casualties