14 March 1813 – Battle of Kassel

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Four Russian corps have orders to attack Kassel

Three French corps have orders to hold or attack Russians

One French corps has orders to attack Kaufungen and will not take part at Kassel

Russian – 51600 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 120 guns

French – 28000 infantry, 3000 cavalry, 90 guns

Note – brigades with 30% casualties or more will not take part in the battle

Wargame

1 Russian will arrive F06 start of move 1

2 Russian will arrive E07 start of move 1

3 Russian will arrive F05 start of move 1

4 Russian will arrive F05 start of move 2

0800-0900

French send out cavalry to spot Russian columns

All corps are spotted and figures replace blinds

0900-1000

4 Russian arrive on table (bottom right)

2 French and 2 Russian both move to occupy the hill (top)

Remainder of French redeploy to meet Russian attack.

1100-1100

1 and 2 Russian ordered to attack north of farm

3 and 4 Russian ordered to attack between farm and city

2 French and 2 Russian cavalry advance to charge range on hill (top)

1100-1200

1^st Russian cossacks charge artillery, receive 30% casualties and rout

2^nd Young Guard cavalry charge and rout Russian cuirassiers with 10% casualties

Artillery exchange fire, but no casualties

Russian start to deploy ready to attack

1200-1300

2^nd French artillery hit square, who pass morale with 10% casualties

6^th French artillery hit cossacks, who pass morale with 10% casualties

The Russian cavalry are suffering heavy casualties to cover the deployment

1300-1400

Russian army ordered to advance and attack

2 French artillery hit gunners, who pass morale with 10% casualties

All artillery fire, but no other casualties

1400-1500

3 Russian artillery hit garrison, who pass morale with 10% casualties

4 Russian infantry enter Kassel

5 French infantry enter woods

French create cavalry division in the centre

1500-1600

1 Russian artillery hit gunners and infantry behind, both pass morale

1 Russian cossacks charge and rout gunners with 20% casualties

4 Russian infantry attacking town lose 10% casualties, but pass morale

2 French infantry behind crest are shaken when 2 Russian infantry advance

French cavalry division advance

1600-1700

2 Russian infantry lose 10% casualties but pass morale

4 French infantry in woods lose skirmish and are shaken with 10% casualties

4 French infantry in support of woods are shaken by artillery fire and lose 10% casualties

6 French garrison suffer 20% casualties, but ass morale

1700-1800

2 Russian infantry storm the hill held by the young guard.   Although outnumbered the French win the melee, and rout one of the Russian columns.

In the centre 3 Russian cavalry charge and rout the French gunners.   The surrounding infantry are all weak from casualties, and join the rout.  The supporting Russian infantry drive the French from the woods.   Two French brigades rout, taking a supporting cavalry brigade with them

4 Russian infantry take Kassel and rout the two brigades holding the city.

Conclusion

With the loss of the centre and Kassel Davout ordered a general retreat

The French have lost 3200 casualties and seven brigades in rout

The Russians have lost 4400 casualties and four brigades in rout

Despite the heavier casualties, the Russians far outnumber the French

Outcome

After a hard fought battle both sides have suffered considerable casualties

But the three Russian corps heavily outnumbered the three French corps

The result was a clear and convincing Russian victory

Battle Summary

The Russians started the battle with 51600 infantry against the French 28000

They also outnumbered the French in cavalry and artillery

So it was always very likely that they would win the battle.

The Russian cavalry suffered heavy casualties covering the deployment

As a result the infantry also suffered as they advanced to attack

Despite this they took Kassel with ease

They also took the woods in the centre by overwhelming the defenders

Only on the right did they suffer a setback when they attacked the hill held by the French Young Guard.   The French held the hill.

The French Young Guard, and their cavalry superiority, ensured that the rest of the army could withdraw in good order.

The Russians lost 4400 casualties against 3200 French casualties

But they still greatly outnumbered the French in all three arms

With seven brigades in rout Soult had to order a general retreat

The Russian cavalry had suffered heavy casualties and were unable to pursue.