21 March 1813 – Battle of Suhl

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Both corps have orders to attack Suhl

Prussian – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

Both corps start on the table

Both corps have one brigade missing on garrison duty

0800-1300

The Russian cavalry have received 10% casualties from artillery fire

They have withdrawn out of artillery range

The Russian gunners hit the reserve brigade in the town

They are shaken with 10% casualties

1300-1400

The French infantry win the first skirmish in the town

The Russian infantry pass morale with 10% casualties

The shaken French brigade fail their morale and rout

The full strength brigade fail their morale and are shaken

P9 1400-1500

The Russian artillery hit the French gunners who are shaken with 10% casualties

The Russian infantry win the skirmish in the town

The second French brigade rout with 10% casualties

Conclusion

With the loss of two infantry brigades and his artillery shaken, the French commander orders his corps to break off contact and retreat

The French have lost 800 infantry and have two brigades in rout

The Russians have lost 400 infantry and 100 cavalry

Outcome

The battle ends in a clear Russian victory

The French must retreat and regroup

Battle Summary

With just one corps per side the battle would be decided by the luck of the dice.

With so few brigades the first casualty would often decide the outcome of the battle

However in this battle that did not happen

The Russian cavalry suffered the first casualties and had to withdraw out of range

The Russian gunners then hit the reserve French brigade in the town

They failed their morale and were shaken

Next turn they again failed their morale and routed

In doing so they caused the second brigade to test their morale

They also failed and were shaken

Next turn they routed when they received a further 10% casualties to skirmish fire

Meanwhile the Russian artillery caused 10% casualties to the French gunners

They also failed their morale and were shaken

The French have lost 800 casualties and have two brigades in rout

The Russians have lost 500 casualties