25 March 1813 – Battle of Goppingen

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

This battle is fought on the same day as the major battle at Ulm

1 Austrian corps has orders to move south and would have joined the main battle

But they are attacked by 9 Bavarian corps at first light

Austrian – 12000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

French – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

 1 Austrian corps has orders to march south towards Ulm

The attack by 9 Bavarian corps is unexpected

They start the game in column of march facing south

0800-0900 

Austrians change order to Hold

Artillery positioned on road facing he woods

Infantry move to either side of village

Bavarian cavalry and artillery advance between woods and farm

0900-1000 

Austrian garrison village with grenadier brigade

Cavalry move to counter Bavarian cavalry

Bavarian infantry advance towards farm

1000-1100

Austrian artillery fire on infantry moving through woods

Leading brigade receive 10% casualties and are shaken

Both brigades move into woods to shelter form artillery

1100-1200 

Austrian artillery fire on shaken infantry in woods

Brigade rout with 20% casualties

Supporting brigade test morale for rout, fail and join rout

Conclusion

Bavarian commander calls off attack

With the loss of half of his infantry he accepts defeat

The Bavarians have lose 800 infantry and two brigades in rout

The Austrians have lost 400 infantry

Outcome

The battle is an Austrian victory

This confirms their overall victory in the joins battles of Ulm and Goppingen

Battle Summary

The Bavarian corps started the battle with a tactical and numberical advantage

The Austrian corps were marching south to join the battle at Ulm

They had to redeploy to meet the Bavarian attack

The Bavarian cavalry and artillery advanced to disrupt the Austrian deployment

Halt of the infantry supported the artillery, the other half advanced through the woods

The Austrian artillery opened fire on the infantry column on the road through the woods.   The infantry suffered 10% casualties, failed their morale test and were shaken.

Both infantry brigades entered the woods either side of the road, but the shaken brigade received further casualties from the artillery.  They failed their morale and routed.   The other brigade had to test their morale due to the rout.  They also failed and joined the rout.

The Bavarian gunners managed to inflict 10% casualties on the nearest Austrian brigade.  But it was too little and too late.

With the loss of half of his infantry the Bavarian commander realised he could not continue to attack the village.   He ordered his corps to withdraw.

The Bavarians lost 800 casualties and two brigades in rout

The Austrians lost 400 casualties.