29 March 1813 – Battle of Magdeburg

Tactical map of battle area

Background to battle

Two French corps have orders to attack

Prussian corps has orders to hold

French – 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Prussian – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

 2 Prussian – behind river on he left

4 French – west of city, ready to advance

1 French – arrive start of move 5   

The river is fordable to infantry and cavalry

They move at half speed and are disordered whilst crossing

Normal movement on the bridges for all arms

0800-1200

Napoleon has ordered 4 corps to advance south of Magdeburg

His aim is to get the Prussians to move south

He will then order 1 corps to attack north of Magdeburg

The Prussians have unlimbered their artillery and moved the cavalry south

But the majority remain just east of the centre bridge

Napoleon has gone to join 1 corps and direct them north of the city.

1200-1400  

1 French corps arrived (centre left)

4 French artillery hit Prussian square, who are shaken with 10% casualties

1400-1700  

Prussian artillery hit 4 corps gunners, who are shaken with 10% casualties

1700-1900 

1 French cavalry have crossed the river

The remainder of the corps has reached the river

4 French artillery hit square again, who rout with 20% casualties

Conclusion

Prussian commander orders a general retreat

Prussian have 800 infantry casualties and one brigade in rout

French have 100 gunner casualties and have lost 3 guns

Outcome

The French have won the battle

They have taken Magdeburg, which is the campaign objective

They have also forced the Prussians to retreat

Battle Summary

The outcome of this battle was never in question.

Not only did the French outnumber the Prussians by two to one

But one of their two corps were the Imperial Guard

The battle was decided by artillery fire

The Prussian infantry suffered first casualties, and they retreated out of range

The French artillery advanced, but suffered casualties from the Prussian gunners

Towards nightfall the Imperial Guard started to cross the river

One Prussian brigade suffered more casualties, lost their morale and ran

The Prussian commander ordered his corps to retreat

The French had lost 100 gunner casualties and lost three guns

The Prussians had lost 800 infantry casualties and one brigade in rout