14 April 1813 – Battle of Konigsfeld

Tactical map of battle area

General Merveldt, commander of 3^rd Austrian corps, has orders to hold the town of Konigsfeld.   He has placed one infantry brigade in the town, and the remainder of his corps just west of the town.

Schwartzenberg has been notified of the advance of the Bavarian army.   Unaware of the actual attack, he has ordered his 1^st corps to march west to support Konigsfeld.

Marshal Oudinot is determined to take Konigsfeld and has ordered a surprise attack by 9^th and 11^th corps.

Austrian – 16000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Bavarian – 28000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of wargame

3rd Austrian corps starts the game on the table

12 infantry brigade is detached as garrison of Konigsfeld

11th Bavarian corps will arrive start of move 1

9th Bavarian corps will arrive start of move 5

0800-1200

Merveldt has ordered his corps to deploy between the river and the hill to hold the approach to Konigsfeld.   12 brigade has been ordered to leave the town and rejoin the corps.

Oudinot has ordered 11^th corps to deploy between the river and the pass.  One brigade is detached on garrison duty.

9^th corps is due to arrive at 1300.

1200-1600

9^th corps has arrived and is marching through the pass.   They cavalry have moved onto the hill on the left.

11^th corps artillery open fire and hit the Austrian square supporting the artillery.   The grenadiers fail their morale and are shaken.   Bavarian cavalry move forward to charge the square.   Austrian artillery fire on them, but fail to cause any casualties

With the arrival of 9^th Bavarian corps it was too late for the Austrians to retreat, they would have to hold as best they could for another four hours and nightfall.

1600-2000

11^th Bavarian hussars charged and routed the shaken Austrian square.  

Merveldt ordered his battered corps to withdraw towards Konigsfeld, but the French artillery continued to fire on them.   The infantry had to retreat in square, which was a slow business.   9 infantry brigade suffered casualties, but held their morale.

As night approached the Austrian hussars charged 9 Bavarian dragoons.  They won the melee and the dragoons withdrew to regroup.

Conclusion

With both Bavarian cavalry brigades in reserve Merveldt was able to withdraw his corps under cover of darkness.

The Austrians have lost 2000 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Bavarians have not suffered any casualties.