Tactical map of battle
area
Wittgenstein
is reorganising his army in preparation for the expected French attack
Gotha
is his main supply base and controls his lines of communication
1st
Russian corps have orders to hold the city at all costs
They
have deployed to the west of the city
Davout
is determined to disrupt the Russian redeployment
To
do so he orders 14th Westphalian corps to attack Gotha
French
– 11200 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns
Russian
– 10800 infantry, 900 cavalry, 30 guns
Table at start of
wargame
14th
Westphalian corps passing through Meiningen
1st
Russian corps deployed to cover the approach to Gotha
Gotha
is off table to the right
Both
corps start the battle with casualties
0800-1200
The
Westphalians have deployed east of Meiningen
They
are out of artillery range of the Russians
The
Russians await the Westphalian advance.
1200-1600
Westphalian
artillery advance, deploy and open fire
The
infantry advance, supported by the cavalry on their left
The
Russian grenadier brigade receive 30% casualties but hold their ground
Artillery
open fire as soon as the Westphalian infantry come within range
Cossacks,
who have 10% casualties, are reluctant to engage the French lancers
1600-2000
Cossacks
move forward to threaten the Westphalian advance
Westphalian
artillery fire and rout them with 30% casualties
Lancers
charge gunners, who retreat into nearby square
Cavalry
rally, charge and rout the grenadier square, who already had 30% casualties
Infantry
close with Russian infantry and a firefight develops
One
Westphalian brigade is shaken, one Russian brigade is routed
Conclusion
Constantine
has lost two of his four infantry brigades, plus his cavalry
His
gunners have abandoned their guns
He
orders his corps to break contact, retreat and abandon Gotha
The
French have lost 800 casualties
The
Russians have lost 3000 casualties
