20 May 1813 – Battle of Gotha

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

1^st 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 14^th Westphalian corps to attack Gotha

French – 11200 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 30 guns

Russian – 10800 infantry, 900 cavalry, 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

14^th Westphalian corps passing through Meiningen

1^st 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