23 May 1813 – Battle of Dolstadt

Tactical map of battle area

The French are short of supplies and too far east to resupply

They must either attack or retreat

The Russians are fully supplied and have orders to hold Dolstadt

Russian – 34000 infantry, 1900 cavalry, 60 guns

French – 37200 infantry, 2800 cavalry, 90 guns

Table at start of wargame

French HQ, 2^nd and 5^th corps arrive at the start of move 1

French 6^th corps arrive at the start of move 5

0800-1200

2^nd and 5^th French corps have advanced and opened artillery fire

Their infantry are still out of range of the Russian artillery.

5^th French cuirassiers charge and rout the 2^nd Russian cuirassiers

They rout into the nearby artillery and rout the gunners

The gunners break the nearest square who join the rout

2^nd Russian corps is in danger of breaking and running away

1200-1600

2^nd French corps press home their attack

Cavalry charge and break a shaken square

Rout spreads through 2^nd Russian corps

In the centre 5^th corps attack the Dolstadt

French cuirassiers are routed when they charge artillery

Remainder of corps press home their attack

Gunners and 17 brigade both rout

To the north 6^th French corps arrive and attack Dolstadt

Grenadier brigade broken and routed by French cavalry

Remainder of 3^rd Russian corps ordered to retreat

Conclusion

Wittgenstein has suffered a comprehensive defeat

8 of his 13 brigades are in rout

His communications to Gotha have been cut

He orders 2^nd and 3^rd corps to retreat east

The French have lost 100 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Russians have lost 3300 casualties and eight brigades in rout