5 September 1813 – Battle of Kulmbach

Tactical map of battle area

Wittgenstein has rallied his army at Kulmbach

They have suffered heavy battle casualties during the campaign

However he has rallied his routed brigades and reorganised his corps

He has also received some replacements for his casualties

Davout has taken three days to redeploy and reorganise his army

This was necessary because he had to reorganise his supplies

He is determined to end the campaign with the defeat of the Russian army

French – 64000 infantry, 3900 cavalry, 117 guns

Russian – 60000 infantry, 3700 cavalry, 108 guns

Table at start of battle

The four Russian corps are deployed on the table

The four French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900

3^rd Russian corps open fire on approaching French cavalry

4^th Russian corps ordered to advance ready to support battle line

2^nd, 5^th and 14^th French corps all advance

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Russian artillery open fire on approaching French

4^th Russian corps continue to advance from hill

2^nd, 5^th and 14^th French corps infantry form column of attack

6^th French corps arrive centre left 

Move 3 : 1000-1100

4^th Russian corps start to deploy behind 2^nd corps

2^nd French cavalry charge and rout 1^st Cossacks

2^nd, 5^th and 14^th French corps all advance in column of attack

6^th French corps form column of attack centre left

Move 4 : 1100-1200

4^th Russian corps start to deploy behind the hill in the centre

They have orders to form a reserve in the centre

Russian artillery pound the approaching French columns

On the right Westphalian lancers charge and rout 3^rd Russian artillery

French artillery opens fire to support the four corps who are all advancing

Move 5 : 1200-1300

4^th Russian corps is ordered to plug the gap either side of the centre hill

French cavalry move forward to attack the Russian gunners

Both 1^st and 3^rd Russian artillery are in rout

French gunners are proving more effective than their Russian counterparts

They have broken two Russian brigades, one infantry and one cavalry

White stars show Russian brigades in rout

French infantry have masked their artillery as they approach the Russian line

Move 6 : 1300-1400

The battle is going badly for the Russians

White stars indicate brigades in rout

1^st Russian corps, on the left, is breaking

2^nd and 6^th French corps press home their attack

French approach Russian held hills in the centre and right

4^th Russian corps, in reserve, is struggling to deploy

Move 7 : 1400-1500

French setback on the left

2^nd (Guard) corps attack is driven back

This allows 1^st Russian corps to withdraw towards Kulmbach

5^th French and 2^nd Russian, in the centre, continue to melee

14^th French and 3^rd Russian, on the right, continue firefight

Move 8 : 1500-1600

1^st Russian corps retreat to Kulmbach

2^nd Russian corps retreat from hill

3^rd Russian corps retreat from hill

4^th Russian corps prepare to cover retreat

White stars indicate brigades in rout

Conclusion

Wittgenstein has lost 10 of his 24 brigades in rout

He still holds Kulmbach, but orders the rest of his Army to retreat

The Russians have lost 10,000 casualties

The French have lost 5,100 casualties