25 September 1813 – Battle of Schenga

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon has fought three battles in the previous three days.

He has won two and drawn one.

Both armies are in urgent need of reorganisation and resupply

But he is determined to maintain the pressure on the Prussians

3^rd French corps have battle casualties, especially the cavalry who have 20%

1^st Prussian corps have more infantry casualties, but only 10% cavalry

French – 15200 infantry, 800 cavalry, 30 guns

Prussian – 13200 infantry,900 cavalry, 27 guns

Table at start of battle

Prussians deployed around he fortified inn (top centre)

French deployed in front of Dahre (bottom centre)

Both corps have casualties, indicated by coloured markers

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Prussians move first

Do not move, wait to see what the French will do

French move second

Advance either side of the woods

This is to make it difficult for the Prussian artillery and cavalry to contain both flanks

Cavalry, who have 20% casualties, well to the rear

Move 2 : 0900-1000

French move first

Both flanks advance

Artillery unlimber within range of Prussian cavalry

French cavalry move to support left flank

Prussians move second

Cavalry move to counter French cavalry

Artillery advance and unlimber on the road

Infantry advance to take up position at near end of fortified inn

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Prussians move first

Artillery fire on infantry, hit and inflict 10% casualties

Cavalry advance and deploy within charge range of infantry

French move second

Left flank infantry receive 10% casualties from artillery

Pass morale test but are disordered

They must remain in position until the right flank has drawn level

Cavalry deploy into line, but remain well to the rear

Artillery limber and advance now that Prussian cavalry have moved

Right flank infantry advance with the guns

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Prussians move first

Artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

Cavalry withdraw out of artillery range

French move second

Artillery unlimber

Right flank swing left to attack artillery

Cavalry advance, but still out of charge range

Left flank hold until right flank in position launch joint attack

Move 5 : 1200-1300

French move first

Artillery fire and hit infantry

All infantry advance and are now in artillery short range

Brigade beside artillery receive 20% casualties and rout

Nearest infantry fail morale and are shaken

Gunners fail morale and are shaken

Prussians move second

Artillery fire and hit nearest infantry, who rout

Right hand infantry move forward onto flank of shaken French brigade

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Prussians move first

Artillery fire at close range, but no casualties

Infantry charge shaken French brigade in flank and rout them

French move second

Two brigades on right flank in rout

Shaken gunners limber and retreat

Both brigades on left flank retreat

Cavalry cover retreat

Conclusion

With the loss of his right flank Borrois the rest of his corps to retreat

This leaves the 1^st Prussian corps the winner

The French have lost 1600 casualties

The Prussians have lost 100 casualties