5 November 1813 – Battle of Halle

Tactical map of battle area

Wittgenstein is desperate to move supplies north from Halle and Landsberg

Both 3^rd and 4^th corps are down to two days supplies, and are ordered to resupply

Before they can do so they are attacked by 5^th and 6^th French corps

French – 64000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Russian – 68000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, 60 guns

Table at start of battle

The Russian army are at the top of the table

Wittgenstein has created a reserve of two infantry and one cavalry brigade

19 infantry brigade is the garrison of Halle

The French army are at the bottom of the table

Davout has created a reserve of both corps artillery and one infantry brigade

Move 1 : 0800-0900

3^rd and 4^th Russian corps advance

Russian reserve hold on the hill top centre

Both French corps and the reserve all advance

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Russian 3^rd, 4^th and reserve corps all advance

5^th French corps advance towards woods, but halt at edge

French reserve artillery unlimber

6^th French corps advance towards woods on right

6^th lancers charge and rout Russian cuirassiers

They then fail morale test and charge nearby square

They in turn are routed with 20% casualties

Move 3 : 1000-1100

3^rd Russian corps advance towards woods on left

Russian reserve advance in support, cossacks threaten artillery

4^th Russian corps occupy both half of woods on right      

5^th French cuirassiers advance to counter Cossack threat

Reserve artillery exchange fire with Russian gunners, no casualties

6^th corps infantry charge woods on right

They win melee in right hand section and rout Russian infantry

On the left the melee continues, though Russian infantry are shaken

Move 4 : 1100-1200

French reserve artillery charged by Cossacks

Abandon guns and take shelter in nearby square

5^th French corps advance

Cavalry charge and rout Cossack brigade

6^th French corps win melee in woods on right

4^th Russian corps start to rout

3^rd Russian corps and reserve hold their ground

Move 5 : 1200-1300

3^rd Russian corps have one brigade in rout

4^th Russian corps have four brigades in rout

remainder of corps start to retreat

French 6^th corps have one brigade in rout

Both 6^th and French reserve move to support 5^th corps

Conclusion

With the loss of 4^th corps Wittgenstein is greatly outnumbered

Although 3^rd corps and his reserve are still strong he orders a general retreat

The French have lost 1700 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Russians have lost 1800 casualties and five brigades in rout