7 November 1813 – Battle of Gerbstedt

Tactical map of battle area

Wittgenstein must hold Gerbstedt to avoid losing the campaign

He has deployed his army between Gerbstedt and Konnern

They must hold the town and the bridge over the river Saale

Davout is determined to take Gernstedt and the bridge

French – 32000 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 60 guns

Russian – 35200 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 57 guns

Table at start of battle

19 Russian brigade is the garrison of Gerbstedt (top left)

2^nd Russian corps is deployed behind the town

1^st Russian corps is deployed between the town and the river Saale

2^nd Young Guard corps is deployed in front of the town

14^th Westphalian corps is deployed between them and the river

Davout has taken the artillery of both corps to create a reserve

He also has one infantry brigade from 2^nd corps

Move 1 : 0800-0900

1^st Russian advance to deploy in front of the road

2^nd Russian corps send their artillery forward

The whole French army advance in column of march

Move 2 : 0900-1000

1^st Russian corps start to deploy

2^nd Russian corps advance to deploy between them and the town

The French infantry change formation to column of attack

The artillery advance to long range of the Russians     

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Russians continue to deploy

2^nd corps artillery fire on cavalry, but no casualties

French artillery unlimber

Infantry and cavalry wait for orders to advance

Move 4 : 1100-1200

French artillery hit 1^st Russian artillery

Russians gunners receive 10% casualties

They fail their morale test and are shaken

Move 5 : 1200-1300

French artillery hit 1^st Russian artillery

Gunners receive 10% casualties

Fail morale test and are shaken

Move 6 : 1300-1400

French artillery hit Russian infantry, who receive 10% casualties

Infantry pass morale test and are disordered

14^th Westphalian corps advance

1^st Russian artillery test morale for being shaken

Pass morale and are disordered

Move 7 : 1400-1500

1^st Russian Cossacks charge Westphalian lancer brigade

Lancers fail morale test and are unable to counter charge

Lancers lose melee and rout with 20% casualites

2^nd French and 14^th Westphalian corps advance

Russian artillery fire, but no casualties

French artillery fire, but no casualties

Move 8 : 1500-1600

1^st Russian Cossacks return to commander to rally

2^nd French corps hold until artillery in position

Reserve artillery limber and advance to support 2^nd corps

14^th Westphalian infantry advance

On left brigade charge and rout gunners

On right brigade melee, result is a draw

Move 9 : 1600-1700      

1^st Russian corps Cossacks rally

infantry on right win melee and rout French brigade

infantry on left  lose melee and rout

2^nd Russian corps start to retreat

French artillery unlimber and prepare to support 2^nd corps

Westphalian infantry continue to melee

The battle on the right flank is very uncertain.

Move 10 : 1700-1800

1^st Russian infantry, supported by Cossacks, attack

Melee on right is a draw, both lose 10% casualties and disordered

Russian infantry win melee, French lose 20% and are shaken

Cossacks charge in the centre but halt when infantry form square

2^nd Russian infantry and artillery withdraw level with woods

Cavalry receive 10% casualties from artillery and are shaken

2^nd French corps advance, supported by reserve artillery

Move 11 : 1800-1900

Westphalians win infantry melee on the left

Two Russian infantry brigades, plus Cossacks, are routed

One Westphalian infantry brigade also routed

Russian cuirassiers on the right rout when charged by French cavalry

The rest of 2^nd Russian corps have withdrawn between town and woods

2^nd French corps advance, supported by reserve artillery

14^th Westphalian corps too disorganised to pursue routed Russians

Conclusion

The battle ended in considerable confusion

1^st Russian corps have lost, but retreat covered by two infantry brigades

2^nd Russian corps are largely intact, and have taken up a new position

14^th Westphalian corps have won their battle, but are unable to pursue

2^nd French corps are intact, but too far to attack again before nightfall

The French have lost 2400 casualties and three brigades in rout

The Russians have lost 3600 casualties and five brigades in rout