8 November 1813 – Second battle of Gerbstedt

Tactical map of battle area

The first battle of Gerbstedt ended in a draw

Davout left it too late to attack and nightfall ended the battle

The Russians still held the town, and 1^st corps was largely intact

Both armies have suffered considerable casualties and have brigades in rout

They will start the second day with only those brigades who were not in rout

Although low on supplies Davout ordered a second attack next day

French – 23600 infantry, 900 cavalry, 60 guns

Russian – 26000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, 27 guns

Table at start of battle

1^st Russian corps is deployed behind the woods in the centre

2^nd Russian corps is deployed behind Gerbstedt

Only their artillery are forward of the town

The French army will arrive at the start of move 1

Move 1 : 0800-0900

1^st Russian corps remains behind the woods       

2^nd Russian corps advance between the town and the woods

Davout has taken command of both corps artillery again

Much depleted 14^th corps advance in the centre

Mostly intact 2^nd corps advance on the right

Move 2 : 0900-1000

2^nd Russian corps complete their deployment

No infantry have entered the town

Their artillery open fire on enemy gunners, but no casualties

French continue to advance

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Russian artillery fire on French gunners, no casualties

2^nd French corps advance towards town

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Russian infantry enter town and woods

Russian artillery fire on French gunners, no casualties

French artillery fire on Russian gunners, no casualties

2^nd and 14^th corps both advance

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Russian infantry deploy within town

Russian gunners receive 20% casualties, pass morale test

French artillery fire on Russian gunners inflict 10% casualties

2^nd French corps infantry advance

Cavalry remain out of charge range of cossocks

Move 6 : 1300-1400

Russian gunners can only fire alternative moves due to casualties

French artillery fire on Russian gunners, no casualties

2^nd French corps extend front to match Russian deployment

Cavalry advance to engage Cossacks

Move 7 : 1400-1500

2^nd French corps cavalry charge and rout Cossacks

They then fail morale to rally and pursue fleeing Cossacks

Four guard infantry brigades advance between town and woods

Russian infantry skirmish, and cause 10% casualties in centre brigade

French infantry pass morale test.

French reserve artillery have exchanged fire with Russian gunners for three hours

Davout orders Westphalian infantry to attack gunners to force them to retreat

He also orders his 9pdr guns to advance within short range of town

Move 8 : 1500-1600

2^nd French corps cavalry return to corps commander to rally

Three infantry brigades charge Russian infantry

They win two melee, and two Russian brigades rout

The third is a draw, but the Russians are shaken

Westphalian infantry force Russian gunners to retreat

However they come under fire from garrison, lose 10% casualties and rout                                                                           

Move 9 : 1600-1700

2^nd French cavalry rally with commander

Infantry melee in centre ends with the third Russian brigade routed

Right hand French brigade storms woods, melee is a draw

Left hand French brigade moves to skirmish with garrison, no casualties

Reserve artillery fire on town, no casualties

Move 10 : 1700-1800

French lose melee for town, which is held by an elite Russian brigade

Two French brigades in rout, a third is shaken

French also lose melee for woods and withdraw shaken

Move 11 : 1800-1900

French infantry skirmish woods, inflict 10% casualties

Guard infantry abandon attack on town

Westphalian infantry storm town, melee is a draw

French artillery hit garrison and inflict 10% casualties

Russian infantry in woods and town both pass morale test

Move 12 : 1900-2000

French artillery fire on left section of town

Garrison suffer 10% casualties but pass morale test

Westphalian infantry lose melee for right section of town

Fail morale and rout, taking nearby shaken infantry brigade with them

Conclusion

Although the Russians have lost more casualties, they still hold the town at nightfall

The French have lost five of their seven brigades in rout

Much against the odds, the Russians win the battle

The French have lost 4800 casualties and five brigades in rout

The Russians have lost 7700 casualties and three brigades in rout