Summary of Central Germany Campaign

Regional areas of Central Germany

There are three regions in Central Germany

Dusseldorf Region is the rear area for Second French army

Their main depot is in Dusseldorf

Dresden Region is the rear area for the Russian Army

Their main depot is in Dresden                 

Erfurt Region is the disputed area between them

 

 

Diary of Central German Campaign

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new army to fight the 1813 campaign

 

1 January 1813 - Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France

 

10 January 1813 - The Russian army concentrated in the Dresden region

 

1 February 1813 - Napoleon ordered the formation of Second French army in Dusseldorf region under the command of Marshal Davout.

 

26 February 1813 – Second French army declared operational.

 

28 February 1813 - The Russians moved into the Erfurt region and occupied Gera

 

2 March 1813 - Davout entered Erfurt region and occupied Gera

 

14 March 1813 – Start of Erfurt campaign phase

 

21 March 1813 – French win Erfurt campaign phase

Erfurt Campaign - 14 to 21 March 1813

Davout won four of the six battles fought, including the final one

Wittgenstein won the remaining two

 

Davout took and held the city of Erfurt and therefore won the campaign

 

The campaign started on 18 August 2020 and ended on 27 December 2020                                    

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

20 - Introduction to the campaign in Central Germany

21 – 2^nd French Army order of battle

22 - Russian Army order of battle

23 - Daily diary for the campaign in Central Germany

24 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Central Germany

25 - Summary of campaign in Central Germany

21 March 1813 – Central Germany – End of Erfurt Campaign

Battles fought during campaign phase

Davout won four of the six battles fought, including the final one

Wittgenstein won the remaining two

 

Davout took and held the city of Erfurt and therefore won the campaign

 

The campaign started on 18 August 2020 and ended on 27 December 2020

 

During this campaign we experimented with finding a new role for the CinC.   Previously he had only given orders to each of the corps commanders

We allowed him to take command of one or more brigades to form a reserve

This added a new, and welcome, element to the wargames.

Erfurt Region

Weinstein ordered his army to retreat to Gera

He established his headquarters in the city

 

Davout ordered his army to deploy around Erfurt

He moved his headquarters to the city

21 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 8

The French victory at Weimar forced General Wittgenstein to order a general retreat.

 

Second French army was already over extended, and at the furthest extent of their lines of supply.   Despite this Marshal Davout ordered 2^nd and 6^th corps, and the reserve, to continue to advance towards Weimar.  Occupation of the Russian main supply base would seal his victory

 

5^th corps was ordered to regroup at Wiessensee, and 14^th corps at Saalfeld.

 

20 March 1813 – Battle of Weimar

 

Tactical map of battle area

Both armies have concentrated for the decisive battle of the campaign

The Russians occupy a very strong position just west of the city

A Russian defeat will result in them having to retreat off the map

A French defeat will force them to retreat to regroup and reorganise

 

French –7 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery

Russian – 8 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades,  3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The Russian army has been deployed in the centre three squares

The CinC has transferred one infantry brigade from 1^st and 3^rd corps to the Reserve

18 infantry brigade is the garrison of Weimar, and must remain there during the battle

 

The three French corps will arrive on the table at the start of move one.

Move 2

On the left the French army move onto the table

 

First blood to 1 Russian corps artillery who hit infantry brigade

Second to 2 French corps when Guard Grenadiers charge and rout the Cossack brigade.

Move 4

Top – Both sides exchange artillery fire, no casualties

Russians are too strong for French to attack

 

Centre – Russian heavy cavalry charge artillery.   Gunners run away and cavalry can not reach them.   French cuirassiers counter charge and rout Russian cavalry.

 

Bottom – French cavalry charge and rout Russian gunners.   Nearby square fail their morale and join rout.   Remander of French advance towards hill.

 

French CinC joins 2^nd corps to give them new objective

Russian CinC take command of last brigade of 1 corps.

Move 6 - Table at end of battle

Top – Russians are stronger than the French, and hold their position until the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.   Only then do 6^th French corps advance.

 

Centre – Without cavalry support the Russian infantry are forced to form square as the French cavalry advance.  They hold their position until the general retreat is ordered.

 

Bottom – Only one infantry brigade of 1^st Russian corps is unaffected by the general rout.   The CinC takes command and moves them to support the reserve.

The French CinC takes command of 2^nd corps, who are now free to move to support the centre.   Before they can do so the Russian CinC orders a general retreat.

 

Summary

 The Rout of 1^st Russian corps results in a general retreat before the French can reach the remaining Russian brigades.

 

Casualties are light, but due to earlier campaign casualties the morale of both armies is fragile.   The Russians are the first to break and run.

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (600 men)

The Russians have lost 6 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (800 men)

 

20 March 1813 – Central Germany - Day 7

In the north 5^th French corps retreat to Wiessensee, having lost the battle of Sommerda.   2^nd Russian corps regroup and resupply.

 

In the centre 2^nd, 6^th and French reserve attack Weimar

1^st, 3^rd and reserve Russian corps defend the town

 

In the south 14^th Westphalian corps regroup and resupply in Saalfeld

4^th Russian corps rout towards Weimar to rally with the main army.

 

Both armies at the battle of Weimar have brittle morale due to earlier campaign casualties.   Despite relatively light casualties 1^st Russian corps break and run, leaving 3^rd corps and the reserve to face three French corps.   Before the French can pin them, the remainder of the Russian army retreat

The French lost 600 casualties and one brigade in rout

The Russians lost 800 casualties and four brigades in rout

19 March 1813 – Battle of Sommerda

 

Tactical map of battle area

Davout is anxious to attack the Russian army before they can concentrate at Weimar.   He orders 5^th French corps to attack 2^nd Russian corps and pin them at Sommerda

 

French – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery         

Russian – 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade, 1 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

2^nd Russian corps is deployed directly in front of Sommerda

They are angled to prevent either a frontal attack on the town

But also to counter a drive against the Weimar road

Their orders are to defend the town, but if forced to retreat move to Weimar

To do so they must protect the road from the town to bottom right of the table

5^th French corps will arrive centre left at the start of move 1

Move 4

5^th French corps send their cavalry to secure he high ground

But also to threaten the Weimar road

The rest of the corps advance directly towards Sommerda

 

2^nd Russian corps redeploy to meet the French infantry

Their cavalry move to their left flank to counter the French cavalry

 

Both French and Russian artillery fire on the enemy infantry

Russians fail to hit their target

French hit square beside artillery and cause 10% casualties

Infantry pass their morale test

 

French cavalry halt short of edge of hill

The Russian guns cannot engage them, because they cannot see them

However they must advance to the edge to charge the Russian cavalry

Move 8

Artillery on both sides concentrate their fire on the enemy infantry

The Russians hit three times, the French twice

 

French cavalry charge Russian cuirassiers.

First round of melee is a draw, with each losing 10% casualties

French break and rout after second round of melee, losing a further 20% casualties

 

Meanwhile French infantry advance to attack

One brigade charge and rout the Russian gunners

Move 10

Russian cavalry (with 20% casualties) charge French infantry (with 10% casualties)

Infantry win melee and cavalry rout into nearby square

 

French infantry charge Russian artillery, who fire canister but fail to stop infantry

Gunners rout with 20% casualties

 

Supporting Russian infantry charge French infantry, who lose melee and rout

 

French commander orders a general retreat

 

Summary

After a hard fought battle the Russians still hold Sommerda

The French have lost 8 infantry and 4 cavalry (3600 casualties)

The Russians have lost 4 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 gunners (2100 casualties)

There are three French brigades in rout and 2 Russian brigades