6 April 1813 – Battle of Marktl

Tactical map of battle area

Having won the battle of Bayerback, Schwartzenberg wants to keep the pressure on

He orders 2^nd Austrian army to attack Marktl

8^th Bavarian army, who are still recovering, have orders to hold the town.

 

Bavarian – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Prussian – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Start of move 1

8^th Bavarian army is deployed on the table at the start of the game

12^th corps is in and around the woods at the top

11^th corps is in and around the woods at the bottom

CinC has taken command of two brigades in the town

 

2^nd Austrian army will arrive from the right at the start of move 1

End of move 2

2^nd Austrian army have arrived on the table

They are still out of range of the Bavarian artillery

4^th corps is moving towards the woods at the top

3^rd corps is moving towards the woods at the bottom

CinC has taken command of two elite brigades in the centre

End of move 4

Austrians deploy out of artillery range

Move their guns forward and exchange fire, but no casualties

End of move 6

Top – 12 Bavarian exchange fire with 4 Austrian, no casualties

 

Centre – Austrian reserve advance to support 3^rd corps

Bavarian reserve move out of the town, but perhaps too late

 

Bottom -  3 Austrian corps move forward to attack woods

Artillery fire on woods and hit brigade nearest artillery

They fail their morale and are shaken.

End of move 8

Top – 12 Bavarian and 4 Austrian continue artillery fire, no casualties

 

Centre – Austrian reserve charge woods and rout garrison

3 Austrian corps artillery continue to fire on woods

Cavalry are engaged by Bavarian hussars, lose melee and rout

Infantry half and form square

End of move 10

Top – Austrian gunners receive 10% casualties, pass morale test

 

Centre – Bavarian reserve form line and advance

This causes Austrian reserve to abandon attack on woods and form line

 

Bottom – Austrian artillery continue to fire on woods

11 Bavarian corps withdraw from woods and retreat towards town

 

Summary

The Bavarian army break contact and retreat to avoid further casualties

However the Austrians have failed to take the town

At night fall the Bavarians still hold Marktl.

Although they have lost more casualties than the Austrians, they still win the battle

 

The Bavarians have lost 5 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2100 men)

The Austrians have lost 1 Infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (300 men)

6 April 1813 - Southern Germany - Day 7

The Austrian supply situation is still critical, despite moving supplies forward from the main base at Altheim.

In the north 7^th Bavarian army retreat to Falkenberg

1^st Austrian army reorganise and occupy Bayerbach

In the centre 2^nd Austrian army attack Marktl

8^th Bavarian army are deployed in front of the town with orders to hold

 

In the south 6^th Austrian army and 9^th French army face each other over the river Inn.

Both armies have resupplied and regrouped and are ready to reassume operations.

The Bavarians lose more casualties but still win the battle of Marktl

The battle is fought to the east of the town

At nightfall the Bavarians retreat to the town

5 April 1813 – Battle of Bayerbach

Tactical map of battle area

The Austrians have taken Bayerbach, Branau and Eggelsberg

In doing so they have over extended their lines of supply

All six corps are running short of supplies

 

The Bavarians are fully supplied, having retreated to their depots

However they have suffered more battle casualties than the Austrians

Despite this Massena is determined to take advantage of the situation

He orders 7^th French army to attack Bayerbach

 

French – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Prussian – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

 

Start of move 1

Both Austrian corps are deployed on the table at the start of the game

4^th infantry brigade is in the left hand town section

Most of 2^nd corps are deployed outside the town

They are ready to move into the area between the town and the farm

 

Both Bavarian corps will arrive top and centre left at the start of move 1.

End of move 2

The Austrians have adjusted their deployment to meet the Bavarian approach

The CinC has created a reserve, in the centre, of two infantry brigades

 

The Bavarians are advancing

10^th corps have detached one brigade to enter the inn on the right

The CinC has also created a reserve of two brigades, also in the centre.

End of move 4

The Austrian reserve has been disbanded, brigades sent back to their corps

2^nd corps have retreated slightly to avoid being outflanked

1^st corps cavalry charge guns, but are counter charged by 9^th dragoons

Melee is a draw, both sides now have 30% casualties and are non operational

 

Bavarian artillery open fire, but no casualties

10^th corps occupy inn

Cavalry advance left of the inn to outflank 2^nd corps

9^th corps dragoons counter charge to save gunners

Melee is a draw, both cavalry brigades non operational

End of move 6

The Austrian reserve is moving through the town to rejoin 2^nd corps

1^st corps redeploy and wait for enemy to attack

Cavalry melee is a draw, both lose 40% casualties and both rout

 

10^th Bavarian corps advance

Bavarian reserve advance

9^th Bavarian corps hold their position

End of move 8

2^nd Austrian corps now have the two detached infantry brigades back

Their cavalry fight an undecided melee, both sides have received 10% casualties

1^st Austrian corps retreat one infantry brigade who have received 30% casualties

 

10^th Bavarian corps advance on the left

Their cavalry continue to melee on their left

The Bavarian reserve receive artillery casualties but continue to advance

9^th Bavarian corps artillery have forced an Austrian brigade to retreat

                                                                  End of move 10

On the left there is extensive hand to hand fighting.

Bavarian reserve and 10^th corps have closed with 2^nd Austrian corps

Despite considerable casualties, neither side is giving way

 

On the right 1^st Austrian and 9^th Bavarian corps each have two infantry brigades

The Bavarian artillery moves forward into close range

The Bavarian infantry advance

End of move 12

The Austrians won the extended infantry melee on the left

Bavarian infantry took the town, but had to retreat with the rest of 10^th corps

9^th Bavarian corps also retreated with 10^th corps

 

The Austrians won the game

 

Summary

Both sides suffered heavy casualties, particularly the cavalry

The Austrians lost more casualties, but had better morale

They lost 5 brigades in rout, to 4 Bavarian brigades

 

The Bavarians have lost 11 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (5000 men)

The Austrians have lost 13 infantry and 6 cavalry casualties (5800 men)

5 April 1813 - Southern Germany - Day 6

All six Austrian corps are running short of supplies

There are sufficient supplies available, but they are in the rear depots

It will take at least two days to bring enough forward to resupply the whole army

The Bavarian army has no supply problems.    Four of the six corps are fully supplies with four days. 

 

In the north 7^th Bavarian army attack 1^st Austrian army at Bayerbach.

At daybreak one Austrian corps has two days supplies, the other only one day

 

In the centre 8^th Bavarian army is fully supplied.     But they must rally and regroup.  

 

In the south 9^th French army retreat to Burghausen having lost the battle of Eggelsberg.   3^rd Austrian army occupy Eggelsberg and establish a new depot.   At nightfall they receive four days supplies from Mauerkirchen.

 

After a very hard fought battle the Austrians won Bayerbach.  This despite the fact that they had more casualties, and more brigades in rout.   Critical morale tests were the reason that they won.

4 April 1813 – Battle of Eggelsberg

Tactical map of battle area

General Merveldt is ordered to attack Eggelsberg with 3^rd Austrian army

Marshal Victor has ordered to hold Eggelsberg with 9^th French army

Both armies have light battle casualties

 

The French have deployed to receive supplies from Burghausen

They will have to redeploy to meet the Austrian attack

 

18^th French corps will arrive at the start of move 1

 

French – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Austrian – 6 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Start of move 1

3^rd Austrian army are deployed on the right

CinC has created a reserve by taking the best infantry brigade from each corps

 

17^th French corps are deployed in and around Eggelsberg

The town garrison consists of two infantry brigades

The rest of the corps is ready to take up position between the town and the river

 

18^th French will arrive centre left at the start of move one

They will deploy between the town and the woods

End of move 2

3^rd Austrian army has advanced and is ready to deploy

 

17^th French corps have deployed between the town and the river

CinC has taken command of the town garrison

18^th French corps are moving into position between the town and the woods

End of move 4

Austrians are in position

Artillery open fire but no casualties

 

Bavarians occupy woods south of town

Also in position, artillery also open fire, again no casualties

End of move 6

Bavarians move one brigade south of woods

They are now in position and will await the Austrian attack

Artillery continue to fire, but still no casualties

 

Austrian artillery have fired for four hours, still no casualties

5^th corps ordered to hold north flank

Reserve and 6^th corps move forward to attack between town and woods

End of move 8

Top – Austrian cavalry charge French dragoons, lose melee and rout with 30% casualties

Centre – Austrian reserve approach town

Bottom – Austrian cavalry charge guns, are counter charged by French lancers

French lose melee and rout with 30% casualties

French gunners seek safety in nearby infantry square

End of move 10

Top – French win battle on this flank.  

Austrian infantry move south

 

Centre – two Austrian brigades assault southern half of town

Both French brigades are routed and Austrians occupy town

 

Bottom – Austrian artillery rout infantry south of woods

Infantry storm woods and rout French brigade

End of move 12

Top – French hold this flank

Austrians move south to join reserve

 

Centre – Both sides hold half of town

 

Bottom – Austrians hold this flank

Austrians occupy woods

18^th French corps is broken and in rout

Summary

The Austrians win the battle

French hold the northern half of the battlefield,

The Austrians hold the southern half.

However the French have more casualties

They also have six brigades in rout

The Austrians have one brigade in rout

 

The French have lost 5 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2300 men)

The Austrians have lost 2 infantry and 3 cavalry  casualties (1100 men)

 

4 April 1813 - Southern Germany - Day 5

In the north the Bavarians continue to regroup and resupply

the Austrians redeploy to defend Bayerbach

                  

In the centre the Bavarians rally, regroup and resupply

The Austrians also regroup and resupply, they also receive supplies from Altheim

 

In the south the Austrians attack Eggelsberg

The French are deployed to receive supplies from Burghausen

They will have to redeploy to meet the Austrian attack

The French are able to fully deploy before the Austrians attack

The French hold the north half of the town and to the river

The Austrians hold the south half of the town and the woods

The French lose 2300 casualties, the Austrians 1100

At nightfall the French have six brigades in rout, the Austrians one

The French retreat and the Austrians win the battle.

3 April 1813 - Southern Germany - Day 4

 

A much needed day of rest, regrouping, reorganisation and resupply

 

In the north Bavarians deploy at Falkenburg, reorganise and resupply

Austrians set up new depot at Bayerbach, reorganise and resupply

 

In the centre Bavarians retreat having lost the battle of Branau

Austrians occupy Branau and set up a new depot

 

In the south Bavarians regroup, reorganise and set up depot at Eggelsberg

Austrians regroup at Mauerkirchen and resupply

2 April 1813 – Battle of Branau

Tactical map of battle area

Branau is a walled city and is not occupied by either side, it has no military garrison

 

Both 2^nd Austrian and 8^th Bavarian armies have deployed outside Branau

They have spent a day deploying and preparing to attack

 

Bavarian –7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Austrian – 7 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Start of move 1

Branau is a fortified city, but it does not have a military garrison

Only infantry can fight in the city, cavalry and artillery can pass through on the road

Entry to the city is only allowed through one of the four gates

Infantry movement rate within the city is 4”

 

Both armies are deployed 12 inches from their table edge

 

Bavarian CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades centre left

Austrian CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades centre right

End of move 2

Bavarian reserve is approaching city gate on the left

11^th corps is approaching the woods south of the city

12^th corps is advancing north of the city

 

Austrian reserve is approaching city gate on the right

3^rd corps is moving towards the woods south of the city

4^th corps is advancing north of the city

End of move 4

Both armies are now in contact

 

In the north 4^th Austrian corps have deployed and opened fire

12^th Bavarian corps are still moving into position

Their leading infantry brigade have suffered 10% casualties

They have passed their morale test and hold their ground

 

In the centre both reserves have entered the city

The buildings have been removed to track movement

The two leading brigades are slightly ahead of the second brigades

 

In the south 11^th Bavarian corps have sent one infantry brigade into the woods

They come under artillery fire, suffer 10% casualties and retreat out of the woods

3^rd Austrian corps now send their own infantry forward towards the woods

End of move 6

In the north the cavalry melee was a draw, both withdraw with 10% casualties

The Austrian infantry are advancing and threaten the Bavarian gunners

 

In the centre the battle for the city continues

The Bavarians have lost the melee in the north and rout with 20% casualties

 

In the south the Austrians advance

The melee in the woods continues, both sides have suffered 10% casualties

The Austrian artillery are redeploying and their cavalry have advanced

End of move 8

In the north 12^th Baden corps are in retreat

Their corps artillery and one infantry brigade are in rout

Their cavalry are covering the retreat

 

In the centre the Bavarians have lost the battle for the city

Both infantry brigades are in rout

 

In the south the battle is still undecided

Both brigades in the woods have lost 20% casualties, but both continue to fight

The cavalry melee continues with both sides having lost 10% casualties

 

Summary

Massena has lost the city and the battle in the north

He also has four brigades in rout

The Austrians have won the battle

 

The Bavarians have lost 9 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (4100 men)

The Austrians have lost 6 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (4100 men)