14 April 1813 – Battle of Boltenhagen

Tactical map of battle area

Following the Prussian attack on Wittingen, Napoleon orders 2^nd French Army to attack Boltenhagen 

2^nd French Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

1^st Prussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Boltenhagen is the town top right

1^st Prussian army is deployed in the centre of the table

Prussian commander has deployed both corps along the length of the table

He has then taken command of infantry and artillery in the centre square

2^nd French army will arrive on the left at the start of move 1

End of move 2

1^st Prussian army wait to see what the French will do

2^nd French army advance towards the centre

French commander has deployed his army across the length of the table

He has then taken command of the infantry and artillery in the centre

End of move 4

Top – 4^th French corps deploy and artillery open fire

2^nd Prussian corps deploy their artillery but wait for French to advance

 

Centre – French reserve move across the hill in the centre

Prussian reserve deploy their artillery to support 1^st corps

 

Bottom – 13^th Polish corps deploy into column of attack

1^st Prussian corps move forward to the front of the bottom hill

End of move 6

Top – French artillery hit hussars, who pass morale test with 10% casualties

4^th French corps advance towards town

 

Centre – Prussian Reserve artillery concentrate on infantry square, but no casualties

French reserve advance towards village

 

Bottom – 13^th Polish corps advance towards hill

Polish lancers move from right to left flank, to counter Prussian cavalry on hill.

End of move 8

Top – Cuirassiers charge and rout Prussian hussars

They then fail to rally and charge nearby square

The infantry hold and rout cuirassiers with 20% casualties

 

Bottom – Polish lancers charge and rout Prussian heavy cavalry

Lancers then charge and rout gunners, causing nearby landwehr square to break and run.

 

Summary

Within two game moves two Prussian cavalry, and two infantry brigades are in rout

Bulow orders the remainder of 1^st Prussian army to retreat before the French pin them down.

 

The French have lost 1 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (700 men)

The Prussians have lost 2 infantry, 4 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (1300 men)