15 April 1813 – Battle of Fletchingen

Tactical map of battle area

Blucher has lost the first two battles of the campaign

So he desperately needs this one to be a victory

However he is attacking Napoleon and the Old Guard

 

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

3^rd Prussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Napoleon has deployed his army in front of Fletchingen

3^rd corps are between the town and the river

He has created a reserve with 2 brigades from 3 corps and 1 from 1 corps

They are deployed in front of the town

1^st (old guard) corps are behind the fortified farm

 

Blucher had decided to attack south of the hill

6^th corps will occupy the hill and pin 3^rd French corps

He has created a reserve of one brigade from each corps, plus 5 corps cavalry

5^th corps will take the fortified farm, supported by the reserve

End of move 2

6^th Prussian corps move their artillery into range of the French

One infantry brigade has moved onto the hill

 

The Prussian reserve is advancing in the centre

They come under fire from the French guard artillery, but no casualties

 

5^th Prussian corps advance towards the farm, out of range of the guard artillery

Their artillery are moving into position to engage the guard infantry south of the farm

End of move 4

3^rd French corps withdraw between town and river

6^th Prussian corps continue to advance, artillery unlimber

 

Prussian reserve cavalry charge French guard cavalry

Guard lose melee and withdraw shaken with 10% casualties

nearby gunners abandon their guns and seek cover in farm

 

1^st (old guard) start to withdraw

5^th Prussian corps advance

Artillery unlimber in short range of French infantry

Two infantry brigades move towards the farm

End of move 6

6^th Prussian corps advance between the hill and the river

Their cavalry receive 10% casualties from artillery fire, but pass morale test

 

Prussian reserve advance towards town

Their cavalry pin the French infantry brigade in square

 

5^th Prussian corps artillery pound infantry south of the farm

One French brigade routs, the second moves into the farm

French cavalry fail to rally from shaken and also rout

Two guard infantry brigades and the gunners are now inside the farm

Prussian infantry move to surround the farm, but hesitate to attack

They will wait to see what damage their gunners can do before they storm the farm

End of move 8

6^th Prussian cavalry win melee, but withdraw with 20% casualties

Infantry melee on hill continues, each side have suffered 20% casualties

The rest of 6^th Prussian corps advance

3^rd French corps start to withdraw

 

The Prussian reserve skirmish with the town garrison

The town is held by the elite 1^st grenadiers

The garrison receive 10% casualties but pass their morale test

The Prussian cavalry pin the reserve infantry brigade in square

 

5^th Prussian corps have surrounded the farm

It is held by two guard brigades, plus the artillery crew.

The Prussians consider it too strong to attack at present

Their artillery continue to pound the garrison, but no casualties

The remainder of 1^st French corps are retreating

End of move 10

6^th Prussian corps win the infantry melee on the ridge

3^rd French corps are in retreat, now joined by he defeated infantry brigade

However their cavalry have rallied and cover the retreat

6^th Prussian corps halt and regroup

 

The French reserve hold both sections of the town

 

5^th Prussian corps finally take the farm

A combination of three infantry brigades and close range artillery win the day

When the garrison have suffered 20% casualties to artillery fire the infantry attack

Two brigades storm the farm from opposite sides, a third remains in reverse

The garrison break with 40% casualties, taking the reserve brigade and gunners with them

 

Summary

Napoleon still holds the town at nightfall

But both 1^st and 3^rd corps are in retreat

To avoid further casualties he orders the garrison to retreat under cover of darkness

 

The French have lost 9 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3900 men)

The Prussians have lost 6 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2700 men)