18 April 1813 – Battle of Fletchingen

 

Tactical map of battle area

Napoleon is now almost certain to win the campaign

However he is determined to defeat Blucher with 1^st corps

This will allow his Old Guard to avenge their earlier defeat at Fletchingen

 

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

The Prussian commander has created a reserve (centre right) of two elite infantry brigades, which he has placed in the town

Napoleon has also created a reserve (centre left) of two infantry brigades and 1^st corps artillery

End of move 2

The Prussian artillery have deployed slightly forward of their battle line

The French have advanced but remain out of range of the Prussian guns

End of move 4

The French infantry and cavalry halt out of artillery range

Their artillery move forward to deploy within range of the Prussian infantry

3^rd French corps artillery deploy, fire and hit an infantry brigade

The Prussians pass their morale test with 10% casualties

1^st French corps artillery continue to advance to deploy within short range of the town.   Before they can do so they are hit by the Prussian artillery.   They lose their morale test with 10% casualties and are shaken.  However on the next move they pass the test and are disordered.   This delays their deployment by two moves.

End of move 6

The French artillery have failed to soften up the enemy for the infantry attack.

Despite this Napoleon must send his infantry forward to have time to complete the attack.

3^rd French corps is ordered to pin 6^th Prussian corps, but not to attack

 

1^st French corps is ordered to attack 5^th Prussian corps

They will be supported by the French reserve.

End of move 8

3^rd French corps artillery rout a Prussian square

Panic spread to the nearby gunners who join the rout

This allows the rest of 3^rd corps to advance

 

The guard cavalry move forward to protect 1^st corps attack

They are charged by 5^th Prussian hussars, who they quickly rout

Panic spreads to the Prussian infantry in the woods

5^th corps gunners abandon their guns and run to safety in the town.

Summary

Napoleon orders 1^st corps and the reserve to swing left to attack the town

3^rd corps will continue their pressure on 6^th Prussian corps

With five brigades in rout Blucher orders both corps to retreat

His reserve will continue to hold the town until nightfall

The French have lost 1 artillery casualty (100 men)

The Prussians have lost 3 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (1500 men)