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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

6 August 1813 – Battle of Linares


Tactical map of battle area

13th French Army commanded by Marshal Suchet attack Linares
1st Spanish army commanded by General Giron defend Linares

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, and 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply
They have lost 4 infantry and 1 cavalry battle casualties (1700 men)

Spanish have 14 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, and 3 corps artillery
This includes the militia garrisons of Linares and Ubeda
They have lost 6 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery battle casualties (2600 men)

 

Table at start of battle

Spanish hold the three game objectives at the start of the battle
1 corps farm on the right
HQ and 2 corps small woods in the centre
3 corps large woods on the left
2 militia brigade are garrison of Linares
3 militia surprised by French advance and run for cover in large woods on left

French will arrive on the table at the start of move 1
End of move 2

French arrive on table
CinC centre right has taken command of artillery from 37 and 38 corps
37 corps advance slowly over the hill on the right
38 corps advance between woods and farm in the centre
39 corps advance to the left of farm

Spanish react to French advance
CinC has taken command of two infantry brigades to the right of the road
1 corps advance to engage French as they advance beyond hill
2 corps artillery unlimber
3 corps artillery unlimber

3 militia reach safety of woods on the left

End of move 4

French infantry form column of attack
CinC move artillery to support 38 corps
37 corps advance over hill on the right
38 corps wait for artillery to deploy
39 corps artillery open fire on woods

Spanish artillery open fire
CinC artillery fire on French gunners
1 corps wait for French to attack
2 corps artillery fire on French gunners
3 corps infantry withdraw from left hand woods section
End of move 6

French attack woods
CinC split grand battery to engage Spanish HQ and 2 Corps
37 corps remain on hill observing 1 Spanish corps
38 corps blocked by CinC deployment
39 corps occupy forward section of woods

Spanish withdraw left and centre
CinC advance artillery to engage 38 French corps
1 corps advance to threaten centre
2 corps withdraw out of artillery range
3 corps 10% casualties on one brigade, retreat to rear half of woods

End of move 8

French attack woods on the left and centre
CinC infantry charge and rout gunners
37 corps outnumbered, pin 1 Spanish corps
38 corps cavalry rout Spanish lancers
39 corps occupy nearest woods section

Spanish retreat to keep out of range of French gunners
CinC gunners routed and abandon guns
1 corps wait for French to advance
2 corps lancers rout, then rally with 20% casualties
3 corps withdraw behind woods
End of move 10

French attack woods on the left and in the centre
CinC redeploy guns to engage farm on the right
37 corps continue to pin 1 Spanish corps
38 corps attack 2 Spanish corps
39 corps attack 3 Spanish corps

Spanish withdraw but keep control of all three game objectives
CinC withdraw to rear of woods in the centre
1 corps hold farm on the right
2 corps cavalry lose melee and rout, taking one infantry brigade with them
3 corps hold part of woods on the left
End of move 12

French continue to attack woods on the left and the centre
CinC artillery hit farm twice, but garrison continue to hold
37 corps continue to pin 1 Spanish corps
38 corps break Spanish centre
39 corps fail to take woods on the left

Spanish hold two objectives and dispute the third
CinC drive French out of woods in the centre
1 corps hold farm despite 20% casualties
2 corps break and rout
3 corps dispute woods on the left

Summary

On the right 37th French corps are too weak to attack
But pin 1st Spanish corps throughout the battle

In the centre the Spanish hold woods and farm

On the left 3rd Spanish corps hold three sections of the woods
They also continue to hold the fourth section

The Spanish hold two objectives and dispute the third
They win the battle

French have lost 3 infantry casualties (1200 men)
Spanish have lost 8 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (3400 men)

Thursday, November 7, 2024

6 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 5



Main French depot at Hellin – 36 days supplies

French attack Linares
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – attack Linares
14th French army – regroup and resupply at Jodar
15th French army – rally, regroup and resupply at Huelma

1st Spanish army – defend Linares
2nd Spanish army – regroup and resupply at Jean
3rd Spanish army - rally, regroup and resupply at Alcaudete

14 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy to Mortalalla – fail and rout – guerrilla lose10%casualties
15 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy to Minateda – fail and retreat – no casualties

Friday, November 1, 2024

5 August 1813 – Battle of Alcaudete


Tactical map of battle area

15th French Army commanded by Marshal Augereau attack Alcaudete
3rd Spanish army commanded by General Del Parque defend Alcaudete

French have 9 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigades are detached to protect lines of supply
They have lost 3 infantry and 1 cavalry battle casualties (1300 men)

Spanish have 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
They have lost 7 infantry battle casualties (2800 men)

Table at start of battle

3rd Spanish Army is in position on the three game objectives
Hill on the left, woods in the centre, village on the right
CinC has taken command of the left half of 8th corps, plus 9th corps artillery

15th French Army will arrive at the bottom of the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French arrive on table and advance towards the town
CinC has taken command of the right half of 45th corps
43 corps advance into woods, they are outnumbered in infantry and cavalry
44 corps advance towards woods in the centre
45 corps advance to the left of CinC

Spanish observe arrival of the French Army
CinC unlimber artillery facing 45th Italian corps
7 corps wait for 43rd French corps to emerge from woods
8 corps unlimber artillery facing 44th Westphalian corps
9 corps deployed back from edge of hill to avoid artillery fire
End of move 4

French Westphalian gunners retreat shaken
CinC halt and unlimber artillery out of range of Spanish guns
43 corps charged by Spanish dragoons
44 corps lose 10% artillery casualties due to enemy fire and retreat shaken
45 corps deploy into column of attack

Spanish dragoons retreat shaken
CinC wait for enemy to come into artillery range
7 corps dragoons charge artillery, receive 10% casualties and retreat shaken
8 corps artillery cause 10% casualties to enemy gunners
9 corps wait behind ridge for enemy to attack

End of move 6

French prepare to retreat having lost 43rd and 44th corps artillery
CinC orders army to cease attack
43 corps shaken gunners fail morale and rout, taking nearby infantry with them
44 corps gunners receive 10% casualties, fail morale and rout
45 corps ordered to stop attack

Spanish hold all three game objectives and win battle
CinC orders army to prepare to attack French
7 corps prepare to attack French
8 corps prepare to attack French
9 corps prepare to attack French

Summary
The French start the battle outnumbered in infantry
To attack they must weaken at least one of the three Spanish corps
Two of their three corps artillery rout due to enemy artillery fire
One infantry brigade joins the rout
Outnumbered in infantry and artillery they call off the attack
Spanish prepare to attack, French order retreat.

French have lost 2 artillery casualties (200 men)
Spanish have lost 1 cavalry casualties (100 men)

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

5 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 4


Main French depot at Hellin – 48 days supplies

French attack Alcajudete
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – rally and resupply at Ubeda
14th French army – occupy Jodar
15th French army – attack Alcaudete

1st Spanish army – rally and resupply at Linares
2nd Spanish army – retreat to Jean
3rd Spanish army - defend Alcaudete

9 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy to Elche – capture 3 supplies – escort lose10%casualties

Thursday, October 24, 2024

4 August 1813 – Battle of Jodar

Tactical map of battle area

The French have won the first two battles, at Ubeda in the north and Huelma in the south. They now attack Jodar in the centre before the Spanish can retreat.

14th French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
2nd Spanish Army – 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
Table at start of battle

The three game objectives in the centre of the table are the bridge on the left, the woods in the centre and the village on the right. The winner will be the side which occupies two of the three at the end of the game.

The Spanish army are deployed on the three objectives at the start of the game
Two brigades of 6 corps are on the left bank of the river Guadalquivir
The rest of 6 corps are on the right bank under the command of general Elio
5th corps hold the centre, with one brigade in the woods
4th corps are on the right, with one brigade in the village

The French will enter the table at the start of move 1
End of move 2

French enter the table and advance towards Jodar
Marshal St Cyr has taken command of half of 42 corps
40 corps cavalry are detached to patrol the lines of supply
41 and 42 corps each have one brigade detached on garrison duty

French advance towards Jodar
CinC has taken command of cavalry, artillery and one brigade
40 corps delayed by moving through the woods on the right
41 corps delayed by marching over hill in the centre
42 corps advance on the left bank towards bridge

Spanish react to French advance
CinC wait for French to advance
4 corps advance cavalry and infantry to pin French as they emerge from woods
5 corps advance cavalry to pin French as t hey emerge from pass
6 corps wait for French to advance
End of move 4

French advance
CinC advance towards bridge
40 corps gunners fail morale, abandon guns and run into woods
41 corps advance towards woods
42 corps advance towards bridge

Spanish retreat towards Jodar
CinC withdraw level with north edge of woods
4 corps cavalry charge gunners, who run away
5 corps withdraw level with north edge of woods
6 corps withdraw level with CinC
End of move 6

French attack bridge on the left and woods in the centre
CinC advance towards bridge
40 corps square (far right) advance to force cavalry to withdraw
41 corps advance to left of woods, infantry enter woods
42 corps win melee and take left end of bridge

Spanish withdraw left and centre, advance on right
CinC infantry lose morale and rout
4 corps advance supported by cavalry
5 corps withdraw to rear of woods
6 corps lose melee and rout
End of move 8

French capture bridge on the left and woods in the centre
CinC advances towards town in support of 41 corps
40 corps artillery rout cavalry, remainder of corps hold woods
41 corps capture woods and pursue retreating Spanish
42 corps capture bridge and pursue retreating Spanish

Spanish retreat on left and centre hold right
CinC abandon bridge and retreat, one brigade in rout
4 corps cavalry rout, but remainder hold village on the right
5 corps abandon woods and retreat to town
6 corps rally but unable to deploy, continue to retreat

Summary
French have captured bridge on the left and woods in the centre
They are unable to advance against the village on the right

Spanish retreat on left and centre, and must abandon village on the right
There is no chance of the Spanish retaking either the bridge or woods in the centre

The French have therefore won this battle

French have lost 1 infantry and 1 artillery casualties (500 men)
Spanish have lost 5 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2200 men)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

4 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 3


Main French depot at Hellin – 60 days supplies

French attack Ubeda
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – occupy Ubeda
14th French army – attack Jodar
15th French army – rally and resupply at Huelma

1st Spanish army – retreat to Linares
2nd Spanish army – defend Jodar
3rd Spanish army - rally and resupply at Alcaudete

4 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy to Riopar – capture 6 supplies – escort lose10%casualties

Friday, October 18, 2024

3 August 1813 – Battle of Ubeda



Tactical map of battle area

13th French army cross border and attack Ubeda
1st Spanish army have orders to advance to border

13th French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
1st Spanish Army – 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery


Table at start of battle

The game objectives are the three hills in the centre of the table
The side which occupies at least two at the end of the game has won

1st Spanish army are deployed on the table at the start of the battle
On the left 2nd corps complete with a lancer brigade
In the centre 3rd corps, who have no cavalry, on and around the centre hill
On the right 1st corps complete with a dragoon brigade
The CinC is behind 3rd corps in the centre
3rd militia brigade is the garrison of Ubeda and must remain in the town

13th French army will arrive at the start of move 1
37th Young Guard corps is on the right
38th French corps is in the centre
39th Vistula corps is on the left
End of move 2

French
CinC has taken command of guard cavalry and artillery between woods and road
37 corps is advancing through the woods on the right
38 corps has halted out of artillery range
39 corps is advancing towards the hjill on the left

Spanish
CinC has taken command of 2 corps cavalry, infantry and artillery
1 corps has started to climb the hill on the right
2 corps is waiting for the French to come within artillery range
3 corps has started to climb the hill on the left

End of move 4

French approach three objectives
CinC artillery hit infantry square
37 corps approach right hand hill
38 corps artillery hit gunners
39 corps approach left hand hill

Spanish deploy on three objectives
CinC half out of artillery range between left and centre hills
1 corps deploy on right hand hill
2 corps deploy on left hand hill
3 corps lose infantry and artillery casualties, both pass morale test

 

End of move 6

French attack hills on the left and right
CinC fire on square in right hand valley
37 corps win melee on right hand hill
38 corps infantry advance towards centre hill
39 corps three brigades on left hand hill rout

Spanish lose right hand hill
CinC cavalry charge guns but fail to charge home
1 corps infantry rout from right hand hill, but continue to hold valley
2 corps continue to melee on left hand hill
3 corps withdraw artillery into pass

 

End of move 8

French capture hills on the right and left
CinC halt in support of 37 corps
37 corps occupy right hand hill (game objective)
38 corps prepare to attack centre hill (game objective)
39 corps occupy left hand hill (game objective

Spanish army retreat having lost 2 of 3 game objectives
CinC withdraw but support 3 corps on centre hill
1 corps retreat with artillery in rout
2 corps retreat with four brigades in rout
3 corps withdraw with both flanks in retreat

Summary
Spanish retreat having lost two of the three game objectives
With 1 and 2 corps in retreat, 3 corps in the centre have to abandon centre hill
With seven brigades in rout the Spanish army accept defeat and retreat

The French have taken two of the three game objectives (left and right hills)
They are about to attack the third game objective (hill in the centre)

The French have won this battle.

French have lost 5 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (2100 men)
Spanish have lost 9 infantry, 1 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (3900 men)

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

3 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 2

Main French depot at Hellin – 72 days supplies

French attack Ubeda
Guerrilla brigades active

13th French army – attack Ubeda
14th French army – hold Elche
15th French army – occupy Huelma

1st Spanish army – defend Ubeda
2nd Spanish army – advance to border
3rd Spanish army - retreat to Alcaudete

5 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy – fail – no casualties
10 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy – fail – no casualties
14 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy – capture 3 supplies – escort lose10%casualties
15 guerrilla brigade – attack convoy – fail – no casualties

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

2 August 1813 – Battle of Huelma



Tactical map of battle area

The campaign opens with surprise attack by 15th French army on the town of Huelma. Two infantry brigades are absent on garrison duty and one cavalry brigade is absent patrolling lines of supply.

3rd Spanish army is deployed in and around the town. 8th corps is deployed on the border between Jean and Helin military districts. 7th and 8th corps are deployed around Huelma. 13th militia brigade is the town garrison

15th French Army – 10 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery
3rd Spanish Army – 13 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigades, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

The three game objectives are in the centre of the table
Village on the left, woods in the centre, large woods on the right
The side which occupies two of the three will win the game

8th Spanish corps occupy the woods in the centre
7th and 9th Spanish corps may not move until the start of move 2

All three French corps will enter the table at the start of move 1

End of move 2

French have entered the table and are advancing towards the objectives
CinC has taken command of half of 44 corps
43 corps race to reach the woods before the Spanish
44 corps about to deploy screened by lancer brigade
45 corps moving through extensive woods on the left

Spanish HQ, 7 and 8 corps arrive on table
CinC moving to join corps
7 corps advancing towards extensive woods on the right
8 corps redeploy to meet French advance
9 corps will reach the village on the right before the French


End of move 4

French win first cavalry melee
CinC approach woods in the centre
43 corps enter woods on right and form square
44 corps cavalry charge Spanish cavalry
45 corps approach village on left

Spanish reach all three objectives
CinC takes command of 8 corps left of main road
7 corps enter woods on right, cavalry advance through woods
8 corps cavalry withdraw disordered when charged by French lancers
9 corps enter village on left
End of move 6

French attack
CinC win skirmish for woods, Spanish retreat
43 corps occupy half of woods on the right
44 corps cavalry charge lancers, who retreat shaken
45 corps deploy to attack village on the left

Spanish withdraw as French approach
CinC brigade in woods retreat disordered with 20% casualties
7 corps occupy half of woods on the right
8 corps advance in square to drive off cavalry
9 corps withdraw from village on the left

End of move 8

French occupy two of the three game objectives
CinC infantry enter woods in the centre
43 corps fighting for woods on the right continue
44 corps withdraw out of artillery range
45 corps infantry win melee and enter village on the left

Spanish withdraw and regroup
CinC prepares to counter attack woods in the centre
7 corps still holds one of the four wooded sections on the right
8 corps withdraw to hold approach to Huelma
9 corps lose melee and retreat behind village on the left


End of move 10

French occupy all three game objectives
CinC occupy woods in the centre
43 corps occupy large woods on the right
44 corps halt to right of main road
45 corps occupy village on the left

Spanish whole army in retreat
CinC retreat two brigades in rout
7 corps retreat one brigade in rout
8 corps retreat one brigade in rout
9 corps retreat three brigades in rout

Summary
French press home their attack on all three game objectives
Most Spanish infantry brigades are conscript, when one goes they all go

French have lost 2 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (900 men)
Spanish have lost 8 infantry casualties (3200 men)

Two French brigades in rout
Five Spanish brigades in rout, two with no casualties

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

2 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Day 1

 
Main French depot at Hellin – 81 days supplies

The campaign opens with a surprise French attack on Huelma

13th French army – hold Riopar
14th French army – hold Elche
15th French army – attack Heulma

1st Spanish army – hold Ubeda
2nd Spanish army – hold Jodar
3rd Spanish army - defend Huelma

Thursday, September 26, 2024

2 August 1813 – Southern Spain – Jean Campaign


1813 Campaign

This is a fictional campaign loosely based on the 1813 campaign
It started in April 2009 and consists of stand alone campaign phases
Each phase is similar in size to the Waterloo campaign
This is the 92nd phase, each of which is shown on the above map
There have been six major adjustments to the campaign
The following maps are used for the current adjustment, which started in June 2020

Map of Europe

There are five campaign areas in Europe
North Germany – French v Prussians
Central Germany – French v Russians
Southern Germany – French v Austrians
North Spain – French v British
South Spain – French v Spanish

This is the campaign phase 19

Each star shows the location of a campaign phase
Jean is the white star

Map of Spain

There are two campaign areas in Spain
North Spain – Fourth French and British Armies
South Spain – Fifth French and Spanish Armies

This is the eighth campaign phase to be fought in Spain

Jean is the white star

Map of South Spain

There are three regions in south Spain

Lisbon Region – Spanish rear area
Seville Region – campaign area
Valencia Region – French rear area

This is the fourth campaign phase to be fought in south Spain

Each star shows the location of a campaign phase
Jean is the white star


Map of Seville Region

There are nine towns in Jean district
Each one is the size of the wargames table.

The campaign area is shown in white on this map
It covers the nine towns in Jean district
But also 6 towns in Hellin district

Hellin is the HQ and supply centre for Fourth French Army Group
Jean is the HQ and supply centre for the Spanish Army
Campaign Map

The Jean campaign is fought between the cities of Jean and Helin
The French Army of South Spain is deployed to the right of the district border
The Spanish Army is deployed to the left of the district border
The French objective is to take and hold the city of Jean

Each block represents one corps
Smaller oblong represents Spanish militia/guerrilla and supply columns

The French objective is to take and hold the city of Jean


Typical French corps

Each corps has 4 infantry brigades,1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery


Fourth French Army of Southern Spain – Marshal Suchet
37th French corps
38th French corps
39th Vistula corps
40th French corps
41st Baden corps
42nd Polish corps
43rd French corps
44th Westphalian corps
45th Italian corps

168000 infantry, 9000 cavalry, 270 guns



Typical Spanish corps

6 corps have 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery
3 corps have 4 infantry brigades, and corps artillery
There are also 15 militia brigades, one in each town or city

Spanish Army – General Giron
1st Spanish corps
2nd Spanish corps
3rd Spanish corps
4th Spanish corps
5th Spanish corps
6th Spanish corps
7th Spanish corps
8th Spanish corps
9th Spanish corps
15 militia brigades

144,000 infantry, 60,000 militia, 6000 cavalry, 270 guns

Campaign Diary

01 Feb 1813 Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France
04 Feb 1813 Spanish army operational n Saville region
28 Feb 1813 Fifth French army operational in Madrid Region
09 Mar 1813 Start of Toledo campaign phase
13 Mar 1813 Spanish win Toledo campaign phase
20 Apr 1813 Start of Cuidad Real campaign phase
30 Apr 1813 French win Cuidad Real campaign phase
08 Jun 1813 Start of Merida campaign phase
15 Jun 1813 French win Merida campaign phase
02 Aug 1813 Start of Jean campaign phase

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
50 - Introduction to the campaign in southern Spain
51 - Fifth French Army order of battle
52 - Spanish Army order of battle
53 - Daily diary for the campaign in southern Spain
54 - Battle reports of all battles fought in southern Spain
55 - Summary of campaign in southern Spain

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Summary of Central Germany Campaign – 1 August 1813


Regional map 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

01 February 1813 Austria, Britain, Prussia and Russia declared war on France
01 February 1813 Formation of Second French army in Dusseldorf region
26 February 1813 Second French army declared operational.
27 February 1813 The Russians moved into the Erfurt region
28 February 1813 Davout entered Erfurt region and occupied Fulda district
14 March 1813 Start of Erfurt campaign phase
21 March 1813 French win Erfurt campaign phase
01 May 1813 Start of Gera campaign phase
09 May 1813 French win Gera campaign phase
16 June 1813 Start of Bayreuth campaign phase
24 June 1813 Russians win Bayreuth campaign phase
01 August 1813 Russians win Halle campaign phase

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 – 2nd 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

Thursday, September 19, 2024

1 August 1813 – Central Germany – End of Halle Campaign

 

Battles fought during campaign phase


The French won four of the six battles fought.
However the Russians still held the city of Halle

The French won the first three battles at Mansfeld, Eisleben and Querfurt.
The Russians won the next two at Konnern and Halle
The French won the final battle at Luena

Despite winning four of the six battles, the French were unable to take Halle
This was the campaign objective and to win they had to take and hold the city

The Russians held Konnern, Halle and Leuna at the end of the campaign
The French had won the battle of Luena, but had to retreat
With Konnern and Halle in Russian hands, Luena was too isolated to hold

 The Russians won the Halle campaign.

The campaign started on 26 July and ended on 18 September 2024
Erfurt Region

Davout ordered his army to withdraw to Nordhausen
Wittgenstein held Halle and controlled all of the region

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

1 August 1813 – Halle Campaign - Day 7


French halt at river Saale
4 French army – resupply at Mansfield
5 French army – rally and resupply at Eisleben
6 French army – rally and resupply at Querfurt

Russian hold Konnern, Halle and Luena and win the campaign
1 Russian army – resupply at Konnern
2 Russian army – resupply at Halle
3 Russian army – rally and resupply at Luena

Thursday, September 12, 2024

31 July 1813 – Battle of Luena


Tactical map of battle area


French army is commanded by Marshal Poniatowski
Russian army is commanded by General Winzingerode

French – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
Russian – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery


Table at start of battle

Russians are deployed on the game objectives
Village on the left, pass in the centre and bridge on the right
They are not allowed to move forward until the start of move 3

French will arrive at the start of move 1
They can only cross the river by using one of the four bridges

Both armies start the game with battle casualties
French – 2 infantry and 2 cavalry casualties (1000 men)
Russian – 6 infantry, 3 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (2100 men)
The Russians have considerably more than the French

End of move 2

French cavalry cross river to defend crossing
CinC takes command of artillery from 16 and 17 corps
16 corps advance down right bank of river
17 corps cavalry cross river and deploy out of artillery range
18 corps cavalry cross river and deploy out of artillery range

Russian not allowed to move forward until move 3
CinC takes command of half of 7th corps on the right bank
7 corps redeploy artillery to cover right bank
8 corps move reserve infantry onto hill
9 corps cavalry redeploy to counter Polish lancers
End of move 4

French continue to cross river
CinC move to support 16 corps
16 corps deploy out of cavalry charge range
17 corps delayed by CinC who crossed the river in front of them
18 corps artillery force Russian cavalry to withdraw shaken

Russian charge French guns
CinC withdraw to rear of bridge
7 corps unlimber artillery
8 corps move more troops onto hill
9 corps cavalry charge guns, receive 10% casualties and retreat shaken
End of move 6

French advance
CinC unlimbers artillery
16 corps advance, but remain out of cavalry charge range
17 corps continue to cross bridge
18 corps advance towards village

Russian wait for French to advance into artillery range
CinC withdraw slightly on right bank of river
7 corps artillery manhandle into canister range
8 corps wait for French to advance into artillery range
9 corps shaken cavalry fail morale and rout


End of move 8

French capture first game objective
CinC rout 7th corps artillery
16 corps cavalry rout both Cossack brigades
17 corps deploy and prepare to advance on hill
18 corps approach village

Russian abandon first game objective
CinC withdraw and abandon bridge (game objective)
7 corps infantry retreat when gunners routed
8 corps wait for French to advance within artillery range
9 corps withdraw from village, but prepare to counter attack

End of move 10

French general attack
CinC deploy artillery to secure bridge (game objective)
16 corps secure bridge, send two brigades to left bank
17 corps prepare to attack hill
18 corps infantry enter village, two brigades support attack on hill

Russian redeploy closer to Luena
CinC rally on bridge nearest Luena
7 corps move into cover behind Luena
8 corps retreat to edge of hill closer to Luena
9 corps redeploy village and closer to Luena

End of move 12

French capture two of the three game objectives
CinC support attack on hill
16 corps deploy to hold bridge (game objective)
17 corps attack hill, but still fighting at nightfall
18 corps capture town (game objective) after two round of melee

Russian lose two of the three game objectives
CinC retreats and abandons bridge (game objective)
7 corps redeploy behind Luena
8 corps greatly outnumbered on hill, two brigades rout
9 corps withdraw from town (game objective)

Summary
The French have taken two of the three game objectives
Fighting continues for the hill, the third game objective
However only two Russian brigades are left, under attack by five French brigades

Having taken two game objectives the French have won the battle

French have lost 4 infantry and 1 cavalry casualties (1700 men)
Russians have lost 5 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (2200 men)