11 July 1813 – Battle of Hagenow

Tactical map of battle area

Marshal Victor has command of Second French Army
He is ordered to attack the border town of Hagenow

General Yorck has command of Third Prussian Army
He has orders to hold the northern Lubeck/Wismar border and the town of Hagenow

Second French Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery
Third Prussian Army – 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigade, 3 corps artillery

Table at start of battle

Third Prussian army is deployed around the town of Hagenow
Yorck has taken command of half of 9th corps on the left bank of the river Elbe
8th corps is deployed in front of the town
7th and 9th corps either side of the town

Second French army will arrive at the top of the table at the start of move 1
The river can only be crossed by one of the three bridges on the table.

End of move 2

French army arrive on table
6th corps advance, half either side of river Elbe
CinC has taken command of half of corps on the right bank
5th corps advance either side of he woods
4th corps advance over hill on the right

Prussian army deploy in front of Hagenow
CinC advance to bridge on the left bank
9th corps advance to bridge on the right bank
8th corps hold centre
7th corps advance over hill on the right

End of move 4

French army advance
6th corps deploy out of cavalry range
CinC deploy out of artillery range
5th corps artillery open fire, no casualties
4th corps cavalry fail morale and retreat disordered

Prussian army deploy and await French advance
CinC deploy left of bridge
9th corps deploy right of bridge
8th corps deploy in front of town
7th corps cavalry charge cuirassier brigade, who retire disordered

End of move 6

French attack on left bank
6th corps advance, lose cavalry melee and rout with 20% casualties
CinC artillery manhandle into long range
5th corps form column of attack
4th corps advance to front of hill

Prussians secure left bank of river
CinC win cavalry melee
9th corps wait for French to advance
8th corps wait for French to advance
7th corps cavalry move to right flank, out of artillery range

End of move 8

French attack
6th corps cavalry rout, infantry advance towards bridge
CinC advance in support of 6th corps
5th corps infantry receive casualties but pass morale test
4th corps cavalry rout, infantry advance

Prussians hold
CinC cavalry rout, infantry hold bridge
9th corps artillery retire to infantry support
8th corps cavalry and one infantry brigade rout
7th corps cavalry retire to right flank

End of move 10

French attack
6th corps win firefight and secure bridge
CinC advance and secure bridge
5th corps advance and rout Prussian corps
4th corps attack hill

Prussians retreat
CinC infantry and cavalry rout and abandon bridge
9th corps retreat and abandon bridge
8th corps rout, one infantry brigade seeks shelter in the town
7th corps lose firefight for hill

End of move 12

French continue to attack
6th corps secure left bank of river Elbe
CinC lose infantry fire fight and retreats
5th corps swing left towards hill
4th corps continue to attack hill

Prussians start to retreat
CinC cross bridge south of town
9th corps hold in front of town
8th corps try to rally south of town
7th corps continue to hold hil

Summary

Prussians still hold town, bridge in front of town and hill on the right
But their centre has broken and there are six brigades in rout
8th corps is trying to rally, but fail to do so

French have taken left bank of river and broken Prussian centre
5th corps is about to attack hill on the right, in support of 4th corps
They have lost four brigades in rout

The Prussians still hold the town
But with so much of their army in rout will they dare to fight a second day?

The French have lost 7 infantry and 4 cavalry casualties (3200 men)
The Prussians have lost 8 infantry, 7 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (4000 men)