Tactical map of battle area
The town is defended by Third French Army, which is commanded by Marshal Murat
He has 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades and 3 corps artillery under command. The French have one corps on the border with two more in reserve at Celle
First Prussian Army, which is commanded by General Blucher, plan of attack is to cross the Hannover/Brunswick District border and take the town. He has 12 infantry brigades, 3 cavalry brigades and 3 corps artillery under command. All three corps are deployed in and around the town of Meinersen. Under cover of darkness they will advance to the border ready to attack at first light.
The French are not expecting an attack. 7th and 8th corps will not be able to move until they receive notification of the Prussian attack.
Table at start of battle
French are deployed at the top of the photo
HQ, 7th and 9th corps are in and around the walled town of Celle
8th corps is in front of the town either side of the main road
The Prussians are marching towards Celle at the bottom of the table
Blucher has taken command of half of 2nd corps on the left of the main road
There are three battle objectives
Woods on the left, hill in the centre, village on the right
The army who occupy at least two objectives at the end of 12 moves will win the battle
French HQ, 7th and 9th corps cannot move until the start of move 2
End of move 2
CinC is moving towards 7th corps
7 corps have reached the village on the left
8 corps are withdrawing nearer to Celle t o join their supports
9 corps are approaching the woods on the left
Prussian are approaching all three objectives
CinC has halted outside artillery range, but advanced his artillery
1 corps are advancing towards the village on the right
2 corps have reached the hill in the centre
3 corps are approaching the woods on the left, cavalry are protecting their right flank
End of move 4
CinC takes command of cavalry and one infantry from 7th corps
7 corps occupy village
8 corps artillery hit enemy gunners
9 corps halt and deploy short of woods on the left
Prussian deploy out of artillery range
CinC gunners receive 10% casualties, pass morale but reduced firepower
1 corps deploy in front of village, wait for infantry on left to catch up
2 corps move onto hill in the centre, prepare to attack
3 corps occupy two of the three wooded sections on the left
End of move 6
French fight to hold hill in the centre
CinC hold right flank
7 corps withdraw infantry out of artillery range
8 corps infantry on hill both suffer 10% casualties, pass morale test
9 corps deploy to attack woods on the left
Prussian attack hill
CinC move artillery to engage cavalry
1 corps artillery fire on infantry, no casualties
2 corps skirmish and melee hill in the centre
3 corps artillery fire on infantry, no casualties
End of move 8
French withdraw under pressure
CinC cavalry advance to threaten artillery
7 corps gunners receive 10% artillery casualties, pass morale test
8 corps infantry lose melee on hill and rout
9 corps cavalry lose melee and rout, gunners receive 10% casualties
Prussian capture hill and woods
CinC force artillery to retreat
1 corps infantry advance between hill and village
2 corps capture hill and advance between hill and woods
3 corps capture woods and win cavalry melee
End of move 10
CinC counter attack and rout attack on village
7 corps withdraw but hold area between village and hill
8 corps withdraw and abandon hill
9 corps withdraw and abandon woods
Prussian attack all three objectives
CinC force French to withdraw between woods and hill
1 corps attack on village fails infantry rout
2 corps secure hill
3 corps secure woods
End of move 12
French retake hill in the centre
CinC withdraw to right of village
7 corps hold village on the right
8 corps recapture hill in the centre
9 corps abandon woods on the left
Prussian lose melee to hold hill in the centre
CinC withdraw to area between woods and hill
1 corps withdraw from village on the right
2 corps lose melee to hold hill, two brigades rout
3 corps hold woods on the left
Summary
As night falls 9th grenadier brigade of 8th corps attacks the hill in the centre
The two brigades holding the hill are caught by surprise
The landwehr is struck in flank, and immediately routs
The light brigade in support lose their morale and join the rout
The French now hold two objectives and win the battle
The French have lost 12 infantry, 2 cavalry and 2 artillery casualties (5200 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry, 1 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (1000 men)
There are 3 French and 5 Prussian brigades in rout
The French win the battle. But they have lost twice as many casualties as the Prussians, and their centre is broken. They are in no condition to fight another battle the following day. At nightfall Murat orders a general retreat and abandons Celle.
