10 November 1813 – Central Germany – Day 9

3^rd and 4^th Russian corps, plus General Wittgenstein, retreat off the map

1^st and 2^nd Russian corps are not under attack

But they will shortly be faced with four French corps

They also retreat off the map

Davout orders 2^nd and 14^th corps to rally and regroup at Eisleben

5^th corps is ordered to occupy Konnern and 6^th corps Radegast

A convincing French victory

9 November 1813 – Central Germany – Day 8

With the loss of his left flank Davout is faced with a serious decision

2^nd and 14^th corps are in retreat and out of supply

It will take at least two days to rally and resupply them

5^th corps have three days supply, 6^th corps only two days

If they attack Radegast and lose, he may lose his whole army

Even if they win he may still have to retreat to save 2^nd and 14^th corps

He orders them to attack.

The battle of Radegast is a convincing French victory

The Russians hold a very strong defensive position

And throughout the morning it looks like they will win the battle

The French cuirassiers charge and rout a Russian heavy brigade

The nearby Cossack brigade have to test morale for the rout

They already have 10% casualties, they fail their morale and also rout

General Wittgenstein has taken personal command of the Russian cavalry

With both brigades in rout he is swept away with them

The French cuirassiers fail the test to react to the rout

They have to charge the nearest enemy

This is a Russian artillery brigade which is moving to resposition

They are unable to fight, break and join the rout

The Russians have lost their commander, all of their cavalry and half their guns

Without central command both corps commanders order an immediate retreat

9 November 1813 – Battle of Radegast

Tactical map of battle area

The French won the first two battles of the campaign

If forced to retreat any further the Russians will have lost the campaign

However the French are about to run out of supplies

The defeat at Gerbstedt is a heavy blow

If they lose this battle they will have lost the campaign

French – 61600 infantry, 1800 cavalry, 60 guns

Russian – 61600 infantry, 1900 cavalry, 57 guns

Table at start of battle

All four corps start the game on the table

The garrison of Radegast, 8 brigade, comes under command of the Russian CinC

Move 1 : 0800-0900

Russian CinC moves towards the town to take command of 8 brigade

He wants to take them out of the town and take part in the main battle

Both French corps advance

4^th corps move at half speed whilst they are on the hill

Move 2 : 0900-1000

Wittgenstein has reached Radegast

4^th Russian corps moves forward to the edge of the hill

5^th French corps still moving at half speed to get off the hill

6^th French corps has halted to deploy into column of attack

And also to allow 5^th corps to catch up with them

Move 3 : 1000-1100

Wittgenstein orders 8 brigade (garrison) to join 4^th corps

He then returns to the centre to take command of the cavalry

5^th French corps advance level with 6^th corps

6^th French corps artillery move into range of the enemy

Move 4 : 1100-1200

Wittgenstein takes command of the Russian cavalry

3^rd corps artillery fire on French, no casualties

5^th French cavalry move to the left to support artillery

Move 5 : 1200-1300

Russian cavalry advance in centre

6^th corps gunners seek shelter in infantry square

7^th corps advance, infantry move through farm

Move 6 : 1300-1400

3^rd Russian gunners seek shelter in square

4^th Russian corps artillery fire on French, no casualties

French cavalry advance to engage Russian cavalry

6^th and 7^th French corps both advance

Move 7 : 1400-1500

5^th French artillery fire on woods, cause 10% casualties

Russian grenadier fail morale test and are shaken

5^th French cuirassiers charge and rout Russian cuirassiers

Nearby Cossack brigade fail their morale and join rout

French cuirassiers fail to rally and charge nearby French artillery

The gunners fail their morale and also rout

Remainder of 5^th corps advance towards centre

6^th French corps also advance

Their lancer brigade move within charge distance of hill

Russian CinC caught up in rout of the cavalry and join them

Conclusion

Disaster for Wittgenstein

He was commanding the Russian cavalry when they routed

So he was swept away with them

The Russian army lost their commander, all of their cavalry and half their artillery

Both corps commanders retreated

The French have lost no casualties

The Russians have lost 800 casualties and three brigades in rout