The Battle of Rohenburg - Second Game

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 1 July 1813

Rohenburg is a small village on the Dresden road east of the river Saale.

3^rd Russian corps hold the village, and Kutuzov is leading 2^nd corps to support them.

Napoleon is leading 2^nd and 3^rd French corps to take the village.

WARGAME

Table at start of game Russians top, French bottom

Top road to Zeitz.

Left road to Gera

Right road to Dresden

Bottom road to Greiz

Map squares

F7, G7, H7

F8, G8, H8

F9, G9, H9

Game objective is to capture village of Rohenburg

2^nd Russian corps (Jan) in and around town

3^rd Russian corps (Jan) will enter top left

2^nd French corps (Paul) will enter bottom left

3^rd French corps (Paul) will enter bottom right

BATTLE REPORT

French advance

2^nd French corps (nearest camera) have rolled good movement dice and reached the road ahead of the Russians

3^rd French corps have swung around to approach the town from the west, to avoid marching on the Russian guns. They are on engage orders and are about to attack the Russian Cossacks.

French lose cavalry melee

The French won the first melee, on the right flank, against the Cossacks, who can be seen retreating on the hill far left.

However the guard grenadiers, who have low morale due to earlier casualties, have lost their melee and are routing (front right). In doing so they have shaken the square, which Napoleon is trying to rally.

Both French corps are approaching their objectives and are about to engage Rohenburg (right) and the Russian held farm (left)

Russians hold despite cannister fire from French artillery

Despite being outnumbered at Rohenburg the Russian infantry continue to hold. The French gunners have routed and the Russian artillery is moving into canister range.

The Russian infantry in the farm is also holding their own against two French brigades who are exchanging fire with them. The French artillery, now almost in canister range, have failed to inflict a single casualty.

The Russian cuirassiers have reformed after their melee and are awaiting orders to attack

French cavalry and artillery rout

Both French cavalry brigades are in rout, as also are the right hand artillery battery. One infantry brigade engaged at Rohenburg has also routed, and its neighbour is shaken. Napoleon is about to order a withdrawal before the Russians can take advantage of the situation.

EFFECT ON CAMPAIGN

The young guard, the second best corps in Napoleon’s army, was effectively finished as a fighting force, and Napoleon’s attempt to storm the river Saale has ended in defeat.

French casualties – 3 cavalry, 6 infantry, 2 gunners

Russian casualties – 3 cavalry, 3 infantry, 0 gunners

GAME NOTES

Game played September 2009.

Paul commanded the French.

Jan commanded the Russians.

This is the second time we have fought this game. Last time the Russians had a run of exceptionally good dice, and the French very poor ones, resulting in more serious damage to the young guard corps, who had already suffered severe casualties in an earlier battle.

The dice were again in favour of the Russians, though not so dramatically as the first game. However the French again rolled dismal dice, so the end result was the same. Still a victory for the Russians.

We changed the artillery rules considerably as a result of this game It highlighted that the rules favoured the artillery too much. In future the infantry will be the deciding factor with the guns only being very effective at close, or cannister, range.

The Battle of Rohenburg - First Game

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 1 July 1813

Rohenburg is a small village on the Dresden road east of the river Saale.

3 Russian corps hold the village, and Kutuzov is leading 2 corps to support them.

Napoleon is leading 2 and 3 French corps to take the village.

WARGAME

Start of game - Russians top and French bottom

Top road to Zeitz.

Left road to Gera

Right road to Dresden

Bottom road to Greiz

Map squares

F7, G7, H7

F8, G8, H8

F9, G9, H9

Game objective is to capture village of Neustadt

French (Paul) - 2 and 3 corps enter bottom

Russian (Jan) - 3 corps in Rohenburg, 2 corps enter top right

BATTLE REPORT

French Deployment

3 French corps (right) have abandoned the Greitz road and moved to their left to avoid the Russian artillery covering the road. They have swung around the farm and are now approaching Rohenburg from the west.

2 corps (left) have advanced north towards the Dresden road. The French now occupy a strong position between the two Russian corps.

Russian Deployment

The Battle of Lutzen

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 28 June 1813

Lutzen is a village east of the river Saale on the Leipzig road

The village is held by 1^st Russian corps

14^th Westphalian corps is ordered to cross the river and take the village

WARGAME

Table at start of game

Having kept the Russians guessing as they crossed the bridge and deployed on the west bank, the Westphalians move two brigades into the woods and advance the rest to their left.

Behind the woods the Russians are also redeploying to meet this development.

cavalry melee and infantry skirmish in woods

The French cavalry have beaten the Cossacks who retire shaken.

Both sides skirmish in the woods, but the Russians have more infantry support available.

The melee in the woods could go either way

Westphalian cavalry opportunity charge the Shaken Cossacks and rout them. Russian gunners take cover in the nearby square.

Westphalian infantry and artillery move up on the left, but have suffered casualties from enemy artillery before they were driven into the square.

The fight for the woods continue, but the Russians are gaining the upper hand. On the right one Westphalian brigade is in rout, on the left both brigades are shaken. There is only one infantry brigade in reserve.

French cavalry pin Russian reserves

Both sides have received casualties, but more Westphalian brigades are shaken than Russian. If their infantry can hold on until the artillery (on the right) can unlimber and fire on the square they might just pull it off.

If the Russians can rout just one enemy brigade it is likely that off the shaken ones will join them, and that would be the end of the Westphalian attack.

The result is very much in the balance.

Westphalians break and rout

The Russians moved first. The right hand brigade fired on the routing brigade forcing nearby shaken brigades to test morale. They also routed and the whole thing fell apart.

The Westphalian cavalry covered the retreat over the river Saale.

The Russians had also suffered heavy casualties, but remained in possession of Lutzen.


EFFECT ON CAMPAIGN

Things are looking rather bleak for Napoleon. Every attempt to cross the river has ended in failure. He must now decide whether to settle for holding the west bank, or to risk everything on a more determined attempt to cross the river.


GAME NOTES

Game played August 2009.
Paul commanded the Westphalians.
Jan commanded the Russians.

Another very close wargame, right up to the last move either side could have won.
These smaller games seem to suit us lately. They can be fought to an end in 12 moves or less. As we usually only have a couple of moves a day, a game lasts a week.

We are both very pleased with the rules. The close fought games seem to prove that the rules are working very well.

Russian casualties – 3 infantry, 3 cavalry, 0 gunners
Westphalian casualties – 6 infantry, 1 cavalry, 0 gunners

Each casualty results in a morale test.

The Battle of Weimar

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 26 June 1813

Weimar is a small town to the west of the river Saale

The Russians have crossed the river and occupied the empty town.

The French Army are is some disorder following their defeat at Gera and Neustadt, and it is down to the Imperial Garde to stop the Russian advance.

WARGAME

Photo 1 – Table at Start of Game

Top of the table road to Allstedt

Left road to Gebsee

Right road to Naumburg

Bottom road to Jena

Map squares

A4, B4, C4

A5. B5, C5

A6, B6, C6

Game objective is to capture town of Weimar

1^st French corps (Jan) enters on Gebsee road (left)

4^th Russian corps (Paul) is in position at Weimar

French garde approach Weimar

The 4^th Russian corps is deployed in and around Weimar. The infantry are in line behind the town, with the cavalry on the left and the artillery on the right.

The Imperial Garde approach on either side of the Gebsee road. Their artillery are engaging the Russian guns and the cavalry (out of photo on left) pinning the Russian cuirassiers.

Russian gunners abandon guns and run away

The Garde artillery (left) have won the artillery duel and the Russian gunners rout.

In Weimar the Russian jager brigade has been replaced by the Pavlov brigade. The French grenadiers have take casualties but are still skirmishing for the town.

Russians hold Weimar and repulse Garde infantry

The Russians are proving no push over for the Imperial Garde.

In Weimar the Pavlov brigade have routed the Garde Grenadiers and shaken their supports. The Russian cuirassiers have charged the Garde Chasseurs and won the melee. Both are hurt, but the Chasseurs have 2 casualties and are Shaken, the Russian cuirassiers only 1 casualty and Disordered.

But it is still anyone’s battle. Two Russian brigades are in rout. The jager brigade has routed back through the rear section of the town, and the line brigade previously in support of the Russian artillery have also been routed by the Garde artillery.

Russian cuirassiers win cavalry melee

The battle for Weimar continues. Three French infantry brigades are Shaken and only one remains to take the town. They have broken the Pavlov grenadiers, who are routing into the town.

In the near ground the Russian cuirassiers have charged the Guard Chasseurs and broken them.

Start of the Russian rout

The Russian infantry and artillery are in rout. In the left hand village section the Pavlov grenadiers are also in rout and are about to take the one remaining Russian brigade with them. Fortunately the cuirassiers have won the cavalry melee and can cover the Russian retreat.

Only one French brigade is formed and, supported by the garde artillery, have taken the town.

EFFECT ON CAMPAIGN

Napoleon had to win this battle, and did – just. The garde have taken a battering, but they have halted the Russian advance and driven them back across the river Saale.

Kutuzov is unlikely to repeat an attack over the river, but will hold the east bank.

GAME NOTES

Game played August 2009.

Paul commanded the Russians.

Jan commanded the French.

This was the closest fought wargame we have had for a very long time. It went the full 12 turns and could have been won by either side right to the last round. Whoever went first would stand a big advantage, and it was Jan.

Her Army was on Attack orders and with only one brigade not Shaken or in Rout she had to continue to attack on the town. Both sides were equal and it was down to the dice throw. Jan threw 10 with two D6 and the Pavlov grenadiers routed, taking two Shaken brigades with them.

Russians casualties - 7 infantry, 2 cavalry, 2 gunners

French casualties - 8 infantry, 4 cavalry, 0 gunner

In our rules even one casualty results in a morale test, so these were heavy casualties.

The Battle of Gera

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 25 May 1813

Gera is a large town on the east side of the river Saale on the Erfurt to Dresden road

It is the only town occupied by the French on the east bank

2^nd Russian corps has been ordered to attack and take the town.

WARGAME

Photo 1 – French in Gera, Russians approach from right

Top road to Naumberg

Left road to Jena

Right road to Rohenburg

Bottom road to Neustadt

Map squares

D7, E7, F7

D8, E8, F8

D9, E9, F9

Game objective is to hold village of Gera

2^nd French corps (Jan) already in Gera

2^nd Russian corps (Paul) enters on Rohenburg (right) road

BATTLE REPORT

Photo 2 – Russian attack

The Russians have launched their attack from south of Gera, and the French are redeploying to meet it.

The leading Russian brigades are skirmishing with the garrison of Gera, whilst the supports and artillery move up in support

Photo 3 – Russians win fire fight on right of Gera

On the right of the town both sides have been engaged in a fire fight which the Russians have won and the French are in rout.

The garrison continues to hold and the Pavlov grenadier brigade is moving up to join the fight.

Photo 4 – Russians prepare to storm Gera

On the right two Russian brigades are moving past the town

In the centre the remaining two brigades are now in position and await orders to storm the town.

On the left the artillery and cavalry are engaged in a stand off

Photo 5 – Russian and French cavalry stand off

The cavalry are well matched and neither side is prepared to take the risk of a melee.

The artillery is also facing each other, the French square has withdrawn and the guns fire ineffectively at each other.

Photo 6 - French rout from Gera

The Russians have routed the garrison, but at the loss of one brigade, and have captured one section of the town. The remainder is still held by the French, but two of their brigades are in rout.

EFFECT ON CAMPAIGN

The French withdrew to the west bank under cover of darkness.

This is the second defeat for the French, and they have lost their only hold on the east bank of the river Saale.

The Russians are now deployed along the east bank from Lutzen to Neustadt and well placed to push across to the west bank.

GAME NOTES

Again the house fighting rules were well play tested.

We used the new rule where both are Disorganised following hand to hand or skirmish fighting in a town, and it worked well.

The Battle of Neustadt

CAMPAIGN BACKGROUND

Tactical Map 23 June 1813

Neustadt is a village just east of the river Saale south of Gera.

Neither side has garrisoned the village and both are determined to prevent the other from taking possession of it.

3^rd corps from each army have orders to take and hold the village.

WARGAME

Photo 1 – French left and Russian right

Top of the table is north to Gera.

Left road to Saalfeld

Right road to Greiz

Bottom road to Gefeld

Map squares

D10, E10, F10

D11, E11, F11

D12, E12, F12

Game objective is to capture village of Neustadt

French corps (Paul) enters on Saafeld (left) road

Russian corps (Jan) enters on Greiz (right) road

BATTLE REPORT

Photo 2 – skirmish fight for Neustadt

Both sides have sent their best brigade to take the village. Both have suffered casualties, but both are fighting on. Cavalry and artillery are facing each other. It will be down to the luck of the dice which sides wins this part of the game.

Photo 3 – cavalry melee

With both sides on Engage orders, the cavalry had to enter into melee. The cuirassiers have routed the Guard Cossacks, but an infantry brigade in square prevents any French advance.

In Neustadt both sides have replaced the original infantry brigades, and the fight for the town continues.

Casualties on both sides are mounting.

Photo 4 – French attack

The French follow up their cavalry success by advancing their infantry on the right. A second infantry brigade moves towards the town and skirmishes with the garrison, who are now outnumbered two to one. All of the French brigades have received casualties.

The Russians replace the brigade in Neustadt and continue to keep their hold on the town.

Photo 5 – Nightfall

Despite casualties the Russians hold Neustadt until nightfall. They manage to keep the enemy cavalry at bay by forming square. On the opposite flank their 12 pound artillery outgun the French 9 pounder.

With nightfall the French withdraw behind the river Saale.

EFFECT ON CAMPAIGN

This was a pretty ineffective battle.

Both sides received heavy casualties and neither side could gain a distinct advantage.

The French withdrew back over the river, leaving the Russians in control of Neustadt.


GAME NOTES

Game played August 2009.
Paul commanded the French.
Jan commanded the Russian

The house fighting rules were used a lot, and proved up to the job.
In future both brigades will be Disordered when they interpenetrate

Campaign Diary

11 July 1813 – End of Campaign

Russian army take up position to hold Leipzig and road to Dresden

French army too weak to resume advance, Napoleon orders halt on line of river Saale.

11 July 1813 - End of Campaign

10 July 1813

Russians continue to withdraw towards Leipzig

French consolidate their hold on the river Saale

9 July 1813

Russians withdraw towards Leipzig

French cross the river Saale at Bernburg and Naumburg

8 July 1813

Russians race for the Saale bridges in panic, covered by 1 and 2 corps who hold bridge at Halle.

French enter Halle and move north and south to find unguarded bridges over the Saale.

7 July 1813 – Battle of Halle

Both sides had concentrated their entire army for this the largest battle of the camapign. The Russians put up a fierce fight for Halle, but the could not stop the French from achieving a notable victory.

7 July 1813 - Battle of Halle

6 July 1813

Russians concentrate at Halle

French march to Halle

5 July 1813 – Russians occupy Halle

Kutuzov orders all corps to concentrate at Halle

Napoleon orders all corps to move on Halle

4 July 1813 – Russians cross river Saale

Russians now control east of river Saale

French move north along western bank of Saale towards Halle

3 July 1813

Kutuzov orders his army to move north to open Leipzig road

French break contact and transfers his army west of river Saale

2 July 1813

Napoleon’s attack across the Saale is in tatters, and he orders a withdrawal back to the west bank.

Kutuzov allows his weary corps to rest at Rohenburg and calls a his corps commanders to a conference to decide on their next move.

1 July 1813 – Battle of Rohenberg

Napoleon must strike before the Russians can concentrate, he orders two of his corps to take Rohenberg and drive the Russians away from the Dresden road.

Kutuzov orders 2^nd corps to abandon Gera and move to support Rohenberg.

1 July 1813 - Battle of Rohenburg

31 June 1813

Outflanked in the south, Kutuzov orders his four corps to concentrate on the Dresden road and abandon Leipzig.

All four French corps have now crossed the river Saale, but are widely separated, whereas the Russians hold the central position.

30 June 1813 – French cross river Saale

3^rd Russian corps at Neustadt forced to retreat to Greiz as 2^nd and 3^rd French corps march on Neustadt.

Kutuzov arrives at Gera and orders his four corps to abandon the Leipzig road and concentrate on the Dresden road.

29 June 1813

Napoleon shifts his army south to outflank the Russian line along the east bank of the river Saale.

28 June 1813 – Battle of Lutzen

Westphalians cross river Saale and attack Lutzen, but are unable to defeat Russians. After a fierce battle the Westphalians retire to Halle.

28 June 1813 - Battle of Lutzen

27 June 1813

Napoleon allows the garde to rest in Weimar while he ponders his next move.

Despite his defeat at Weimar, Kutuzov occupies a strong position along the east bank of the river Saale.

26 June 1813 – Battle of Weimar

Napoleon commits the Imperial Garde to retake Weimar and force the Russians back across the river Saale. In a close fought battle the 4^th Russian corps held Weimar right to the end. The garde cavalry were beaten by the Russian cuirassiers, and three of the four garde infantry brigades were shaken. As night fell the sole garde infantry brigade finally pushed the Russians out of Weimar. A relieved Napoleon had halted the Russian advance and regained control of the west bank of the river Saale.

26 June 1813 - Battle of Weimar

25 June 1813 – Russians cross river Saale

French withdraw to Jena and Russians occupy Gera.

Napoleon is one days march from Weimar

Further north the Russians cross the river Saale at Naumburg and occupy Weimar

24 June 1813 - Battle of Gera

Filled with confidence after their victory at Neustadt, Kutuzov orders an attack on Gera, to deny the French their only bridgehead on west bank of the river Saale

24 June 1813 - Battle of Gera

23 June 1813 – Battle of Neustadt

French and Russians both race to take Neustadt. Russians reach it first, but are attacked before they can take possession. In a lengthy fight for the town the French fail to evict the Russians and have to retreat during the night

23 June 1813 - Battle of Neustadt

22 June 1813 – Russians enter Leipzig

The Russian Army arrives at the river Saale and Kutuzov occupies Leipzig

French are heavily outnumbered and particularly vulnerable at Gera.

3 corps is ordered south to Saalfeld to hold the right of the French line.

21 June 1813

Kutuzov is alarmed to receive first reports that Napoleon is approaching the river Saale. Orders his four corps to push ahead to reach the river Saale and take up defensive positions between Leipzig and Zwichau

Napoleon and the Imperial Guard is still four days from the river Saale.

He only has one corps on the west bank at Halle and a second on the east bank at Gera.

A third has been ordered to move to Jena to support the bridgehead at Gera.

He has issued orders that the river must be held at all costs.

20 June 1813

Kutuzov arrives in Leipzig, where he plans to stop for a couple of days to allow his corps to reach their concentration areas.

Napoleon arrives at Fulda and orders Imperial Guard to Erfurt and 3^rd corps to Neustadt on the river Saale.

19 June 1813

Russian cavalry patrols confirm French holding their position at Halle and Gera.

French reinforcements continue to arrive at Fulda.

18 June 1813

The Russians continue their leisurely march towards the river Saale, unaware of any French movement

.

Napoleon receives reports from Gera of Russian movements on the Dresden to Leipzig road.

Sends orders to his forward corps to hold their positions but not to react to enemy movements.

17 June 1813 – Start of Campaign

The Russian Army departs from Dresden on the Leipzig road.

Napoleon anticipates the Russian movements, and departs from Paris to join the Imperial Guard at Fulda..

17 June 1813 – Start of Campaign