Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 5

1200-1300  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 5

The table has been extended to the left to include the river Saale
The river can only be crossed by the bridge

The Russian reinforcements will arrive top right behind the woods

If they can take the bridge the French will be forced to surrender

Left – French divisions have Hold orders and may not retreat until they are changed

Right – Russian corps commander have moved to the road top right to meet reinforcements

French corps at end of Move 5

2^nd French Corps

Victor must wait his turn in order to issue orders to react to the arrival of 6^th Russian division

Dubreton (left) has deployed his cavalry brigade to the left of the woods to delay 6^th Russian division

His artillery fire on the approaching enemy infantry, but no casualties

He must wait for orders to withdraw his division to hold the bridge

Vial (centre) has finally deployed his division

His artillery fire on the approaching Russian infantry, again no casualties

Maison (right) orders his cavalry to move onto the hill on the right

He orders his infantry on the hill to rejoin the division

His artillery also fire on the enemy infantry, once more no casualties

  Russian corps at the end of Move 5

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode orders 6^th division to attack the enemy left flank and take the bridge

Rudzewitsch (left) moves his division towards the French

His artillery engage the enemy  infantry but again fail to inflict any casualties

His Cossack regiment has 20% casualties, and must be kept in reserve

Woroncow (centre left) division redeploy and continue to advance

The brigade in Possneck is ordered to join the main advance

The lack of cavalry support has left the infantry exposed to the French cavalry

Melnikow (centre right) moves his division forward to the far edge of the woods

His infantry have masked the gunners, who have joined the advance

Galitzin (right) orders his cavalry brigade to form line and advance to engage the French cavalry

His infantry and artillery are in a long line along the Domburg road (off table right)

They will not be able to enter until their cavalry have contained the French cavalry

Game Notes

Once more the artillery on both sides have proved ineffective

There is now a real danger that the French will be cut off from the bridge by the newly arrived 6^th Russian division.  If this happens they will have to surrender.

Markers are drawn each move to determine sequence of movement.  It is unfortunate that the French corps commander was not drawn before 3^rd and 14^th division.   This meant that 3^rd division could not begin to withdraw to secure the bridge.

The closer the Russians come to the French defensive line, the harder it will be for the French to withdraw.

Their best hope now is to be able to withdraw before the Russians get close enough to pin them.  Even with the arrival of 6^th division cavalry brigade, the French still have sufficient cavalry to cover the withdrawal.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/