Sunday, July 1, 2012

Battle of Possneck – Move 6


1700-1800  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 6

Still very much a cavalry engagement
Both sides continue to engage the enemy cavalry
 
Marshal Victor (Average)
6 Command Points
Victor takes command of 12th chasseurs and orders them to charge 3rd Cossacks
This is because they are too close to counter charge should the Cossacks charge first
The Cossacks must take this charge at the halt
Melee total 4 – no casualties – chasseurs retire 8” shaken – Cossacks halt disordered
 
Russian Right – 8th division

General Melnikow (Poor)
7 Command Points
Orders – Engage French Left
Artillery fire on French gunners (total 12 – 10% casualties)
Gunners test morale for 10% casualties (total 6 – pass test remain formed)
Gunners manhandle guns 1” forward
6th infantry enter woods
General moves within command range (8”) of Cossacks
Cossacks about turn and retire 7”

French Right – 14th division

General Maison (Poor)
8 Command Points
Orders – Engage Russian Left
7th dragoons advance 12” to face French dragoons flank
3rd dragoons advance 12” in support
Infantry and artillery all advance 8”
General moves to supporting distance (4”) of dragoon brigade

Russian Left – 9th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)
8 Command Points
Orders – Engage French Right
7th French dragoons declare opportunity charge on flank of 2nd dragoons
French dragoons test to charge (total 6 – charge)
2nd dragoons test to react to flank attack (total 2 – fail unable to react)
Unable to turn to face the French cavalry 2nd dragoons are cut down

1st hussars charge 3rd French dragoons
3rd dragoons test to counter charge (total 4 – pass and counter charge)
Melee total 6 – a draw – no casualties – both disordered)

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber
9th infantry advance 4” and form square to protect gunners
Remainder of infantry form column of attack

General Wintzingerode (Average)
5 Command Points
No orders issued

French Centre – 4th division

General Vial (Poor)
6 Command Points
Orders – Hold Possneck
16th hussars retire 8” and about turn
11th hussars leave town and retire 8” behind infantry supports
General moves into town in rout to rally shaken garrison
Garrison test morale for shaken (total 7 – pass test become disordered)
11th hussars test morale for 10% casualties and rout (total 1 – fail continue to rout)

Russian Centre – 7th Division

General Woroncow (Average)
9 Command Points
Orders – Engage Possneck
Artillery advance 4” and unlimber
2nd infantry advance 4” and form square to protect gunners
Remainder of infantry advance 6”
Cuirassiers advance 12”

French Left – 3rd division

General Dubreton (Average)
7 Command Points
Orders – Hold road left of town
Artillery fire on 3rd Cossacks (total 4 – no casualties)
9th and 10th infantry advance 2” in square
General moves to centre of division
11th infantry enter the woods
12th chasseurs test morale for 10% casualties and shaken (total 4 – pass test and become disordered)


Game Notes
The increased numbers of cavalry in this campaign make for some interesting engagements.

To cover the infantry and gunners as they advance the cavalry have to move well forward.

They then have to charge any approaching enemy cavalry to gain the “charge bonus”, and to ensure that they do not have to risk failing the morale test to counter charge.

This leaves them even further from their infantry supports, and allows enemy artillery or infantry squares to fire on them at close range.

It also allows enemy cavalry reserves to manoeuvre onto their open flank.  If they are then unable to react before the enemy cavalry reach them they are cut down under  rule 8 – Combat Quick Results

All of this cavalry fighting has delayed the Russian deployment considerably.

But both sides are now within combat range, and the next two hours/moves to nightfall may well be decisive.

Wargame rules can be found at

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