Battle of Domburg - Move 2

1300-1400  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 2

The three Russian divisions are now on the table

All three have deployed their cavalry who are approaching the centre of the table

Only two French divisions are on the table, and their cavalry are also deployed

8^th French division will arrive at the start of move 5 on the road on the left

Russian Left  - 6^th division 

General Gailitzin (Poor)

11 Command Points

Orders – Move to Domburg

Manhandle artillery 2” forward

Cavalry hold their position

Infantry advance 8” and form column of attack

Russian Right - 4^th division

General Potemkin (Average)

11 Command Points

Orders – Move to hill north of town

Cavalry reach hill

7^th infantry brigade and artillery advance 16”

8^th infantry brigade advance 8”

General Sacken (Poor)

3 Command Points

Move to join 6^th division on the left flank

French Left - 16^th division

General Fontanelli (Poor)

11 Command Points

Orders – Move to Domburg

3^rd dragoon regiment retire

Artillery unlimber and 8^th infantry regiment form square to protect gunners

Remainder of the infantry advance 8”

 

French Right - 7^th division

General Morand (Average)

11 Command Points

Orders – Hold right of town

Cavalry hold their position

25^th infantry regiment recalled from town

Artillery unlimber and remainder of infantry form column of attack

Marshal MacDonald (Poor)

4 Command Points

Move to join 16^th division on left flank

Change orders to Hold left of town

 Russian Centre - 5^th division

General Bistrom (Average)

12 Command Points

Orders – Move to Domburg

Cavalry screen hold their position

5^th grenadier regiment prepare to enter Domburg

Artillery unlimber and 6^th infantry regiment form square to protect the gunners

The remainder of the infantry advance 16” towards the town

Game Notes

Sacken is a cautious general and has advanced his corps accordingly.  

Although his cavalry outnumber the French by 3 to 2, he is content to deploy them as a screen to cover his deployment, rather than attack the enemy horse.

The infantry and artillery have started to deploy short of the town

MacDonald, although also a Poor commander, has taken an aggressive approach and pushed his outnumbered cavalry well forward.  Not to screen the French deployment, but to delay the Russian advance.  However he must now be careful to withdraw them before the Russian cavalry take advantage of their superior numbers

He must deploy far enough forward from the river to make space for 8^th division, who are not due until the start of move 5.  

If he can stand his ground until he has deployed his full corps he has a good chance of establishing a bridge head on the east bank of the river.

However if he should lose a battle with his back to the river, he stands little chance of withdrawing to the west bank without heavy casualties.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/