Battle of Possneck – Move 4

1500-1600  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 4

French cavalry have won melee in the centre, but are now isolated

Russians cavalry bottom right are ready to charge their flank

French Right – 14^th division

General Maison (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Left

Infantry and artillery advance 8”

French Left – 3^rd division

General Dubreton (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Right

Infantry and artillery advance 8”

General Wintzingerode (Average)

6 Command Points

Change 7 division (Centre) to Engage Possneck

French Centre – 4^th division

General Vial (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Hold Possneck

Russian dragoons test to opportunity charge 11 hussars (total 3 – fail)

11^th hussars retire 7” facing the enemy

16^th hussars retire towards infantry

Gunners manhandle 2” towards enemy

Russian Right – 8^th division

General Melnikow (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Left

Artillery fired on the chasseur brigade (total 10 – 10% casualties on 6^th chasseurs)

They are allowed overshoot on the reserve (total 9 – 10% casualties on 12^th chasseurs)

Gunners manhandle 2” towards enemy

3^rd Cossack regiment advance 7” (within charge range of chasseur brigade)

5^th infantry regiment advance 4” and form square to protect gunners

Remainder of infantry advance 7”

Marshal Victor (Average)

5 Command Points

No orders issued

Russian Centre – 7^th Division

General Woroncow (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Possneck

Infantry advance 2” in square

Cossacks on hill move to rear

Commander moves to join shaken artillery

Artillery test morale for shaken (total 5 – pass become disordered

Cuirassiers test morale for 10% casualties and shaken (total 3 – pass become disordered)

Russian Left – 9^th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Right

Infantry and artillery start to move off hill

General moves within command range (8”) of 2^nd dragoons

2^nd dragoons charge 11^th hussars

11^th hussars test morale to counter charge (total 4 – pass and charge)

Melee result is a draw – no casualties but both are disordered

Game Notes

Cavalry who are on the flank of an enemy can declare an opportunity charge during the enemy’s turn.   They have to make their morale to do so.   If they pass the test the enemy then test to see if they can turn to face the charge, providing there is sufficient time to do so.

Rule 6 covers opportunity charges

11^th French hussar regiment were in this position at the start of the move.  2^nd Russian dragoons tested to charge them in flank, but failed to pass the test.

11^th hussars then withdrew facing the enemy during their move.   This allows them to counter charge if attacked, and it also moved them back far enough that their flank was no longer exposed to the enemy

When 9^th Russian division had their turn 2^nd Russian dragoons were ordered to charge 11^th hussars, but it was now a frontal charge.   The hussars passed their morale test to counter charge.   The resulting melee ended in a draw, neither side had any casualties but both were disordered.

Rule 14 covers cavalry v cavalry combats

When artillery fire they may achieve an overshoot if a second enemy regiment is behind and within 4” of the main target.   8^th Russian fired on the French chasseur brigade.   They required a total of 8 to hit 6^th chasseur regiment, and caused 10% casualties with a total of 10.   They required a total of 9 to hit 12^th chasseur regiment, and caused 10% casualties with a total of 9.

Rule 7 covers artillery fire

If a general joined a shaken regiment they add plus 1 to their morale.   But if they then fail and rout, the general goes with them.   He will be able to issue orders next turn, but must first use 1CP to move away from rout.

Rule 18 covers morale

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/