Battle of Possneck – Move 5

1600-1700  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 5

Cavalry melee continues centre right, delaying Russian deployment

Two French divisions have deployed in the centre, third is approaching from the left

Russian Right – 8^th division

General Melnikow (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Left

Artillery fire on nearest cavalry (total 7 – no casualties)

Overshoot on reserve cavalry (total 5 – no casualties)

Infantry advance 6”

Artillery manhandle forward 2”

Cossacks charge 6^th chasseurs

Chasseurs test morale to counter charge (total 1 – fail receive charge at the halt)

Melee (total 8 – chasseurs retire 8” and are shaken, Cossacks halt and are disordered)

French Centre – 4^th division

General Vial (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Hold Possneck

16^th hussars retire 16” behind infantry supports

11^th hussars retire 7” facing enemy cavalry

15^th infantry advance 2” in square to protect gunners

General moves closer to 11^th hussars

Marshal Victor (Average)

6 Command Points

Move to join 3^rd division

Change orders to “hold road left of town”

Russian Centre – 7^th Division

General Woroncow (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Possneck

Infantry change to column of attack and advance 3”

Artillery advance 8”

Cuirassiers turn to face enemy

French Left – 3^rd division

General Dubreton (Average)

7 Command Points

Orders – Hold road left of town

9^th and 10^th infantry advance 4” and form square

6^th chasseurs retire behind infantry supports

6^th chasseurs test morale for shaken (total 4 – pass and become disordered)

Russian Left – 9^th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Right

Infantry and artillery advance 8”

2^nd cuirassiers charge 11^th hussars

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

Melee (total 14 – hussars lose 10% casualties and rout into town)

Garrison test morale for cavalry rout (total 2 – fail and become shaken)

2^nd cuirassiers test morale to pursue (total 2 – fail, halt disordered)

French Right – 14^th division

General Maison (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Left

Infantry and artillery advance 8”

8^th and 16^th infantry form column of attack

General moves to centre of division

General Wintzingerode (Average)

6 Command Points

Move to join 8^th division

No orders issued

 

Game Notes

Cavalry deployed to cover infantry advance are difficult to withdraw in good order, particularly if they are engaged by the enemy cavalry.   If they about turn to withdraw to their infantry lines they open themselves to an opportunity charge by any enemy cavalry within charge range.

As casualties start to mount regiments become disordered, shaken or rout.  This reduces the number of command points available to their divisional commander.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/