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 12^th chasseurs and orders them to charge 3^rd 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 – 8^th 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

6^th infantry enter woods

General moves within command range (8”) of Cossacks

Cossacks about turn and retire 7”

French Right – 14^th division

General Maison (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Left

7^th dragoons advance 12” to face French dragoons flank

3^rd dragoons advance 12” in support

Infantry and artillery all advance 8”

General moves to supporting distance (4”) of dragoon brigade

 Russian Left – 9^th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)

8 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Right

7^th French dragoons declare opportunity charge on flank of 2^nd dragoons

French dragoons test to charge (total 6 – charge)

2^nd dragoons test to react to flank attack (total 2 – fail unable to react)

Unable to turn to face the French cavalry 2^nd dragoons are cut down

1^st hussars charge 3^rd French dragoons

3^rd 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

9^th 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 – 4^th division

General Vial (Poor)

6 Command Points

Orders – Hold Possneck

16^th hussars retire 8” and about turn

11^th 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)

11^th hussars test morale for 10% casualties and rout (total 1 – fail continue to rout)

Russian Centre – 7^th Division

General Woroncow (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Possneck

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

2^nd infantry advance 4” and form square to protect gunners

Remainder of infantry advance 6”

Cuirassiers advance 12”

French Left – 3^rd division

General Dubreton (Average)

7 Command Points

Orders – Hold road left of town

Artillery fire on 3^rd Cossacks (total 4 – no casualties)

9^th and 10^th infantry advance 2” in square

General moves to centre of division

11^th infantry enter the woods

12^th 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

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/