Battle of Possneck – Move 7

1800-1900  14 August 1813

Table at the start of move 7

Following their successful melee, 7^th French dragoons are left within canister range of two Russian batteries.   If either Russian divisions move first, and fire before the dragoons can move, they could suffer heavy casualties.

 

If 14^th French division move first they can withdraw the dragoons before the guns can fire.   Or if the French CinC moves first he can take personal command of the dragoons and move them out of canister range.

French Left – 3^rd division

General Dubreton (Average)

8 Command Points

Orders – Hold road left of town

Artillery fire on 3^rd Cossacks (total 8 – 10% casualties)

3^rd Cossacks test morale for 10% casualties (total 1 – fail and are shaken)

11^th infantry move through woods to the road

Cavalry reform behind infantry out of artillery range

French Centre – 4^th division

General Vial (Poor)

7 Command Points

Orders – Hold Possneck

Artillery screened by 7^th dragoons

General moves to centre of division

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

 Russian Right – 8^th division

General Melnikow (Poor)

7 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Left

Artillery fire on French infantry (total 7 – miss)

Shaken Cossacks retire behind infantry support

6^th infantry move through woods to road

8^th infantry move into woods in support

5^th and 7^th infantry advance 6”

Artillery manhandle 1” towards enemy

Cossacks test morale for 10% casualties and shaken (total 4 – rally and become disordered)

Russian Centre – 7^th Division

General Woroncow (Average)

9 Command Points

Orders – Engage Possneck

Artillery fire canister on 7^th dragoons (total 10 – 10% casualties)

7^th dragoons test morale for 10% casualties (total 2 – fail and become shaken)

Artillery manhandle 1” towards enemy

Infantry advance 6”

Cuirassiers advance 8”

Marshal Victor (Average)

6 Command Points

Move to take personal command of shaken 7^th dragoons

Retire 6” with the dragoons facing the enemy

Russian Left – 9^th division

General Rudzewitsch (Poor)

7 Command Points

Orders – Engage French Right

Artillery fire on 7^th dragoons (total 6 – miss)

Artillery manhandle 2” towards enemy

Infantry square advance 2” in support of gunners

Remainder of infantry advance 6”

General moves to centre of division

1^st hussars continue melee with 3^rd dragoons

Dragoons lose melee, retire 8” and are shaken

French Right – 14^th division

General Maison (Poor)

6 Command Points

Orders – Engage Russian Left

Artillery advance 4” and unlimber

6^th infantry form square to protect gunners

3^rd dragoons retire 6” facing enemy

General moves to centre of division

7^th dragoons test morale for 10% casualties and shaken (total 1 – fail and remain shaken)

3^rd dragoons test morale for shaken (total 2 – fail and remain shaken)

General Wintzingerode (Average)

5 Command Points

Move to join 7^th division (in centre)

Change orders to Hold

Game Notes

With just one hour/move to night fall time has run out for the Russian attack.

Winzingerode is not prepared to take any more casualties pushing home his attack on Possneck, when such an attack is almost certain to fail.   This is why he has changed 7^th division’s orders to Hold.

Both sides will take advantage of the last move to strengthen their position.  This will prepare them to hold their position, continue the battle or retreat depending on what their campaign corps commander wants to do.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/