Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 8

1500-1600  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 8

The battle is now entering the critical phase

Both corps are within close combat range 

 Russian corps at the end of Move 8

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode moves to change division orders from Engage to Attack

Rudzewitsch (left) now on Attack orders

His grenadier regiment charge home on the French gunners and cut them down

Major setback on the hills to his left

His artillery is charged by the French dragoons and cut down

Supporting infantry and cavalry both shaken

 

Woroncow (centre left) is still on Engage orders

His artillery have moved forward to close range, and cause damage to the French infantry

2^nd infantry exchange volley fire with 5^th Westphalians, both lose 10% but neither give way

Melnikow (centre right) orders changed from Engage to Attack

He orders his shaken infantry to withdraw to make room for the cavalry reserve

4^th cuirassiers move forward and prepare to charge French infantry

Galitzin (right)  still on Engage orders

His cavalry receive ineffective skirmish fire from the woods as they push towards the bridge

His two leading infantry regiments advance to woods and skirmish with French infantry

French receive 10% casualties and retire from edge of woods shaken

 French corps at end of Move 8

2^nd French Corps

Victor orders his divisions to attempt a fighting withdrawal to the river

 

Dubreton (left) orders his artillery, and his isolated infantry on the hill, to fall back to the bridge

The remainder of his infantry continue to skirmish, but are losing the combat

In desperation he orders 6^th chasseurs (with 20% casualties) to charge the Russian dragoons

The chasseurs fight well, but are forced to withdraw Shaken

There are now no formed cavalry to prevent the Russians taking the bridge

Vial (centre) has received orders to withdraw to the river and hold the bridge

He is under attack, and can only send 16^th hussars to hold the bridge

His artillery fire one last round on the Russians and then limber to retreat

The Russians receive casualties but continue to advance

One shaken infantry regiment, and the disordered 11^th hussars, are left to cover the retreat

Maison (right) is making a determined stand

7^th dragoons test for opportunity charge on Russian artillery as they attempt to deploy on opposite hill

Dragoons charge, Russians fail test to react, gunners are cut down

Supporting Russian infantry and cavalry both fail morale test and are Shaken

His gunners are overrun and cut down by Russian grenadier regiment

5^th infantry are within 4”, lose their morale test and are shaken

Despite his success with 7^th dragoons his position is now desperate

He has lost his artillery and one of his infantry regiments in rout, a second is shaken

Game Notes

Both corps are now losing serious casualties, resulting in loss of morale

Up to one third of each division is cut down, in rout, shaken or disordered

No CPs are allowed for these regiments

Divisional commanders must decide where best to use the reduced CPs

The combat options when on Engage or Attack are very different

Engage allows infantry to skirmish or volley, but not to melee

Attack orders allow infantry to charge and melee, both infantry and gunners

On Attack orders combat tends to be much more decisive

Rule 3 covers Command Points (CP)

Rule 4 covers divisional orders

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/