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/

Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 7

1400-1500  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 7

6^th  Russian division (top) are advancing beyond the woods

7^th and 8^th Russian divisions (centre) are approaching the French

9^th Russian division (bottom) are already skirmishing with the French artillery

  Russian corps at the end of Move 7

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode urges his corps commanders to press home their attack

He is confident of victory and even the destruction of 2^nd French corps

Rudzewitsch (left) continues his skirmish combat with the Westphalian gunners

His infantry advance within volley range and force the enemy to retire shaken with 20% casualties

He orders his artillery, which is screened by his infantry, to move onto the hill to his left

Woroncow (centre left) send his left hand infantry regiment to join the skirmish fight

The remainder of his division continue to advance

Melnikow (centre right) orders his leading infantry regiments to skirmish with the French infantry

They win the initial exchange, disorder the enemy and inflict 10% casualties on each regiment

Galitzin (right)  orders his hussar regiment to charge the nearest French infantry

They have been disordered in the skirmish fight, and fail their morale to react or form square

The hussars cut them down and the regiment is wiped out

The nearby gunners and infantry in the woods are both shaken by seeing them cut down

The remainder of 6^th division advance towards the river

 French corps at end of Move 7

2^nd French Corps

The French have suffered badly during this move

Their artillery continue to be ineffective

They have lost another infantry regiment to enemy cavalry

Dubreton (left) having lost the initial skirmish combat he orders his infantry forward

They win the volley fight, and one Russian regiment retires shaken and with 20% casualties

Then Russian hussars charge the left hand regiment, who are disordered by the combat

The French infantry fail their morale to form square, and are cut down

The regiment in the woods, and the gunners, are both within 4” and must test morale

Both lose and are shaken

Vial (centre) holds the centre.

His artillery cause 10% casualties on the nearest Russian infantry

But they pass their morale test and continue to advance.

11^th hussars are shaken by the infantry rout on their right

Maison (right) moves his reserve regiment to replace the shaken 6^th infantry

Despite this 6^th regiment fail their morale test and rout

They rout into 3^rd dragoons who fail their morale test and become shaken

11^th hussars (4^th division) are within 4” and also have to test their morale, fail and are shaken

The remainder of the regiments within 4” of the rout all pass their morale test

Game Notes

The skirmish combat has now spread along the whole table

Regiments within 4”, but less than 2”, can skirmish.  

They require a total of 6 to hit

However if they advance  within 2” they can volley fire

Both sides fire at the same time, and the result is likely to be more decisive.

After skirmish or volley fire a regiment is disordered

One such regiment charged by nearby enemy cavalry has been cut down.

It is very unlikely that 2^nd French corps will survive this battle

Even if they hold out until night, they must still secure the bridge to retreat

The loss of the cavalry melee on their far left has left the bridge unguarded

6^th Russian division has now only to reach the bridge to cut the French retreat

Rule 11 covers skirmish combat

Rule 12 covers musket firefight combat

Rule 15 covers cavalry v infantry combat

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 6

1300-1400  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 6

9^th Russian division is now too close for 14^th Westphalian division to retire (nearest camera)

4^th French division (in the centre) could retire, but would leave 14^th division open to a flank attack

3^rd French division (top) is about to be attacked by both 6^th and 8^th Russian divisions.

French corps at end of Move 6

2^nd French Corps

Victor has ordered 3^rd division to retire towards the river

4^th and 14^th divisions remain on hold orders

Dubreton (left) ordered 12^th chasseurs to attack the leading Russian dragoon regiment

The chasseurs lost the melee, suffered 10% casualties and routed

Both chasseur regiments now have 20% casualties and are effectively non combatant

Things are looking desperate for 3^rd division and the French left flank

Vial (centre) holds the centre.

His artillery have again failed to inflict any casualties on the enemy

Maison (right) has also failed to inflict significant casualties

The Russian infantry are in skirmish combat with his gunners and their supporting infantry

He has ordered his cavalry to deploy on the hill to his left and his infantry in the centre

Russian corps at the end of Move 6

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode has ordered his four divisions to engage the French

Rudzewitsch (left) is in contact with the Westphalians

His two leading infantry regiments skirmish with the gunners and supporting infantry

He is still on Engage orders, but has requested permission to Attack.

Woroncow (centre left) has advanced beyond Possneck

He has furthest to go to reach the French, and his guns are now masked

Melnikow (centre right) is trying to coordinate his attack with Galitzin

The two divisions are separated by the woods and communication is difficult

Galitzin (right) has won the initial cavalry melee, and routed the French chasseurs

The ground is now secure for the deployment of the remainder of 6^th division

Game Notes

The four Russian divisions are on Engage orders

The infantry are allowed to exchange skirmish or musket fire with the enemy

However they are not allowed to press home their attack and melee

To do so the corps commander must first change their orders to Attack.

They are fortunate that the French gunners have proved particularly ineffective

Their infantry have reached combat range with only minor artillery casualties

Despite their initial lack of cavalry support they now have the advantage in this battle

With the arrival of 6^th division they outnumber the French by four to three.

Rule 11 covers skirmish combat

Rule 12 covers musket firefight combat

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 5

1200-1300  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 5

The table has been extended to the left to include the river Saale
The river can only be crossed by the bridge

The Russian reinforcements will arrive top right behind the woods

If they can take the bridge the French will be forced to surrender

Left – French divisions have Hold orders and may not retreat until they are changed

Right – Russian corps commander have moved to the road top right to meet reinforcements

French corps at end of Move 5

2^nd French Corps

Victor must wait his turn in order to issue orders to react to the arrival of 6^th Russian division

Dubreton (left) has deployed his cavalry brigade to the left of the woods to delay 6^th Russian division

His artillery fire on the approaching enemy infantry, but no casualties

He must wait for orders to withdraw his division to hold the bridge

Vial (centre) has finally deployed his division

His artillery fire on the approaching Russian infantry, again no casualties

Maison (right) orders his cavalry to move onto the hill on the right

He orders his infantry on the hill to rejoin the division

His artillery also fire on the enemy infantry, once more no casualties

  Russian corps at the end of Move 5

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode orders 6^th division to attack the enemy left flank and take the bridge

Rudzewitsch (left) moves his division towards the French

His artillery engage the enemy  infantry but again fail to inflict any casualties

His Cossack regiment has 20% casualties, and must be kept in reserve

Woroncow (centre left) division redeploy and continue to advance

The brigade in Possneck is ordered to join the main advance

The lack of cavalry support has left the infantry exposed to the French cavalry

Melnikow (centre right) moves his division forward to the far edge of the woods

His infantry have masked the gunners, who have joined the advance

Galitzin (right) orders his cavalry brigade to form line and advance to engage the French cavalry

His infantry and artillery are in a long line along the Domburg road (off table right)

They will not be able to enter until their cavalry have contained the French cavalry

Game Notes

Once more the artillery on both sides have proved ineffective

There is now a real danger that the French will be cut off from the bridge by the newly arrived 6^th Russian division.  If this happens they will have to surrender.

Markers are drawn each move to determine sequence of movement.  It is unfortunate that the French corps commander was not drawn before 3^rd and 14^th division.   This meant that 3^rd division could not begin to withdraw to secure the bridge.

The closer the Russians come to the French defensive line, the harder it will be for the French to withdraw.

Their best hope now is to be able to withdraw before the Russians get close enough to pin them.  Even with the arrival of 6^th division cavalry brigade, the French still have sufficient cavalry to cover the withdrawal.

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Campaign Move 4

0800 to 1200 15 August  1813

Marshal Victor - Commander 2nd French Corps

Victor had not intended to fight a second day at Possneck

The battle with 3^rd Russian corps on the previous day had ended in a draw, with a slight advantage to 2^nd French corps.  It had been a mainly cavalry engagement, and the Russians had suffered more casualties than the French

During the evening Victor received unofficial reports of a French defeat at Domburg, and he decided to withdraw his corps to the west bank of the river Saale and await further orders from Napoleon.

At day break his corps formed up ready to retreat, with 14^th division forming the rear guard.   However first light also brought a renewed Russian attack on Possneck.   Victor could have moved one division over the river, but the remaining two divisions would have had to face the three Russian divisions.

He decided to stand and fight between Possneck and the river.    The town delayed the Russian advance and the French were deployed before the battle began.

The morning went well for the French.   Most of their cavalry was at the head of the retreating divisions, and had to quickly move east to cover the deployment.  But once in position they delayed the Russian advance, as did the town itself.

However by late morning there were worrying reports of Russian cavalry approaching the French left flank from the direction of Domburg.   The French cavalry were too busy with 3^rd Russian corps to investigate, and the terrain made it difficult for the infantry to determine what was approaching.  

Just before midday he orders his left hand division to send their cavalry to investigate.  Unfortunately 4th chasseur brigade had suffered the most casualties during the previous day’s fighting.   But they were the only cavalry available and would have to make do.

Victor began to ponder the difficulties of a fighting withdrawal across the river in the face of a reinforced Russian attack.   There were still eight hours of fighting before nightfall and his corps was already in contact with equal numbers of the enemy.   A flank attack with fresh Russian troops would be difficult to counter with very few reserves available to him.

Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 4

1100-1200  15^th August 1813

Table at start of Move 4

Left – French cavalry have advanced to force the Russian cuirassiers to retire

Right – Russians have retired facing the French and still pose a threat to the infantry

French corps at end of Move 4

2^nd French Corps

Victor receives reports of the approach of a large body of Russians on the Domburg road

Dubreton (left) sends his cavalry to the left of the woods to investigate reports of approaching enemy

His artillery open fire on the approaching Russian infantry but inflict no casualties

Vial (centre) is at last free of cuirassier threat

He orders his gunners back to the guns

Infantry form column of attack

Cavalry move to the front

Maison (right) orders his leading dragoon regiment to charge the Russian cuirassiers again

Once more the Russians fail their morale test to counter charge (roll total of 1)

The cuirassiers meet the charge at the halt, are routed and lose 10% more casualties

Artillery fire on approaching Russian infantry but cause no casualties

 Russian corps at the end of Move 4

 

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode moves to the Domburg road to meet the reinforcements

Rudzewitsch (left) moves his division towards the French

His artillery engage the enemy  infantry but fail to cause any casualties

Woroncow (centre) division thrown into disorder by the routed cuirassiers

The garrison of Possneck pass their morale test for a routed friend within 4”

The gunners also pass their morale despite being routed thorough

Leading infantry form square to protect the disordered gunners

Melnikow (right) moves his division forward to make room for the reinforcements

He is waiting for his infantry to reach the far edge of the woods before moving to contact

His gunners limber their guns as they are now masked by the advancing infantry

Game Notes

Artillery require a total of 8 with 2D6 dice to achieve 10% casualties.

The Russian gunners have failed to “soften up” the enemy as their infantry advance

The French gunners have not done much better

When a regiment fails its morale and routs, all friendly regiments within 4” have to test their morale

When there are so many regiments with existing casualties this can have serious consequences.

The approaching reinforcements is 6^th division of 2^nd Russian corps

Neither commander was aware of this approach due to the difficult terrain

The leading regiment will arrive on the table at the start of the next move.

Rule 7 deals with artillery fire

Rule 18 deals with morale

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Possneck Day 2 – Move 3

1000-1100  15^th August 1813

 Table at start of Move 3

Left – French centre in confusion due to Russian cuirassier charge

Right – Russians have advanced and have entered Possneck and the woods beyond

Russian corps at the end of Move 3

3^rd Russian Corps

Wintzingerode does not issue any new orders

The heavier Russian artillery are now within range of the French and open fire

During this first round all miss due to consistently poor dice

Rudzewitsch (left) moves forward and his gunners manhandle the guns forward

Woroncow (centre) orders his cuirassier regiment to break contact and retire

They have been very lucky both during the opportunity charge and the subsequent cavalry melee

Melnikow (right) is finding it difficult to deploy in the narrow space between the town and the woods

It is proving difficult to coordinate the brigade moving through the woods and the rest of the division

French corps at end of Move 3

2^nd French Corps

The French deployed is in a shambles due to the Russian cuirassier charge

Dubreton (left) is not affected by the chaos in the centre
He has deployed his division between the woods and the hill

He has kept his cavalry in reserve to shield them from enemy artillery

Vial (centre) is unable to advance or man his artillery

His hussar brigade have 10% casualties and are no match for the heavier Russian cavalry

He orders one infantry square forward to secure the guns until the enemy cavalry retire

Maison (right) orders his leading dragoon regiment to charge the Russian cuirassiers

The Russians fail their morale test to counter charge, and meet the dragoons at the halt

Due to a poor dice throw (total of 5 with 2D6) the melee is a draw, no casualties, both disordered

His division is in position, but unable to deploy until the cuirassiers withdraw

Game Notes

With both divisions on Engage orders, cavalry combats tend to be ineffective

The poor dice throw resulted in a draw with no casualties on either side

Fortunately the Russians withdrew during their turn rather than risk further casualties

The opening moves of this game have been dominated by the Russian cuirassiers

For a regiment which started the game with 10% casualties they have done well

The Russians must now take advantage of the French confusion to press home their attack

They have nine more moves, which is plenty of time, to do so

However the restricted ground area is making it difficult for them to deploy properly

And they can expect to receive artillery casualties as they approach the French.

Rule 7 deals with artillery fire

Rule 14 deals with cavalry combat

Wargame rules can be found at

http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/