Battle of Helmstedt – Move 10

1700-1800 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 10

3^rd Prussian corps ready to attack Helmstedt

4^th Prussian corps still deploying to the left of road

XIII French corps have three brigades in square due to Prussian cavalry

VI French corps has started to arrive along the road top left

General Blucher (Average) – 4CP

Move to Taentzien

Change 4th corps orders to Engage

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor) – 5 CP – Engage

Move guns forward and unlimber

Move rear infantry brigades forward

VI French corps

Marshal Marmont (Average) – 5 CP – Move to Helmstedt

Move corps towards Helmstedt

Change orders to Halt

Move Marmont to centre of corps

Marshal Davout (Gifted) – 7CP

Moves to join Marmont

Change VI corps orders to Move to farm

Move to right of XIII corps

3^rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – 6CP – Engage

Artillery fire on square (3) and miss

Manhandle artillery forward

Move three infantry column towards Helmstedt

Move Bulow to command range of cavalry brigade

Move hussar brigade within Opportunity Charge range of VI corps column

Test morale for Shaken garrison (2), fail and remain Shaken

XIII French corps

General Poniatowski (Poor) – 6CP – Hold Helmstedt

Artillery fire on column (5) and miss

Bounce through on artillery beside column (6) and miss

Lancer brigade charge Prussian hussars

Hussars test morale to counter charge (4) and pass

Melee combat total 6, both brigades Disordered

Move Poniatowski to right flank

Manhandle artillery back towards Helmstedt

Retire right flank square back towards Helmstedt

Notes on Game

The infantry holding the farm is the best brigade in 3^rd corps, yet out of three morale tests they have rolled one twice and two once. Just as well they are A class infantry or they would have routed by now.

VI French corps ended their move in column of march along the Wolfsburg-Helmstedt road. 3^rd Prussian hussar brigade were out of charge range, but they advanced so that they could declare an Opportunity Charge during VI corps turn. The corps was saved by 13^th lancers charging the hussars, even though they carried a casualty from a previous battle. The melee result was both sides Disordered, so the hussars will not be able to charge the column next turn.

The whole of 4^th Prussian corps is in position to attack the right of XIII French corps, but unless they have very good dice for their CP it is likely that night fall will rob them of the opportunity.

A normal battle/wargame lasts 12 moves, but in the past we have allowed an extra move if both sides are in combat but neither have broken. If the Prussians can press home their attack this extra move would be allowed to avoid a second day of battle.