Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Battle of Helmstedt – Move 10

1700-1800 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 10

3rd Prussian corps ready to attack Helmstedt

4th 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


4th 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


3rd 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 3rd 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. 3rd 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 13th 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 4th 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.

4 comments:

  1. Paul,

    My Lancers won the turn 18 skirmish against the Prussian Hussars, without taking a casualty and I was at full strength for that.

    Did the lancers take a casualty for some other reason that may have accidentally been left out of reports 19 and 20?

    Otherwise, my reports show that my lancers should be at full strength still.

    Not complaining, just curious...they fought well regardless.

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  2. Hi Justin

    Well spotted

    You are right that 13 lancer brigade did not receive any casualties prior to the battle.

    The order of battle sheet which we use for wargames show 13 lancer brigade with one casualty. This must be an error.

    Fortunately it has not made any difference, and the lancers defeated the Prussian hussars, despite their casualty.

    Looking back at the photographs I notice that the casualty was shown right from the start. Its shame you did not mention it sooner.

    regards

    Paul

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  3. Yeah, I didn't know what the blue die meant, but started to consider its purpose over the past three turns after artillery casualties occurred. The Lancers HAD taken casualties the turn I took command of the corps, which were since recovered, so that may be the origins of the error. No harm done and they saved VI Corps from a serious problem.:)

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  4. Hi Justin

    I suspect that the lancer casualties had been returned on the umpire report, but not on the casualty sheet. I usually check each before the wargame, but obviously missed it this time.

    Fortunately your lancers won their melee, even with the handicap. They routed the Prussian hussars, and they could not do better than that.

    regards

    Paul

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