Battle of Helmstedt – Move 12

1900-2000 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 12

XIII French corps (left) retire each move towards Helmstedt

3^rd Prussian corps keep advancing to close with the Poles

4^th Prussian corps infantry are left behind, but their cavalry move forward

A lot will depend on which corps moves first during this final move of the game

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor) – 3 CP – Engage

Artillery fire on square (4) and miss

Tauentzien moves to centre of corps

Cavalry move forward to threaten enemy artillery

Blucher joins 4th corps and orders Attack

General Blucher (Average) – 4CP

Moves to join Bulow

Changes 4^th corps orders from Engage to Attack

VI French corps

Marshal Marmont (Average) – 6 CP – Hold

No enemy within artillery range

Corps cannot advance on Hold orders

XIII French corps

General Poniatowski (Poor) – 4CP – Hold Helmstedt

Artillery fire at short range on nearest column (5) and miss (need 6 to hit!)

Infantry line retire towards Helmstedt facing enemy columns

13 Polish lancers v 3 Prussian hussars

Marshal Davout (Gifted) – 7CP

Move to 13 lancer brigade and take command

Charge shaken Prussian hussars

Hussars unable to counter charge as they are Shaken

Lancers have plus 3 combat and roll 2xD6 total 5

Lancers have lost melee, retire 8” and are Shaken

3rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – 5 CP – Attack
Artillery fire on square (5) and miss
Three brigade column advance towards retreating Polish battle line
Left hand brigade skirmish gunners (6), one casualty
Gunners test morale (2), fail and are Shaken
Prussian hussar brigade test morale for Shaken (1) fail and Rout off table


Notes on Game

Davout’s strategy to withdraw as the Prussians advance is working well
XIII French corps have moved before 3rd Prussian corps.
This allows their artillery to fire on the Prussians, then the battle line retreats

The Prussian artillery have proved very ineffective in this game

The French artillery have done better, but failed miserably this move when they fired at close range on the large three brigade column.

This would normally be nightfall.

However the continued French withdrawal has robbed 3rd Prussian corps of the opportunity to close with them. The French have had the opportunity to fire on the approaching Prussians, but then withdraw before the Prussians can fire back.

At this stage either side could easily win.

So it was agreed to fight one more move in the hope that one side or the other would break.

It will be a normal move, but the aim will be to decide whether XIII French corps hold or 3rd Prussian corps take Helmstedt.