Campaign Move 28 – Second Helmstedt

0800 - 1200 1 August 1813

Table at 1200

Davout was aware that he was outnumbered by three corps to two, but felt he had to offer battle in order to force Blucher to abandon his march on Hanover. He hoped that he might be able to fight at least the early stages of the battle on even terms. As he observed the Prussian lines it was obvious that all three corps were in position at the start of the battle.

Blucher commanded three corps, but they were far from equal. 1^st corps had suffered heavily at Wolfsburg and took the field with only two infantry brigades and the corps artillery. 3^rd corps was his best corps and was almost full strength. 4^th corps was also full strength, but was commanded by general Tauentzien the least capable of Blucher’s four corps commanders.

The attack opened with a general advance by the three Prussian corps.

1^st corps had 12 pounder artillery, and they halted within range of VI French corps, but out of range of the 9 pounder French guns. VI corps was thus pinned by the much weaker 1^st corps, but could not ignore the threat

3^rd and 4^th corps advanced towards V corps. The French cuirassier brigade moved forward causing 3^rd corps to halt and form square. Their hussar brigade engaged the cuirassiers and drove them back.

As 3^rd corps continued their advance, Tauentzien lost his nerve and ordered 4^th corps to halt. Blucher ordered 3^rd corps to press on, and went to sort out Tauentzien. 3^rd corps had suffered from artillery fire whilst they sheltered in square, and were now met by a determined French infantry line. Without the support of 4^th corps they lost the exchange and fell back to regroup.