Second Helmstedt – Move 8

1500-1600 1 August 1813

Table at the start of move 8

Davout has ordered a withdrawal to the farm in an attempt to hold until nightfall

Blucher has taken personal command of 4^th corps to resume the attack

V French corps

General Laurison (Average) – Withdraw to T Junction - 4CP

Artillery retire 4” and unlimber

17 brigade retire 2” facing enemy

Test morale (2) for Shaken 20 brigade, fail and remain Shaken

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor)

Corps under the command of Prince Blucher

Prince Blucher (Average) – 5CP

14 and 16 brigade advance 6”

Artillery limber and advance 4”

Cavalry charge limbered artillery

Artillery test morale (1) to react to charge but fail

23 brigade (square) fire on cavalry (5) and miss

Cavalry cut down all gunners

Cavalry test to react (1), pass and halt Disordered

Test morale (3) for 23 brigade for gunners cut down within 4”, pass remain formed

1^st Prussian corps

General Yorck (Gifted) – Hold – 5CP

Artillery fire (8) on 27 French, hit and cause one casualty

27 French test morale (1) for second casualty, fail and remain Shaken

Unable to take any further action on Hold orders

VI French corps

Marshal Marmont (Average) – Retire to Farm – 5CP

Cavalry move 8” towards Prussian cavalry, and form line

Shaken 22 brigade move 6” towards friendly cavalry

Marmont moves to centre of corps

Test morale (-1) for Shaken 22 brigade, fail and Rout

Cavalry test morale (2) for Rout within 4”, fail and become Shaken

Poor Card

4^th corps is under command of Prince Blucher (Average)

Marshal Davout (Gifted) – 7CP

Both corps on orders to retire to farm

No need for further orders

3^rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – Hold – 5CP

Corps ready to advance, but waiting for orders from Prince Blucher

Game Notes

Prince Blucher has taken command of 4^th corps to attack the French centre. But by doing so he is unable to issue orders to either 1^st or 3^rd corps, both of whom are now ready to resume the attack.

To issue orders to 1^st and 3^rd corps, he must first hand back command of 4^th corps to general Tauentzien. By doing so he will risk that the Poor Card will halt 4^th corps again.

With only four moves to nightfall he must decide next move whether to continue with 4^th corps alone, or risk the whole attack stalling once more whilst the orders 1^st and 3^rd to Engage the enemy.

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