Summary of 1813 Hanover Campaign

22 July1813

The French campaign objectives are

1 - Defeat the Prussians

2 - Take Madgeburg

3 - Keep the Hanover to Hamburg road open

Davout’s strategy is concentrate in the south of the campaign area and advance on Magdeburg, defeating any enemy in their path

The Prussian campaign objectives are

1 – Defeat the French

2 – Take Hanover

3 – Cut the Hanover to Hamburg road

Blucher’s strategy is to advance on a wide front from Ardensee to Magdeburg.

They are likely to sever the Hanover to Hamburg road, but run the risk of being defeated piecemeal in the south.

23 July 1813

The first contact, on the first day of the campaign, is at Welbeck. The Prussians are only aware of VI French corps, they are not aware that there are four French corps advancing against just two Prussian corps.

24 July1813

A major battle was fought at Helmstedt, and a minor one at Marienborn.

4^th Prussian corps launched a surprise attack on VI French corps as the latter marched south from Helmstedt. Both sides suffered medium casualties in the fighting, and the Prussians held the town at nightfall

3^rd Prussian and XIII French corps fought a minor deploying battle at Marienborn. Neither side had completed deployment at nightfall, and both sides suffered light casualties.

V French corps and the cavalry reserve were delayed due to congestion, and a refusal to give way, at Brunswick

1^st Prussian corps is moving away from the main concentration area.

25 July 1813

Blucher has grasped that all four French corps are concentrated against Magdeburg, and ordered 1^st Prussian corps to march south and join him at Helmstedt.

There is a second battle at Helmstedt with two fresh corps, V French and 2rd Prussian. In addition the two battered corps from the previous days battle, VI French and 4^th Prussian, are drawn into the battle.

In the south 3^rd Prussian corps has withdrawn to Seehausen, pursued by XIII and IV French corps.

End of Campaign

The second battle of Helmstedt was never fought. Nor was the anticipated battle in front of Magdeburg. Nor the final battle somewhere near Madgeburg. Because the campaign came to an abrupt and untimely end when one of the CinC players resigned. This followed a period of petty complaints by the other CinC. Very disappointing, and a waste of a lot of work.

But not the end of either the 1813 campaign, nor my attempts to create a PBEM 1813 campaign. Lessons have been learnt. Work is under way to rewrite the campaign rules. Recruiting is well advanced for the new command posts. I hope to have the revised PBEM 1813 Hanover Campaign up and running in a week or two.

Last day of the Campaign

25 July 1813

Strategic map at 2000 25 July 1813

By the end of the third day of the campaign the fog of war would have lifted, and all eight corps would be identified.

The two battles of the previous day would dictate the efforts of both armies during 25 July.

In the north 1^st Prussian corps marched south to draw closer to the main battle area, but would still be too distant to play any role.

In the south 3^rd Prussian corps would break contact at Marienborn during the early morning, and would retreat to Seehausen.

XIII French corps were unaware of the withdrawal and did not start the pursuit until midmorning. As they approached Seehausen they found the Prussians deployed in a strong defensive position. The French deployed ready to attack, but by then it was too late in the day to commence battle.

IV French corps had an uneventful march from Salzgitter to Marienborn, where they arrived late in the afternoon.

But it was in the centre, around Helmstedt, that the most critical action took place.

The second battle of Helmstedt would involve two Prussian corps and two French corps plus the cavalry reserve.

Throughout 23 July 4^th Prussian corps and VI French corps had battled for possession of Helmstedt. Both corps suffered medium casualties, and at nightfall both withdrew from the town. The French to the south, the Prussians to the east.

Marshal Blucher was aware that 2^nd Prussian corps was approaching the town from the north, and he ordered 4^th corps to deploy just east of the town so that they could support them

Marshal Davout also had fresh troops available. V French corps, and the cavalry reserve, had arrived just west of Helmstedt at nightfall.

He ordered V corps to occupy Helmstedt, and push east on the Welbeck road.

The cavalry reserve was ordered north to protect the left flank and to delay any Prussian troops marching on Helmstedt.

VI corps would take up defensive positions just south of Helmstedt.

Campaign Note

Both CinC and corps commander orders were plotted on the map, and this was the result.

The next stage would have been to fight the second battle of Helmstedt. The wargame was set up when one of the CinC resigned, bringing the campaign to an untimely end.

A summary of the campaign will be published on the blog shortly

Because this is a campaign game, and because it ended as it did, I will be refighting the Hanover phase of the 1813 campaign as a PBEM again. I expect the new campaign to start in a week or two.

If you would like to keep up with the preparation for the second attempt you will find the campaign forum at

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/napoleonicpbemcampaign

End of PBEM Campaign

Unfortunately one of the key players has withdrawn from the campaign, which makes it impossible to continue.

This stage of the campaign was being used to test play a new set of rules to make it a PBEM campaign. There are two key roles, those of French and Prussian commander in chief. Both of these roles are difficult to replace, and especially as this critical stage of the campaign.

One CinC found it difficult to accept the mechanism for playing the campaign battles as wargames. He wanted Jan and I to be bound by his campaign orders and fight the wargame in a way which he felt it should be fought. He also found fault with my umpiring of the campaign, and certain decisions I had made. Worse he refused to compromise for the good of the campaign.

This in led to an exchange of posts on the forum, and eventually to the second CinC resigning from the campaign.

The experience has not put me off PBEM. I have learned a lot of valuable lessons from the attempt, particularly not to rely too much on one or two key players. So I will attempt to get a new PBEM campaign going shortly.

As this is part of the overall 1813 campaign I have a further problem, because this stage has not been brought to any sort of reasonable conclusion. So it is very likely that the next campaign will be a replay of the Hanover campaign.

I have no idea how long all of this will take, but you can keep up to date with what is happening by checking out either the campaign forum on

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/napoleonicpbemcampaign

Or on my main wargame blog at

http://napoleonicwargaming.blogspot.com/

Battle of Marienborn - Move 8

1900-2000

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 8

Both sides are determined to hold their own side of the town at nightfall.

Little attempt has been made to improve the deployment south of the town

3^rd Prussian Corps

Bulow has 5CP

Artillery fire on square and hit, square test morale and pass

9 brigade move forward in square

12 brigade moves behind artillery and forms square on the other side of the guns

10 brigade skirmish with 2 brigade in town, both miss

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski only has 4CP

Artillery fire on East Marienborn and miss

2 brigade skirmish with 10 brigade and score a hit

10 brigade returns fire and fails to hit

10 brigade test morale for second casualty and pass

Table at the end of Game

The Prussians were lucky that 10 brigade made their morale with 2 casualties

As they hold East Marienborn at nightfall they can replace 10 brigade with the reserves

Both sides can complete their deployment during the night.

They are not allowed to move closer to the enemy, but can complete deployment

Effect on Campaign

The casualties so far have been light.

3 Prussian corps two casualties

XIII French corps one casualty

Both sides have secured their deployment and hold the nearest section of Marienborn.

Nightfall has prevented a skirmish developing into a battle

Both corps will be fully deployed at daybreak

Note on the Wargame

This has been an uneventful game so far.

10 brigade was unlucky to receive two casualties, and not inflict any on 2 brigade

The French have a slight advantage if the battle goes to a second day.

But not sufficient to feel confident of victory

A second day’s battle could go either way.

Battle of Marienborn - Move 7

1800-1900

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 7

Both sides have occupied the nearest section of Marienborn, and have also reinforced the first brigade sent to take the town. So both are obviously determined to hold their side

Both sides have also expanded well to the south of the town. Neither deployment is complete, but the battle lines are taking shape

3^rd Prussian Corps

Bulow has 5CP this move

Artillery fire at the enemy square, which is just in range, and miss

Gunners man handle guns forward to remain in range if the square moves

10 brigade moves to centre of Marienborn and 11 brigade moves up in support

10 brigade skirmish with 2 brigade and miss

2 brigade skirmish back and score hit

10 brigade test morale and pass

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski also has 5CP this move

Gunners manhandle guns forward into range of East Marienborn

Cavalry move forward to protect gunners, the infantry are too far away

Poniatowski moves closer to town and orders 2 brigade to centre of town

2 brigade skirmish with 10 brigade, both miss

Rule Note

With just one casualty the Prussians are at a disadvantage in the town

They will require a roll of 6 to hit, the French require 5 or 6

It is probably too late in the day for either side to take full control of the town, though it is possible that a rout could leave one side empty.

Battle of Marienborn - Move 6

1700-1800

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 6

On the left the Polish artillery are in danger from the enemy cavalry

If the Prussians move first, they could move their cavalry to charge the guns in flank

3^rd Prussian Corps

Bulow does move first, and he has 7CP

He changes his corps orders from Move to Engage

The artillery unlimber with a field of fire which includes West Marienborn

10 brigade moves through East Marienborn, with 11 brigade in support

Bulow moves to the rear to bring up 12 brigade

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski has 6CP to react to the cavalry threat

He changes his orders from Move to Engage

He moves his lancers to the south to counter the Prussian cavalry

Rule Note

Bulow could either risk a cavalry charge or deploy his corps

He went for the second option.

He would have had to move away from the corps to order the charge

He might have taken out the enemy artillery

Had he failed he widely spread corps would have been at the mercy of Poniatowski

Poniatowski used his turn to redeploy his lancers to counter the Prussian hussars

Both commanders have changed their orders to Engage so that they can skirmish with the enemy in Marienborn.

Battle of Marienborn - Move 5

1600-1700

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 5

The withdrawal of both cavalry brigades allows the commanders to deploy their corps.

On the left Poniatowski has sent his artillery well to the south

This will give them an excellent field of fire.

One division is entering West Marienborn

The second division is taking position south of the town

Bulow is slightly behind in his deployment

His artillery is too close to the town to fire on West Marienborn

Three infantry brigades are still on the road approaching East Marienborn

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski has 5CP to complete his deployment

2 brigade is occupying West Marienborn, supported by 3 brigade

The artillery are unlimbered and have a good field of fire

4 brigade is moving into position between 1 brigade and the guns

3^rd Prussian Corps

Bulow has 6CP

He moves his hussar brigade well to the south to threaten the enemy artillery

10 brigade is sent into East Marienborn, supported by 11 brigade.

His artillery are badly positioned, he orders them to limber and move south.

Rule Note

The Prussian cavalry are more than 16” from the nearest enemy.

So they can have multiple moves to outflank the enemy gunners

This should allow him to regain the advantage of his slow deployment.

Battle of Marienborn - Move 4

1500-1600

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 4.

On the left Poniatowski has ordered one division to occupy Marienborn, and the second division to deploy to the south, supported by the cavalry and artillery.

On the right Bulow is reacting to the enemy deployment. He has ordered his artillery to deploy south of the town, and one brigade to support them. But the remainder of his corps has been left behind.

3^rd Prussian Corps

Bulow again moves first, and this time has 7CP

Artillery move and unlimber beside East Marienborn

Cavalry withdraw out of enemy artillery range

9 brigade form square to protect artillery

Column move towards East Marienborn

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski has 5CP

He also orders his cavalry to withdraw out of enemy artillery range

The artillery moves to the right flank

2 brigade enters West Marienborn, with 3 brigade in support

Rule Note

The cavalry have completed their role of covering the approach and deployment.

They are now very vulnerable to enemy artillery fire.

To withdraw them is expensive and dangerous.

If they offer a flank or rear to the enemy cavalry they risk an opportunity charge

To withdraw half a move facing the enemy costs 2CP

They are not allowed to pass through friends.

Both commanders are aware of the problem and have completed the withdrawal safely

Battle of Marienborn - Move 3

1400-1500

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 3

Poniatowski starts to deploy his corps to the south of Marienborn. His cavalry have moved forward within charge range of the Prussian hussars to prevent an opportunity charge on the infantry columns.

Bulow is still some distance from the town, and his cavalry brigade is isolated and unsupported.

3^rd Prussian Corps

Fortunately Bulow moves first.

With 5CP he can have a double move with his column and still be more than 16” from the nearest enemy.

He also orders his artillery out of the column to engage and drive off the Polish lancers.

XIII French Corps

With 5CP Poniatowski starts to deploy his corps

The artillery move to the right of the town, supported by 4 brigade. This move is protected by the lancers and 1 brigade in square

2 and 3 brigade move towards Marienborn.

Battle of Marienborn - Move 2

1300-1400

24 July 1813

Table at the start of Move 2

The cavalry of both sides have deployed south of Marienborn, and the rest of the corps are approaching on the road.

The French have an early advantage due to their good dice throw for CP in move one, and are much nearer the town than the Prussians.

3^rd Prussian Corps

Another low dice throw gives Bulow just 5CP.

He orders the cavalry brigade forward to pin the enemy cavalry

Behind the cavalry screen the corps an only move 8” towards the town.

XIII French Corps

Poniatowski is no more lucky with his dice and has just 4CP

However he is nearer to the town and must decide whether to use his CP to occupy the town with his leading brigade, or to start to deploy. He decides on the latter.

He moves his cavalry brigade within charge distance of the Prussian hussars.

Behind them the whole corps swings to the south.

Despite his cavalry screen he orders his leading brigade to form square

Rule Note

Poniatowski has opted for a cautious deployment.

Despite his cavalry screen he has still ordered his leading brigade into square. This will delay the deployment, but will protect his infantry should the Prussian cavalry attack and defeat his cavalry screen.

A bolder move would have been to make a dash for Marienborn and try to take at least the west section before the Prussians infantry arrived.