Battle of Rosche – Move 10

1700-1800 30 July 1813

Table at the start of move 10

Top left the French have abandoned their guns and are in rout

Right 13 and 16 French have routed 7 Prussian

French are now on attack orders

IV French corps

General Reynier (Gifted) – 6CP – Attack

Reynier moves to two infantry columns

Both brigades turn to left and form column of attack

16 French (5) skirmish 6 Prussian (2) no casualties

French cavalry test morale (3) for shaken, fail and rout

Gunners test morale (3) for rout, fail and continue rout

14 infantry test morale (4) for rout, fail and continue rout

15 infantry test morale (3) for shaken, fail and join rout

2^nd Prussian corps

General Kleist (Average) – 5CP – Hold

5 infantry moves to left flank in column of march

6 infantry turn to left and form line

Kleist moves to take command of left flank

7 infantry (6 casualties) continues to rout

Cavalry test morale (5) for rout, rally and become shaken

Notes on Game

IV French corps are in a desperate situation. Their gunners, cavalry and half of their infantry are in rout to the north of Rosche. Two infantry brigades have routed the left hand Prussian brigade, but are committed to attack three infantry brigades and the Prussian artillery.

Reynier is unable to retreat without leaving his two brigades open to attack. His best brigade is in reserve, leaving his conscript brigade to face the Prussian attack

Battle of Helmstedt – Move 13

2000-2100 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 13

The battle was continued beyond the normal 12 moves to decide the column attack

VI French corps (top left) are too far away to play any part

4^th Prussian corps (bottom right) infantry and artillery were also too far away

The battle would be decided around the crossroads in front of Helmstedt

XIII French corps are pinned in front of Helmstedt

Their artillery are shaken and three of their four brigades in square

The fourth brigade is faced with the large Prussian column of three brigades

Blucher has ordered a determined attack by 3^rd Prussian corps

This attack will be carried out by three brigades in a large column of attack

Their cavalry has routed and the remainder of the corps is too far behind

However they are supported by the cavalry brigade from 4^th Prussian corps

Prussian cavalry Opportunity Charge French guns

4^th Prussian cavalry declare an Opportunity Charge on the Shaken French artillery

Cavalry test morale to charge (5) and pass

Gunners unable to evade to square as they are Shaken

Cavalry have to pass close to square to reach gunners

Square fires on cavalry (2) but no casualties

All gunners are cut down by the cavalry

Right hand square test morale (2) fail and are Shaken

Left hand square test morale (6) pass

Prussian cavalry test morale to pursue (3), pass and halt Disordered on guns

Shaken square retires 4” to maintain cavalry combat area

XIII French corps

General Poniatowski (Poor) – 4CP – Hold Helmstedt

3^rd Brigade retire to Helmstedt facing enemy column

4^th Brigade form line from square

Lancer brigade (out of sight on the left) pass morale test for Shaken, become Disordered

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor) – 5 CP – Engage

Cavalry can not be used after their Opportunity Charge

Artillery is screened by cavalry brigade and 3^rd corps infantry

Four infantry brigades move forward

3^rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – 5 CP – Attack

Artillery are screened by their own infantry

Cavalry have routed from the field

Infantry columns attack enemy line

(Right) 11 and 12 Prussian attack 3 Polish

Prussians win and roll 2D6 (11)

Prussians 1 casualty and Disordered

Polish 3 casualties and Rout

(Left) 10 Prussian attack 4 Polish

Prussians win and roll 2D6 (8)

Prussians 1 casualty and Disordered

Polish 1 casualty and retire Shaken

Retire through nearby French chasseurs who are Disordered

Centre of XIII French corps broken

Notes on Game

At night falls the centre of XIII French corps is broken and routed. They have lost six infantry and all of their gunners. There are still two infantry brigades and the cavalry to cover the retreat. They retreat west through Helmstedt along the Brunswick road

VI French corps has taken no part in the battle, and have received no casualties. They are unable to pass through Helmstedt to join XIII corps and Davout orders them to retreat north towards Wolfsburg

3^rd Prussian corps have taken Helmstedt for a loss of four infantry. Their cavalry have received one casualty and have routed from the field

4^th Prussian corps have played little part in the battle, except for their cavalry who charged and cut down the enemy gunners at Helmstedt. They have suffered no casualties in this battle, but have two from an earlier battle.

A hard fought, but convincing victory for the Prussian army, and one which has opened the road to Hanover. At the start of this battle it appeared likely that the French would win the campaign, the odds have now turned in favour of the Prussians.

Table at the end of the game

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.

Battle of Helmstedt – Move 11

1800-1900 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 11

3^rd Prussian corps are advancing to attack Helmstedt

4^th Prussian corps have deployed their artillery to support 4^th corps

XIII French corps are moving their battle back towards Helmsteddt

13^th lancer brigade is engaging the Prussian hussars to cover the deployment of VI corps

General Blucher (Average) – 4CP

Move to centre of battlefield

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor) – 5 CP – Engage

Artillery fire on square (5) and miss

Move cavalry forward to pin enemy

Move three infantry brigades forward

Marshal Davout (Gifted) – 7CP

Move to Marmont

Change VI corps orders to Hold

VI French corps

Marshal Marmont (Average) – 6 CP – Hold

Corps move, left turn

Corps move, form column of attack

Unlimber artillery

Cavalry form line

XIII French corps

General Poniatowski (Poor) – 5CP – Hold Helmstedt

Artillery fire on infantry column (3) and miss

Overshoot on nearby artillery (8) and miss

Move Poniatowski to centre of corps

Retreat left flank square

Second round of cavalry melee

Prussian hussars dice for combat points (3) and lose melee

Prussian hussars 1 casualty and Shaken

Polish lancers no casualties and Disordered

3rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – 5 CP – Engage
Artillery fire on infantry (6) and miss
Bulow moves to centre of 3 brigade column of attack
3 brigade column of attack advance
Shaken garrison of farm test morale (4), pass and are now Disordered



Notes on Game
There are two parts to a cavalry melee.

Both sides compare combat plus or minus points
The winner is the one with the highest score
The winner rolls two D6 and adds the difference in earlier score
A low dice throw will mean that the “winner” has lost the melee.

The Prussian hussars had plus 1, and their two D6 gave them 3
With a total of 4 they lost the melee and had to retire 8” Shaken.

Cavalry melee are covered in Rule 14
http://napoleonicwargamerules.blogspot.com/

Battle of Helmstedt – Move 10

1700-1800 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 10

3^rd Prussian corps ready to attack Helmstedt

4^th 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

4^th 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

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

Battle of Helmstedt – Move 9

1600-1700 29 July 1813

Table at the start of move 9

Both Prussian corps are taking position on the right

XIII French corps anxiously waiting for the arrival of VI French corps

4^th Prussian corps

General Tauentzien (Poor) – 7 CP – Move to Helmstedt

Cavalry move forward to threaten enemy right flank

Remainder of corps move forward and start to deploy

3^rd Prussian corps

General Bulow (Average) – 4CP – Move to Farm

Artillery fire on enemy square (8) score hit

Square test morale (5) and pass

Three brigade infantry column move forward

Gunners manhandle gun forward

Bulow joins cavalry and moves them forward

Bulow returns to centre of infantry column

Marshal Davout (Gifted) – 7CP

Moves to join Poniatowski

Change XIII corps orders to Hold

Move north on Wolfsburg road to wait for VI corps

VI French corps

Marshal Marmont (Average) – 4 CP – Move to Helmstedt

Double move towards Helmstedt

XIII French corps

General Poniatowski (Poor) – 6CP – Hold Helmstedt

Artillery fire on farm (10) and score second hit

Garrison tests morale (1), fail and are now Shaken

Left flank brigade form square

Right flank square retreat out of artillery range

Manhandle artillery back towards Helmstedt

General Blucher (Average) – 4CP

Move to Bulow

Change 3^rd corps orders to Engage

Notes on Game

VI French corps has started to arrive from Wolfsburg

Blucher must press home his attack before VI corps make their presence felt, or night robs him of the opportunity.