Major battle looming 5 & 6 Sept 1813

Following the day of 3 battles, the armies have momentarily pulled apart. 

5 September
Schwarzenberg's Austrians fell back to Herzberg after being bloodied by the Guard at Seyda.  The Guard chose not to pursue, fearing an attack by Klenau's corps which was reportedly in the area.  The French can never really be that sure where the enemy are due to their lack of cavalry, whereas the Allies generally have a better fix on French positions due to superior cavalry, sypathetic locals and a persistent smell of garlic.

Ney's corps is reportedly licking their wounds around Jueterbog, the bravest of the brave wondering when his fabled courage will start to rub off on his troops who keep fleeing from the battlefield.  The combined Austro-Russian army army that defeated Ney and Marmont at the battle of Dahme, rather than pressing home their advantage and pusuing the defeated French, gave them space to withdraw and regroup, preferring to head off cross country in an attempt to catch and isolate the victorious French force from the battle of Baruth.  This attempted punch appears to have hit fresh air as Bertrand and Oudinot withdrew north after their victory (why is everyone running away after winning??). 

The Russians, anticipating an aggressive follow up by Bertrand after the battle of Baruth, withdrew to await the reinforcements from Dahme, and so catch the French in a pincer, only to be foiled as Betrand withdrew.

6 September
Seeing that they weren't being pursued after Dahme, the French under Marmont have pressed south towards Herzberg in a belated move to pursue the defeated Schwarzenberg.  In doing so they suddenly found themselves enjoying croissants from Vienna and sweet Austrian wine as they stumbled onto the Austrian supply train that has been battling to keep up with the intrepid General Meerveldt who has decided to make his men into 19th century boy scouts by taking them off road after the battle of Dahme.  Marmont's men were particularly gleeful at finding Saxon wounded in the supply train, Saxons who had so treacherously deserted them at Torgau and then fought them at Dahme.  What has become of these deserters is anyone's guess, but since this article may be read by children, we feel it best not to speculate.  The effect of this though is that Meerveldt and his Russian allies, find themselves living out of the provisions in their knapsacks, a situation that they won't be able to sustain for long.  As Marmont's men tuck into the Austrian supplies, they will have to look to the south though, as less than half a day's march away in Herzberg, an Austrian army is itching to get revenge after Seyda, and may be about to strike (if that's not too strong a term for the leisurely way the Austrians have been moving around).

Meanwhile, further east, huge forces from both sides are converging on the small town of Dahme.  There has been a clash of a French and Russian cavalry corps in the fields south of the town that looks like it may blow up into a major battle as both sides feed more troops into what began as a skirmish.  Before the day is over, we may be bringing you a new battle report.  It all depends on whether both sides are keen to fight.  This will be an interesting match-up with two cavalry corps fighting it out, possibly with reinforcements arriving through the course of the battle. 

We have received reports that the shattered Russian corps from Baruth is still recuperating around Lubben on a diet of vodka and schnapps.   This magic potion is expected to restore them to health soon.  But more interestingly the Russians in Lubben have been seen fraternising with Prussian soldiers, practising all the German they have learned from the frauleins as they conducted their merry tour of Germany while Prussia was fighting for her life.  Where have these Prussian soldiers come from?  Could it be that General Yorck is about to make another appearance?

All the armies are now within a short distance of each other.  A major battle seems inevitable.  Can the Allies bring their superior numbers to bear, all will the French from their more central position be able isolate and destroy them piece meal?  Will the Austro-Russian force under Meerveldt be able to restore their lines of supply or be forced to surrender to the converging French armies.  Don't mention the Ulm.  Once again, the next few days will be crucial.

The Battle of Dahme 4 Sept 1813

Two French corps under Ney and Marmont engage a combined Russo-Austrian army consisting of a Russian cavalry corps and an Austrian infantry corps.  This battle happens in between the battles of Seyda and Baruth, within 5kms of Seyda and about 20kms from the Baruth battle.
The battle has an extra element of spice added to it by the presence of the Saxon corps under Thielmann that defected from the French cause earlier in the campaign.  They are part of the Austrian corps.

The battlefield with the Russian cavalry corps in the foreground right confronting Marmont's corps on the left.  In the distance the Austrians have taken up a position on a line of hills.  Marshal Ney will need all his courage to evict them from this position.  The yellow dice do their best to spoil the photo (and will dice badly all game as punishment)

A close up of the Austrian corps.  Thielmann's Saxon division is skulking squarely in the middle of the formation.  Are they afraid of their erstwhile allies or getting their new paint job chipped? 

Ney bravely sends his corps forward ("Don't worry boys.  I'm right behind you!") against the massed Austrian and Russian batteries on the heights.   The read (wavering) and yellow (disorderd) markers show the early effect of the Allied gunners.  Ney's corps will fail to advance off thei start line for most of the game as the enemy gunnery proves too effective (and their general's recoery rolls ineffective).  On the left, Austrian Jaegers bravely hang onto the village, but French numbers are being brought to bear in an attempt to evict them.

In the centre, the French commanders send in the Hessian Guard against the pivot of the Allied line between the Russian cavalry corps and the Austrians.  Cossacks are sent forward to harry their advance but are driven back by musketry.  Those yellow dice again....

On the French left a huge cavalry fight develops.  This proves to be a see-saw fight as successive brigades are flung into action.  Generally the attacking unit manages to defeat it's counter-charging opponent but is then in turn flung back by the enemies fresh reserve brigade.  Who will run out of troops first? 
In the background the French have seized the village.  A French infantry brigade is trying to outflank the Austrian hill position but it will be left exposed if the French cavalry don't see off their Austrian counterparts.

Another view of the French left and the cavalry fight.  Disordered and wavering markers across the French line in the distance are testament to the Austrian gunnery (and the lack of subtlety in Steve's markers :-)

Over on the opposite side of the battlefield the Russian cavalry have succeeded in looking threatening enough to prompt the French infantry to form square, effectively halting any attack the French may have been thinking of launching.

In the centre the Hessian Guard are making slow progress but the Austrian high command is starting to worry about this developing attack and start to deplete their forces on the hill to deal with this new threat.  But Ney's corps is firmly bogged down with lots of pink markers that just won't go away.

Numbers have won the day in the cavalry fight on the left and the exposed French infantry brigade has routed after being jointly assaulted by cavalry and infantry.  Their orders to pull back never came through as their Divisional commander was killed by a stray cannon ball (they can do that!).   In the background, further disaster has struck Ney's corps.  Thielmann's Saxon Hussars (those Saxons!) have charged the wavering French line and created a chain of routs, including the infantry in the village.  The French left collapses ignominiously.

The French collapse from a different angle.  The Saxon hussars can be seen in the centre of where the French line once stood.  The mayhem is reflected in the fact that those yellow dice have turned red.  In the background the Hessian Guard continue to push forward, but at this point the French commanders decide to call off the attack and attempt to effect a retreat and minimise their losses.  Fortunately Marmont's corps is intact and will be able to shield Ney's fleeing corps from the worst of the pursuit.

The Allies win the day and the French are dealt a bloody defeat.  What had looked like being a desultory artillery duel, with the potential to slip into a second day - which could have heralded the arrival of the victorious French Guard on the Allied left flank - saw a sudden collapse on the French side, precipitated by a well timed Saxon cavalry charge.

Victorious in the centre, but defeated on both flanks, the Allied commanders must decide on their next move.  Do they pause and regroup, or do they press home the advantage where they have it, but then risk exposing their flanks.  What about the French?  Will the Emperor play the customary gamble or does he attempt to first concentrate his dispersed corps.  His supply lines back to Wittenberg are a potential concern as a strog Allied push against his right will drive him away from his depots.

The next few days will be crucial.

The Battle of Seyda 4 Sept 1813

An Austrian corps under Schwarzenberg bravely (foolishly?)  force marches to block the French Guard from falling on the flank of the main Allied army at Dahme.  The battle starts in the late afternoon.  Will one side be able to force a result before nightfall?

The armies deploy off set from each other with the Austrians on the left.  Their right flank is protected by the river, with the Grenadiers on the hill and a Division unusually deployed way off to their left, in an effort to split up the smaller French Guard force.

The Guard advance but the Austrians are not sitting back either and their right wing swings around.  Initially the French ignore the Austrian division deployed out to the left, conserving their strength for the attack on the hill. 

Austrian Jaegers on this flank advance forward and threaten the unprotected French line of supply.  This forces the French to divert a brigade of lancers to block their move.



Crash!  With an impact heard all the way back in Paris, the Guard smash into the Austrian line.  These grognards are not worried by the fact that the enemy are uphill and tough grenadiers.  With bayonets, butts and teeth an Austrian Grenadier brigade is routed.  However, their age is starting to tell and the Old Guard need to get their breath and are unable to follow up this success.



Austrian Grenadiers showing the French Guard what a clean pair of heels looks like



A broader perspective of the battlefield with the Young Guard having stalled, the Old Guard assualting the hill, and in the distance the Chasseurs of the Guard have been given the afternoon off from guard duties by their Emperor and are using their free time to sabre some Austrian gunners.

The Austrian hussars bravely move up to threaten the French Old Guard but artillery fire from their flank forces them back.

At this point both sides draw a huge breath.  The Austrians manage to rally a routing unit, the Guard retire slightly to regroup.  The Young Guard remain a little shaky and fresh Austrian brigades move up to capitalise, while the Old Guard put their teeth back in and prepare to show the Austrian Grenadiers what real mettle looks like.  In the distance, the Austrian conscripts make threatening gestures because they have been ordered to, hoping the French Guard won't notice.  Their efforts are rewarded by the diversion of a brigade of Young Guard and the Guard Chasseurs to deal with them.  This has the effect of turning the conscripts lilly white uniforms brown, but also draws away valuable troops from the French main assault.  The outcome of the battle remains in the balance.

The French attack first and break an Austrian unit in the centre under the combined weight of the cream of the French Guard - the Old Guard and the Grenadiers a Cheval.  "The gods" continue their charge and sweep away a unit of Austrian cavalry and this proves to be the final straw for the Austrian army.  With their line of supply taken they are forced to retreat cross country.  Fortunately for them they held on until almost nighfall and the French are unable to conduct an effective pursuit.

The brave Austrian corps under Schwarzenberg has done its job of keeping the Guard off the flank of the main battle but they will now have to pull back and regroup before they can fight again.


The Battle of Baruth 4 Sept 1813

 Just south of the village of Baruth, the Russian army finally enters the campaign, clashing with a French corps commanded by General Bertrand.  Both commanders know that they have reinforcements arriving through the course of the day but they are not sure when.  The Russians take up a defensive posture and invite the French to "come and get them".

Not the best photo from our intrepid reporter (hey it's 1813!) but an overview of the battlefield with the Russians on the left.  They are dangerously strung out and will pay the price for their folly.  In the distance, the heavy French right wing can be seen beyond the village, eagerly awaiting their orders to pounce on the exposed Russian left.  The advantage of larger armies attacking - this whole wing was only deployed after the Russian army was already on the table).

A close up of the French right wing - 2 brigades of cavalry and 2 brigades of infantry

The Russian left starts to fall back to delay the impact - "Where are the Grenadiers?!" their commander is heard to cry.  Those intrepid warriors are still marching up to the battlefield and only likely to arrive after noon.  Can the Russians in their extended position hold out this long?

The French close like wolverines on an Arctic Hare.  With the support of artillery and 3 more infantry brigades the French are looking unstoppable.

And as it turns out they are unstoppable.  The first Russian brigade breaks and routs under the weight of French close range fire.  The other Russian brigade stands to face the onslaught, but not for long.

It's all over before midday.  The Russian left has disappeared, followed swifltly by the centre.  Any thoughts of fighting on in anticipation of the arrival of the Grenadiers is disspelled as the Russian commander realises he needs to save something from the disaster or risk losing his whole army.  The Russians are last seen fleeing east and the French pursuit is only tempered by the presence of the Russian Grenadiers just behind the battlefield.  A convicing win for the French, one that they need as the Allied armies are starting to combine and threaten to overwhlem them with numbers.

4 Sept 1813 - The Day of the Three Battles

Reports from the front are that, following the exit of Prussia from the war, the Allies have decided the time for tap dancing is over and an aggressive tango is in order, with every Allied army being flung in the general direction of the French.  This has resulted in a storm of combat all happening on the same day - 4 September 1813.

Battle 1 (The Battle of Dahme)

Pahlen’s Russian cavalry corps encountered two French corps under Marmont & Ney converging on the Seyda/Dahme road.  The Russians skilfully fell back south towards the support of the oncoming Austrian corps commanded by Meerveldt and joining with them, the Allies have turned to fight the French due west of Dahme.

Battle 2 (The Battle of Seyda)

Hearing that Marmont & Ney were engaged,  the French Guard under Dumoustier (but with Napoleon in attendance we know who will really be in command…) marched to the sound of the guns hoping to fall on the Allies left flank.  However, the Austrian CinC, Schwarzenberg, had the same idea and force marching to the battlefield, has crashed into the French Guard a mere 5kms from the other battle.

Battle 3 (The Battle of Baruth)

Further east, a French corps under Bertrand have encountered a Russian corps under Gortchakov. Scouts are informing both sides that help is on the way and as the battle unfolds they can expect reinforcements to appear.  How many and how soon remains unclear.

Time will now freeze while the generals attempt to shake off the demands of real life and find the time to fight these battles.  All the after action reports will follow soon.

31 August 1813 - Prussia sues for peace as Berlin falls

All of Prussia is reeling following the overwhelming defeat of their young, enthusiastic but outnumbered armies by the French.  The Emperor Napoleon gambled and massed his forces in the north for a knock out blow against the Prussians before their Austrian and Russian allies could join them.  The gamble has succeeded.  Following the defeat of Field Marshal Blucher two days ago at Jonsdorf, Napoleon has followed up with a massive assault on Berlin.  The city proved to be no Bluchergrad, and the hastily assembled Prussian conscripts that fought bravely to hold the line of the Spree were swept aside (see the battle report below).  Despite the pleas of his generals, after less than two weeks of lightning war, the King Frederick William has this morning sent a messenger to Napoleon requesting an armistice.  Witnesses report the Emperor danced a little jig at the news.

Austria and Russia have vowed to fight on and it is believed that General Yorck has marched south with his corps to join the Russians, contrary to the instructions of his king.  The Saxon commander at the French fortress of Torgau blew up the fortifications around that city and marched with his Division to join the Austrians who have now occupied the smoking ruins.  Russian cavalry have also skirmished with outposts of Marshal Ney's corps at Jonsdorf.  With most of his forces massed in the north around Berlin, Napoleon's supply base of Wittenberg is looking under serious threat. The Battle of Prussia is now over.  The Battle for Germany is about to begin.

Here follows an account of the Battle for Berlin by our guest blogger John Shaw.

Battle for Berlin

The Prussians had been forced back to the outskirts of Berlin. A scratch force of Landwehr had rallied to the cause. Although keen to evict the French from their land, they were very inexperienced. They had been joined by Yorck’s Prussian corps, buoyant after bloodying Marshal Ney’s corps. Some redoubts had been erected to help the defence of the river. Although crossable, the river would provide some benefit for the Prussian defenders and help to reduce the French advantage of the large amount of cavalry.

Unfortunately for the Prussians, the French (and Polish) also heavily outnumbered them in infantry, artillery and quality. Napoleon himself was there, trying to arrest the poor showing of his Marshal’s to date in the campaign. His Imperial Majesty was concerned about the battle because he was disappointed that his usually reliable Old Guard had been delayed by traffic jams.

The French deployed with a heavily strengthened right wing. From this deployment the Prussians suspected a flank march on this side to complete the concentration against their left. This they had correctly guessed and had held cavary reserves behind their left flank.

The French and Poles moved forward, double marching on their right, although the French artillery was a bit disorganised and slow to unlimber. However, they soon made up for this and commenced their bombardment on the Prussian lines.

The massed lines of French were soon exchanging skirmish fire with the Prussian defenders. On the far right of the French lines, some French and Polish artillery batteries were crossing the river in order to set up and bombard the side of the building whilst the infantry approached from the front.

In the centre, the French were setting up more artillery and moving infantry through the buildings south of the river in preparation for an attack on the Prussian centre.

The Polish flank division which was flank marching arrived quickly and began skirmishing with the Prussian left flank. They were warned of the Prussian reserves, so refused their flank so as not to be run down by the Prussian cavalry. This created a problem of space for them as they crowded into a smaller area than originally planned.

Great shooting from concentrated French fire forced the Prussian artillery battery to retire from the redoubt. With ineffective fire from the building, this allowed the infantry to cross the river unmolested.

Prolonging their artillery, the French and Poles were now in a position to launch an overwhelming strike against the Prussian left wing.

The masses of French fire only managed to disorder the defenders in the building. However, they shot effectively against the trained unit holding the bridge and forced them to retire a long way (the unit with the yellow marker). Unfortunately the Prussian commanders were only able to rally the Landwehr in the building.

The Prussian reserves came on, hoping to make life difficult for the Poles. Their Hussar unit and 2 Landwehr Cavalry units were countered by a single Polish light cavalry unit. The 3^rd Silesian Landwehr immediately behind the Prussian left flank building bravely withstood the attention of the Poles.

In the French centre, their artillery and infantry was now close enough to put pressure on the Prussian centre. The Landwehr tried to pivot back to stop the French unit crossing the bridge from getting on their flank but could not get organised in time.

This time the concentrated fire of the French routed the Landwehr defending the building (lots of 6’s will do that). The 3^rd Silesian Landwehr closed against the Veteran Poles. They became disordered during the ensuing melee, but managed to send the Poles back wavering. The Poles were lucky at this stage, because the abandoned building meant that the Prussians did not gain an extra 2 dice for right flank support. This could have given the extra hit needed to rout the Polish veterans.

The rout of the Landwehr from the building unfortunately caused many of the surrounding units to lose cohesion, including routing the wavering trained troops that had previously recoiled from the bridge. (Note for the Prussians that a green marker means Disordered, Yellow means Wavering and red means Broken).

The first charge of the Prussian Hussars failed to go in due to supporting artillery fire.

The French unit across the bridge charged the flank of the Landwehr unit. The Landwehr bravely saw off the French unit trying to cross the river, but succumbed to the flank assault. They bravely fought on until wavering, the French not good enough to rout them. Battle weary, they retired beside a building to attempt to rally.

The second charge of the Hussars a turn later made it in, but the Hussars were unlucky that day, despite their extra numbers. Initially wavering and about to retire, the death of their brigade commander was the final straw, breaking their spirit. Their rout created another chain reaction of morale loss throughout the Prussian left wing.

Tauentzien’s undersized conscript corps began disintegrating. Seeing it was hopeless to stay any longer, Yorck ordered his virtually untouched corps to filter back through Berlin whilst the French and Polish were slowed by the mass of fleeing troops on the Prussian left wing.

With a large part of the day over, Napoleon looked for the nearest inn, pleased with the accurate firing of his troops having brought him an easier victory than expected. Of course, he did not tell his Marshals that, but most likely used the opportunity to berate them again for their performance so far in the campaign. With the rest of Berlin to be occupied on the morrow, his thoughts were now turning to how many troops he would need to leave behind to keep the Prussians subdued whilst he went after the Austrians and Russians.

From Johann, Prussian war correspondent.

2nd Battle of Johnsdorf - Blucher mauled

Marshal Vorwarts has been tamed by a combined French/Polish force under the joint command of Marshals Poniatowski and Oudinot.  The hardy Blucher tried to steal a march on the French before they could combine against him, but the plan backfired and he was forced to fight against a force seventy percent larger than his.  Despite the benefit of the terrain and a couple of redoubts, the Polish/ French numbers proved too much and the Prussian army is now in flight back to Berlin.  They are being hotly pursued by the vengeful cavalry of Marshal Oudinot, who the Prussians had given a bloody nose to only a few days previously.

A full battle report can be seen below.


The battlefield from the Prussian position.  Their left is anchored on a village, their right on a stream (which critically is fordable).  Dense forests and marshes break up the French deployment area.  The centre of the Prussian line is secured by a gentle hill, with two redoubts built between the hill and the village.  Oudinot's cavalry can be seen wending their way through the forest on the top right.  The Poles are top centre and left.  The other Richard can be seen at the top reaching into his pocket for encouragement, much needed in the face of such a formidable Prussian position.



A view from the French/Polish side.  The Prussian army is in a virtual square in the background, as masses of French cavalry and Polish infantry push forward through the marshes in the foreground.

The French cavalry advance in overwhelming numbers on the exposed Prussian right - but wait... that's not all.  A flustered ADC gallops up to Field Marshal Blucher to inform him of the arrival of a division of French cavalry on his right flank from across the river.  Mountains of abuse from Blucher are piled on the broad shoulders of the gods - how could this be....?

Two brigades of Cuirassiers supported by a battery of Horse Artillery arrive to further roars of foul play from the Prussian field marshal. The Prussian cavalry desperately realign themselves to contend with this new threat.  The Prussian gunners on the hill are feeling a little vulnerable, we suspect.

Meanwhile, on the Prussian left a Polish division prepares to eject a brigade of Prussian landwehr from the village, the key to the Prussia position.  But it won't be an easy fight for the Poles.

A birds eye view of the Prussian position as it starts to contract into a square.  One of the players mentioned the word Omdurman, but of course no-one had heard of that in 1813.  If only the Prussians had some gatling guns...

Back on the Prussian right, the French cavalry charge home, using their superior numbers to good effect.  The heavies clash in the foreground and will effectively exhaust each other.  But in the background, 2 brigades of French cavalry swamp the Prussian guns and will cause havoc as they pursue into the infantry near the guns who won't have time to form square.  The lone brigade of Prussian Hussars will be swept away in the pursuit as well.

Post the cavalry charge, a gaping hole has appeared in the Prussian right wing.  In the foreground, the Prussian landwehr in square staunchly resist the cavalry (and in fact will hold on until the very end, while all about them flee).

 

On Blucher's left, the Poles have formed into extended line to bring maximum firepower to bear on the Prussians garrisoning the village.  Two artillery batteries have also added their firepower.  The Landwehr hold on bravely, but eventually the Polish numbers prove too much and the Landwehr are ejected.  The Prussian line is now crumbling from both flanks and Marshal Vorwarts is starting to look backwards to his line of retreat.

A final view from the French/Polish position as the Polish infantry move in for the kill, while Oudinot's cavalry swarm over the Prussian right wing.

French lancers take the Prussian redoubt from the rear (calling to mind the quote of the day when Oudinot asked Poniatowski to make some space as Oudinot desired to insert himself...).  Prussian resistance finally collapses.  All that remains is for Blucher to try and save as much of his army as he can.  But this will be difficult as there are a lot of fresh French and Polish cavalry around.  Only the marshy terrain can help the Prussian fugitives now.

 

Little now stands between Napoleon and Berlin.  Will Prussia's allies arrive in time to rescue them, or will Prussia be forced to sue for peace and leave the Austrians and Russians alone to fight the French?