Central Europe 1813

Our group had a sudden influx of new (for us) Napoleonics thanks to some great buys at the Seven Years War Convention and so we set up Prussian von Bulow vs. Marechal Victor in 1813.  While some similarities with Dennewitz might be inferred, it was really just a game for the sake of playing.

Empire remains our rules of choice, 15mm armies and five players.  We expected a blood-bath and were not disappointed.

Looking down the table at the Prussian army, my command in the
foreground.

The view of the French and Saxon forces.

Woods were open, but the fields and hedges would disorder chargers and slow passers.  The stream/river in the distance was impassable to wheeled items and units passing over would be disordered during their and the following impulse.  I thought some would try to push some troops over it and around the flank, but I was wrong.

Both sides are aggressive so most maneuver elements are engaged
right away.

The grand view of my boys, stretching into the distance.

From the other end, showing the ignored river.

Right away a pattern emerged for me; my cavalry won all the "melees" but couldn't put anyone away.  The French came on aggressively and routed a pair of my battalions and a battery, but then were exposed.  One of the more decisive cavalry charges of my time in WI followed.

The Prussian Guard Uhlans have an opening after my conscripts
throw the French back following a firefight.

Knowing what can happen the French selected seven battalions potentially in the path of the charge and rolled to form square with each.

Meanwhile my overall ineffectiveness continues.

Massed fire rips up the French center and the line passes through.

And what of the squaring attempts you ask?  Well, with 50 or 30% chances on all, the seven hapless French battalions all failed.  The result?

Seven routed battalions and a battery run off.

Back at the other end of the table as word of the charge sinks in.

One of our players had to leave at this point, but it didn't matter, the game was over.  Victor would be attempting to disengage and clear out.  Already outnumbered slightly, the charge left no doubt in his mind.  Sadly we played below our usual speed rate, but that was partly because most people were playing nationalities or time periods outside of our normal games.  I for example had only played with 1806 Prussians before.  So a good result for Herr von Bulow, but being French, I'm sure they will be back.