Salzwedel Campaign – Day 7

Campaign Map on 28 September 1813

In the centre 1^st French corps and the French reserve have laid siege to Salzwedel.

The city garrison is supported by 2^nd Prussian corps and the Prussian reserve

However neither Prussian corps are operational, and are taking cover in and behind the city.

On the left 3^rd French corps are regrouping behind Dahre

1^st Prussian corps are in no condition to attack them

But Napoleon is determined to keep up the pressure

So on the right 13^th Polish corps has been ordered to attack Kladen

Battle of Kladen – Move 9

Both corps start the battle with casualties

This usually results in a short battle

It is also often decided by artillery or cavalry combat

The artillery on both sides performed poorly

However the cavalry melee was decisive and exciting.

The first round was a draw, which is unusual

However the Poles won the second round

The Polish infantry were the main attack

The massed columns smashed the Prussian infantry

It was another convincing victory for the Emperor

Campaign Notes

Who moves first is important in cavalry combat

In this game Prussians did so, and charged the Polish lancers

They get plus 1 for impact on the combat dice throw

This one was unusual because the first round was a draw

Both sides lost 10% casualties and both were disordered

Disordered results in minus 1 on the combat dice throw

To recover the brigade must be within 8” of its commander

The Poles were, the Prussians were not

The Poles won the second round of melee

The Prussian hussars routed with 10% casualties

The winning brigade has to test morale, and if they fail will pursue

The Poles failed, charged after the Prussians and inflicted another 10%

But were now out of the battle until they could return to their general

This would take at least two move

The Polish infantry won this wargame

But they could not have done so without the decisive cavalry action