Day Six – French Options

6 March 1813 – North Germany - Day 6

The Prussian victory at Weyhausen is a serious setback for Napoleon.

3^rd French corps are forced to retreat back over the river Elbe

This will allow 1^st Prussian corps to rally and regroup

Napoleon will then be unable to prevent them marching south to join Blucher

Both armies are badly damaged and urgently need reinforcements

Blucher orders 1^st corps to rally and regroup at Weyhausen

2^nd and 4^th corps continue to regroup and receive reinforcements at Cremlingen

3^rd corps are ordered to abandon Schonlingen and move to Cremlingen

He needs another two days to concentrate his army

Napoleon orders 3^rd corps to rally at Gifhorn

This will take two days, and they will not be available to the looming battle

Nor will they be able to prevent 1^st Prussian corps from joining Blucher

1^st, 4^th and 13^th corps are all ordered to concentrate at Brunswick

In doing so they will not be able to resupply, regroup or receive reinforcements

But he is well aware that he must attack before the Prussians concentrate.

Napoleon does have the option of holding Brunswick and not attacking Cremlingen

But that would allow Blucher to concentrate four corps against the three French

Within three days he could face these odds and risk losing Brunswick.