Day Eight – A French Victory?

8 March 1813 – North Germany - Day 8

Blucher won the battle of Cremlingen, but it was a hollow victory.

He delayed the French attack, he did not defeat it.

Without cavalry, he had to keep his infantry behind the crest of the hill

His artillery were on the forward slope, and did damage to the advancing French.

But in doing so they also suffered heavy casualties.

1^st Prussian corps arrived during the night

But they were low on supplies and had serious battle casualties

So they were placed in reserve behind the battle line

Three of the four Prussian cavalry brigades had 30% casualties or more

They could not deploy and would need reinforcements before they could do so

Without cavalry he could not pursue the French

Napoleon had not retreated.  

He rallied his three corps at Brunswick, their start positions for the battle

All three corps were weak, but all were operational

His cavalry had minor battle casualties and could provide a security screen

But they were in urgent need of resupply.

3^rd corps, who lost the battle of Weyhausen, was ordered to join them

They were out of supply, and would suffer attrition casualties

But to avoid retreat he had to concentrate all four corps at Brunswick.

Both armies had fought themselves to a standstill

It would take many days to reorganise and resupply them

Napoleon achieved the campaign objective, he took and held Brunswick

He did not crush the Prussian army, but he did fight it to a standstill