21 August 1813 – Northern Germany Day 3
1st Prussian army – occupy Seesen
2nd Prussian army – attack Holle
3rd Prussian army – regroup Langelsheim
The French retreat to Alfeld
1st French army – defend Holle
2nd French army – retreat to Alfeld
3rd French army – regroup at the border
Battle of Holle – End of Move 2
The French, commanded by Napoleon, occupy the three game objectives at the start of the battle
Old Guard woods on the right
2nd French corps road junction in the centre
3rd French corps farm on the left
The Prussians, commanded by Blucher, arrive at the start of move 1
4th corps attack the woods on the right
5th corps attack the road junction in the centre
6th corps attack the farm on the left
4th corps, on the right, never look like taking the woods
They capture and hold one section, but the French hold the other two
5th corps in the centre, is the main Prussian attack
Blucher takes command of half of 6th corps to support them
They break, and rout, all of 2nd French corps
6th corps, on the left, pin the French holding the farm on the left
With the centre broken, Blucher attacks the farm with artillery and two brigades
The French hold the farm for three moves/hours, but eventually retreat
At nightfall the Prussians hold two of the three game objectives and win the game
Comments
Another very enjoyable wargame, with the advantage moving from one side to the other
The game lasts a maximum of 12 moves, and could go either way until move 8
The French cavalry were unlucky, and lost all three melee, though the guard rallied
The Prussian cavalry could then threaten the Prussian artillery and force them to withdraw
The massed Prussian infantry attack on the three objectives started on move 6.
Only one brigade could occupy or enter each game objective
Both sides had committed their best infantry brigades to hold and attack
So it required a prolonged fight to determine the outcome
However the Prussian cavalry could pin the French reserve infantry
This allowed the Prussian infantry to bring their full strength to bear
The French have lost 12 infantry. 4 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (5400 men)
The Prussian have lost 7 infantry casualties (2800 men)
A decisive Prussian victory
The Prussian cavalry could then threaten the Prussian artillery and force them to withdraw
The massed Prussian infantry attack on the three objectives started on move 6.
Only one brigade could occupy or enter each game objective
Both sides had committed their best infantry brigades to hold and attack
So it required a prolonged fight to determine the outcome
However the Prussian cavalry could pin the French reserve infantry
This allowed the Prussian infantry to bring their full strength to bear
The French have lost 12 infantry. 4 cavalry and 2 gunner casualties (5400 men)
The Prussian have lost 7 infantry casualties (2800 men)
A decisive Prussian victory
Thistlebarrow,
ReplyDeleteWow! A defeat for Napoleon … and at the hands of Blucher! This must bode well for the Prussians … although I suspect that the French will want to get their revenge soon!
It must have been a very interesting and thrilling battle to have fought!
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteInteresting battle, particularly as I was Blucher !
When I set up the campaign I spent some time deciding whether to have supreme commanderes, such as Wellington and Napoleon, actually on the wargames table. For example I could have Napoleon as the commander in chief of the French army of North Germany, but lesser commanders commanding the three armies within that command. This would mean that he would not be on the table, and thus avoid the possibility of defeat at the hands of Blucher.
But my overall aim in setting up the command was to be able to use every wargames figure, every building and every piece of terrain. Also it seemed a pity NEVER to use the Napoleon and Wellington figures.
However this results in an unfair defeat of Napoleon at the hands of Blucher. Because Napoleon is no more influencial on the table than any other army commander. The Old Guard is no more powerful that any other corps.
So I can't claim any great skill defeating Napoleon on the tabletop, other than rolling better dice at the critical part of the game
regards
Paul