Campaign Move 11

Battle of Zeitz

1200 to 1600 4 June 1813

Wargame Move One – 1200 hrs

2 Russian corps in and around Zeitz

2 Russian corps move first

Orders – Hold Zeitz

7 command points

No movement, all in position

1 French corps marching towards Zeitz

1 French corps move second

Orders – Move to Zeitz

5 command points

Cavalry observe town

Corps move to the left of the pass to protect their right flank from Russian reinforcements

Russian cinc move third

4 command points

Move to join cavalry brigade

Wargame Move Two – 1300 hrs

1 French corps move to left of pass

1 French corps move first

Orders – Move to Zeitz

Cavalry observe town

4 command points

Corps move towards town

Russians move to counter French flank attack

2 Russian corps move second

Orders – Hold Zeitz

5 command points

Limber and move artillery

Move general to centre of corps

Move reserve infantry brigade to west of town

Russian cinc move third

4 command points

Move to centre of corps

Wargame Move Three – 1400 hrs

French start to deploy

1 French corps move first

Orders – Move to Zeitz

7 command points

Cavalry observe town

Corps move towards town and start to deploy

Russian cinc move second

5 command points

Remain in centre of corps

Russians react to French deployment

2 Russian corps move third

Orders – Hold Zeitz

Unlimber artillery

Move cavalry forward to protect artillery

Move second reserve infantry brigade to the west

Wargame Move Four – 1500 hrs

Russian cinc move first

4 command points

Move south to meet 3 Russian corps on Rohenburg road

French move towards Zeitz

1 French corps move second

Orders – Move to Zeitz

8 command points

Cavalry observe town

Move infantry and artillery forward

Infantry form column of attack

Russians move to left of Zeitz to counter French advance

2 Russian corps move third
Orders – Hold Zeitz
5 command points
Artillery out of range
Manhandle artillery forward
Move infantry square forward to support artillery
Move two infantry brigades to west of town

End of Campaign Move 11

At the end of the move the French Imperial Garde had failed to engage, let alone defeat, 2nd Russian corps. This was largely due to the need to move against the Russian right flank, in order to avoid the French right flank being in danger when 3rd Russian corps arrived.

Although isolated, the French cavalry brigade continued to hold their position on the right hand hill of the pass, which prevented the Russians redeploying more troops to their right flank to counter the Garde advance.

This was the best chance the French had of winning this battle. Form now on the odds would swing in favour of the Russian army as 3rd corps began to arrive along the Borma road. The arrival of the French cavalry reserve from Halle might make a difference, but only if they could arrive in time to delay 3rd corps arrival.