Campaign Move 12

Battle of Zeitz
1600 to 2000 4 June 1813

Wargame Move Five – 1600 hrs

3^rd Russian corps and French cavalry reserve arrive on battlefield

Russian cinc move first

6 command points

Wait for arrival of 3 Russian corps

French left - cavalry reserve arrive

French cavalry reserve move second

Orders – Move to Zeitz

3 command points

Move towards town

Russian left - infantry deploy to meet French approach

2 Russian corps move third

Orders – Hold Zeitz

5 command points

Artillery out of range

Move infantry to west of town and form column of attack

Move general to centre of corps

French left - Garde march towards Zeitz

1 French corps move fourth

Orders – Move to Zeitz

7 command points

Cavalry observe town and 3 Russian corps

Move infantry towards farm through farm

Unlimber artillery

General move to centre of corps

Russian left - cossacks cover 3 corps arrival

3 Russian corps move fifth

Orders – Move to Zeitz

5 command points

Move cavalry, artillery and 3 infantry towards town

Wargame Move Six – 1700 hrs

Russian left - infantry deploy left of Zeitz

2 Russian corps move first

Orders – Hold Zeitz

5 command points

Out of artillery range

Move general to west of town

Deploy infantry west of town

Move general to centre of corps

Russian left - cavalry protect 3 corps flank

3 Russian corps move second

Orders – Move to Zeitz

5 command points

Move corps towards town

French left - Garde arrive at farm

1 French corps move third

Orders – Move to Zeitz

5 command points

Artillery fire on infantry and miss

Manhandle artillery forward

Move infantry forward

Russian cinc move fourth

6 command points

Move to join 3 corps commander

Change 3 corps orders “Move to pass”

Move towards 2 corps

French centre - reserve cavalry move towards pass

French cavalry reserve move fifth

Orders – Move to Zeitz

2 command points

Both brigades move towards pass

Wargame Move Seven – 1800 hrs

French left - Garde halt at farm

1 French move first

Orders – Move to Zeitz

7 command points

Change orders to “Hold Farm”

Artillery fire on infantry and miss

1 brigade occupy farm

Manhandle artillery forward

3 brigade form square

Russian cinc move second

4 command points

No orders issued

French centre - cavalry reserve arrive at pass

French cavalry reserve move third

Orders – Move to Zeitz

2 command points

Move commander into command range

Move dragoon brigade

Russian left - 3 corps start to deploy

3 Russian corps move fourth

Orders – Move to pass

5 command points

Move commander to centre of corps

Deploy cavalry into line

Move artillery and 2 infantry brigades

Russian right - 2 corps come under fire right of Zeitz

2 Russian corps move fifth

Orders – Hold Zeitz

7 command points

Artillery fire at square and 1 hit

Infantry pass morale test

Infantry form line

Wargame Move Eight – 1900 hrs

Russian right - brigade nearest Zeit is shaken

2 Russian corps move first

Orders – Hold Zeitz

5 command points

Fire artillery at square and miss

No other movement

Russian cinc move second

Move to commander 3 corps

Change orders to “Move to Zeitz”

Move to town

French centre - cavalry reserve join garde cavalry

French cavalry reserve move third

Orders – Move to Zeitz

3 command points

Move to high ground on left of pass

French left - Garde deploy to hold farm

1 French corps move fourth

Orders – Hold Farm

6 command points

Artillery fire on infantry and 1 hit

Infantry fail morale test and are Shaken

No further movement

Russian left - 3 corps move towards Zeitz

3 Russian corps move fifth
Orders – Move to Zeitz
4 command points
Move artillery and 3 infantry brigades

End of campaign move 12
At nightfall the battle is far from decided.

The Imperial Garde have failed to achieve their objective of defeating 2nd Russian corps before 3rd Russian corps can arrive. The garde artillery have not been effective, despite their better grade gunners. This has caused general Friant to hold his position rather than launch an all out attack. The garde cavalry have held their position throughout the battle, and this has caused the 2nd Russian corps to hold their position until reinforcements arrive.

The French cavalry reserve have been particularly unlucky in their dice throw, and have taken much longer to arrive in front of Zeitz. Because of this they have failed to delay the approach of 3rd Russian corps.

2nd Russian corps have held their own throughout the day. They have extended their right flank to delay the French garde.

3rd Russian corps have made much better progress than expected, partly due to the late arrival of the French cavalry reserve, but also due to particularly good dice for command points.


Overnight Movement

If the battle continues to a second day both sides will be allowed to consolidate their position during the night, but not to advance. This will be greatly to the advantage of the Russians, as they can deploy ready to attack at daybreak. They now outnumber the French

The French are very close to the Russian positions. The three cavalry brigades outnumber the two Russian brigades. However the Russians have two artillery batteries to one French. They also have 65 infantry to 31 French infantry.