The French withdrew over the river Saale and left the Russians in possession of the right bank. Despite this setback the French still controlled Halle, which was the objective of the campaign. This would make the French the nominal victors of the campaign
Neither side suffered a dramatic defeat, and both sides would require some time to regroup and reorganize before they could under take any further operations.
Due to the loss of four of the ten players involved it will not be practicable to continue the campaign.
I would like to thank all players who took part in the campaign for their time and effort. I hope that they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Top left - 1 French corps prepare top move out of Naumburg
Centre left – 2 French corps move forward south of Naumburg
Centre - French cavalry in Rout
Centre – Napoleon is with cavalry commander
Bottom left - 3 French corps halt in front of hill
Bottom right – 14 corps in Rout or Shaken
Top right - 3 Russian corps halt because of cavalry melee
Centre right – 1 and 2 Russian corps halt because of cavalry melee
Centre right – Kutuzov with commander 1 corps
Centre right - 4 Russian corps engage Westphalians
Move Sequence
14 Westphalian skirmish with last two infantry brigades
4 Russian skirmish with remaining Westphalian infantry
Kutuzov change 1 corps orders to “Engage”
2 Russian unable to advance due to cavalry melee
1 Russian cossacks charge guard grenadier in flank and destroy them
3 French change orders to “Halt”, rally gunners on ridge and save guns
Napoleon orders “General Retreat”
Infantry Skirmish The two remaining Westphalian infantry brigades skirmish with 4 Russian corps. Two Russian brigades pin the Westphalians, whilst a third moves against their flank. The Westphalians have already lost two casualties each, and one brigade is Shaken. It is unlikely that they will be able to hold for much longer. One Russian brigade has suffered one casualty and is also shaken
Note on end of game Napoleon has decided that he can no longer win this battle and orders a General Withdrawal. There is currently a gap between both armies, and it would take more than the remaining two moves until nightfall to close that gap. It was therefore agreed to end the game at this point .
The two Westphalian infantry brigades will be allowed to withdraw.
The French gunners on the hill will be allowed to rejoin their guns and save them.
4 Russian artillery fire and rout shaken infantry brigade (plus commander)
Supporting French artillery on both sides lose morale and join rout
Kutuzov change 4 corps orders to “Engage”.
Note.At the start of this move the French cavalry appeared certain to break the Russian centre.The melee turned out to be inconclusive with each side losing one brigade.Meanwhile commander 14 Westphalian joined one of his infantry brigades to help them rally from Shaken.One further casualty caused the brigade to rout, taking the commander with it.There was artillery supporting on each flank, and they had to test their morale.Due to a poor dice, the absence of supports and the commander being absent due to the rout they both joined the rout.In one move the advantage had gone dramatically from the French to the Russians.
French cavalry melee
Guard grenadiers charge Russian cossacks, rout them, pursue and cause both 1 and 2 Russian corps to halt their advance and form square.French lancers melee with Russian cuirassiers, lose and rout.The nearby French dragoons have to test morale, and also rout.The Russian cuirassiers do not pursue.The cavalry charge has been indecisive, with both sides winning a melee, but the Russian cavalry are better placed to recover than the French.
Russian confusion
The aftermath of the cavalry melee from the Russian side.The beaten cossacks rout back into the advancing 1 corps (right) and 2 corps (left), pursued by the French guard grenadiers.During their subsequent move 2 corps cossacks have moved onto the flank of the Disordered French cavalry and will attempt to Opportunity Charge them during the next move.
Westphalian Rout
The infantry brigade nearest to the hill started the move Shaken.The Westphalian commander joined them to assist them in making their morale.They failed to do so, but did not rout due to his presence.In a subsequent move the Russian artillery fired on the same shaken infantry brigade, it failed its morale and routed, taking the corps commander with it.There were two units within 4” who then had to test their morale.First the artillery on the ridge.They rolled a 3, had no support, and joined the rout.The infantry brigade on the right tested their morale, rolled a 2 and also joined the rout.This caused the artillery on the right, who were outside test distance of the original rout, but within 4” of the second infantry rout, to test.They rolled a 2 and joined the rout.At the start of this move the Westphalians were well placed to smash the disordered Russian corps opposite them.At the end half of the infantry, plus their artillery plus 3 French corps artillery are all in rout and the French right wing had disintergrated.
Top left – 2 French corps deploy south of Naumburg
Centre left - French cavalry reserve advance to engage enemy cavalry
Bottom left - 3 French corps advance from hill
Bottom right – 14 corps move forward to engage enemy
Bottom left – Napoleon is with 1 corps in Naumburg
Top right - 3 Russian corps advance towards Naumburg
Centre right – 2 Russian corps form column of attack
Centre right - 4 Russian corps gunners seek shelter in square
Centre right – Kutuzov is with commander 4 corps
Move Sequence
1 Russian move towards centre
3 Russian move towards Naumburg
Napoleon change cavalry reserve orders to “Attack”
2 French start to deploy in centre
2 Russian infantry form column of attack
French reserve cavalry move forward to charge enemy cavalry
3 French artillery hit square, who are shaken
14 Westphalian artillery also hit square, who remain shaken
4 Russian artillery hit column, who make morale
Poor Card
1 French artillery hit column, who are shaken
Kutuzov change 2 corps orders to “Engage”
Cavalry Melee
French reserve cavalry are now on Attack orders and move within charge distance of enemy cavalry to charge them next move. Supported by 2 corps dragoons they will attempt to break the Russian centre. If successful this would almost certainly result in a French victory.
Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom left - 3 French corps cavalry have routed enemy cavalry
Bottom right – 14 corps deployed to right of hill
Bottom left – Napoleon is with cavalry reserve
Top right - 3 Russian corps advance towards Naumburg
Centre right – 2 Russian corps disrupted by cavalry rout
Centre right - 4 Russian corps artillery shaken by rout
Centre right – Kutuzov is with 4 corps artillery
Move Sequence
Napoleon change 14 Westphalian orders to “Engage”
1 Russian move towards centre
3 Russian move towards farm
Poor Card
Kutuzov move to threatened cuirassiers
2 French move towards centre
14 Westphalian miss move due to Poor Card
French cavalry on Halt orders, no action
1 French artillery fire and miss
4 Rusian Curiassiers lose melee and rout, supports ok but nearby artillery shaken
3 French cavalry charge and rout enemy cuirassiers
Note.When the Poor Card is drawn the next poor commander whose card is drawn may not issue orders.His corps may fight if attacked, but cannot initiate any movement or action.There is one French and two Russian poor commanders in this game.CinC can give his move to a poor commander providing he is in base contact and pays the command points to do so.Kutuzov has joined 4 corps so that he can do so next move if necessary.
Cavalry Melee
French dragoons charge Russian cuirassiers and rout them through supports. Supporting cuirassiers make morale, but nearby artillery fail and are shaken. French cavalry at top of photo are on Halt orders and cannot support unless Napoleon gives them new orders.
Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom left - 3 French corps cavalry move within charge move of enemy flank
Bottom right – 14 corps deploy to right of hill
Bottom left – Napoleon is with commander 14 corps
Top right - 3 Russian corps deployed in front of Naumburg
Centre right – 2 Russian corps arrive between 3 and 4 corps
Centre right - 4 Russian corps trying to deploy to face enemy
Centre right – Kutuzov is with commander 4 corps
Move Sequence
14 Westphalian artillery fire and miss, infantry deploy into attack column
1 Russian move through pass towards Naumburg
3 Russian cavalry form line on left flank
Poor Card
Kutuzov change 3 corps orders to “move to farm” and joins 4 corps
French reserve cavalry “Hold” orders, no action
2 French move towards approach centre from Naumburg
1 French “Hold” orders, no action
Napoleon change 3 corps orders to “Engage”, move to 14 Westphalian
3 French cavalry move within charge distance of enemy cavalry flank
4 Russian miss move again, fourth time, due to Poor Card
Traffic jam in Naumburg
2 French corps march through the town on their way to their deployment area to the right of the town. 1 French corps (the Imperial Garde) are deployed in and around the town to hold the road open until 2 corps are in position.
Note When the Poor Card is drawn the next poor commander whose card is drawn may not issue orders.His corps may fight if attacked, but cannot initiate any movement or action.There is one French and two Russian poor commanders in this game.CinC can give his move to a poor commander providing he is in base contact and pays the command points to do so.Kutuzov has joined 4 corps so that he can do so next move if necessary.
Table Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg
Top left – 2 French corps moving through Naumburg
Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom left - 3 French corps deployed on hill
Bottom left – Napoleon is with commander 3 corps
Bottom right – 14 corps arrive right of hill
Top right - 3 Russian corps deployed in front of Naumburg
Top right – Kutuzov is with commander 3 corps
Centre right – 2 Russian corps arrive between 3 and 4 corps
Centre right - 4 Russian corps trying to deploy to face enemy
Move Sequence 2 Russian cavalry in line to cover advance
French cavalry have “Halt” orders, no action
Napoleon change 2 corps orders “Move to the centre”
1 Russian move through pass towards Naumburg
2 French move towards centre
Poor Card
3 French unlimber artillery
4 Russian miss move again, for the third time, due to Poor Card
14 Westphalian artillery fire and miss, infantry move forward
3 Russian move cavalry to left flank
Kutuzov move to 1 corps change orders “Move to centre”
Note. When the Poor Card is drawn the next poor commander whose card is drawn may not issue orders. His corps may fight if attacked, but cannot initiate any movement or action. There is one French and two Russian poor commanders in this game.
Table Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg
Top left – 2 French corps arrive in Naumburg
Top left – Napoleon in Naumburg to meet 2 corps
Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom left - 3 French corps deploying on hill
Bottom right – 14 corps arrive
Top right - 3 Russian corps deploy in front of Naumburg
Centre right – 2 Russian corps move towards centre behind pass
Centre right – Kutuzov with commander 2 corps
Centre right - 4 Russian corps deploy to face enemy
Move Sequence 1 French on Hold orders, no action
1 Russian arrive at pass, blocked by 2 corps
Kutuzov at pass, no action
3 Russian unlimber artillery and form column of attack
2 French march into Naumburg
14 Westphalian fire guns and miss, move infantry forward
Napoleon move to Naumburg to join 2 corps
French cavalry change orders to “Halt”
Poor Card
2 Russian move clear of pass
4 Russian miss move, again, due to Poor Card
3 French move artillery to edge of hill
Table Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg
Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom left - 3 French corps deploying on hill
Bottom right – 14 corps arrive
Bottom – Napoleon with 14 corps
Top right - 3 Russian corps deploy in front of Naumburg
Top right – 2 Russian corps move towards centre behind pass
Top right – Kutuzov with commander 2 corps
Centre right - 4 Russian corps deploy to face enemy
Move Sequence Napoleon gives his move to 14 Westphalian to avoid Poor Card
14 Westphalian unlimber artillery and infantry form column of attack
3 French move artillery to right side of hill and infantry form column of attack
1 French Hold orders, no action taken
4 Russian miss move due to Poor Card
2 Russian change orders “Move to Centre”
3 Russian move forward clear of pass and deploy
French cavalry move within charge range of Russian cavalry
Kutuzov move to 3 corps change orders to “Hold”
Table Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg
Centre left - French cavalry move forward
Bottom left - 3 French corps occupy hill
Bottom right – 14 Westphalian arrive
Bottom right – Napoleon with 14 Westphalian
Too right - 3 Russian corps moving through pass towards Naumburg
Top right – Kutuzov at right of pass waiting for 2 corps to arrive
Centre right - 4 Russian corps turn to face enemy
Move Sequence 1 French orders on Hold orders, no movement
3 French corps move artillery onto hill and deploy infantry behind hill
French cavalry move towards 4 Russian corps
Poor Card
2 Russian corps again unable to arrive due to 3 corps blocking Zeitz road through pass
Napoleon moves to 14 Westphalian and change orders “Engage 4 Russian corps”
Kutuzov moves to 3 Russian corps change orders to “Hold”
3 Russian corps miss move due to Poor Card
4 Russian corps turn to face threat and deploy artillery
14 Westphalians arrive and march towards 4 Russian corps
Table
Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg Centre left - French cavalry reserve
Bottom centre - 3 French corps marching to Naumburg
Bottom centre - Napoleon with 3 corps on hill
Top right - 3 Russian corps moving through pass towards Naumburg
Centre left - 4 Russian corps moving toweards Naumburg
Centre left - Kutuzov with 4 corps
Move Sequence 2 Russian corps fail to arrive because 3 corps are blocking the road through the pass
French cavalry reserve on Hold orders, no movement.
3 French corps move towards town, cavalry to edge of hill and spot 4 Russian corps.
Napoleon moves to cavalry reserve and orders “Move towards 4 Russian corps”.
Napoleon moves to 3 French corps and orders “Move towards 4 Russian corps”.
4 Russian corps sight French cavalry on hill and change orders to “Halt”
1 French corps move cavalry forward to edge of Naumburg and form line
Poor Card
14 Westphalian corps miss move due to Poor Card
Kutuzov move to 4 Russian corps and orders “Hold”
The road on the left leads to Halle (north) and Gera (south)
The road at the top leads to Zeith (east) and Weimar (west)
Deployment
Napoleon is in Naumburg
1 French corps in and around Naumburg
2 French corps will reach Naumburg on Halle road move 4
3 French corps moving towards Naumburg from the south
14 French corps is marching behind 3 corps
Kutuzov is on hill top right
1 Russian corps will arrive on Zeitz road move 4
2 Russian corps will arrive on Zeitz road move 1
3 Russian corps is marching towards Naumburg on Zeitz road
4 Russian corps is marching towards Naumburg south of Zeitz road
Campaign background
Napoleon has ordered his army to concentrate at Naumburg.1st French corps and cavalry reserve hold Naumburg.2nd corps is approaching from the north, 3rd and 14th corps from the south.
Kutuzov has ordered his army to attack Naumburg at first light.3rd and 4th corps approach from Zeitz.2nd corps will reinforce from Zeitz, 1st corps from Lutzen.
French Army
CinCEmperor Napoleon (G)
1 French CorpsGeneral Friant (G)
1 Infantry BrigadeCAFBSB
2 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
3 Infantry BrigadeCBFCSB1 casualty
4 Infantry BrigadeCCFCSC
1 Cavalry BrigadeCALight
1 Foot ArtilleryCA12 pounder
2 French CorpsMarshal Victor (A)
5 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
6 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
7 Infantry BrigadeCBFCSB
8 Infantry BrigadeCCFCSC
2 Corps ArtilleryCB12 pounder
3 French CorpsGeneral Souham (A)
9 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
10 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
11 Infantry BrigadeCBFCSB
12 Infantry BrigadeCCFCSC
6 Cavalry BrigadeCBHeavy
3 Corps ArtilleryCB9 pounder
14 Westphalian Marshal Marmont (P)
5 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
6 Infantry BrigadeCBFBSB
7 Infantry BrigadeCBFCSB
8 Infantry BrigadeCCFCSC
4 Corps ArtilleryCC9 pounder
Reserve Cavalry General Exelmans (A)
2 Cavalry BrigadeCB Medium
14 Cavalry BrigadeCC Light
Russian Army
CinC Marshal Kutuzov (A)
1 Corps General Langron (G) 1 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
2 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB
3 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
4 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
1 Cavalry Brigade CC Light 1 casualty
Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder
2 Corps General Sacken (A) 5 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
6 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB 1 casualty
7 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
8 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
2 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy
Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder
3 Corps General Wittgenstein (P) 9 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
10 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB
11 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
12 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
3 Cavalry Brigade CB Light
Corps Artillery CB 9 pounder
4 Corps General St Priest (P) 13 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB
14 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB
15 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB
16 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC
4 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy
Corps Artillery CB 9 pounder
The French Garde and cavalry reserve have taken up position to hold Naumburg, the remainder of the French army have orders to march to Naumburg.
2nd, 3rd and 4th Russian corps have joined forces at Zietz, and 1st corps is marching south to join them.
At midnight Napoleon issues orders to hold Naumburg.
At midnight Kutuzov issues order to march on Naumburg
Campaign Note
As the player participation part of the campaign has now ended, I can show the positions of all corps as at nightfall on 5 June 1813.
Four of the ten players have failed to let me have their movement orders for this move, which is the reason that I have had to suspend the PBEM campaign. Rather than end the campaign at this point, I have decided to close it with a major battle. I have followed the orders received for Move 15 as closely as possible, and I have moved those corps without orders to provide a final battle in which both sides have a reasonable chance of winning.
The final battle will be fought for Naumburg. 1st French corps and the French cavalry reserve will be on Hold orders, all other corps will start the game with “Move to Naumburg” orders.
