Thursday, February 25, 2010

End of Campaign


End of Campaign

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.

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 10

1700 to 1800 6 June 1813



Table

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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 9

1600 to 1700 6 June 1813


Table

Top left - 1 French corps prepare to move out of Naumburg

Centre left – 2 French corps move forward south of Naumburg

Centre - French cavalry after melee in centre

Centre – Napoleon is with cavalry commander
Bottom left - 3 French corps advance from hill

Bottom right – half of 14 corps in rout


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 after enemy rout


Move Sequence

2 French form column of attack

French cavalry fight melee, guard grenadiers win and pursue, lancers lose and rout

3 French artillery fire and miss, infantry move forward

3 Russian infantry form square due to cavalry melee

Napoleon orders 1 corps “Move to farm” and 2 corps “Engage”

1 French prepare to move forward from Naumburg

1 Russian advance halted by cavalry melee

2 Russian advanced halted by cavalry melee

14 Westphalian commander join shaken infantry brigade

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.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 8

1500 to 1600 6 June 1813



Table

Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg

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.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 7

1400 to 1500 6 June 1813



Table

Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg

Top left – 2 French corps move south of Naumburg

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.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 6

1300 to 1400 6 June 1813



Table

Top left - 1 French corps in Naumburg

Top left – 2 French corps march through Naumburg

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.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 5

1200 to 1300 6 June 1813



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.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 4

1100 to 1200 6 June 1813


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

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 3

1000 to 1100 6 June 1813




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”

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 2

0900 to 1000 6 June 1813



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

Monday, February 15, 2010

Second Battle of Naumburg


Move 1

0800 to 0900 6 June 1813



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”

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Campaign Move 16


Second Battle of Naumburg – 6 June 1813

0800 6 June 1813

Campaign Map to Wargames Table


Photo of wargames table at 0800 6 June 1813


Wargames Table

Naumburg is the town at the top left

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

CinC Emperor Napoleon (G)


1 French Corps General Friant (G)

1 Infantry Brigade CA FB SB

2 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

3 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB 1 casualty

4 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

1 Cavalry Brigade CA Light

1 Foot Artillery CA 12 pounder


2 French Corps Marshal Victor (A)

5 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

6 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

7 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

8 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

2 Corps Artillery CB 12 pounder


3 French Corps General Souham (A)

9 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

10 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

11 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

12 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

6 Cavalry Brigade CB Heavy

3 Corps Artillery CB 9 pounder


14 Westphalian Marshal Marmont (P)

5 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

6 Infantry Brigade CB FB SB

7 Infantry Brigade CB FC SB

8 Infantry Brigade CC FC SC

4 Corps Artillery CC 9 pounder


Reserve Cavalry General Exelmans (A)

2 Cavalry Brigade CB Medium

14 Cavalry Brigade CC 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

Friday, February 12, 2010

Campaign Move 15


Campaign Diary

1600 to 2000 5 June 1813



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.