Tinkering...

New accommodations for the Army of Ursaminor.

 Not a whale of a lot happening on the war games front chez moi.  One gets these blah phases, especially with the onset of winter, in which the motivation to do much of anything is lacking.  I ought to be doing a heck of a lot more with this blog spot.  It is not as if I haven't things to write or to show.  But I have been doing a bit of painting and a bit of trying to rationalise, sort out and accommodate my inventory of stuff.  One friend has been the beneficiary of a small cull of unpainted plastic Napoleonic and 7YW figures.  Seemed fair: he's sent stuff my way from time to time.

Four horsed regiments; four manufacturers: Italieri carabiniers;
Revell Dragoons, Airfix hussars, ESCI lancers.

 I also found these laminated cardboard drawer file thingies.  A good size and height for my plastic figures.  Pictured is the army I built about 20 years ago for my daughter.  Recent readers might recognise it as the Royalist/Loyalist side in my recent narratives on the Gatonegro War of Independence.

Ursaminor infantry until recently. 4 Line, 1 Grenadier, and
1 Jager battalion.  There's supposed to be an extra Grenadier
battalion HQ in there somewhere...

Several years ago I got hold of a job lot of Airfix French artillery figures, with enough of the included marching infantry to form almost two further battalions.  Then four more arrived to make up the numbers.  For some reason I'd find one lot (the 34) or the other (the 4), never quite remembering whether or not I had the other lot, never quite being able to recall what happened to them, until recently.  That's what happens when you happen to be fossicking around for something and run across what you weren't looking for.

Ursaminor artillery, a militia battalion, and two new Line
battalions plus a new Grenadier Bn HQ.

Finally and at last, I've got them together, with some Airfix AWI British Grenadier figures, to form the 5th and 6th Regiments of the Army of Ursaminor (or the Estrada and Friol Infantry of the Royalist Army in Gatonegro).  It was time to desist with the teddy bear motif (sorry - Ursus Theodorus or displayed), in favour of simpler designs - Azure with two bendlets or for the 5th, and Chequey gules and or for the 6th.  Standing in front of the brown-jacketed militia unit is the HQ for the Guadix Grenadiers (drawn from the grenadier companies of 4th - 6th Regiments).  It took me three goes to get a satisfactory lozengy vert and argent flag for that HQ.

Trying out simpler flag designs ... 

The distinctive blue coats of 5th Regiment were due to most of those figures having been semi-painted when I got them.  The crowns of the shakos having been painted red, they became all red.  And 6th Regiment got grey shakos.  Sixth Regiment also got the 2 extra figures to become a 30-figure, rather than the establishment 28-figure unit.

The whole army (excluding the militia) comprises 225 foot, 60 horse and 18 artillerymen - 303 figures, with 4 cannon.  I'll need to find some suitable Brigade or Division commanders as well.

Gross-Huntersdorf, 4 May 1813 - continued...

The scene was set, if the script unrehearsed,and the actors rushed towards centre stage. In the face of imminent attack from the south, the French units began to swing off the road and deploy. Leaving its Voltigeur company lining the stone walls in the southwest quarter of Uszublunder, the remainder of 13th Light passed through the place and drew up immediately to the east, where they formed square alongside 9th Hussars. The immediately following 30th Line quickly manned the buildings and walls in the southeast quarter of the village and pushed forward the light company.
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The 1st division artillery deployed outside the village close by the 13th Light Voltigeur company, sooned joined by the battalion column of 51st line, with the battle line of the 61st extending Cabernet-Sauvignon's front somewhat short of the Norrpuszikat Wood. Into this gap clattered the 12-pounder guns of the Reserve artillery.

Behind them on the road, Beaujolais's 2nd Division had arrived on the field.
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Seventeenth light had interrupted it's march to advance upon Norrpuszikat Wood, whilst 34th Line marched on to draw up upon the left flank of the 17th Light. At the rear of the column, 88th Line formed line facing the West Wood, covered by the Divisional artillery, 7th Cuirassiers, and the 17th Light Voligeur company just within the trees fringing the west Wood.

Meanwhile, the Allies were surging forward all along the line.
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The Prussian jager plunged into the West Woods where they were to prove for the rest of the day a considerable nuisance. The lonely Voltigeur company of 17th Light facing them were soon joined by that of the 88th Line, but in the face of greater than 2 to 1 odds, drew back out of the trees. The former made off to rejoin their parent unit, by then moving through the Norrpuszikat Wood; the latter rejoined its own unit.

In the centre, the Prussian Line Brigade passed close by Norrpuszikat Wood hoping to overrun the French 12-pounders...
012
... whilst the Russian Brigade had seized Uderballen. On the east flank, the Allied Dragoons cantered forward between Uderballen and the enclosure, with the French 13th Light patiently awaiting them in the distance.
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The action developed in the east to begin with.
020
In the face of the mass of Allied Dragoons, 9th Hussars evaded the enemy charge. Declining to press the matter here with cavalry, on account of the 13th Light Infantry battalion square, the Allies brought up the 21st (Russian) Jagers to pepper the French line. The Finland Dragoons instead swung westwards across the face of the village, the French 8pr battery firmly in its sights.

It was at this time, near the West Woods, that the remainder of Beaujolais's 2nd Division was deploying to face the woods. The 34th Line marched on to join 17th Light in the battle for the Norrpuszikat Wood, ranging up on its left.
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The rear of Beaujolais's column, the 88th, drew up alongside the 8pr battery, which had given up its watching brief down the defile and now faced the West Woods, within which enemy Jager were expected at any time to appear.
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As it happened, the threat from the Jager developed very slowly. Beaujolais was able eventually to pull the 17th Light Voltigeurs out of the line and send them off to rejoin their parent unit by then in action in the Norrpuszikat Wood. The Prussians got somewhat the better of a brief and indecisive exchange late in the day, and successfully tied down superior numbers, but for the most part there was little action in this part of the field.

The Allies having opened the ball on the eastern flank, it was the French who initiated proceedings in the centre. The Reserve Artillery soon enough dropped into effective action near the woods, and opened a galling fire upon the 16th Prussian Infantry.
016
Shortly thereafter, three companies of 17th light lined the edge of Norrpuszikat Wood and opened a short range destructive fire upon the other Prussian Line infantry.
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But the Prussians had been awaiting just such an action. The carefully loaded first volley shredded the French lights as much as the trees and undergrowth. The short range skirmisher fire was just as destructive, but the Prussians proved the better able to withstand the pressure. The French skirmishers soon faded back deeper into the woods.
022
There was no respite for the 6th infantry. As the French Lights disappeared into the tall timber, out came the battalion column of 34th Line, smashing into the northern end of the 6th's battle line. Somewhat disordered by the passage through the open woods, the French attack was less effective than it might have been, but the Prussians staunchness was nevertheless sorely tested. Hanging on by their toenails, the Germans refused to yield. After a tough, protracted fight, they were again victorious, and saw the second attack recede into the forest. Yet it was a much reduced regiment that congratulated itself upon its valiant defence.

Meanwhile, the action was developing apace between the Wood and Uszublunder village.
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Braving the popping fire of the 13th Voltigeur Company and elements of 30th line, the Finland Dragoons drove on towards the French battery deployed close by the village. Fifty-first Line hastily formed square, but the artillerymen rose to the occasion. Already somewhat reduced by the incidental incoming fire, the Finns found the canister fire too much, and made off hastily, half their numbers remaining on the field.

But now the climax of the action was approaching. [Unfortunately this was when my camera chose to let me know the batteries were dying].
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The Prussian 16th Infantry having been driven back with heavy loss by the Reserve artillery, Cabernet-Sauvignon ordered forward the French 51st and 61st line against the approaching Russians. The 61st closed to within mere paces of the enemy before both sides exploded into action with devastating opening volleys. Scything each other down in windrows, within minutes the Russians were reduced to half their numbers. But the French found they had to do with the same infantry that had caused such trouble in the Falsover action: the Astrakhan grenadiers. Somewhat outnumbered, battered by artillery, the Grenadiers fought magnificently. They gave at least as good as they got - inflicting some 45% of their own numbers upon the enemy. But the French musketry was no light ordeal for all that: a little over 40% of their own numbers told upon the Russians. All the same, the appalling carnage was too much for the 61st Line, who broke first and ran back to the Uszublunder highway. Almost as badly shaken, the Russians also fell back, though precariously maintaining their order.

As this mutual slaughter drew to a close, the 51st Line thought to try conclusions with the Russian Murmansk Infantry. The Finland Dragoons having been seen off, this French unit had resumed its column formation. Meanwhile, the Murmansk Infantry had been advancing into the teeth of a telling French artillery fire. Perceiving - or imagining - that the Russians had been somewhat shaken by this artillery barrage - (I have no 'shaken' rules as such, but it is a way of interpreting the state of a unit that has taken losses in figures) - the 51st Line Infantry swung impetuously into the fray. Now the Russians could avenge their losses. In the teeth of an effective short range volley, the Frenchmen closed the range. In the ensuing close quarter fight, the Russians barely managed to contain the superior French numbers. The column was halted, but no more. Murmansk Infantry, still presenting a bold front, felt themselves compelled to drop towards Uderballen.
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By now the Allied assault upon the French line had faded away. There were no reserves upon which von Jaxen could call. The Allied line infantry had taken a fearful beating, mostly from the galling French gunfire (the Allied artillery had been largely ineffective all day). Of some 4000 infantry that formed the Allied centre, rather fewer than 2000 remained with the colours. Emboldened by their success in the centre, the 9th Hussars thought also to try conclusions with the Prussian Dragoons, which unit had been somewhat weakened by musketry from French infantry emerging from the village.

This clash of arms was to be the closing action of the day, and served perhaps to hasten the Allied retreat. Inconclusive as it was - honours were shared - the Prussian horse made of hastily, though the French Light Horse were glad to call it it a day.

Overall it was a fearful butcher's bill for both sides, though if Dubonnet's Corps appeared more than a little worn, von Jaxen's was looking very ragged. Against French losses of almost 1000, the Allies had 1800 to deplore, 450 of them prisoners [this translates in my campaign rules from the Prussian loss of 54 figures (and a lost battle) to the French 39].

For all that, the Allied commander had some grounds, if not for satisfaction, at least to find a silver lining. His army was still in being, and, according to dispatches received from Prinz von Blucher's headquarters near Leipzig, he might expect reinforcements sometime in the next few days. In the meantime, he had delayed the French advance for 24 hours - and a day might be all that was needed to turn the campaign around...

For more pictures, check out the 'Painting little soldiers' link to the right of this column...

Meanwhile, the cognoscenti might recognise in this action a scenario similar to that in East Prussia confronting the General Lehwaldt in August, 1757, faced with an invasion by much larger numbers of Russians. In obedience to emphatic orders from his master, King Frederick II, Lehwaldt brought the Russian Army into action at Gross-Jagersdorf...

Battle of Gross-Huntersdorf, 4 May 1813...

Following up the successful action at the Falsover River on 28 April, the French Corps under Marshal Dubonnet marched rapidly eastwards, hoping to reach Berlin well within the fortnight. After the hard fought battle for the river crossing, the French encountered minimal opposition that faded away to nothing before the week was out. Indeed, the enemy seemed entirely to have disappeared, the 9th Hussars' scouts losing contact at the beginning of May. What did that portend?

The Prussian commander, Paulus von Jaxen, might have lost the battle, but he was not to be beaten so easily. Outnumbered as he was, he could not hope to hold the French for long in a frontal battle. Casting about for some means to equalise the disparity in numbers, he began to edge his forces away to the southest, instead of directly eastwards, and kept a wary eye out for any opportunity that might present.

Marshal Dubonnet took a direct approach. Let the enemy bring on a battle: the advance upon Berlin would surely bring it about. Keeping his cavalry busy scouting ahead and to the right flank, he marched rapidly eastwards, alongside the River Havel. Early on the morning of 4 May, after the previous day spent traversing what seemed to be ideal ambush country, his leading troops were passing through Uszublunder towards more open country beyond. It seemed to be another peaceful morning's march.

From a halcyon hike to the volleying of orders to meet a sudden threat was a matter of minutes. Scouts espied Allied troops to the south bursting through Gross-Huntersdorf and nearby Muttschullen; the foot and guns swung southwards to meet threat; the French cavaly and light infantry companies had already been deployed to guard against just such an eventuality.

As the French army busked itself for the coming fight, Dubonnet's cartographic engineer scribbled down the following sketch map (the unit numbers were added in later).

The situation at the outset can be discerned in the following pictures:
The view from Beaujolais's 2nd Division, towards the village of Muttschullen. Heading towards the West Woods are the 3rd Jager, behind the 2nd Silesian Hussars prepare to move off eastwards, possibly into the defile between the woods. On the other side of the village, 6th and 16th Prussian Infantry are advancing rapidly into action, accompanied by the two Allied 9pr companies.

The following picture shows the other end of the Allied line. The Murmansk Infantry are marching straight through Gross-Huntersdorf itself, Astrakhan Grenadiers passing east of the place. Close by the Finland Dragoons are being followed by the 2nd West Prussia Dragoons, with the 21st (Russian) Jager forming the right flank of the line.

A general view of the field from the North-West...

... and one from the Southwest:


Clearly, Von Jaxen's plan was to hit the French on the march as hard as he could whilst they were still strung out along the road. Could the French react betimes?

The Allies had with them"
1 Grenadier Regiment,
3 Line Infantry,
2 Jager (each foot unit 20 figures strong);
6 Dragoon squadrons,
3 Hussar squadrons (each squadron 4 figures strong);
2 9pr companies.

Superior by 3 to 2 in horse, the Allies were badly overmached in the other arms. The French had
5 Line Infantry,
2 Light Infantry (24 figures apiece);
3 Cuirassier Squadrons,
3 Hussar Squadrons (each of 4)
2 8pr companies,
1 12pr company.

It would be a tall order for the Allies to overcome their formidable and more numerous opponents. General von Jaxen was determined to try...

Napoleonic Campaign continues...

Pressing on from his victory and successful crossing of the Falsover River, Marshal Dubonnet urged his XIV Corps eastwards towards Berlin. As he advanced, there appeared signs that the Allies, led by General Paulus von Jaxen, were edging off towards the south-east - no doubt in an attempt to draw the French away from the Prussian capital. Not to be drawn, the French Marshal continued in an easterly direction.

It wasn't long before the 9th Hussars lost contact with the Allied army. The enemy had vanished. The Marshal hurried on, but, as he approached the region about Grosshuntersdorf began to apprehend the possibility of ambush. Between that place and the river, the countryside, though flat, was extensively wooded. The forests, though large were rather open - kept that way by local magnates, one supposes, for hunting. Altogether, it was ideal country to spring a surprise.

Gingerly skirting this dangerous country, with the cavalry and voltigeurs of the light regiments watching to the south, it seemed by the time the leading infantry of 13th Light had reached the village of Uszublunder, that perhaps the Allies were not in the offing after all, but awaited them somewhat farther on.

In a rush, the reports began coming in. Suspect movements to the south; enemy horse, foot and guns rapidly approaching; troops debouching from Grosshunterdorf with considerable speed. The Marshal was only too conscious of his forces strung out along miles of road.

This was going to be nip and tuck.

A general view of the march, looking North-east, with General Cabernet-Sauvignon's
1st Division just entering Uszublunder in the distance, and the leading elements of Beaujolais's 2nd Division just enetering the picture. The Cavalry maintain a watching brief to the south.

Here are more pictures of what seemed like a pleasant early morning stroll...
General Cabernet-Sauvignon's Division enetering Uszublunder, led by 13th Light. Its voltigeur company lines a village stone wall. To the South-east, 9th Hussars keeps a wary eye out towards the south...


Thirtieth and Fifty-first Line Infantry, and the 8pr Artillery company following the Lights towards the village.


Now looking to the centre of the column; trailing 61st Line is the 12pr battery, then the lead unit of Beaujolais's Division: 17th Light.

Following 17th Light infantry, the 2nd Division artillery is just entering the field. Yet to arrive are 34th and 88th Line infantry. Meanwhile, 7th Cuirassiers, led in person by General Morlot, has two squadrons deployed forward, alongside the voltigeurs of 17th Light, watching for enemy approaches from the south. Will they give sufficient warning of an attack? Marshal Dubonnet is close by with his staff...


Game on tonight...

'Is this 1806 all over again?'

The 'logical campaign is herewith set in the context of a broader campaign: that of May 1813. Marshal Dubonnet has been given a small Corps d'Armee, the XIV, and is operating some distance off the left flank of Napoleon's main force that is about to cross the Saale river near Leipzig. A few days into the campaign, and already the Berlin Press is expressing its worry over the likely outcome of the war.

BERLIN BLATTER 1 May 1813, Gross-huntersdorf.-
'The much anticipated and apprehended advance of the Ogre's hosts of Midian has begun in earnest, and already the first clashes of arms have taken place as the month of April draws to a close. The main body of the French armies, under command of the Emperor himself, has forced the passage of the Saale River at Merseburg and nearby places, and bid fair to capture Leipzig very shortly.

In the meantime, the redoubtable Marshal Davout, together with the famous cavalry leader, Sebastiani de la Porte, is operating to our disadvantage in the Lower Elbe region about Hamburg.

As it were linking the two widely separated forces, and possibly the greatest menace of them all, is the XIV Corps of Dubonnet - the youngest and newest of Napoleon's Marshals - having won a battle and presently advancing rapidly. Upon the 28th April, this Corps successfully forced the line of the Falsover River, northeast of Magdeburg, despite the spirited resistance of the Allied troops sent to prevent such a crossing. Since then, Dubonnet has swung his force eastwards and seems to be on the march straight for Berlin itself. The burghers of Magdeburg and Mockern might heave a sigh of relief at their towns being so bypassed, but should Berlin fall, the rest of Germany must follow.

Already thus early in the campaign, grave questions are being raised concerning von Jaxen's capacity for command. Are we to apprehend the general collapse that ended the 1806 campaign so ignominiously for Prussia? Ought von Jaxen to have held the line of the Falsover, or even the Elbe itself around Magdeburg?

Many correspondents may think so, but must before passing judgement consider the following. It is a fact that General von Jaxen was specifically chosen for this command by the Chief of Staff, Graf Gneisenau himself, an appointment warmly endorsed by no less a personage than Marshal the Prinz von Blucher. General von Jaxen has in the past proved time and again his capacity for semi-independent command: it seems hardly probable that at the crisis of his country's need he should suddenly fail.

However, it is true that he was wanting one of his regiments at Falshof. Whether this was due to lateness in arriving in the theatre, to the unit being engaged in some other important task, or to simple incapacity, we have been unable to determine.

Perhaps more disturbing for local observers is that for reasons no one can discover, Genl. von Jaxen's Corps seems to be diverging from the natural line of retreat towards Berlin. In blunt fashion, Dubonnet has been advancing on the most direct route along the line of the Havel River. The village folk have just about left Uszublunder deserted in the face of the enemy, complaining of having seen hardly a single Allied musketeer or trooper in the last few days. The divergent course of von Jaxen's corps somewhat to the south of Gross-huntersdorf begs the question: What is he about?

Perhaps his priority is to protect the northern flank of the Allied main army, now gathered about Leipzig under the command of General Wittgenstein. Alternatively, given the superiority of Dubonnet's force, has von Jaxen in mind to place his corps on the flank of Dubonnet's line of advance, thereby preventing his farther progress? This is a sword with two edges, particularly in the light of known French capacity to 'live off the land', that is to discover and steal provender from whence it might be found.

No doubt the next few days will reveal the intent of the good General, but we have reason to tremble for the fate of Germany. Less well known than many of Napoleon's other marshals, Dubonnet's ability is as yet an unknown quantity. His success at Falshof might be fluke or flair, but the very fact of his appointment to the Marshalate argues a capacity above the normal. General von Jaxen will no doubt find him a formidable opponent. Perhaps therein lies an explanation for von Jaxen's conduct of operations in the last few days; taking care to choose carefully his moment to strike.'

Napoleonic 'Logical' Campaign...

The action at Falsover River, purporting to be the opening passage of arms in the Campaign of 1813, seemed to me a fine beginning to what I call a 'logical campaign'. This isn't fought on maps; rather the next battle is seen as a likely consequence (or subsequence) of the one that went previous.

Now, this XIV Corps is advancing rather on the flank of Napoleon's main thrust, with a view to fending off any moves made by the Prussians and other German Allies against the left flank of Napoleon's irruption into Germany. Not that this is a static role. To maintain this coverage, XIV Corps must keep pace with the main body's sweep.

Having forced the crossing at Falshof village, Marshal Dubonnet has been pursuing the Allied forces for two days, until shortly before reaching Grosshuntersdorf, 9th Hussars lost contact with Gen. von Jaxen's troops. In their haste, the French column has become rather strung out; but don't realise that von Jaxen has formed a battle line somewhat to the flank of the French line of march...

The whole scenario is based on the 7YW battle of Grossjagersdorf, on a rather compacted scale. Of course, the thing wasn't quite an ambush, as a deployment too close to the French (Russian) line of marcg would have been discovered quickly. As it transpired, the Prussians weren't strong enough on the day to give the Russians more than a fright. It will be interesting to see how the Grosshuntersdorf battle goes...

Meanwhile, both armies have had to reorganise somewhat after the blood-letting at Falsover River...

Orders of Battle:
French:
7th Cuirassiers, 12 figs
9th Hussars, 12 figs
2 Light Infantry Regiments 48 figs
5 Line Infantry Rgts 120 figs
2x8pr companies 8 figs, 2 guns
1x12pr company 4 figs, 1 gun (the other having been left as a bridge guard at Falshof).
Total: 204 figs, 3 guns.

Allies:
This is less certain and will depend on certain decisions made by General von Jaxen.
However, it is known that the survivors of the Falsover action have been joined by a fresh regiment at full strength.
The like composition is...
6 Line infantry @ 20 figs 120
2 (3?) field coys @ 4 figs; 8, + 2 guns
8 (7?) Horsed Squadrons @ 4 figs; 32 troopers
Total: 160 figures

Not a huge battle by any means (I use a double scaling system that works out roughly 1 figure to 50 men, 1 gun to 8.
This translates, then, to 10,200 Frenchmen with 24 guns, against whom some 8000 Allies with perhaps 16 or 24 guns are assembling for a second battle.

Meanwhile, certain apprehensions are already being felt in Berlin, as the local news agents apprehend a repeat of the 1806 debacle...

To be continued...

Action at Falshof River, continued...

We left the action at my last post with the first French attacks being somewhat ignominiously repulsed, but Marshal Dubonnet was not the type of general to await the outcome of an attack before deciding what next to do. Already - as can be seen from the following picture - French preparations were well underway for attacks on the flanks: Thirty-fourth Line would soon join with the 61st for the assault upon Falshof village, supported by half Dubonnet's artillery. The attack upon the enclosures on the other flank would, unfortunately, lack much in the way of artillery support, but the local commander, Beaujolais had 3 regiments available.



Uhlan's striking a French square. On this occasion the Allied horse did rather better than had the French cuirassiers not long earlier, and managed to force the infantry to retire - for the time being at least.





In the meantime, the French centre had to sustain itself as best it might against the heavy cavalry attacks that von Jaxen mounted. At that, the Allies enjoyed rather more success than the French had, and succeeded in forcing the enemy back across the river road. The Uhlans scored the astonishing feat of forcing the square of the 64th line break up. But to achieve so much exhausted the Allied cavalry almost as much as the French horse had been. The Uhlans were left a rump of their former numbers and presence, the other Allied cavalry were equally unable to undertake further action.





Shall we let the gallant Marshal take up once more the narrative:
'... under cover of these early attacks, and despite the enemy's effort to drive in our centre, our infantry were advancing in great style, all along the line. True, Beaujolais's attack on the enclosed field failed for want of artillery support, but the wavering of the infantry and silencing of the unicorn battery was sustained only by the stubbornness of the Murmansk Grenadiers - a crack formation. On the left, the Prussians were pitched out of Falshof at bayonet point, a brief resistance at the southern end of the town swiftly dispatched, and finally, the column of the 34th with to its right the line of the 61st, the both preceded by their voltigeur companies in skirmish order vanished into the late afternoon shadow of the heights beyond the village. ...'





The French attack came within an ace of carrying the enclosed fields, but the Russians held on by their teeth, and it was the French who had to give back and draw breath.

'... The discomfiture of Beaujolais's command was completed when some squadrons of Russian heavy cavalry struck the flank of the 40th line before that unit could form square. Though taking considerable loss, the survivors fell back in reasonably good order, but the Cuirassiers' success bore a high cost. They would be unable to undertake any further such adventures for the rest of the day.

'The day, indeed, was drawing to a close. General Cabernet-Sauvignon's adance up the slopes of the heights behind Falshof were slowed more by the steep slopes than the resistance offered by the remnants of the 8th Jager and the Silesian Landwehr, despite the support the latter were receiving from a 6pr battery. I (Dubonnet) called up some 12-pounders to assist, which rapidly beat down the lighter Prussian ordnance, whereat the defenders crowning to heights incontinently gave up their charge and abandoned the position. On the right, Beaujolais had called up two batteries and was at last pounding the Russians out of the enclosures. In the centre, our advance was becoming general as the Allies began losing cohesion. With the day well advanced, the sun sinking behind the smoke of Beaujolais's battle, the enemy finally pulled out.

Our river crossing was secure.'

The final pictures illustrate the final stages of the action. Here, the Prussian lines are already looking ragged.


"The Hand of God" was what Paul Jackson (who played the role of Marshal von Jaxen, and took the pictures as well) called this. The dude leaning across the table is none other than myself, on this occasion in the role of Marshal Dubonnet. Unfortunately, my left arm somewhat obscures the successful storming of the Falshof Heights (The 61st Line is completely invisible).


End of the action: the Prussian abandon the heights, and the Allies pull out.


'May I close, sire, by commending my Division commanders Cabernet-Sauvignon and Beaujolais for their tenacity of spirit and constancy of purpose: and to the unfortunate Morlot, who, despite misfortune, had sufficient cavalry under command at the end of the day to present a bold front to the enemy. We have now under guard about 800 prisoners, and estimate further losses to the enemy of perhaps 2400 at least. Our own, I place at 2600 - almost the half incurred by the cavalry. Though I deplore the loss to our horse, our forcing of the River Falsover was an undoubted success.

I remain, etc, etc,...'

Action at Falshof River: 28 April 1813 (14 Dec 2009)

Rather than resume the good Marshal's report to Berthier, at this point I thought I'd turn the thing into a 'pictorial narrative,' perhaps to rejoin the military epistle nearer its close.

The final two pics in the last posting showed Prussian troops occupying Falshof, and thinking about thrusting for the river bank; whilst the Russians on the opposite flank occupied a field partially enclosed by a stone wall.

To Resume:

The Russians pour into the field flanked by a 6pr Unicorn battery. This artillery was to prove very troublesome for the French - as indeed were all the Russians present on the field.

French 8th Cuirassiers canter past 13th Light Infantry. They may be some time...

The light horse of the French 9th Husaars have an appointment with some unicorns...

The Prussian 2nd Silesia confidently await the French heavies...

... And General Morlot had the mortifaction of seing his cavalry melt away like ice in the sun with ineffectual and costly charges. Particularly painful was the failure of successive charges, at a cost of 50% casualties, to inflict the slightest hurt upon the unicorn battery (I was prepared to accept the losses, but expected to take the battery. This is where chance and morale in wargames really should kick in. My army had been reduced by 24 cavalry figures for absolutely no loss to the enemy. How many wargamers would have been prepared to carry on the fight to secure the (still-distant!) ridge-line?)

To be continued...

Action at Fallshof River crossing, 28 April 1813.

From: Marshal Dubonnet, Duc du Quax
Before Mockern
30 April 1813

To: Marshal Berthier, Prince de Neuchatel et de Wagram

Sire,
In accordance with the Imperial Orders I received (25 April) from your HQ (dated 22 April), I at once marched with the XIV Corps under command to the line of the River Falsover. Arrived there late afternoon near the village of Falshof, and the place appearing to be empty of enemy, I at once began crossing the stream, but a heavy, though brief, fall of rain at the close of the day halted operations until they could be put in effect the following day.

A bright, fine dawn disclosed that the enemy had during the hours of darkness occupied the Falshof village, and heights beyond, in considerable strength. We should have to force the ridge, and that supposing we could do even so much as to retain our rather tenuous bridgehead.

The situation may be seen in the Colonel Pernod's accompanying map (unavailable until I can sort out how to upload hand drawn maps into this thing).

The Order of Battle of XIV Corps is attached here, my having placed a riverbank under the command of the Infantry divisional commanders, with Morlot commanding the cavalry in the bridgehead as they come available.

Gen-Officer Commanding XIV Corps: Marshal Dubonnet, Duc de Quax

1st Infantry Division (Genl. Cabernet-Sauvignon, in Bridgehead):
13th Light (centre), 30th Line (right) , 61st Line (left); 1x8pr bty; 2nd Div. 8pr bty attached.

2nd Infantry Division (Genl Beaujolais, North Bank):
17th Light, 34th Line, 40th Line, 64th Line, 88th Line. Artillery detached to 1st Division. Corps Artilley (2x12 Batteries) attached to 2nd Division.

Cavalry Division (Genl Morlot):
7th, 8th Cuirassiers*, 11th Dragoons, 9th Hussars* (attached. The units marked * were in the bridgehead.



Reconnaissances and field glasses disclosed an enemy not far short of our numbers, lacking something of our weight in horse and guns, and whose deficiency in numbers lay solely in the infantry arm. Given the division of our Corps, the stream that divioded us being, though narow, deep and swift-flowing - altogether uncrossable in the localty but by the two rather tatterdermalian masonry bridges.

Apprehending, therefore, that the Allies would make a serious effort to eliminate the Bridgehead altogether, I ordered that one Corps battery be placed om the near banks of the stream to cover the flanks. I was determined that I would reach by last light the distant ridgeline whatever Marshal von Jaxen might have to say to the matter...





To be continued...