Tragedy at Bois de la Mort - 1870

The Franco-Prussian War sees the introduction of many new weapon systems and as a result the feel of the period is very different to other battles of the black powder period. These differences are modelled well in Volley & Bayonet with the resulting games playing very differently to earlier wars. The following is a brief account of our most recent action. Hopefully some of these differences are apparent.

The sun was already oppressively hot on the August afternoon and once again his army had been outmanoeuvred by the Prussians. Yet again Marshal Bazaine had pressed his commanders to close up so his forces would be more concentrated, but General De Laveaucoupet, and his division, was still far from the field and several hours would pass before its arrival, and then only as darkness fell. As a result Marshal Bazaine could only call on four divisions with which to hold the advancing Prussians. In particular two divisions from Frossard’s II Corps and two divisions from De Ladmirault’s IV Corps. Bazaine was clearly nervous.

Undeterred Bazaine allocated II Corps to the left and centre. General Verge’s Division on the left centred his four regiments on the town Mardren and surrounds with clear orders to hold both the town and form a bastion against a flanking movement against the left. The defensive nature of the flank was reinforced in part as the position was restricted somewhat by a stream that narrowed the frontage. South of the town of Marden General Bataille’s Division was deployed behind a wood which would feature prominently in the battle. Further south were elements of De Ladmirault’s IV Corps. They comprised General Cissey’s Division on low hill that overlooked the wood to the northeast and a town to the southeast. To the rear of the centre and right was General Grenier’s Division, officially of IV Corps but for now Bazaine’s reserve. 

By 3pm the Prussians were advancing everywhere, as if like an army of dark blue ants scurrying across the countryside intent on destruction. Crown Prince Fiedrich had at his disposal elements from no less than three reinforced corps, each corps comprised of two divisions. In the centre was Kirchbach’s V Corps, bolstered by an additional division under Gersdorff, and the army artillery. To the right of V Corps was Hartman’s Bavarian II Corps. Advancing rapidly towards the field was von Bose’s XI Corps, though it was not expected until 4pm.

Below, a general view around 3.30pm viewed from the south with the French on the left. Clearly visible are the high ground and wood. The town of Mardren is visible in the top left that of Chesmont in the bottom right.

The Bavarians, reinforced by several Prussian batteries in the north, opened the engagement around 3.30pm as they bought forward their rifled Krupp guns and engaged the French left at extreme range. 

In the centre the French positions were, as previously noted, screened by a large woods. The woods were some 1000 yards in length running generally north to south. Soon after the enemy artillery began their bombardment General Bataille ordered three of his regiments forward into what are now known as the Bois de la mort.

The 6,000 soldiers of Bataille’s Division no sooner secured the eastern edge of the wood they engaged the Prussians some 800 yards distant with their Chassepot rifles. The Prussians with their shorter ranged Dreyse needle guns were unable to return fire. Soon after 4pm the Prussians began a series of attacks on the French positions. Over the next three hours various regiments of Kirchbach’s V Corps would advance with great elan against the French deployed deployed along the wood edge. Some success was achieved in the north where the 7th Ligne was thrown back. However the breakthrough was countered by the massing of French artillery and Mitrailleuse batteries which plied their trade with bloody success.

Below, one of several attacks on the Bois de la mort. A portion of Cissey’s division are in the foreground in support of the French positions in the woods. 

Meanwhile on the French right General Cissey who had deployed his division on the high ground near the southern end of the Bois de la mort determined to advance. As the Prussians opposite massed their artillery Cissey ordered his regiments to press the Prussians. Supported by his artillery two of his regiments advanced then dropped to the ground unleashing a desolate fire on the Prussian infantry who had a tendency to not go to ground. In the ensuing hours of fighting these short advances were to be repeated as Cissey attempted to unnerve even the Prussian artillery by closing to just 500 yards. Several Prussian batteries were thrown into confusion by the accurate French rifle fire.

Below, two of Cissey’s regiments press forward. The white markers on infantry stands denote the stand has gone prone.

In addition Cissey attempted to further unhinge the Prussian line by securing the town of Chesmont which marked the extreme left of the Prussian line. Held by a detachment of the 11th Jagers, General Cissey was confident that a determined attack by a single French regiment would carry the town. The 15th Ligne surged forward around 5.30pm - only to be thrown back by the Jagers. Frustrated, Cissey ordered a further attack around 6.30pm. This time the 15th Ligne would be reinforced by the 12th Ligne. In all some 4,000 men advanced across the fields to attack the greatly outnumbered Jagers. Yet again the French were thrown back. In addition a supporting Mitrailleuse battery was lost to the incessant fire of the Jagers. The attacks by the French right had failed and with the final arrival of a division of von Bose’s XI Corps the French right was forced on to the defensive.

Below, the French attack on the town of Chesmont around 6.30pm. Prussian reinforcements are advancing on the right.

In the north meanwhile the reader will recall that the Bavarian and Prussian artillery had opened a bombardment of the French left flank. Soon a significant movement by the Bavarians and Prussians began and Frossard, as planned, positioned the reserve of General Verge’s Division including artillery. No sooner had the flanking movement began it seemed to evaporate with the Germans pulling back. Now the Bavarians and Prussians turned to their artillery to break the French left. Over the course of three hours the once picturesque town of Mardren was subjected to an artillery barrage of unprecedented force. Yet French losses were minimal. 

Finally around 8pm, and clearly frustrated by a lack of progress, the Bavarian and Prussian infantry swept forward. The 1st Ligne deployed in the buildings of Mardren had throughout the afternoon harassed the enemy that advanced too near the town, their Chassepot rifle engaging out to 1,000 yards. Now more than ever the concentrated attack by the Bavarians and Prussians provided a splendid target. Some 8,000 men pressed forward, but without success. The Prussians and Bavarians were driven back.

Below, the Prussian and Bavarians attack the town of Mardren.

As the light of the day reduced and dusk began to envelop the field the fighting slowed. 

The Prussians had suffered heavy casualties in the afternoon and evening’s fighting, indeed no less than twice those of the French. Kirchbach’s V Corps had suffered the greatest with Sundart’s Division exhausted and Schmidt’s Division little better. Testament to the determined and bloody attacks against the Bois de la mort. French casualties had mostly fallen on Cissey’s Division of De Ladmirault’s IV Corps. Though the division was still operational the French right was increasingly being held by the relatively fresh division of General Grenier.

The battle was of course a fictional affair the scenario developed using the Road to Glory scenario system. The French comprised three players (Barrie, Andrew & Keith) while the Prussians four (Richard, Alastair, Mark & Robin). Miniatures are by Heroics & Ros the French from my own collection the Prussians and Bavarians from Robin’s. All are based for half scale where 1” represents 200 yards and infantry are on bases 1.5” square.