Friday evening four of us gathered for a fictional 1806 engagement. The scenario was developed using the Road to Glory scenario system. What follows is a description of the encounter.
Davout's corps comprised three divisions, deployed on a relatively open battlefield with several towns breaking up the field. Occasionally low hills broke visibility, while a number of streams and woods further restricted the field. The largest division of III Corps was that of Morand's 1st Division, deployed in the centre. To the left was Friant's 2nd Division and to the right Gudin's 3rd Division. The infantry was of exceptional quality, well trained, motivated and ready for victory. The corps was however limited in one area, that of cavalry - just one brigade of chasseurs was present.
As the early fog began to lift it was apparent that a gap existed between Davout's left and centre, in part a result of the limited forces available. Determined to plug this gap riders were dispatched to the divisional commanders. Soon both 1st Division and 3rd Division moved to the left, reducing the frontage of the corps and making greater use of the inherent defensive nature of the terrain.
As Davout realigned his divisions in the distance the Prussians were seen advancing in great numbers, organised in four divisions of which three comprised both infantry, cavalry and artillery. As with the French the largest of these divisions was that deployed in the centre. To the rear, and to the Prussian left, was the Prussian reserve division. This comprised a number of guard formations and while smaller, was of extremely high quality. With two divisions deployed on Prussian left flank it was clear to Davout that this would be the Prussian main effort.
The Prussians advance on their right, against the French left, was relatively rapid. Soon a Prussian regiment had secured the town of Gernsberg. The Prussian centre was however less aggressive and rather than advance of Speildorf, which was nearer the French lines, it deployed on rise ground some distance north of the town. Here the Duke of Brunswick, himself a 70 year old veteran of the Seven Years War, placed a number of heavy guns. He clearly intended to bombard the French lines some 1,200 yards distant and, if need, the town of Speildorf. Further to the left the two divisions of the Prussian left advanced towards what is known locally as the "Speildorf Hügel". This rising ground was immediately to the left of the town of Speildorf. Further to the Prussian left, woods and streams created a natural defensive position. Given the terrain the rising ground was clearly the key to falling on the French right.
It will be recalled that Davout was reordering his position. Gudin's 3rd Division was soon opposite the rising ground and would defend this position at all costs. The French centre, comprised of Morand's 1st Division, extended west. Morand's right was anchored on Speildorf, the town having been secured by some 1,000 legers. His left rested on a small hillock south east of Gernsberg.
The battle opened further west, on the French left, where Friant's 2nd Division surged forward. Two brigades stormed the town of Gernsberg. Against the recently arrived Prussians, who were still somewhat disordered, Friant's veterans were confident in their attack. Alas, Prussian resolve forced them back. While the Prussians consolidated their position Friant prepared another attack. Within an hour three French brigades surged forward again, this time sweeping the Prussian regiment, some 1,500 bayonets, from the town.
Above, the town of Gernberg in the top left is subjected to an attack by three French regiments. These were the 48th Ligne, 108th Ligne and the 111th Ligne. In the centre is Morand's 1st Division with Speildorf on the right. Below, the town of Gernsberg viewed from the Prussian lines.
No sooner had Friant's infantry secured the Gernburg they were under pressure from two brigades of Prussian cavalry and supporting infantry. The Prussian infantry attack against the was driven off. ensuring that Gernsburg was now safety under French control. The Prussian cavalry were however more problematic. Over coming hours several charges were launched against the French left which slowly drove it to the southeast isolating the garrison in Gernburg.
Elsewhere cavalry of the Prussian centre would conduct supporting charges on the French centre. Yet these were, for a time at least, inconsequential and all were repulsed or negated.
On the French right however the situation was deteriorating quickly. It will be recalled that directly east of the town of Speildorf there was an area of rising ground. No fewer than eight Prussian infantry regiments and three cavalry brigades were advancing on Gudin's 3rd Division, the bulk intent on securing the hill while two cavalry brigades attempted to turn the French extreme right.
Above, the general situation with the French right on the left. The town of Speildorf, and the rising ground to the east of the town clearly visible.
Initially defending forward the threat of Prussian guns forced Gudin to reform his line 500 yards further back. Unsurprisingly the Prussian infantry and artillery advanced securing the high ground and eventually pouring down the slopes. With his front and flank threatened Gudin's position was compromised.
Yet, relief was on the way. Around 11am both Napoleon and Murat arrived on the field. While Napoleon moved to the centre Murat's cavalry moved swiftly to the French right. For three hours the Prussian left had had complete mounted superiority. But time had slipped away, in part due to the terrain which slowed the Prussian advance. Finally, when the Prussian cavalry could deliver a charge, they were faced with two French cavalry divisions. These were d'Hautpoul's 2nd Cuirassier Division and Klein's 1st Dragoon Division.
Below, three of the four cavalry brigades that now formed the reinforced French right.
Rather than fall back the Duke of Brunswick hesitated, pinned in place by the French cavalry. With the Prussian cavalry neutralised Gudin ordered his infantry forward. The 25th and 85th Ligne attacked the Prussians at the base of the hill. Supported by French artillery and supplemented by a thick skirmish screen the French columns drove one Prussian infantry regiments back. Subsequent attacks against the Prussian heavy guns were held, but slowly the Prussian lines were contracting.
More dramatic were the attacks of the 12th Ligne and two regiments of from Moran's Division, the 61st Ligne and the 13th Legere, against Speildorf. The town had recently been secured by the Prussians who had driven out the 1,000 man French garrison. Now it was the turn of the Prussian garrison to be ejected. In less than an hour the town had changed hands twice.
Above and below, two views of the French infantry attacks against the town of Speildorf and nearby high ground.
With the French infantry attacks gaining ground Murat unleashed his cavalry. Soon the Prussian cavalry would be swept away, decimated by ferocious French cavalry charges.
Around 1.30pm, having cleared the Prussian cavalry, two brigades of Murat's cavalry struck the Prussian guns and infantry at the base of the rising ground near Speildorf. Verdiere's Cuirassier Brigade charged the enemy gun line frontally while La Mottle's Dragoon Brigade struck a nearby Prussian infantry regiment. Both Prussian units were forced back with heavy casualties.
While these actions played out on the French right in the centre Prussian cavalry continued to threaten the French infantry. It will be recalled that some brigades of Friant's Division had earlier been forced back. As Napoleon rallied regiments the threat of further Prussian cavalry charges forced the French centre to fallback again. Yet, one Prussian mounted charge opened an opportunity for a French counterattack.
Vialannes' Chasseur Brigade charged around 2.30pm and fell on a Prussian dragoon brigade. The Chasseurs were well supported by French foot artillery and the attack held much promise. Alas for Davout, it was a a complete failure. Instead of Vialannes' brigade routing the Prussian dragoons the chasseurs were thrown back - decimated.
By 3pm fighting across the field had all but ceased. Neither Prussian or French commander was prepared to risk their divisions further for what would likely only be minor gains. It would seem that the action at Speildorf was an inconclusive, if bloody, stalemate.
As is normal with our Friday evening games the scenario was developed using the Road to Glory scenario system with the Prussians selecting "Full Deployment - Card #25" while the French had selected "Returning Detachment Reserve - Card #17". This placed the burden of attack on the Prussians. Armies comprised some 3,000 points, relatively low for four players, especially when high quality troops were being used. Despite that the game was particularly enjoyable. It is perhaps worth noting a little about the forces involved. The Prussian forces were derived from the generic lists in the Road to Glory army lists. The French army however used the orders of battle for III Corps at Auerstedt. This meant that the French units had larger or modified division structures. III Corps was supplemented by a two cavalry divisions, historically at Jena.
As to the miniatures are all from the Heroics & Ros 6mm ranges. The Prussians are mostly from Alastair's collection, supplemented by a selection of my own. They are however all from our SYW collections, forced to do service in 1806, so they have tricornes rather than bicornes. The French are all from my own Napoleonic collection.
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