Dorfbach - October 1806

The middle of January provided an opportunity for my first Volley & Bayonet game of 2024. It was a fictional game involving four players and was set in a 1806.

Duke of Brunswick, now 71, had only recently returned to command the Prussian army and that as a result of a personal request of Louise, Queen of Prussia. The army was now in safe hands. After an excellent lunch the Duke surveyed the scene before him. Two Prussian divisions were well deployed behind the meandering Dorfbach stream and while the French were deploying in the distance no immediate threat was obvious. That said he was concerned by the situation on his left where the battlefield was more open. He was however expecting two divisions to arrive shortly with the further elements of the army behind these. One division would secure his left flank. 

The Prussians forces deployed were organised in fine Frederickian fashion. Each division was large and composed of a mixture of infantry and cavalry. That deployed in the centre, Wartensleben's Division, was the largest and comprised several infantry regiments and no less than three cavalry brigades along with a number of heavy cannon. On the Prussian right von Schmetten's Division comprised no fewer than five infantry regiments and two cavalry brigades, though contained fewer heavy cannon. The Prussian left was however open. Here a portion of the reinforcements would be placed, the remaining elite regiments would bolster the centre. With deployments reviewed he determined to enjoy another glass of wine until his reinforcements arrived. Alas, events were to overcome the Duke's timetable.

The initial French forces comprised two divisions from Soult’s IV Corps as well as Augereau’s VII Corps. VII Corps was deployed on the French left while the divisions of IV Corps formed the French centre. To their front was the Dorfbach. The main French army was to the south and its arrival would be delayed until the next day. However, three further French divisions would arrive in the early afternoon. These comprised two cavalry divisions and an hour later a further infantry division from Soult’s IV Corps. These reinforcements would arrive on the French right having previously diverted to avoid the Dorfbach. Now as Napoleon arrived on the field he ordered an immediate advance.

The fields and rolling countryside around Dorfbach now erupted with ferocity. All along the French centre and left no fewer than four French divisions poured across the Dorfbach. This was answered by a series of Prussian cavalry counterattacks. Brunswick despite his age was determined to through back the French and in doing so gain time.

Below, two French divisions advance, that on the left is that of Desjardin's and that on the right de Bierre's both from VII Corps. Prussian cavalry, some four cavalry brigades, can be seen engaged. Desjardin's division would suffer the worst from these attacks.

The French centre gained some traction and combined with the growing threat the Prussian line was forced to give ground, though without breaking. 

Soon after the French crossing of the Dorfbach the French right, now deploying in strength, pressed forward with the cavalry leading the advance. The French cavalry here comprised d'Hautpoul's 2nd Cuirassier Division and Beaumont's 3rd Dragoon Division.

Above, viewed from the French lines looking north, the French cavalry with the 2nd Cuirassier Division on the left and the 3rd Dragoon Division in the right. In the distance Prussian reinforcements are deploying. Below, a view from the French left looking north. In the distance the French cavalry.

Yet dramatic events were to unfold. As the 3rd Dragoon Division realigned to attack the increasingly exposed Prussian centre a Prussian Cuirassier brigade surged forward. The resulting charge would break several French dragoon brigades in quick succession (a result of a breakthrough charge and associated routs). 

His right in confusion Napoleon deployed Legerand's powerful infantry division to block further Prussian attacks against the French right, as can be seen below.

Napoleon now attempted to gain the initiative elsewhere. Yet, Prussian reinforcements were bolstering the Prussian centre and to some extent the Prussian right. 

Above, elements of the Prussian 1st Reserve Division under command of General von Kuhnhelm advance. Below, the 1st Reserve Division has deployed to bolstered the Prussian centre. Soon it would launch a series of counterattacks in the centre. 

Below, a view from the French perspective. The French centre comprises regiments mostly drawn from Leval's Division, though bolstered by other regiments. Saint-Hilaire's Division is just visible on the right of the main line and has taken heavy casualties.

Below, another view of the battlefield, this time looking southeast and showing the Prussian right in the foreground and the Prussian centre in the distance.

Despite significant and determined action by 5pm the pace of battle had slowed. Now as dusk drew the fighting to an end it was clear the Prussians had blunted Napoleon’s offensive, at least until French reinforcements arrived during the night.

As is often the case the scenario was developed with the Road to Glory Scenario System with a points budget of around 3,000 points. It was a fascinating game with a number of challenges for all involved. Unfortunately I took far fewer photos than normal while many I did take were of poorer quality. The miniatures are all from the Heroics & Ros 6mm range. The French and some Prussians are from my own collection while the remaining Prussians are from Alastair's collection.