Lutzen-1813 The Battles for Germany

 

We played our second game in the GdA Battles for Germany his past weekend. Helge hosted this game on a 5x7' table. We had 6 players in total. Graham was CiC of the Prussians with David and Rob as his brigadiers, while Helge took the helm for the French with myself and Korrigan as his brigadiers. We had planned a 2 day event and when the players arrived Saturday morning the pregame had been played and the table was set up. 

Historically after the Russian defeat at Weisenfels, Wittgenstein, the overall allied commander, ordered Blucher's Prussians to split the advancing French force in half at Gross Gorschen. The Prussians advancing from the south east and centred their attack on the 4 villages around Gross Gorschen. Holding the area was Marshall Ney's 3rd corps with 5 Infantry Divisions and a Cavalry Brigade. Blucher was in overall command, but our game will be focused on the lead Prussian Division under General Zeithen with his 5 Infantry Brigades and 2 Cavalry Brigades. The French will be under the direct command of General Souham, whose division with 5 Infantry Brigades and 1 Cavalry Brigade who had direct responsibly for the defence of the area.

The OB for our Battle

The Initial Deployments at game start, each side kept a unit as an off table Reserve. Victory Conditions for the Prussians was to capture 3 of the 4 villages and the High Ground in the Northwest

The Prussians open their attack on Gross Gorschen with their other 2 brigades attacking the villages on each flank. They quickly followed with an attempt to outflank the French right flank with their cavalry reserve, The French responded by placing their infantry reserve on that flank.

This map shows the initial deployment areas for all 13 brigades at the start of turn 6. 

Photos

Initial Deployments, French in the foreground

The Prussian Attackers on the left

Not sure why the Prussians are in road column, but this was fixed. These troops were sent in to take Gross Gorschen

The French Defenders at Klein Gorschen

Getting in position at Rahna for the Prussian attack

The Prussians advance on their right

Turn 6, the Prussian have reached Gross Gorschen, it took multiple attacks to drive the French out at great cost

Yellow markers denote worn units, Pirch has expended many men in this attack but does eventually take the village

The French pull back, but Chemineau has done his job

The Prussians move in on Rahna

Brayer moves in to support Chasseraux

Turn 12, the Prussians left flank attack has crumbled.

Veran is holding Klein Gorschen at Turn 15, the Prussians have committed all their brigades but 2 French brigades are still essentially fresh..........the Prussians withdraw.

Summary

This game went quite well and we able to get in 15 turns in around 8 hours, by then it was obvious that the Prussians would not be able to capture 3 of the designated area in the next 5 turns. Their force had multiple worn units and their remaining units were too far from the last 3 objectives to reach them in 5 turns. At the end of turn 15, they only held Gross Gorschen and were still fighting to gain Klein Gorschen.  The Prussians had 8 points lost from Falters and Dispersals and 3 points for a total of 11 demoralisations while the French had 9 points. Not a Glorious Victory, but a Victory for the French. If I remember correctly this was the historical outcome. 

Next up is the French attack on the Russians in the Battle of Bautzen. This is tentatively scheduled in a little less than a month.