Tactical map of battle area
Blucher has lost the first two battles of the campaign
So he desperately needs this one to be a victory
However he is attacking Napoleon and the Old Guard
1stFrench Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery
3rdPrussian Army – 8 infantry brigades, 2 cavalry brigade, 2 corps artillery
Table at start of battle
Napoleon has deployed his army in front of Fletchingen
3rdcorps are between the town and the river
He has created a reserve with 2 brigades from 3 corps and 1 from 1 corps
They are deployed in front of the town
1st(old guard) corps are behind the fortified farm
Blucher had decided to attack south of the hill
6thcorps will occupy the hill and pin 3rd French corps
He has created a reserve of one brigade from each corps, plus 5 corps cavalry
5thcorps will take the fortified farm, supported by the reserve
End of move 2
6thPrussian corps move their artillery into range of the French
One infantry brigade has moved onto the hill
The Prussian reserve is advancing in the centre
They come under fire from the French guard artillery, but no casualties
5thPrussian corps advance towards the farm, out of range of the guard artillery
Their artillery are moving into position to engage the guard infantry south of the farm
End of move 4
3rdFrench corps withdraw between town and river
6thPrussian corps continue to advance, artillery unlimber
Prussian reserve cavalry charge French guard cavalry
Guard lose melee and withdraw shaken with 10% casualties
nearby gunners abandon their guns and seek cover in farm
1st(old guard) start to withdraw
5thPrussian corps advance
Artillery unlimber in short range of French infantry
Two infantry brigades move towards the farm
End of move 6
6thPrussian corps advance between the hill and the river
Their cavalry receive 10% casualties from artillery fire, but pass morale test
Prussian reserve advance towards town
Their cavalry pin the French infantry brigade in square
5thPrussian corps artillery pound infantry south of the farm
One French brigade routs, the second moves into the farm
French cavalry fail to rally from shaken and also rout
Two guard infantry brigades and the gunners are now inside the farm
Prussian infantry move to surround the farm, but hesitate to attack
They will wait to see what damage their gunners can do before they storm the farm
End of move 8
6thPrussian cavalry win melee, but withdraw with 20% casualties
Infantry melee on hill continues, each side have suffered 20% casualties
The rest of 6th Prussian corps advance
3rdFrench corps start to withdraw
The Prussian reserve skirmish with the town garrison
The town is held by the elite 1st grenadiers
The garrison receive 10% casualties but pass their morale test
The Prussian cavalry pin the reserve infantry brigade in square
5thPrussian corps have surrounded the farm
It is held by two guard brigades, plus the artillery crew.
The Prussians consider it too strong to attack at present
Their artillery continue to pound the garrison, but no casualties
The remainder of 1st French corps are retreating
End of move 10
6thPrussian corps win the infantry melee on the ridge
3rdFrench corps are in retreat, now joined by he defeated infantry brigade
However their cavalry have rallied and cover the retreat
6thPrussian corps halt and regroup
The French reserve hold both sections of the town
5thPrussian corps finally take the farm
A combination of three infantry brigades and close range artillery win the day
When the garrison have suffered 20% casualties to artillery fire the infantry attack
Two brigades storm the farm from opposite sides, a third remains in reverse
The garrison break with 40% casualties, taking the reserve brigade and gunners with them
Summary
Napoleon still holds the town at nightfall
But both 1st and 3rd corps are in retreat
To avoid further casualties he orders the garrison to retreat under cover of darkness
The French have lost 9 infantry, 2 cavalry and 1 artillery casualties (3900 men)
The Prussians have lost 6 infantry and 3 cavalry casualties (2700 men)
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