Game 95 : Auerstadt October 14th 1806 - take 2

This was the second time the game was played. We had different players, so it was interesting to see how things would go. Right from the start, the Prussian cavalry was aggressive. Here we see Blucher, on the Prussian right, immediately charging the French as they try to deploy from the road to make more space. It nearly succeeded!! but was beaten back.

On the French right, the solitary cavalry brigade advances to both try and slow down the Prussian advance but also keep the Prussian centre and left from linking up into a continuous line.

The cavalry fight in close up. The French Chasseur unit would drive the Prussian regiment form the field and so achieve the desired result of a gap between the Prussian forces. Gaps mean time taken to eliminate them, the French need time!

In the centre, the French advance through Hassenhausen and the enclosed garden. The movement is designed to delay, even further, Prussian attempts to launch co-ordinated attacks. Eventually the French would need to yield this ground and the garden so as not to be enveloped as the Prussians, slowly but surely, closed their front line gap.  

Back on the French right, the Prussians are now launching a full scale assault. The French do have a problem as Prussian numbers are allowing them to deploy on a contiguous front and this is stretching French numbers. The French cavalry are being forced to hold a portion of their line, it can't last forever.

The French hold their ground. On the the Prussian right, Blucher has regrouped and is advancing alongside infantry and putting a strain on the French left. Many French units are being forced into square, protected fine from the cavalry but then suffering under artillery fire. 

Fresh Prussian cavalry launch themselves against the French left just out of shot, pinning them in position whilst fresh Prussian infantry units advance to assault the flank. This would a close fight but the French would manage to hold the line. French casualties were mounting and beginning to reach critical numbers on this flank.

On the opposite flank, and at the same time, A Prussian assault drives home the attack. The French had just managed to reinforce the area from troops in their own centre and the controlled volleys of the French infantry saw this attack literally grind to a halt.

The last shot of the game tries to give a more panoramic view of the battle. The French are deployed on the right. I might see if a new lens allows more of these types of pics to be taken.

The casualty table is below. Casualties were heavy in this battle, Schmettau has suffered badly and Friant is reaching critical point. Another great game, and again the simple use of command and control rules for the various sides allowed the flavour of the battle to be replicated. 

French Formations	Losses %			Prussian Formations	Losses%
	Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery		Infantry	Cavalry	Artillery
DAVOUT				DUKE of BRUNSWICK
Friant	22	-	22	Blucher	-	36	0
Gudin	11	-	3	Schmettau	29	32	20
Morand	6	-	13	Wartensleben	22	8	3
Lt Cavalry Brig	-	12	4	Orange	27	7	33
Reserve Artillery	-	-	13	Kalkreuth	14	17	0

 

It was cold outside, and wet, so we did the rogue's gallery inside. Next game will be Lutzen.