Thiessen. The full report

I have uploaded the full Scenario and the After Action Report (AAR) of the combat of Thiessen (September 4, 1813), finished with a French marginal victory of the Bertrand's Italo-Wurttemberg forces over the Bulow's Prussian Army of Silesia. According to Lasalle rule-set, the battle finished in a similar way to the real life, when the Prussians reached their Morale Break level and  failed the subsequent test.

You can watch the development of the battle by following the instructions to use the visor.

Next thing, the combat of Dessau, in the previous days to the battle of Lepzig!

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The combat of Thiessen (and V)

The situation is stabilized with a small Imperial advantage, although the Prussians hold a considerable force in reserve.

The Imperial left flank is secured by Thiessen and the forest in Italian hands

In the center, two Prussian battalions become isolated under the Imperial artillery and surrounded by hostile cavalry

The Imperial right flank is also anchored in Eupen and protected by a small stream from the Prussian Landwehr

However, the Prussians have reached the Morale level, but fail the subsequent Morale test! The Prussians had a small advantage, 9 vs. 6, in pursuing cavalry so the battle finishes with a French Marginal Victory. Both sides had similar casualties: 46 bases and 4 guns for the Prussians and 41 bases and 4 guns for the French. The Prussian 5th Brigade and the Wurttemberg 38th Divisions were severely mauled.
This result is similar to the real combat, where the Prussians retired from the battlefield without Imperial interference.

The next thing will be the combat of Dessau.
Watch this space!

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The combat of Thiessen (IV)

The battle continues, with the Prussians consolidating their flanks

However, the southern side of Thiessen is retaken by the Italians that secure that flank for the Imperial forces.

In the other flank, the 2/1 Wurttemberg IR is broken by the combined Prussian attack of the 1/2nd Reserve IR and W. Prussia Uhlans ...

... forcing the Wurttemberg cavalry brigade to deploy in order to close the gap...

... but the East Prussian Uhlans rout and break the 3rd Wurttemberg Light Horse Regiment...

... while the 1/2nd Reserve is broken by the 1/1 Wurttemberg IR and the 2/8e Legere ...

The French artillery tries to halt the Prussian infantry, whereas the depleted and tired Prussian Uhlans fall back towards the Allied rearguard ...

... and the only remaining Wurttemberg line infantry battalion starts the counter-attack, supported by the full Blair's brigade

Both flanks in Imperial hands and the Wurttemberger-French infantry advancing in the right flank, the Prussian attack is losing impulse. With both sides near the exhaustion level, the victory will fall on the side with more available reserves.
Watch this space!

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The combat of Thiessen (III)

The Beier's Prussian detachment advance against the Wurttemberger flank...

The 1/7 Wurttemberg IR is broken by the combined attack of the 1/ and 2/2nd Reserve IR, and... 

... then, the 1/1 Wurttemberg is routed by the 1/2nd Reserve IR...

... and the 2/1 Wurttemberg is routed by the 2/2nd Reserve IR...

... and the Prussians advance cutting the first Wurttemberger line.

Meanwhile, in Thiessen...

The 1/1st Reserve IR expels the 4/1 Italian IR from the village

... isolating the Italian Light battalion in the northern side of Thiessen

The Prussians have gained a momentaneous advantage...
Watch this space!

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The combat of Thiessen (II)

The combat of Thiessen is still developping, with the Prussians advancing along all the line.

The Italian Light battalions are defending Thiessen and the forest in the "French" left flank

The Italian line continues towards the center, defended by the foot artillery and the strong point of the cemetery

The Wurttembergers are defending the center-right with their artillery in the line

The Wurttemberger Lights are garrisoning Eupen anchoring the French right flank

The French (really their Italian and Wurttemberg allies) are defending without problems. However the Prussian renforcements are arriving.

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The combat of Thiessen (I)

The Borstell's Prussian forces of the 5th Brigade are converging on the Italians and Wurttembergers of the Bertrand's IV Corps defending the northern approach to Wittenberg

The Thümen's advanceguard approaching Thiessen

The main body and reserve of the 5th Brigade moving through the forest

The Beier's flanking detachment in the open advancing against the Wurttembergers

The Italian lights, hidden in the forest, firing against Thumen

The Italian foot artillery firing at long range against the Prussians

The Prussian artillery detachment covering the Beier's advance

Watch this space!

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Thiessen for Lasalle. The definitive map

The battlefield for Thiessen has taken shape at last. As always, there are some small variations from the original map, because of the scenery ítems that are actually available (they call it the 'fog of war'!).
You can see the final scheme and some pictures of the table game.

Central-Eastern view

Western side

Eastern side

At last, you can see the forces being reviewed by their commanders.

French (really Italo-Wurttemberg) forces

Prussian forces

Watch this space!

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Thiessen for Lasalle. The rules for the Scenario

These are the specific rules for this Scenario

Duration
The basic duration of the game is 24 turns (3 hours). Seven dice are used, instead five, to test Army Moral. Bonus Turns are allowed rolling 2D6 (p. 66 of the e-Lasalle book.
The Prussians are the attackers and the first side.


Deployment and Reinforcements
French units
Fontanelli’s command must be deployed on the Thiessen area (C1-C3). Franquemont’s must be deployed in the Eupen area (C3-C5). The Jett’s cavalry is near Trajhun. Bertrand is in Trajhun
The reinforcements may enter in: Moroni: D1w-D1s (60%/40%); Wolff: D2-D3 (50%-50%); Morand: D4-D5s-D5e (40%/30%/30%)
Prussian units
Thumenn’s advance guard is deployed in A1-A2; Beier’s detachment in A5; Merkel and Schoon enter in A3 and A4, respectively, in Turn 1. Bulow and Borstell are with Merkel or Schoon.
The reinforcements may enter in: Krafft’s 6th Brigade: A3; Dobschutz and Kroos (4th Brigade) A5e-B5 (30%-70%).

All reinforcements follow the Lasalle arrival rules (p. 91 of e-Lasalle).

Optional rule: Irregular cavalry (Cossacks)
1) Irregular cavalry units may charge enemy units standing in 'limbered' or 'march column' formation in open terrain.
2) Irregular cavalry units must to pass a 'Discipline' test to initiate the charge in open terrain.
3) If routed in 'decisive combat', the irregular cavalry unit is immediately broken.

Victory conditions
The French aim is to reach the duration limit of the game (24 turns) without breaking. The Prussian aim is the opposite one. There are no Objectives.

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Thiessen for Lasalle. The forces

The OOB's have been taken from the Nafziger's Orders of Battle Collection, using the listings for the battles of Gross-Beeren and Dennewitz. Some units have been deleted to make a more manageable scenario. The names of some Prussian officers are fictitious (can you find these?)

Henri Gatien Bertrand

French Army
Army Morale: 48; Morale break point: 16
17 Battalions/5 Regiments/4 Batteries

C-i-C Bertrand IV Corps(-/¶)

15th Division Fontanelli (-1/*)
1st Brigade Martel (-/¶)
3/1 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1
4/1 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1
2/4 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1
2nd Brigade Saint Andrea (-/-)
2/1 Italian Legere IR R/A/SK1
3/1 Italian Legere IR R/A/SK1
3/6 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1
13/1e Foot Artillery Foot 3Guns/M/1Hw

38th Division Franquemont (-1/-)
1st Brigade Stockmayer (-/¶)
Wurtemberg Light IR R/E/SK2
1/7 Wurtemberg Line IR R/E/SK1
2/7 Wurtemberg Line IR R/E/SK1
2nd Brigade Spitzenberg (-/-)
1/1 Wurtemberg Line IR R/E/SK1
2/1 Wurtemberg Line IR R/E/SK1
1/2 Wurtemberg Line IR R/E/SK1
1st Wurtemberg Foot Artillery Foot 3Guns/M/1Hw

24th Light Cavalry Brigade Jett (-/-)
1st Wurtemberg Chevauleger S/E/Pu
3rd Wurtemberg Chevauleger S/E/Pu
1st Wurtemberg Horse battery Horse 2Guns/M/1Hw

Reinforcements
3rd Brigade Moroni (+1/-) (15th Division)
Milan Guard Battalion R/A/SK1
2/7 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1
3/7 Italian Line IR R/A/SK1

29th Light Cavalry Brigade Wolff (-1/¶)
Westphalian Chevauleger Lancier S/A/Ln/Pu
Hessian Chevauleger S/A/Pu
Bavarian Chevauleger R/A/Pu
3/5e Horse Artillery (3-6pdrs & 1-24pdr how) Horse 2Guns/M/1Hw

12th Division Morand (+1/-)
1st Brigade Blair (-/-)
4/8e Legere R R/A/SK1
2/8e Legere R R/A/SK1

Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow

Prussian Army
Army Morale: 51; Morale break point: 17
18 Battalions/5 Regiments/4,5 (6) batteries/1 Cossacks

C-i-C Bulow 3rd Corps (-/-)
5th Brigade Borstell (-/-)

Adv. Guard Thümen (+1/¶)
Fus/1st Pommerania IR R/E/SK2
3/2nd Reserve IR R/A/SK2
Pommerania Hussars V/E/Pu
1/2 6 pr Foot Battery #12 Foot 2Guns/M/

Detachment Beier (+1/¶)
1/2nd Reserve IR R/A/SK2
2/2nd Reserve IR R/A/SK2
W. Prussia Uhlan Regiment R/E/Pu/Ln
1/2 Horse Battery #11 Horse 2Guns/M/

5th Brigade
Schoon (+1/-) (Reserve)
Pommerania Grenadiers V/E/SK2
1/1st Pommerania IR R/E/SK2
2/1st Pommerania IR R/E/SK2
Merkel (-/*) (Main body)
1/2nd 1/st Reserve IR R/A/SK2
2/2nd 2/1st Reserve IR R/A/SK2
1/2nd Kurmark Landwehr U/A/SK1
2/2nd Kurmark Landwehr U/A/SK1
6 pr Foot Battery #10 Foot 3Guns/M/1Hw

Reinforcements
6th Brigade Krafft (-/-)
1/Colberg IR R/E/SK2
2/Colberg IR R/E/SK2
Fus/Colberg IR R/E/SK2
1/9th Reserve IR R/A/SK2
1st Pommerania LWr Cavalry S/A
6 pr Foot Battery #16 Foot 3Guns/M/1Hw

4th Brigade
Dobschutz (+1/-) (Main body)
2/1st Kurmark Landwehr U/A/SK1
1/1st Kurmark Landwehr U/A/SK1
1/1st Silesian Landwehr U/A/SK1
6 pr Foot Battery #17 Foot 2Guns/M/
Kroos (+1/*) (Cavalry)
Brandenburg Dragoons R R/E/Pu
1st Silesian LWr Cavalry S/A
1/2 Horse Battery #6 Horse 1Guns/M/
Karpov #2 Cossack R S/I/Pu

Next, the rules for the Scenario!

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Thiessen for Lasalle. The map

The general area of the battle was found in the Nafziger's book “Napoleon at Dresden: The Battles of August 1813”. The Emperor Press, Chicago, 1991.
A visit to the GeoGREIF site, a map repository of the German Univesity of Greifswald, and a search for Wittenberg, provided a first 1/100,000 scale map

A search in the MTBL zone of the site, provided a series a of 1/25,000 scale maps, (090733 ;090734; 090743; 100711; 100712; 100721; 100713; 100714 and 100723) that were assembled with Photoshop, to make a map of the north of the Wittenberg área:

Zooming in the above map, the area of interest can be located, and the movements of the involved forces can be plotted, with the help of the bibliography (See the previous post)

Producing at last, the following game table map:

Woods and streams are rough terrain for cavalry and infantry and impassable for artillery except by roads and bridges, respectively. Each built-up area may contain one infantry unit

Next, the troops. Watch this space!

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Thiessen. The next Lasalle project

Tomado de Napoleon Series

September 3, 1813. Oudinot has been routed at Gross Beeren and has retired his Army of Berlin towards Wittenberg, in the north bank of the Elbe, cautiously pursued by Bernadotte. The advance guard of the Borstell’s 5th Brigade, accompanied by Bulow himself, commander of the Prussian 3rd Corps, is pursuing the rearguard of the Bertrands’s IV Corps that is deployed near Thiessen in the road to Wittenberg.
At 6 a.m., the 5th Brigade along elements of the 6th Brigade and the Dobschutz’s brigade (from the Tauentzien’s IV Corps) started its attack against the Italian and Wurttemberg troops of the Bertrand’s Corps. After a combat of several hours and unsupported by Bernadotte, Bulow decided to break the fight and retired unmolested by Bertrand. The next day, Ney would arrive to take command of the Army of Berlin.
This Lasalle Scenario is based on that combat.
Sources
- F. Nafziger. “Napoleon at Dresden: The Battles of August 1813”. The Emperor Press, Chicago, 1991
- Nafziger Orders of Battle Collection. Combined Arms Research Library.
- G. Fabry ”Étude sur les opérations du maréchal Oudinot, du 15 août au 4 septembre 1813, Gross-Beeren “ Paris, 1910
- Maps GeoGREIF; Napoleon Series 1; Napoleon Series 2

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Pitschenberg for Lasalle. The full report

I have uploaded the full Scenario and the After Action Report (AAR) of the combat of Pitschenberg (September 4, 1813), a bloody rearguard action, finished with a French marginal victory over the Prusso-Russian Allies. According to Lasalle rule-set, the result was a draw, because the battle finished with no broken armies. However, the larger Allied losses and the French superiority in pursuing cavalry make a French marginal victory, a most accurely result.

You can watch the development of the battle by following the instructions to use the visor.

Next thing, the combat of Thiessen, previous to the battle of Dennewitz!

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The combat of Pitschenberg (and V)

The Pitschenberg is now in French hands, and the attack continues

The French are attacking along all the Allied line

The combined attack of the 5e Hussards and the 2/152e Ligne Regiment breaks the Fus/1st East Prussia IR...

... whereas, in the centre, the 4/6 Legere IR took in flank the 2/14th Silesian Landwehr IR, breaking it.

The French cavalry is trying to outflank the Allied left flank...

... while all the Allied line is falling back, facing the French in good order...

... and evacuating  Spittel under the cover of the cavalry

A general view of the Allied orderly withdrawal

In terms of Lasalle, the final result was a Drawn Battle after 27 turns.
The Prussians reached their morale break point (losses greater tan one third of their forcé) in the Turn 22, but they passed the mandatory morale tests in the Turns 22, 24 and 26, and they were not broken when the game ended after 3 bonus Turns.
However, the Allied losses reached a total of 23 points (7 battalions, 2 regiments, 2 Cossack sotnias and 3 batteries)  whereas the French had 14 points (6 battalions, 1 regiment and 1 battery). If the French superiority in pursuing cavalry (15 vs. 9 points) is also taken in account, the final result can be more accurately considered a French Victory..
In the real world, the Allies retired in front of the French offensive and the cat-and-mouse game between Napoleon and Bluecher continued.

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The combat of Pitschenberg (IV)

Despite having been rejected in the first instance, the French return to the attack with renewed vigor.

The Prussian line fires on the approaching French

Only to be rejected initially in the left flank: the W. Prussian Dragoons wins over the 5e Hussars that falls back...

...while the E. Prussia Grenadiers, taken in flank, also reject the 9e Hussars

However, atop the hill the Prussian artillery is taken by surprise and crushed...

The french have reached the Summit of the Pitschenberg...

... clearing it form Prussians, when the 3/112e breaks the 2/12th Reserve IR

The 4/6e Légêre charges downhill and breaks the 2/Brandenburg IR, opening a hole in the center of the Prussian line!...

... and the French cavalry threatens to outflank the Allied line by the left

The situation has changed dramatically
To be continued....

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