The cavalry melee on the Prussian right flank which was to have such disasterous results for the Prussian attack. The French dragoon brigade has charged the Prussian hussar brigade. There is a Prussian dragoon brigade in support on the left, and the horse artillery behind.
THE
Blucher is very pleased with developments
His left is keeping the enemy pinned, and advancing slowly
His centre is advancing slowly, but unable to spot enemy
His right is well placed to attack, but orders arrived too late this move.
His intention is to attack on his right and support with his centre
THE PRUSSIAN PLAN
1 corps and cavalry reserve will advance on right flank
2 and 3 corps will advance in centre but await developments
4 corps will advance on left as far as broken ground
His intention is to attack with his right
Exploit any success with his centre
Hold with his left
PHOTOGRAPHS OF PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE
Left - 4 Prussian corps is half way through the broken ground, and nearing 6 French corps at the T junction. The lancer brigade on the right is from 3 corps.
Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left are still advancing towards Helmstedt. 2 Prussian corps has halted and formed square due to the cavalry melee out of sight on the right of the photograph.
Right - The Prussian hussars and artillery have both routed, and failed their morale test to rally. The dragoons have passed their morale test, but are still Shaken. 1 Prussian corps, on the left, are attempting to form square having spotted the French cavalry reserve to their front left, and the French dragoons who broke the Prussian cavalry to their front right.
Move 1 – French centre – blind (chip 6)
No action remain stationary
Move 2 – French centre – French CinC (chip 1)
Move to reserve behind Helmstedt
Move 3 – French right – 5 corps (chip 3)
Artillery fire and miss
Infantry on right form square
Cavalry charge enemy hussars (roll 6 and 5) and rout hussars
Prussian dragoons test morale (roll 2) and rout
Prussian artillery test morale (roll 1) and rout
Move 4 – Prussian centre – 3 corps (chip 10)
Orders : move to Helmstedt on left of main road
Spot enemy blind 4 on French right flank
Artillery fire and miss
Infantry move towards Helmstedt
Move 5 – Prussian right – 1 corps (chip 8)
Orders : move to
Spot enemy blind right of Helmstedt, who turn out to be cavalry reserve and artillery
Commander changes orders to Halt and awaits further orders
Forms square with infantry as no cavalry support
Move 6 – Prussian right – Prussian CinC (chip 7)
Change cavalry reserve orders to Rally
Move to centre attach to 3 corps (chip 10)
Move 7 – French centre – blind 5
No action remain stationary
Move 8 – Blind Card
Move 9 – Prussian left – 4 corps (chip 11)
Orders : move to forward edge of broken ground
Misses move again due to Poor card
Move 10 – French centre – Helmstedt garrison (chip 2)
No action, out of range
Move 11 – French right – blind (chip 4)
Extend, spotted and deploy
Orders : Rally
Whole command is in rout
Dragoons test morale (roll 6), rally and become Shaken
Hussars test morale (roll 2), fail and continue to Rout
Artillery test morale (roll 1), fail and continue to Rout
Move 13 – Prussian centre – 2 corps (chip 9)
Orders : move to Helmstedt on right of main road
Commander changes orders to Halt and await further orders
No corps artillery to fire
Infantry form square as cavalry heavily outnumbered
PHOTOGRAPHS OF FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE
Left - 5 French corps are relieved that their dragoons have broken the Prussian reserve cavalry. They are unable to advance as they are on Hold orders. 1 Prussian corps to their front have halted and are trying to form square.
Centre - 4 French corps hold Helmstedt and are deployed either side of the town. To their left, the blind has been revealed to be the French cavalry reserve, and their artillery are deployed alongside 4 corps artillery. There is another French blind in reserve behind the town.
Right - 6 French corps are deployed either side of the T junction. Their left hand brigade has formed square against the approaching lancers of 3 Prussian corps.
SUMMARY OF MOVE 4
In one move the situation has changed from excellent to desperate for the Prussians
Cavalry reserve is broken and in rout
Right flank has halted and formed square, awaiting new orders
Centre right has also halted and formed square, awaiting new orders
Centre left is the only corps available to advance
Left flank again failed to move due to Poor Card
Blucher must switch his advance from his right to his left flank if he is to retain the initiative.
His centre can not advance due to superior enemy cavalry and artillery.
His right flank is in disorder and will be lucky to hold.
