Distaster on the Prussian right flank. Two cavalry brigades and the horse artillery all in rout having lost melee with single French dragoon brigade. Prussian infantry or 1 corps have formed square.
THE
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.
THE PRUSSIAN PLAN
1 corps will halt and hold the right flank
Cavalry reserve will rally behind 1 corps
2 corps will halt and hold the centre
3 and 4 corps will advance on the left flank
His intention is to attack with his left
Hold with his centre
Hold with his right
Rally cavalry reserve behind right
Prussian Left - Prussian CinC has joined 4 corps to ensure that they move this time. Hussars on their right belong to 3 corps. 6 French corps are deployed either side of the T junction.
Prussian Centre - 3 Prussian corps continue to advance towards Helmstedt. 2 corps have halted and formed square having spotted French cavalry to the right of the town.
Prussian Right - 1 Prussian corps have halted and formed square. The reserve cavalry commander has halted the rout, he has ralled both cavalry brigades and the horse artillery, who are now all Shaken.
Move 1 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)
Orders : Halt
Wait for new orders from CinC
Out of artillery range
Move 2 – French – 6 corps (chip 4)
Orders: Hold right flank
Out of artillery range
Extend infantry line
Move 3 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)
Orders – Halt
Await further orders from CinC
Artillery fire on enemy guns and miss
Infantry form square as no cavalry support
Move 4 – French – 4 corps (chip 3)
Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Fire and hit enemy square, who make morale
Move 5 – Prussian – Prussian CinC (chip 7)
Move to centre and change 3 corps orders to Engage Enemy
Move 6 – Prussian - 3 corps (chip 10)
Orders : engage enemy
Artillery fire on infantry and miss
Infantry move forward
Move 7 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)
Orders: Hold left flank
Artillery fire on enemy guns and miss
Move cavalry back
Move 8 – Prussian – reserve (chip 12)
Orders : Rally and regroup
Dragoons test morale, fail and remain Shaken
Hussars test morale, pass and become Shaken
Artillery test morale, pass and become Shaken
Move 9 – French – French CinC (chip 1)
Move to Blind behind Helmstedt
Move 10 – Blind Card
Move 11 – French - reserve (chip 6)
Orders: Move to road left of Helmstedt
Artillery out of range, manhandle forward
Cavalry move forward to main road
Move 12 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)
Orders : Engage Enemy
Miss move due to Poor card
Move 13 – French – blind (chip 5)
Orders: Hold in reserve
Move to right, not spotted
PHOTOGRAPHS OF FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE
Left - 5 French corps are on hold orders and therefore unable to take advantage of the Prussian disorder.
Centre - French CinC has joined the reserve behind Helmstedt, and is moving it to the right. 4 corps holds the village, with the cavalry reserve on their left.
Right - 6 corps hold the right flank. The left hand brigade has formed square, and the cavalry have advanced to hold the approaching Prussian cavalry at bay.
SUMMARY OF MOVE 5
Prussian cavalry and artillery very lucky to make morale, but still Shaken
Right flank waiting for orders
Centre right waiting for orders
Centre left ready to advance and Engage enemy
Left again halted due to Poor card, but ready to advance and Engage enemy
Blucher has managed to issue fresh orders to engage with his left flank
Centre waiting for orders, but unable to advance due to stronger enemy
Right looking better, but cavalry still Shaken
The Prussians are fortunate that the French have not yet reacted to disaster on the right. This might be due to indecision by the French CinC or insufficient command Pips to issue necessary orders.
