Demo Game - Move 6

Taken from Prussian right flank. The French army are deployed along the Wolfsburg road, with Helmstedt in the centre. The Prussian right wing is in disorder and trying to rally. The centre has halted and the left wing slow to advance.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

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.

THE PRUSSIAN PLAN

1 corps will hold the right flank

Cavalry reserve will rally behind 1 corps

2 corps will hold the centre

3 and 4 corps will engage enemy on left flank

His intention is to attack with his left

Hold his centre

Hold and really his right

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 4 corps has a Poor commander, who has failed to move a couple of times. Blucher has moved to his side to ensure that he moves this time.

Left centre - 2 corps is advancing towards Helmstedt

Right centre - 3 corps has taken casualties and has the French cavalry reserve opposite them. Their commander has changed his orders to Halt, formed his infantry in square and withdrawn out of artillery range.

Right - Commander 1 corps has changed his orders to Halt, and is holding his own. The cavalry commander has rallied his dragoons and horse artillery, but the hussars have routed from the field. He is moving his command behind 1 corps to regroup them.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French - reserve (chip 6)

Orders: Hold

Out of artillery range

Unable to move forwards due to orders

Move 2 – French – 6 corps (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank
Fire on cavalry (roll 6), miss

Move 3 – French - Blind (chip 5)

Orders: Move to road on right of Helmstedt
Move to right and spotted

Place figures on the table
Move 4 – French - 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt

Fire on enemy square (roll 5) 1 hit

Square test morale (roll 5) fail, Shaken

Move 5 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders : Halt

Await further orders from CinC

Move squares back out of artillery range

Move 6 – French – CinC

Change orders for 4 corps

Move to 6 corps

Move 7 – Poor Card

Move 8 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : Halt

Await further orders from CinC

Fire on guns (roll 5) and miss

Move 9 – Prussian – reserve (chip 12)

Orders : Rally behind 1 corps

Move routine dragoons away from supports
Move hussars behind 1 corps

Test morale for dragoons (roll 1), fail, continue Rout

Test morale for hussars (roll 3), pass, become Disordered

Test morale for artillery (roll 4), fail, remain Shaken

Move 10 – Prussian – CinC (chip 7)

Give move to 4 corps

Move 11 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : Engage Enemy

Move guns forward and unlimber

Move rear infantry forward

Move 12 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Fire on gun (roll 3) miss

Move infantry forward to road

Move 13 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : Engage Enemy

Fire on infantry (roll 9) 1 hit

Infantry test morale (roll 1) fail and Rout

6 brigades are within 8" and must test morale

2 fail and are shaken, 6 pass and are ok

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN FROM FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 3 corps are secure and in a good position to take advantage of the enemy disorganisation. However they are on Hold orders and must wait for new orders to advance.

Left Centre - French cavalry reserve are also ready to attack, but again must wait for new orders from the CinC. The Prussians have withdrawn out of range of the artillery, and again they need new orders to advance.

Right centre - 13 corps were in reserve behind 4 corps. One brigade routed into them, causing a lot of disorder, fortunately none of them joined the rout

French right - 6 corps is also in a strong position on the right flank. The Prussian corps opposite them is very slow to advance. The CinC has just joined them, so perhaps they are about to receive new orders?


SUMMARY OF MOVE 6
Prussian situation is improving
Recovering on the right flank, but still Shaken
Retreating in the centre, still awaiting orders
Advancing on the left and about to Engage

French are slow to react, still waiting for orders
Right flank secure
Centre waiting for orders to advance
Left flank waiting for orders to advance

Demo Game - Move 5

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 BATTLE SO FAR

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

PHOTOGRAPHS OF PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

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.

BATTLE REPORT

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.

Demo Game - Move 4

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 BATTLE SO FAR

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.

BATTLE REPORT

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 Wolfsburg road

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

Move 12 – Prussian right – cavalry reserve (chip 12)

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.

Demo Game - Move 3

The Prussian army in review order prior to the battle.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Blucher is very pleased with his right flank

The cavalry reserve are in position to charge, but need new orders

1 corps (his best commander) is well placed to support them

His centre is well placed to pin the enemy, and support when necessary

His left flank is slow, but capable of pinning the enemy

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 TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE

Left - 4 Prussian corps advance through the broken ground towards the French blind holding the T junction. The cavalry on the right are from 3 corps.

Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left, and 2 corps on the right, advance towards Helmstedt. The town is held by 4 French corps, with one French blind in reserve. Another blind has advanced to the left of the town, but has not yet been spotted.

Right - 1 Prussian corps is advancing in support of the cavalry. The second brigade from the left has received one casualty. The reserve cavalry are within charge move of 5 French corps, and their artillery has limbered to move up in their support

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French – 4 corps (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Out of artillery range

Extend right of town

Move 2 – Prussian – 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and hit enemy guns, who make morale

Move reserve infantry forward

Move 3 – French - Blind (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank
Stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 4 – Prussian – 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on left of main road

Move cavalry forward to spot

Move infantry towards Helmstedt

Move 5 – French – 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Artillery fire and hit infantry, who make morale

Infantry on left withdraw, but remain in line

Move 6 – French – CinC (chip 1)

Change orders of blind 6

Moves to join 5 corps on French left

Move 7 – Prussian – 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : Move to forward edge of broken ground

Move forward into broken ground and spotted

Put figures on table
Move 8 – Prussian - reserve (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Cavalry deploy into two lines and move forward

Artillery limber and move forward in support

Note: orders to attack arrive after their move phase

Move 9 – Poor Card

Move 10 – Prussian – 2 corps (chip 9)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on right of main road

Move cavalry back out of artillery range

Move infantry forward towards Helmstedt

Move 11 – French – Blind (chip 6)

Orders:: Move to road right of Helmstedt
Move forward

Not spotted

Move 12 – French – blind (chip 5)

Orders: Move to Helmstedt
Move up behind Helmstedt

Not spotted

Move 13 – Prussian – CinC (chip 12)

Move to right flank

Change reserve cavalry orders to Attack

PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON FRENCH SIDE OF TABLE


Left - 5 French corps is deployed in line, except for one brigade on the right who are in square. Their cavalry brigade is on the left, opposed to the approaching Prussian cavalry. Their artillery has received one casualty.


Centre - 4 French corps are in and either side of Helmstedt, with their artillery on the left. There is one French blind to their left, and another in reserve behind the town.

Right - A French blind is deployed either side of the T junction. 3 Prussian corps is approaching directly against them, and 2 Prussian corps on the left.

SUMMARY OF MOVE 3

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

Demo Game - Move 2

2 Prussian corps advance past a village as they approach Helmstedt. One brigade on the left has already received one casualty.

THE BATTLE SO FAR

Blucher is concerned that both commands on his right have been spotted

The French are now aware that he has the bulk of his cavalry on his right flank

He is also concerned that there are three sets of blinds, against his two, in the centre

There are at least two, and possibly three, French corps holding the centre.

He is satisfied with progress on his left, and content to remain hidden

Despite this he is content to continue to probe with his right, and attack if given a good opportunity.

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 TAKEN FROM PRUSSIAN SIDE OF TABLE


Left - Prussian CinC is keeping an eye on 4 corps as they pass between the rough ground towards the French blind at the T junction.

Centre - 3 Prussian corps on the left, and 4 corps on the right, advance towards Helmstedt. The town is held by 2 French corps, with two French blinds in reserve behind the town

Right - 1 Prussian corps on the left, and the cavalry reserve on the right, advance against 3 French corps, who hold the French left flank.

BATTLE REPORT

Move 1 – French - blind (chip 4)

Orders: Hold right flank

Remain stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 2 – French - blind (chip 2)

Orders: Hold Helmstedt
Extend and spotted
Put figures on table
Move 3 – Prussian - CinC (chip 7)

Stationary this move
Remain on left flank to keep an eye on his Poor commander

Move 4 - French - 5 corps (chip 3)

Orders: Hold left flank
Artillery fire and miss

Move 5 – French - Blind (chip 5)

Orders: Hold in reserve
Remain stationary this move

Not spotted
Move 6 – Poor Card

Move 7 – Prussian - Blind (chip 9)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on right of main road

Extend and spotted

Put figures on table
Send cavalry forward to spot enemy

Move 8 – French - CinC (chip 1)

Remain stationary this move

With French reserve

Move 9 – Prussian - 3 corps (chip 10)

Orders : move to Helmstedt on left of main road

Extend and spotted

Put figures on the table
Move 10 – 4 Prussian - 4 corps (chip 11)

Orders : move to far side of broken ground

Miss move because Poor card still in play

Move 11 – Prussian - 1 corps (chip 8)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and miss

Infantry advance

Move 12 – Prussian - reserve (chip 12)

Orders : move to Wolfsburg road

Artillery fire and miss

Cavalry advance

Move 13 – French - blind (chip 6)

Orders: Hold in reserve

Remain stationary this move

Not spotted

SUMMARY OF MOVE 2

Blucher has made a bad mistake in not being attached to his Poor corps

As a result his left flank has not advanced this move.

He is still concerned that he is unable to spot the enemy reserves in the centre.

He is very pleased with his right flank.

His cavalry reserve are within charge move of the enemy, but still on move orders

He will have to change their orders next move.