Monday, January 16, 2012

Napoleonic Game:Saalfeld

On Saturday the 14th our group got together for a Napoleonic game based on the battle at Saalfeld in 1806. The scenario was lifted from the fantastic site of the Napoleonic Miniature Wargames Society of Toronto who list loads of scenarios. We modified the scenario to fit our 1:30 ratio unit organizations and adapted distances and troop ratings for General de Brigade.


Here is the scenario information:






Prussian Allied Forces
Generalleutnant Louis-Ferdinand, Prinz von Prussen (AVERAGE)
1 AdC

PRUSSIANS
BRIGADE 1: Generalmajor von Pelet (POOR)
(5 Btn + 1 SK unit + 4 Art)
Valentin Jäger/Masars Jäger Combined (300) 10 figures 2nd SK  LINE
Fusilier Battalion #13 (Rabenau) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE
Fusilier Battalion #14 (von Pelet) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE
Fusilier Battalion #15 (Ruhle) : One Battalion (600) 20 figures  LINE
Infantry Regiment Muffling #49 : Two Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE
Foot Artillery (Reimann) : Battery 4 Sections of 6lb  SECOND  LINE

BRIGADE 2: Generalmajor von Schimmelpfennig von der Oye (AVERAGE)
(2 Cav + 3 Art)
Hussar Regiment #6 : 5 Squadrons 24 figures  LINE
Horse Artillery (Gause) #2 : Battery 3 Sections of 6lb  LINE

SAXONS
BRIGADE 3: Generalmajor von Bevilaqua (Saxon) (POOR)
(6 Btn + 4 Art)
Infantry Regiment #1 (Kurfurst) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE
Infantry Regiment #4 (Pz Clemens) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE
Infantry Regiment #9 (Pz Xavier) : 2 Battalions (1200) 20 figures each  LINE
Foot Artillery : Battery 4 Sections of 6lb  SECOND LINE

BRIGADE 4: Generalmajor von Trutzschler (Saxon)  (AVERAGE)
(2 Cav + 3 Art)
Hussar Regiment #1 : 5 Sqdns 24 figures  LINE
Horse Artillery (Grossmann) : Battery 3 Sections of 6lb  LINE
---



French Forces
Commander V Corps : Maréchal Jean Lannes (EXCELLENT)
2 AdC

1st Infantry Division : Général de Division Louis Gabrial Suchet  (EXCELLENT)
Général de Brigade Michel Marie Claparède
(2 Btn)
17th Légère Regt : Two Battalions (1500) 24 Figures each  ELITE

Général de Brigade Honoré Reille
(6 Btn)
34th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (3000) 24 Figures each  VETERAN
40th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

Général de Brigade Dominique Honoré Antoine Marie Vedel
(6 Btn)
64th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN
88th Ligne Regt : Three Battalions (2250) 24 Figures each  VETERAN

Divisional Artillery
Foot Artillery : Battery (4-8pdr, 2-4pdr & 2-6" How) 4 Sections 8lb  VETERAN
Horse Artillery : Battery (2-6pdr, 2-3pdr & 2-5.3" How) 3 Sections 6lb  ELITE

Cavalry Brigade : Général de Brigade Anne Francois Trelliard
(3 Cav)
9th Hussars : Three Squadrons 12 figures  VETERAN
10th Hussars : Three Squadrons 12 figures  VETERAN
21st Chasseurs à Cheval : Three Squadrons 16 figures  VETERAN
---


Historical Situation:
Fought on October 10, 1806, Saalfeld was a small but significant action between Prince Louis Ferdinand with 8,300 men and Maréchal Jean Lannes with 12,800 men. Although he had no direct orders to do so, Louis was trying to prevent the French from taking Hohenlohe's army in the flank.
Lannes pinned Louis and used his superior numbers to outflank him. Louis, though a competent commander, had little practical experience and vastly underestimated the French. Louis, leading a desperate charge, was killed by a marechal-de-logis of the French 10th Hussars that day.

The opening actions of the campaign did nothing to reassure the King of Prussia or share his generals' confidence. "You said that the French cavalry was worthless," he told his advisors after Saalfeld. "Look what their light cavalry has done to us! Imagine what their cuirassiers will do!" At Saalfeld the Prussian and Saxon force lost 1,700 - 1,800 men killed, wounded, or captured. As well, 15 Prussian guns and 18 Saxon guns with ammunition wagons and most of the baggage were taken. French losses were approximately 200 men killed or wounded.

Objectives:
The French are looking for a passage over the Saale River. Capturing a crossing at Romschultz, Graba, or Saalfeld will give them a victory. The Allied army aims to prevent this.




Briefings and Orders of Battle

Generalleutnant Louis-Ferdinand, Prinz von Prussen : Today is Oct. 10, 1806. You are the advance guard of Hohenloe's army which is today moving to consolidate. Fearing that the French might cross the river Saale at Saalfeld, Schwarza, or Blankenburg to take the main army in the flank, or rear, you have moved your command to this area and deployed to fight… if they should appear. Although you could see large camp fires last night, and a captured French soldier has told you that 30,000 French troops are advancing towards you, you don't expect to encounter anymore then an advance guard.

Initial Prussian/Saxon Orders :
Brigades are to be deployed as suggested by the map. Brigades are organized as listed and artillery is attached to the brigades.

·         Generalmajor von Pelet : On HOLD.
·         Generalmajor von Schimmelpfennig von der Oye : On HOLD.
·         Generalmajor von Bevilaqua : On HOLD.
·         Generalmajor von Trutzschler : On SUPPORT. Supporting the right of Bevilaqua's line.





V Corps Commander : Maréchal Jean Lannes : Today is October 10, 1806. You have been ordered to attack Saalfeld and Maréchal Augereau has been ordered to support you. Although Augereau is not close to you, you estimate that the enemy force to your front is no more than 10,000 men. Rather than wait for Augereau’s troops, you have decided to attack with the forces you have at hand. The majority of your force is presently marching from Grafenthal.

Initial French Orders :
·         Général de Brigade Michel Claparède : (ENGAGE) Take Garnsdorf, Beulwitz, and Crosten.
·         Général de Brigade Anne Francois Trelliard : (HOLD) Awaiting orders from Lannes.
·         Général de Brigade Dominique Vedel : (ENGAGE) Drive away Schimmelpfennig and make for Saalfeld.
·         Général de Brigade Honoré Rielle : (ENGAGE) Attack Bevilaqua’s Saxons in support of Cleparede.


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