Lippendorf 1813

Based on the scenario laid out in my previous post, we played out the Engagement at Lippendorf on Saturday Dec. 8th. The battle began at 10am and ended at 2:45pm. Jeff and Mike commanded the Allied force consisting of Austrians, Russians, and Prussians. The Allies had an Austrian commander who was rated Excellent. The 4 brigades of French troops were led by Eddie and I. The French commander was rated Excellent.

On the Allied side, Mike led the Austrian Infantry brigade and the Russian Dragoon Cavalry brigade while Jeff had 2 brigade of Prussians. Since I forgot to get copies of their rosters I am listing an estimated (but reasonably accurate) Allied order of battle...

Allies

Austrian Division Commander (Excellent)

No AdC

 

1st Brigade Prussians
Brigade Skirmish Bn	Line	1st Class SK
Landwehr Bn	Conscript
Landwehr Bn	Conscript
Landwehr Bn	Conscript
Landwehr Bn	Conscript

2nd Brigade Prussians
Light Infantry	Line	1st Class SK
Reserve Infantry	Conscript
Reserve Infantry	Conscript
Hussars	Elite
Landwehr Cavalry	Conscript
4 Sections 6lb Foot Artillery	Line

3rd BrigadeAustrian Infantry
Grenz	Line	1st Class SK
Infantry	Line
Infantry	Line
Infantry	Line
3 Sections 6lb Foot Artillery	Line

4th Brigade Russian Dragoons
Russian Dragoons	Line
Russian Dragoons	Elite

The French brigades were a bit smaller but of, generally, better quality. Eddie had Gonalons' Infantry brigade and Gorgelin's Cavalry brigade. I commanded Grenier's Infantry brigade and Lloris' Chasseur a Cheval Cavalry brigade. Here is our order of battle...

General de Division Vercoutre (Excellent)

1 AdC (Average)

 

1st Brigade GdB Gonalons (Average)
1st Bn  21st Legere	Veteran	1st Class SK
1st Bn 61st Ligne	Veteran
2nd Bn 61st Ligne	Veteran
1st Bn 67th  Ligne	Veteran
2nd Bn 67th  Ligne	Veteran

2nd Brigade GdB Grenier (Average)
2nd Bn  21st Legere	Veteran	1st Class SK
2nd Bn  23rd Legere	Veteran	1st Class SK
1st Bn 51st Ligne	Veteran
2nd Bn 51st Ligne	Veteran
4 Sections 6lb Foot Artillery	Veteran

3rd Brigade GdB Gorgelin (Average)
Lancers	Veteran

4th Brigade GdB Lloris (Average)
7th Chasseurs a Cheval	Veteran
14th Chasseurs a Cheval	Elite

Initial positions and directions of movement

The action opened with a general advance by the Allies while the French troops of Gorgelin, Gonalons, and Grenier dashed forward while the cavalry of Lloris held back. It soon became obvious that Gorgelin's outnumbered Lancers would be forced to engage in a melee with the Russian Dragoons in order to protect the advancing infantry of Gonalons. About the time that Gonalons reached the hill to his front the Russian Cavalry announced a charge. With no real choice, Gorgelin's Cavalry counter-charged. This gave the left flank battalions of Gonalons time to make squares as they cheered on the brave Lancers. The two cavalry brigades crashed together and the weight of numbers quickly told. The Lancers lost the melee, and half of the men in the unit, and retreated towards the rear with the victorious Russians in close pursuit. As Gonalons' troops deployed onto the hill to engage the advancing Austrian Infantry, they could only watch in horror as the Russian Cavalry caught and destroyed the remaining French Lancers. 

Meanwhile, the Prussian 1st and 2nd Brigades advanced toward farm and the hill. The farm fell into their hands without a fight as they were no French troops available to dispute the advance of the Landwehr. The presence of Lloris' Chasseurs kept the Landwehr rooted in the area of the farm. Grenier's Frenchmen rapidly gained possession of much of the hillock that the Prussian 2nd Brigade was moving towards so the Prussians halted and prepared an attack. What followed was several turns of fire between the skirmish lines. 

Grenier's artillery was forced to re-orient its facing toward the left wing to deal with the Russian Dragoons now lurking to the French left-rear. The skirmishers of Gonalons and Grenier began to inflict harsh casualties on the Allied units while Gonalons' squares kept the lurking Russian Cavalry from exploiting their fortunate position. Soon, under heavy artillery fire and with no place to charge, the Russian Cavalry moved back to its starting point on the Allied right wing. 

Now things really heated up. The French troops of Gonalons and Grenier were able to fully deploy and began to decimate the Austrian Infantry and the Prussian 2nd Brigade's infantry. Mike's unlucky dice saw the much-suffering Austrians began to fail morale and fall back. Grenier's troops were doing well against both Prussian Brigades and it seemed like time to add Lloris' Cavalry into the mix. Lloris led his Chasseurs in a charge against the Prussian Landwehr Cavalry that sat in the area between the 1st and 2nd Prussian Brigades. It looked like an easy victory. It was not. The Chasseurs became locked in melee with the smaller Prussian cavalry unit. Eventually the French numbers and superior morale won out and threw the Prussian horsemen back. Unfortunately for the Chasseurs, the prolonged melee had allowed the Prussian Hussars to move into position and they struck Lloris' men on the very next turn. The Chasseurs lost the melee and retreated away from the Prussian Hussars. 

Soon after those events the battle was over. The Austrian Infantry had been driven back but Gonalons could not finish them off as the Russian Dragoons hovered menacingly on the wings. The Prussian 2nd Brigade's infantry was decimated and had been pushed off of the hill in front of Grenier. The Prussian 1st Brigade firmly held the farm and the Russian Cavalry had undisputed control of the Lippendorf area.

The French had lost a regiment of Lancers, the Chasseurs had suffered @30% losses, and the infantry brigades had lost @10 to 15% casualties. Surprisingly, no French generals were killed even though they constantly led from the front. The Allies lost @ 50% of the Austrian Infantry, lost @40% of the Prussian 2nd Brigades infantry, and suffered little in the other units. Two Allied officers were wounded but soon returned during the battle.

When I get time I will attempt to upload a few photos.