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Battle Report: 30th September 2001 Later French ~vs~ Prussian (Robert Avery & Carlo Anziano ~vs~ Steve Austin & Dave Hathaway) |
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Report An
encounter battle fought as a Prussian Corps marched towards a ridge
overlooking a town that a French Corps were investing. The
French 1st Brigade of the 1st Division advanced rapidly
through the town and managed to gain a foothold on one end of the ridge that
the Prussians were flooding with their entire 1st Division. Unfortunately,
French reinforcements were then held up and, for a time, the French fielded
only one brigade against a division and a half of Prussians, the latter having
managed to deploy half of the 2nd (Prussian) Division.
Initially successful, the French were gradually pushed backwards off
the ridge. As
French reinforcements finally arrived, a “devil’s cauldron” developed at
the bottom (French) side of the ridge: as
an area of ground overlooked on all sides became the focus of both French and
Prussian attacks. Brigade after
brigade was thrown into this melting pot, which rapidly became a confused and
crowded situation. The Prussian 2nd
(Prussian) Division was taking the brunt of the French attacks, and began to
soften but, before the French could deliver a hammer blow to finish it, was
reinforced by Barvarian troops, freed up by the retreat of the French initial
attack. Up
until now, the French had managed to keep the Prussians from properly
deploying their artillery but, as the French in the “devil’s cauldron”
consolidated, the ridge top was lined with Prussian guns!
Not only this, but French 3rd Division reinforcements were
forced to delay their advance towards their 1st Division comrades
as large numbers of Prussian cavalry appeared on their flank. Meanwhile,
the French 2nd Division had arrived on the left of the battlefield,
opposed to the now arriving Hessian Division of the Prussians.
Both sides formed rough lines, with the Hessians advancing towards the
waiting French, who made good use of their time by deploying their Corps and 2nd
Division Artillery. A
firefight developed to the advantage of the French:
longer ranged Chassepots stationary verses advancing Needle Guns,
supported by large amounts of artillery.
It looked as though, in this sector of the field, the French could hold
the Prussians…maybe even turn them back. It
was not, however, to be. Earlier
in the battle, the French lancers had charged Prussian Chevaux Legeres off
their position in the centre of the ridge.
For a time, the Lancers roamed around in the centre of the Prussian
position: causing the Prussians
to further delay their deployment forwards but not really doing much damage.
As the Prussians brought up their overwhelming numbers, the French
lancers were gradually forced backwards until they had a choice of either
retreating or charging newly advancing Prussians. Naturally,
the French charged. One regiment
almost made contact with a Prussian infantry battalion, but ended up routing
back down the ridge: causing some
consternation amongst the French 2nd Division infantry.
The other regiment attempted to mix it with the Prussian Hussars:
but was likewise routed, and further shook the 2nd Division
infantry. The
defeat of the French Lancers had opened a slight gap in the centre of the
French line, between the 1st and 2nd Divisions, into
which some more Prussian cavalry began to stream.
The French Cuirassiers were thrown against them, but to no avail. With
their battered 1st Division threatened by two regiments of Prussian
artillery; their 2nd Division compromised on a flank by Prussian
cavalry; and their 3rd Division still some way from playing a
significant role, the French had no option but to retreat. Casualties Heavy! Results A
victory for the Prussians. Analysis The French plan was to hit the Prussians hard and fast in an attempt to stop them gaining the ridge commanding the battlefield and to stop them properly deploying their superior numbers and, especially, their superior artillery. Although initially meeting with some success, the French could never concentrate enough men to crack the Prussian line and, as the battle went on and more Prussian troops kept appearing, both French commanders felt much as their historical counterparts must have: a Canute-like feeling of trying to hold back a tide of Prussians with only a paper army to do it with. An excellent battle. |
