28th March 1814 – Battle of Bad Kreuznach

Oppenheim Campaign area

Encounter battle, both Armies attack

Russian           39,600 infantry           4000 cavalry               120 guns

French             54,400 infantry           3900 cavalry               120 guns

Russian HQ     move with 3 corps

1 corps            move to E5 on attack

2 corps            move to E4 on attack.  

3 corps            move to E5 on attack

4 corps            move to E4 on attack

French HQ       move with 2 corps

2 corps             move F05,G05 on attack

8 corps             move F04,G04 on attack

14 corps           move F06,G06 on attack

20 corps          move E05 on attack

Table at start of wargame

Russian Brigades        10 infantry      4 cavalry         4 artillery

French Brigades          14 infantry      4 cavalry         4 artillery

Russian HQ                  arrive move 1           

1 corps                         arrive move 1

2 corps                        start on table

3 corps                         start on table

4 corps                        arrive move 1

French HQ                     start on table

2 corps                          start on table

8 corps                          start on table

14 corps                        start on table

20 corps                        arrive move 1

Note – Blind top right is a blank, there is nothing there

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

All corps either advance or deploy cavalry to recce

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

Guard cavalry charge and rout Cossacks

3 Russian and 8 French spotted

Remainder advance

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

2 Russian and 2 French spotted

Russian blind (top right) spotted and removed

French 2/6 infantry 10% artillery casualties

8 French corps advance to attack hill

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

8 French attack 2 Russian on hill

Russian gunners receive 10% casualties and retreat  shaken

Russian cuirassiers charge, and rout, French cuirassiers

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

1 Russian spotted by 14 lancers, who receive 10% casualties and retreat shaken

2 French infantry receive 30% casualties, pass morale test

2 Russian cuirassiers charge guard cavalry, who retire shaken

2 Russian artillery rally and return towards hill

4 Russian cuirassiers charge 8 cuirassiers, who lose melee and retire shaken

8 French ordered to abandon attack on hill

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

2 Russian cuirassiers charge and rout shaken guard cavalry with 40% casualties

4 Russian cuirassiers charge and rout shaken 8 cuirassiers

French CinC orders a general retreat

Game Casualties

French lose 2,400 infantry and 700 cavalry

Russians lose 400 infantry, 100 cavalry and 100 gunners

Game Summary

The opening artillery barrage is ineffective on both sides

But a lucky round causes 2 Russian artillery to retreat shaken

The French order a risky attack on the hill held by 2 Russian

The Russian cavalry advance and engage the French cavalry

The Russians win the cavalry battle with losses of 100 against 700

They then threaten the flank of 8 French, who call off the attack

Casualties have been relatively light

But it is clear to the French commander that further attack is out of the question

He orders a general retreat before the Russians can pin him down

Total casualties, including from earlier battles,  at the end of the battle

Russians  3,800 casualties

French 3,100 casualties and one cavalry brigade in rout