pirna (august 28, 1813)
the escape towards bohemia
INTRODUCTION
Napoleon has defeated the Allied forces, Austrian, Russian and Prussian, in
Dresden after a two-day battle. Schwarzenberg, the Allied commander, has decided
that the Allies will retire, in three columns, in southern direction towards Bohemia. Its aim is twofold: on the
one hand that the Allies can reorganize to return immediately to the offensive, and on the other to drag behind
them the greatest possible number of Imperial forces, facilitating the efforts of the Allied Northern and Silesian
Armies, which are operating in other areas of Saxony following the Trachtenberg plan.
However, the eastern Russian column of Osterman-Tolstoy formed by the
Corps 2nd (Württemberg) and 5th (Yermolov), is
under the threat of the Vandamme’s II Corps who, after crossing the Elbe River in Koniggstein, is menacing to cut the
roads leading to the Bohemian frontier. In the real world, the outnumbered Russians, were forced to make a fighting withdrawal, cutting
their way through the French, until finally they were able to leave them behind and to reach the Bohemian mountain passes.
This Lasalle Scenario is loosely based on that combat.
Bibliography
- G.F. Nafziger. “Napoleon at Dresden: The Battles of August 1813”. The Emperor Press, Chicago, 1994.
-
Nafziger Orders of Battle Collection. Combined Arms Research Library.
- D. Smith. “Napoleonic Wars Data Book”. Greenhill Books, London, 1998.
- G. Fabry. “Journal des Campagnes du Prince du Württemberg 1812-1814”, Chapelot, Paris, 1907.
TABLE-TOP ADAPTATION
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.jpg)
Actual movements of the Russian and
French forces (taken from
Nafziger)
Alexander Ivanovich Count Osterman-Tolstoy
Game map
The actual battlefield
Both sides deploy
Scenario pdf file for 'Pirna'
GO TO THE BATTLE IN PICTURES
Summary of the oob
French Army
French II Corps Vandamme
- Infantry: 14 battalions
- Artillery: 3 Foot , 1 Horse batteries
- Cavalry: 3 regiments
Reinforcements
1st Light Cavalry Division Corbineau
- Cavalry: 4 regiments
1st Brigade (23rd Division) Quiot
- Infantry: 4 battalionss
Russian Army (Army Moral 37(52); Break point
12(17))
C-i-C Ostermann-Tolstoy
Russian 2nd Corps Wurttemberg
- Infantry: 12 battalions
- Artillery: 1 Position, 1 Light batteries
Cavalry Corps Pahlen III
- Cavalry: 3 regiments
- Cossacks: 3 pulks
-Artillery: 2 Horset batteries
Reinforcements
Russian 5th (Guard) Corps Yermolov
- Infantry: 4 battalions
- Cavalry: 2 regiments
- Artillery: 1 Position, 1 Light batteries
- Baggage Wagon Train: 2 units
Notes
The basic duration of the game is 24 Turns (3 hours). Bonus Turns are allowed rolling 2D6 (
p. 66 of the e-Lasalle book). The French are attacking and are the first side.
OPTIONAL RULES
Reinforcements
Units not marked as Reinforcements are on the table at the start deployed in their respective
area (see map). The rest may enter as reinforcements. Use 2D6 for the Arrival Turn (p. 91 of e-Lasalle).
The units arrive in march or attack column as desired. Each commander arrives with his first unit.
Russian
Each brigade arrives separately. Baggage units enter simultaneously in march column formation
(they take around 10 turns to clear the table).
Arrival point. Infantry A3-A4-A5 (30%/30%/40%); Cavalry A1-A2-A3-A4 (15%/ 20%/25%/40%); Baggage A5-road
French
Each brigade arrives separately.
Arrival point. Infantry D1-D2 (40%/60%); Cavalry B1-C1-D1-D2 (10%/20%/30%/ 40%)
Optional rule for baggage units (As for my suggestion in Lasalle
e-book p. 143)
(1) The wagon moves as if it were a foot artillery unit, always
limbered.
(2) The wagon neither fires nor can charge the enemy. It has only one
formation: limber. It does not block line of sight or fire. It may not
be fired upon.
(3) Friendly units may move through it, as they move through a limbered
artillery unit.
(4) Any enemy unit - regular or irregular - may charge the wagon, as
long as that unit is eligible to charge (it is in a formation that
permits it to charge, it is facing the right way, etc.)
(5) In its reaction phase, the wagon may attempt a Fall Back, as if it
were a foot artillery limber. It succeeds on a roll of 4+, but if
attacked by enemy cavalry, it must re-roll a success, even if within 1BW
of friendly infantry.
(6) If it fails to fall back, then the wagon is automatically captured
in the ensuing combat. Combat must be “resolved” against it, as if
against any other unit, but the resolution consists simply of removing
the wagon, advancing the enemy unit(s) that captured it 2BW, and
awarding the captured Objective to the enemy.
(7) Any enemy unit that contacted the wagon suffers 1DISR, unless that
would break it. (The men are dispersed, plundering the loot). The unit
must then take a discipline test. If it fails, it is marked in some way,
showing that it is disordered and still plundering.
(8) A unit that is still plundering is considered “Out of Command” for
the entirety of its side’s next turn.
Optional rule: Irregular cavalry (Cossacks)
1) Irregular cavalry units may charge enemy units standing in 'limbered' or 'march column' formation in open terrain.
2) Irregular cavalry units must to pass a 'Discipline' test to initiate the charge in open terrain.
3) If routed in 'decisive combat' the irregular cavalry unit is immediately broken.
Victory conditions
The Russian aim is to retreat into Bohemia with the two baggage units and the largest
possible number of combat units, while the French should try to avoid it. The C1 square
is an Objective for the game and the rules of p. 67 and 91 (e-Lasalle) are of application.
See a story version at the
Project Leipzig (1813) blog
THE BATTLE IN PICTURES