Second battle of Colbitz - Move 12

1900 to 2000

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 12

First - IV French corps

Orders – Hold

6 command points

Artillery fire canister on 3 Prussian, one hit

3 brigade, already shaken, test morale for third casualty, fail and rout

Prussian artillery, within 4”, test morale for rout, pass

13 and 16 brigades skirmish with 1 Prussian, no casualties

15 brigade (farm garrison) skirmish with 4 Prussian, one Prussian casualty

4 brigade test morale for first casualty, pass

Second – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Hold Colbitz

3 command points

Artillery fire on Prussian gunners, only available target, no casualties

Test morale for shaken 15 brigade, fail remain shaken

Third – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

7 command points

Artillery fire canister on farm, one hit

Garrison test morale for second casualty, pass

General moves to centre of corps

2 and 4 brigade skirmish farm garrison, no casualties

1 brigade skirmish 13 French, no casualties

Fourth - French CinC

7 command points

Move to V corps and change orders from Halt to Hold

Fifth – Prussian CinC

6 command points

Take command of 2 corps artillery

Fire on 23 French, no casualties

Six – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

6 command points

Artillery fire on Colbitz, no casualties

22 brigade advance to skirmish Colbitz garrison, no casualties

23 brigade advance to skirmish 4 Prussian, no casualties

Test morale for routed 24 brigade, fail continue to rout

Seven – V French corps

Orders – Hold

5 command points

Artillery fire canister on Colbitz, one hit

Garrison test morale for second casualty, pass

Test morale for routed cavalry brigade, fail continue to rout

Test morale for routed 17 brigade, pass become shaken

Test morale for routed 18 brigade, pass become shaken

Test morale for shaken 20 brigade, fail and rout

Test morale for 19 brigade, within 4” of rout, fail join rout

Eighth - Poor Card

Ninth – 2 Prussian corps

4 command points

Orders – Hold

Unable to issue orders due to Poor Card still in play

Test morale for shaken 7 brigade, pass become disordered

Test morale for routed 6 brigade, fail continue to rout

Conclusion

It is now nightfall and the fighting draws to a close.

The Prussians hold Colbitz at nightfall and are therefore the victors. However both sides have suffered heavy casualties, and neither side can claim a convincing victory.

As both CinC are present at the battle, I would ask both to write orders to confirm what they want to do during the night. If both decide to fight on a second day will be fought. In that case all casualties would remain, but all brigades would return to their corps and would start the battle on normal morale.

Because this battle if so critical, and because it is the end of the test campaign, I will write up a summary of both armies as at nightfall, and the options were the campaign to continue.