Second battle of Colbitz - Move 3

1000 to 1100

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 3

First – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

5 command points

Cavalry advance 10”

Remainder of corps advance 12” behind cavalry

Note – cavalry are now within charge range of enemy cavalry, and remainder of the corps are deployed in column of attack.

Second – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

5 command points

Artillery advance and unlimber

Infantry change formation from column of march to column of attack

Note – corps have deployed out of charge range of enemy cavalry, as their own have been detached.

Third – 2 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

5 command points

Artillery advance and unlimber

Change infantry from column of march to column of attack

Reposition general

Infantry start to deploy facing VI French

Fourth - French CinC

8 command points

Move 40” to join IV corps

Change orders from Engage Colbitz to Hold

Note – IV corps is isolated and could be attacked by two Prussian corps. CinC wants to bring up V and VI corps to supporting distance before they continue to advance on Colbitz.

Fifth - Poor Card

Sixth – V French corps

Orders – Engage farm

5 command points

Cavalry advance to western edge of farm

Remainder of corps advance 16” in column of march

Note – corps can only risk advancing close to enemy in column of march because they have cavalry to screen their march.

Seven – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Halt

5 command points

General unable to issue any orders due to Poor Card still in play

Eighth – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Move to Colbitz

5 command points

Cavalry form line from column

Cavalry advance to cover corps march

Remainder of corps advance 8” in column of march

Infantry change from column of march to column of attack

Nine – Prussian CinC

5 command points

Pass 2 CP to 4 corps

Note – Blucher has remained with 4 corps so that he can pass command. He has a low dice throw, and it takes 2 CP to pass command. So 4 corps will only have 2CP

Ten – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Halt

2 command points

Move artillery and deploy to face west

Note – this corps is facing IV corps from the south and V corps from the west. Their cavalry and leading infantry brigade are facing IV corps, the artillery V corps. The Poor card is causing havoc in their deployment

Rule Notes

Once more the Poor Card is causing much confusion for the Prussians, and particularly 4 corps who have been affected twice.

In a larger battle, where both sides usually have at least one Poor commander, the effect is widespread. In a single corps battle we do not use the Poor Card, unless both generals are Poor. It is unfortunate that the two Poor commanders in this battle are both Prussian