Second battle of Colbitz - Move 5

1200 to 1300

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 5

First - French CinC

8 command points

Move to V corps

Change orders to “Engage enemy south of Colbitz”

Return to IV corps

Second– 2 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

5 command points

Move cavalry out of artillery range

Advance three infantry brigades

Third – Prussian CinC

5 command points

Move to 2 corps

Change orders to “Hold”

Fourth - IV French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

5 command points

Fire on enemy cavalry, total 7, miss

Move 15 infantry brigade into farm (4 moves)

Check morale for routed cavalry, total 2, continue rout

Note – 15 brigade allowed multiple moves as no enemy within 16”

Fifth - Poor Card

Sixth – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Halt

4 command points

Corps commander unable to issue orders as Poor Card is still in play

Seventh – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

5 command points

Limber artillery

Corps advance towards Colbitz

Note – now that enemy cavalry have withdrawn corps able to advance

Eighth – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Move to Colbitz

5 command points

Change orders to Halt

Deploy four infantry brigades

Ninth – V French corps

Orders – Engage enemy south of Colbitz

4 command points

Artillery fire on square, total 5, miss

Move cavalry out of artillery range

Rule Notes

1 Prussian corps had to change their “Move” orders to “Halt” because they have reached Colbitz, their objective. They, and 4 corps, must now wait for new orders from the Prussian CinC

The Prussian CinC has had to abandon his Poor Commanders to the luck of the Poor Card in order to issue fresh orders to 2 corps. With two Poor Commanders he is always torn between managing the battle by the issue of orders, or passing his CP to a Poor Commander who would otherwise have lost his turn to the Poor Card.