Summary of PBEM Test Campaign

PBEM Test Campaign

The aim of the campaign was to play test a set of rules which would allow me to convert my solo 1813 campaign to a PBEM campaign. The first draft of the rules had to be amended to give the corps commanders more influence on the campaign, but despite that the campaign worked very well. It also convinced me that it was well worth while to play the next phase of my 1813 campaign in PBEM.

1 April 1813

The campaign opened with the French holding the west bank of the river Elbe. XIII corps held Domnitz in the north, including the main road to Hamburg. IV corps held Magdeburg in the south. V and VI corps were in reserve further west waiting to see what the Prussians would do.

The Prussian army was closed up just east of the river, ready to cross between Domnitz and Magdeburg.

2 April 1813

IV corps moved north to close the gap between them and XIII corps. In doing so they also prevented 4^th corps crossing at Parey. However the remaining three Prussian corps crossed the river unopposed.

V and VI corps marched east on the main Hanover to Magdeburg road, expecting the main Prussian advance to be in this open area, rather than through the mountains to the north.

3 April 1813

The Prussians continued to advance west into the mountains. In doing so they cut communications between XIII corps at Domnitz and the remainder of the French army.

The French continued to concentrate just north of Magdeburg, unaware of the Prussian thrust in the centre

4 April 1815

Two battles were fought today, one at Salzwedel and the second at Colbitz.

XIII moved south in an attempt to reopen communications with the remainder of the French army. 3^rd corps blocked their path at Salzwedel. The Prussians held their ground, and XIII corps was forced to withdraw to Domnitz

The second was a larger, but more confused battle. As the Prussians attempted to expand their bridgehead their leading 1^st corps clashed with IV corps who were holding Colbitz. 4^th corps were unable to cross the river to support 1^st corps. However the arrival of 2^nd corps late in the afternoon forced IV corps to abandon Colbitz and fall back on Magdeburg.

5 April 1813

The Prussians were now in a strong central position. They spent the day moving their army into position ready for a final push westwards.

The French had three corps in a strong position in the open ground south of the hills and north of Magdeburg.

6 April 1813

The French delivered a three corps attack on Colbitz, hoping to catch the Prussians unprepared. They had a partial success, as 1^st corps had been moved into reserve to recover from the first battle of Colbitz.

The battle developed into a bitter struggle as both sides fought over Colbitz. The French took advantage of their better commanders to launch a three pronged attack. The Prussians struggled with their less gifted corps commanders, and experienced many delays getting their troops in position. Despite this they held their ground all day, and as darkness fell still held Colbitz.

7 April 1813

Under cover of darkness the French broke contact. V and VI corps withdrew west towards Hanover, IV corps south to Magdeburg.

The Prussian army rested throughout the day, in preparation for a further advance westwards on 8 April 1813. They now held a very strong central position and were well placed to scatter the disordered French.

1813 Hanover Campaign

The test campaign was ended at this stage. I wanted to put the lessons learnt to the test with a new campaign.

That campaign will be phase six of my 1813 campaign, and can be followed here

http://new1813campaignhotmailcouk.blogspot.com/

Second battle of Colbitz - Summary

Table at nightfall

Because this was a major battle, and a critical one for the campaign, I will give a summary of the condition of each corps at nightfall.

Fighting west of Colbitz

VI French corps

The French final attack failed

They are still strong and capable of fighting next day.

They have suffered 1 casualty and have 1 brigade in rout

2 Prussian corps

This is one of the Poor Prussian commanders

They have held their position all day

They are still strong and unlikely to retreat unless ordered

They have suffered 4 casualties and have 1 brigade in rout

Fighting for Colbitz

V French corps

The French have fought hard all day and suffered heavy casualties

The corps is broken and unable to fight until routed brigades rallied

They have suffered 5 casualties and have 3 brigades in rout and 2 shaken

4 Prussian corps

This is the second Poor Prussian commander

They have struggled to garrison Colbitz, but finally managed to do so

Despite heavy casualties at nightfall they still hold both sections of the town

They are unlikely to retreat unless ordered to do so

They have suffered 6 casualties and have 2 brigades in rout

Fighting for the farm east of Colbitz

IV French corps

This corps has suffered heavy casualties, but still holds the farm at nightfall

They are unlikely to retreat unless ordered to do so

They have suffered 9 casualties and have 2 brigades in rout

1 Prussian corps

This is the best Prussian corps, and have fought hard all day

At nightfall they are still attacking and were unlucky not to take the farm

They are unlikely to withdraw unless ordered to do so

They have suffered 5 casualties and have 1 brigade in rout

Conclusion

The test campaign is to end on this battle. But if it were a normal campaign I would allow both CinC to decide what they wanted to do next.

Two of the three corps on each side are really unfit to undertake any further operations. If the battle were to continue it is likely that both sides would be so badly damaged that the campaign would have to end anyway.

Because the battle is taking place so far to the east, it would be quite reasonable for the French to withdraw west and take up another position nearer to Hanover. This would allow both sides to recover their losses.

If the Prussians were to withdraw they would have to pull back over the river Elbe. With their current casualties they would be unable to launch another attack over the river for some time, and that would signal the end of the campaign.

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.

Second battle of Colbitz - Move 11

1800 to 1900

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 11

First - French CinC

8 command points

Pass 5CP to VI corps

Second – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

5 command points

Artillery fire on shaken square, score 1 hit

Square test morale, fail and Rout through 5 brigade

5 brigade test morale, pass, now Disordered

Prussian artillery test for Rout, pass

French artillery manhandle towards Colbitz

Move general to centre of corps

21 brigade skirmish with enemy, no casualties

Shaken 24 brigade test morale, fail and Rout

21 brigade test morale for Rout, pass

23 brigade test morale for Rout, pass

Third – Prussian CinC

8 command points

Pass 5CP to 2 corps

Four – 2 Prussian corps

5 command points

Orders – Hold

Artillery fire on 23 brigade, miss

Turn cavalry to face enemy and form line

Retreat Shaken 7 brigade

Shaken 7 brigade test morale, fail, still Shaken

Routed 6 brigade test morale, fail, continue to Rout

Fifth – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

6 command points

Artillery fire on farm, miss

Hussars charge cuirassiers, which are too close to react

Cuirassiers lose 3 casualties and Rout through 17 brigade

17 brigade test morale, fail and join Rout

Hussars test to pursue, make morale and do not pursue

1 brigade form line and advance

Move general to centre of corps

2 and 4 brigade skirmish farm, no casualties

Sixth – V French corps

Orders – Attack enemy south of Colbitz

5 command points

With his cavalry brigade and two infantry brigades in Rout the corps commander is no longer able to Attack. He changes his orders to Halt

Artillery fire on hussars, miss

Routed 18 brigade test morale, fail and continue to Rout

Seventh - IV French corps

Orders – Hold

5 command points

Artillery fire canister on Shaken 3 brigade, 1 hit

3 brigade test morale, fail and remain Shaken

Move general to centre of corps

13 and 16 brigades skirmish with 1 brigade

1 brigade test morale for casualty, pass

16 brigade test morale for casualty, pass

Eighth – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Hold Colbitz

4 command points

Move gunners out of Colbitz to man guns

16 landwehr brigade garrison Colbitz

Move general to centre of corps

Move 4 cuirassiers forward to support gunners

Routed 13 brigade test morale, fail and remove from table

Routed 15 brigade test morale, fail and remove from table

Ninth - Poor Card

No effect as all Poor commanders have already moved

Rule Notes

When a brigade first Routs it moves directly away from the cause

In subsequent moves the Routers avoid friendly brigades.

After three rounds of Rout the brigade is removed if it still fails to rally

Second battle of Colbitz - Move 10

1700 to 1800

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 10

First - French CinC

8 command points

Move to V corps and change orders to “Attack right of Coblitz”

Move to VI corps

Second - Poor Card

Three - IV French corps

Orders – Hold

4 command points

Artillery fire canister on 3 Prussian brigade – 1 casualty

3 Prussian brigade test morale, fail are now Shaken

Move square to left to make space for 16 brigade

Four – 2 Prussian corps

Orders – Hold

Unable to issue orders due to Poor Card still in play

Fifth – VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

6 command points

Artillery fire on Shaken 6 Prussian brigade, miss

Artillery manhandle towards Colbitz

24 brigade advance to support 21 brigade in woods

21 and 24 brigades skirmish with 7 Prussian brigade

7 brigade test morale for casualty, fail and are now Shaken

Sixth – V French corps

Orders – Attack enemy south of Colbitz

7 command points

Artillery fire on Colbitz, 1 hit

Garrison test morale, pass

Cavalry about turn and advance towards enemy column

17, 19 and 20 brigades all advance

18 brigade test morale for Shaken, fail and Rout

20 brigade test morale for Rout, fail and are now Shaken

Seventh – 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Halt

3 command points

Landwehr brigade occupy Colbitz

Test morale for Routed 15 brigade, fail, continue to rout

Test morale for Routed 13 brigade, fail, continue to rout

Eight – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

6 command points

French cuirassier brigade test to opportunity charge 1 hussars, fail

Artillery fire canister on farm, miss

1 brigade form square against cuirassiers

1 hussars advance on flank of cuirassiers

General move to centre of corps

Shaken 3 brigade test morale, fail and remain Shaken

Ninth – Prussian CinC

7 command points

Move to 2 corps and take command of artillery

Fire canister on French 24 brigade – 1 hit

24 Brigade test morale, fail and now shaken

Rule Notes

The morale of both armies is now poor, with many Shaken brigades on both sides. Any one of these could Rout and bring any supporting brigade with them.

As the two armies close there are more opportunities for decisive action. For example the French cuirassiers have moved into charge range of enemy infantry in square. But in doing so they have exposed their flank to Prussian hussars. Much depends on which cavalry have the opportunity to move first in the next move.

Second battle of Colbitz - Move 9

1600 to 1700

6 April 1813

Table at the start of Move 9

First - Poor Card

Second – 1 Prussian corps

Orders – Engage Farm

5 command points

Artillery fire at close range on the farm, but fail to inflict any casualties

The two infantry brigades continue to skirmish the farm but also fail to inflict any casualties

Third – V French corps

Orders – Engage enemy south of Colbitz

6 command points

Artillery fire canister on the square but fail to inflict any casualties

Two infantry brigades advance and skirmish with the square

They inflict one casualty and the square must make its morale.

They fail and are Shaken

Fourth – Prussian CinC

5 command points

Concerned that 4 corps may miss their turn due to the Poor Card the CinC takes personal command of the artillery and orders them to fire canister on the nearest attack infantry brigade. They inflict casualties, the infantry fail their morale test and are Shaken

Fifth– 2 Prussian corps

Orders – Hold

5 command points

Commander unable to issue any orders due to Poor Card in play

The infantry are well placed, but he could use the cavalry to support them

He is unable to turn and deploy them due to the Poor Card

Sixth - French CinC

5 command points

Rides to V corps and takes command of the cuirassier brigade

They were not given any orders during V corps turn so he can do so now

He orders them to charge the Shaken enemy square

The cavalry win the combat and the square break and rout

Both the nearest infantry column and the gunners have to test morale for the rout

The gunners pass their morale, the infantry fail and join the rout

The cuirassiers now test morale to see if they pursue, they fail and have to pursue

They test again to see who they must charge, it is the gunners

The gunners are close enough to Colbitz to evade there, and they do so

This single cavalry charge has routed two infantry brigades and all of the artillery

Seventh - IV French corps

Orders – Hold

6 command points

Artillery fire canister on nearest column but fail to inflict any casualties

Garrison exchange fire with attacking infantry but again fail to inflict any casualties

Reserve infantry move forward between the square and the guns

Eighth– 4 Prussian corps

Orders – Halt

6 command points

With the loss of two brigades and the gunners hiding in Colbitz there is not much the commander can do. He orders the landwehr brigade to garrison the undefended part of Colbitz. He deploys his cavalry behind the town, but with two casualties they are more of a liability than an advantage. He then tries, but fails, to rally the two Shaken brigades.

Ninth– VI French corps

Orders – Engage Colbitz

4 command points

Artillery fire on the right hand enemy column and score a hit

Infantry fail morale test and are Shaken

21 brigade in the woods skirmish with enemy, but no casualties on either side

Remainder of the infantry advance towards Colbitz.

Rule Notes

CinC are allowed to take command of one brigade, but only if they do not issue any orders that turn. The brigade must not have moved during their own turn.

The battle is now approaching the crisis. Both sides are now in contact and a decisive result is likely. The cavalry charge ordered by Davout has greatly increased the chances of a French victory