053. The Battle of Vauchamps - WDS Campaign 1814
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| Rating: | 0 (0) |
| Games Played: | 0 |
| SM: | 4 |
| Turns: | 42 |
| Type: | Custom |
| First Side: | French (Nap) |
| Second Side: | Allies (Nap) |
14 February 1814 - Historical - Intended for Head to Head play - Following his victory at Chateau-Thierry, Napoleon reversed direction and moved his army back to Montmirail. Blücher had advanced on Marmont's forces and had evicted his advance guard from Étoges. With no idea of the situation to the northeast, the Allies advanced through Champaubert and towards Vauchamps. Awaiting them was Napoleon with the bulk of his forces. Ziethen's brigade attacked and took Vauchamps but was ejected and attacked unmercifully by the French cavalry. The remnants fell back on the main Allied body and around 2:00 PM Blücher ordered a retreat. The artillery was confined to the roads due to the miserable condition of the countryside. The infantry formed a hollow long column and managed to hold off the French cavalry with great difficulty. They reached Champaubert by 5 PM only to find the way blocked by an advance guard of Grouchy's cavalry. Blücher ordered them to form a compact column and pressed by the cavalry and on to Étoges. The retreat was difficult but the Allies escaped with most of their force intact. However, the rearguard suffered severe losses as night fell and confusion reigned. The battle was a French victory but it lacked the finale for which Napoleon had wished. Still the Army of Silesia had been mauled and would never regain its confidence as an offensive force until the Battle of Paris. The scenario opens with Ziethen' capture of Vauchamps and the French are about to counterattack. The Allies to the east are fixed initially but release by 12:40 PM.
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