| Rating: |
8.8 (1) |
| Games Played: |
1 |
| SM: |
4 |
| Turns: |
48 |
| Type: |
Custom |
| First Side: |
French (Nap) |
| Second Side: |
Allies (Nap) |
7 March 1814 - Historical - Intended for Head to Head play - Napoleon's advance to the north had the Allies scampering back in retreat. With various formations strung out along the line of the Aisne river Napoleon was thwarted in breaking the line at Soissons so moved further east to get across at Berry-au-Bac. A light skirmish was successful in gaining the bridge and the French advanced on Craonne enroute to Laon. There they found Allies in the and attacked them causing them to retreat from the village to the west. The French encamped at Craonne and on the following day learned that there was a strong Russian force positioned to the west. Blücher was determined to make a stand to the west on the high plateau while having troops fall on the French right flank. Thus while the Allies prepared for battle on the high ground, Ney was ordered to move west, north of the plateau, and fall on their left flank. The Guard cavalry were ordered to move south of the plateau and gain the high ground and turn their position which was just due west of a choke point near a farm. The natural strength of the position would mean that the French would have to attack through the neck and not be able to bring their superior numbers to bear. Napoleon gained the summit and positioned some artillery to engage the Allies at 9 AM. Hearing the firing Ney made a premature advance on the Russians before more French troops could be positioned to attack from the east. Ney's Young Guard forces made several attacks during the morning with all of them failing miserably. Likewise the Guard cavalry gained the heights but the strength of the position caused them to be unable to exploit any success they had. Finally more French forces arrived and Napoleon formed a large battery which swept the area where the Russians were positioned. Knowing that the battle was going to go against them the Russian commander, Voronsov, called for a retreat. The Allies conducted a fine fall-back defense and night called a halt to any further action. Both sides lost roughly the same amount (the French slightly higher) but they were losses that Napoleon could ill afford to lose and his strategy at the battle was poor. The position should have been bypassed entirely by using the southern road along the valley of the Aisne river to completely turn it and attempt to trap the Allies before they could exit the plateau. Another opportunity was lost and the French suffered terrible losses for yet another hollow victory.
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