043. Rearguard Action at Bergfried - WDS Campaign Eylau-Friedland

3 February 1807 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - Napoleon had pinned Bennigsen near the Jankowo area. Sending Soult with two divisions of infantry and one of dragoons, he ordered him to capture the bridge at Bergfried on the Alle River and turn Bennigsen's flank. Once Napoleon knew that Sould had achieved his goal then the French army turn attack Bennigsen's left flank. However, the march to the north for Soult's force was slow, the day grew late and it was not until 3pm that the actual attack could get underway. A spirited assault finally took the bridge but too late to make any difference in the campaign. Bennigsen became aware that his flank had been compromised and he retreated from Jankowo with Napoleon not being able to do much about it. Had Napoleon used less forces in the pinning operation and moved with most of his army north he might have been able to cross at Bergfried and Guttstadt (which Guyot's cavalry had captured) and fall on Bennigsen's flank with more men. As it was the race for Eylau was on! A series of rearguard actions, this being the first, would take place prior to the big battle. Note: the 4th and 28th Ligne were looking for a place to cross the Alle River. They are fixed to start the scenario but release at 3:40pm after their fruitless search for a ford.