082. Eylau: Davout's Attack - Part 2 - WDS Campaign Eylau-Friedland

8 February 1807 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - This scenario depicts the second part of Davout's flanking attack. For four hours the divisions of Friant and Morand had battled the Russians for possession of Serpallen. Both sides had lost large numbers of men. Finally, Davout formed up Gudin's 3rd Division for the attack. The resulting assault pressed the Russians far to the north thus causing their line to recoil in the center bending it back to help stop the attack of the III Corps. There is no doubt that had Napoleon had a strong reserve in the center that the battle would have been won. As it was Davout's attack came dangerously close to winning the battle outright. Bennigsen had no knowledge of the approach of L'Estocq's Prussians. Truly the entire Russian command system was paralyzed at this point with the individual division commanders making decisions that would impact the outcome of the battle. Davout's men finally took Kutschitten and the Auklappen farm. It was the high water mark of the French assault. From then on the French would be on the defensive. Important note: St. Hilaire's entire division will be withdrawn at 3pm due to orders from Napoleon to help out with the situation in the center.