119. The Battle of Deppen-Ankendorf - WDS Campaign Eylau-Friedland

6 June 1807 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - Following the battle of the previous day, Ney's VI Corps had taken up a position first at Queet but then finally at Ankendorf which enjoyed fine defensive advantages. With cavalry and some infantry guarding his vital left flank and some cavalry watching the right flank, the VI Corps looked to delay Bennigsen's army as long as possible. With Bagration' 3rd Kolonne and Constantine's Reserve (6th) Kolonne initially in reserve, Bennigsen sent in the 2nd and 4th Kolonnes. Ney's position was such that the Russians were stymied at every approach. The French held their line for several hours. When Bagration's Egers were finally fed into the battle they tried to turn Ney's right flank via the vast woods on his right flank but were stopped by the French light troops. Finally the 4th Kolonne commander, Gorchakov, decided to outflank Ney's position and began moving off to the south and west. The wise French commander saw his opportunity and hurled his forces against Sacken's men. Sending them reeling he then ordered his corps to retreat to Deppen. His two divisions fought in echelon allowing first one brigade and then another to fall back while each covered the other's retreat. A harrowing retreat to Deppen culminated with the Grodno Hussars attacking the 6th Légère to cut off their path to the bridge. The Légère regiment formed square and like the veterans they were kept the hussars at bay while also retreating in good order and across the Passarge. Once again the Russians had lost an opportunity to destroy the VI Corps. By holding the Reserve (6th) Kolonne in reserve Bennigsen gave up any chance of defeating the French on this day. Ney's ragged but proud fighters retreated to the safety of the Passarge River and the initiative was firmly in the hands of Napoleon. See "Deppen-Ankendorf_SSR.pdf" for Special Scenario rules for a more historical flavor to the scenario. Restrictions on Ney's VI Corps crossing the Passarge River are enforced if using those rules.