| Rating: |
8.5 (1) |
| Games Played: |
1 |
| SM: |
5 |
| Turns: |
54 |
| Type: |
Custom |
| First Side: |
French (Nap) |
| Second Side: |
Allies (Nap) |
26 August 1813 - Historical - Intended to be played Head to Head - The Battle of the Katzbach never should have happened as both Maréchal MacDonald and General der Kavallerie Blücher stumbled into each other near the town of Liegnitz. The result was a French disaster that could have been avoided had MacDonald better understood the terrain. The flooded river system made traversing the waterways hazardous and prohibitive for a successful military mission. Nonetheless it was fought during a heavy rainstorm and the endurance of the men was truly astounding. Ney had been ordered by Napoleon to Dresden but only in person. However, he interpreted the order that he should bring his III Corps with him. As a result the III Corps would head to the west before the mistake was realized. Meanwhile, MacDonald, unaware of the mistake, ordered the army forward to Jauer in several separate columns, instead of concentrating his men first and then advancing. Blücher, likewise, saw Napoleon's departure from his front a sign that he should advance in accordance with the plans of the Allies to always keep pressure on Napoleon's lieutenants. Thus both armies ran into each other at various places along the line of the Katzbach. The mud caused by the heavy rain made maneuvering artillery almost impossible and infantry fire was nonexistent. The rivers became flooded by mid afternoon and the bridges washed out. The III Corps, commanded by GD Souham, was late in getting out of Liegnitz and instead of passing across the Katzbach near Dohnau instead moved through Kroitsch and thence across the Katzbach and beyond to Nieder Crayn where they crossed the Neisse. They mounted the plateau along with a light cavalry division and found Blücher's Right Wing and Center moving on him after some debate on which formation to adopt (Yorck wanted to form his corps into line but Blücher overruled him and had them men form columns). Meanwhile, Lauriston was facing the Allied Left Wing to Souham's right (left bank of the Neisse) and was having problems of his own. After an initial advance his attack bogged down in the face of a determined defensive stand near Henersdorf. Short one division that was sent to the south to block a supposed advance by St. Priest, the V Corps had two divisions and some cavalry to attack an enemy of like size. The result was that they were pressed back after numerous attacks. Meanwhile, disaster was in the making as Souham's men were driven back to the river. Elements of MacDonald's XI Corps could not help stem the tide and the men were driven back to the river which by now was fully flooded. Guns were abandoned in a mad dash to ford the river. Thousands surrendered and the 8th Division was eliminated as a fighting force. The other III Corps divisions finally crossed the Katzbach at Schmokwitz but were too late in helping Souham hold his position. The French fell back many kilometers that evening and the advance on Blücher was over. With the Battle of Dresden in progress to the west the French would be occupied elsewhere for many days but the effects of the battle would never be forgotten. Intended to be played Head to Head. Important notes: there is a Bridge Damage value of 50 to model the rising river and the eventual loss of the bridges. There are many fords that cross the rivers. These will cost units one turn to enter. Leaving the hex is as per other terrain. Thus there are no other Paths on the map. All roads are represented either by Roads or Pikes. Some routes were left off of the map as unneccessary. Be sure to check the Release Dialog to check on formations which Fix to reflect the uncertainty of the Allied command concerning the French locations.
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