Pultusk 1806

Now - I know from the comments that my public (😂) were expecting me to go for Auerstadt next, but I didn't, so here's a brief introduction to the battle of Pultusk. 

In 1806, Napoleon had sought to knock Prussia out of the war as quickly as possible because, as usual, his enemies were mobilising against him. In fact, the Russians were already on the march so although he did indeed defeat Prussia, the war was far from over. As the remnants of the Prussian army were seeking to combine with the advancing Russians, the French ploughed on into East Prussia/Poland to prevent that junction and meet the new threat. The French captured Warsaw on 28 November and the Russians fell back to re-group and consolidate.

With their usual disdain for their opponents, and lack of reconnaissance, the French continued to advance and when Lannes Corps Blundered into Bennigsen's troops in a snowstorm near the town of Pultusk, the French Marshal immediately ordered the attack.  Davout's III Corps was nearby but the Russians significantly outnumbered the French. I haven't had my Russians on the table for a while and I even painted some 1805 style jaeger for the game. Unusually in this battle you have an outnumbered force with almost no artillery attacking a large, well supported, enemy who remained largely passive...

Turn 1:

The French arrive on the western edge of the battlefield and what artillery they have opens up on the Russian batteries.

The French columns approach the Russian advanced positions.

The French artillery is rolled into position.

 

 

                                                        The Russian Battery replies!

With, perhaps, inevitable results.

Turn 2:

 

The French advance - rather more cautiously than historically. 

The Russians withdraw their cavalry while pushing forward some jaeger who flank the advancing column.

 

Turn 3:

The French advance on their right - they have to make a breakthrough if they are going to stand a chance. This Russian unit is pushed back but overall there is little progress.

Having advanced into the space vacated by their adversaries, the French brigade is now exposed. It is raked by cannon fire and counter-charged by Russian cavalry. The little blue dice to the rear of the unit denotes its remaining hit points. This is not good!

 

Turn 4:

Now desperate to make some headway, Lannes moves troops from his centre to support the right and crashes on again.

The small French cavalry forces charges to relieve the pressure.

The attack is moderately successful.

Turn 5:

The Russians launch some small scale spoiling attacks to hold up the French while they withdraw their artillery and disordered units behind the second line...

Turn 6:

By the rules of the game, this division is 'exhausted' and should not be allowed to advance towards the enemy but as this is pretty much all the French have I shall let them go on and see how they fare. 

They hold. 

To their left, their comrades drive the Russians from the high ground in the centre, though at great cost.

 

On the left, part of Davout's Corp have made an appearance and launched a forlorn cavalry attack on Barclay de Tolly's command.

The Russian artillery awaits...

The Russians are retreating but they have plenty left whilst the French are reduced to single strength points in many brigades.

Turn 7:

A swirling cavalry melee develops between the French dragoon division and Barclay de Tolly's horsemen.

The French push the Russians back!

Whilst on the right they occupy a village on the outskirts of Pultusk.

 Turn 8:

The cavalry melee continues and extends, drawing more units from both sides into the maelstrom.

Due to some rather lucky dice rolling the French prevail.

The Russians however, have greater numbers and counter-charge everywhere.

Turn 9: The End!

The French cannot hope to prevail against such numbers.

Their final attack fails...

Pultusk holds and, to be honest, was never in much danger!

In avoiding what I thought would be a one-sided game with little hope for one side, I have ended up with a game which was exactly that, but at least it was pretty much the historic result and I didn't have to paint any more Prussians!