Nap Campaign: The Battle of Acrize

Two French forces converge on a Prussian force near the Prussian/Hanoverian border in an effort to secure Grouchy's flank in preparation for his advance into Holland/Belgium.

The Prussian force consisting of the 15th Brigade and the 1st Cavalry brigade, both of the 4th Corps, under the command of Maj Gen von Losthin, moves south to a defensive position in 28B16 to block any further moves by the French into Prussia. The French force (6) consisting of the 5th Division and a brigade of the 2nd Cavalry Division, both of the 2nd Corps under the command of Lt Gen Bachelu, have been ordered to deal with the Prussian threat to Grouchy's flank. In the map above they are in the village of Acrize. They move out of the village to intercept the Prussian force. A French Brigade (15) attempts to outflank the Prussians but is delayed due to difficult terrain. The scene is set for the Battle of Acrize.

THE BATTLE OF ACRIZE - PRUSSIA

French v Prussians

Total French = 289

CinC Lt Gen Bachelu

Total Prussians = 410

CinC Maj Gen von Losthin

Figure Scale = 6mm

8th march 1808

1300 hrs (max 16 moves)

ORDER OF BATTLE

TERRAIN (28B &14B)

Each Square = 2'3" on tabletop (note this was experimental)

4'6" x 3' table

Prussians defending square 16

French attacking from square 21

Terrain Description:

14B6   Rough broken terrain, rocky hills, stone walls, poor roads (no bonus road movement, difficult going on raised areas).

28B16  Firm heathland, fences, farm, forest (dense wood - only accessible to skirmishers), deep river.

14B1    Firm grazing land, deep river

28B21  Firm heathland, cottage, deep river, stone bridge, forest/swamp (accessible only to skirmishers)

In this photo, the table edge to the top right corner is north.

Von Losthin adopted a defensive posture aiming to block the French advance through two gaps. The responsibility for defending the western gap between a rocky hill and dense forest was given to Loebell's 18th Infantry Regiment supported by Schwerin's cavalry brigade.  

The eastern gap between the river and dense forest was given to the conscripts of the 4th Silesia Landwehr and the slightly more experienced 3rd Silesia Landwehr. They were supported by the Silesia Landwehr Cavalry.

Bachelu was fully aware of the urgency of removing the Prussian threat from Grouchy's flank and he was promised reinforcements from the 1st Corps. As he deployed in front of the Prussian position there was still no sign of the promised help. Messengers had informed him there was a brigade on the way but it was having difficulty traversing the terrain to his west. He calculated although outnumbered, his fully trained regulars would be more than a match for the largely conscript Prussian force. 

He decided to attack with the hope that reinforcements arrived before the day's end. He ordered Husson's Brigade supported by the 6th Chasseurs to attack the Prussian position directly to their front. Campy's Brigade supported by the 1st Chasseurs were to force the eastern gap. 

Campy's brigade engaged first meeting volley fire from a Silesian Landwehr battalion lining a fence and also taking casualties from a deployed artillery battery. 

The Prussian artillery needed to be dealt with and up stepped the 1st Chasseurs. They charged towards the battery who hurriedly limbered up and retired behind their own lines. They continued with their charge into a Silesian square who successfully repulsed them.

With the threat from the cavalry having receded, the Silesians reorganised their defence and waited for the French attack.

Husson's Brigade immediately ran into difficulty taking heavy casualties from a Prussian artillery battery firing cannister into their ranks. The attack stalled with the brigade seemingly rooted to the spot. They responded with volley fire which had minimal effect. A French artillery battery deployed in support but also failed to make much of an impression as casualties mounted. 

A shock came on the French right flank when the Silesian conscripts successfully routed 1/108th line from the field. It all started to look bleak for the French.

A stalemate started to develop which the 1st Chasseurs attempted to break with a charge. The Prussian artillery battery opened up with cannister flaying the troopers combined with musket fire from the farm which brought them to an immediate halt.

Husson's Brigade struggled to break the deadlock and hoped to outshoot the Prussians by maximising their firepower. As time dragged on there was still no breakthrough.

Campy's brigade again attempted to dislodge the Silesians and once again their charge was brought to an abrupt halt by unexpected steady volleys.

Commeth the hour commeth the man! Pire had an exceptional reputation as a cavalry commander and he was about to prove his worth. Husson's line of infantry heard shouting from their rear. Pire was shouting at them to move aside and quickly. Through the gap poured the 6th Chasseurs lead by Pire pointing his sword in the direction of the charge which was the Prussian artillery. The artillery crew abandoned their guns and took refuge behind the 1/18th Line. It proved to be a poor one. The 1/18th saw the Chasseurs barrelling down towards them and the Prussian battalion commander screamed at them to form square. It was too late as the Chasseurs with a triumphant Pire ripped into their ranks. 

The Prussian 1/18th were utterly destroyed and lost their flag in the process to the Chasseurs. With horses blown, Pire ordered them to retire to their own lines to reform. This dramatic charge gave the French infantry encouragement.

While this drama was being played out, a breakthrough finally came for Campy. Their perseverance paid off and the Silesian's at last gave ground. Urging his entire force on, their advance gathered speed as two Silesian battalions broke and others fell back.

It was now up to the 3rd Silesian Landwehr regt with their supporting cavalry to hold the line.

The Silesian position became increasingly tenuous as a French column advancing through the gap left by the routing conscripts appears on the flank of the 3rd Silesia. The French also capture the farm and now pose a direct threat to the final Prussian line.

On the opposite flank, von Losthin manages to stabilise his line with the remaining 2 battalions of the 18th Line once again blocking the gap through which Husson's Brigade must pass. The Prussian artillery being out of the equation was only a minor consolation to Husson as once again his brigade descended into a firefight. 

Campy's triumphant advance was not without it's setbacks. The Silesian Landwehr cavalry counter-charged the 1st Chasseurs who had faltered in the face of the unexpected charge. The Silesians succeeded in pushing them back giving them breathing space to reorganise. Maj Thile stood in front of his last formed unit, the 3rd battalion of the 3rd Landwehr and encouraged them to stand. His second battalion was in melee with the French and gradually falling back.

The Prussian last stand!

All was not going well on the opposite flank. Stalemate ensued once again. Von Losthin had brought his cavalry reserve forward to threaten any further possible breakthrough. It was obvious to Bachelu that there was no hope for any further progress here.

With darkness descending the final volleys of the day rang out. The 3/3rd Silesian Landwehr on the opposite flank retired from the field with their supporting cavalry in good order surrendering the ground to Campy. It was too late in the day for Campy to have any impact on the remaining Prussians.

Von Losthin had been made aware of a French force approaching to his rear and he therefore decided to quit the field rather than risk destruction. He reluctantly retreated further into Prussia leaving Bachelu victorious.

This was a very narrow French victory and was a battle that could have gone either way. 

CASUALTIES:

Positions by nightfall:

Next: Part 1 of Lobau's advance into Spain -

The Battle of Brandenlea