Nap Campaign: The 2nd Battle of Ainsworth (Prussia) Part 2

A little more detail now about what happened between Foy's Division and Kraft's Brigade. Firstly to clarify that it was not just Foy's Division but also included Gengoult's Brigade of the 10th Division. This brigade is in the centre right of the photo attacking the Prussians in the woods. The two brigades of Foy's Division are Gauthier's Brigade (attacking Prussians centre left) and Jamin's Brigade (bottom left and yet to engage). Gauthier's and Gengoult's Brigades had clashed with the Prussian 9th Infantry Regiment (strung out through the woods with all 3 battalions in contact). Immediately behind the 9th Infantry are the 2 battalions of the 26th Infantry (middle top) and the 3 battalions of the 1st Elbe Landwehr (in woods to right of 26th) and all in column formation. To the right of the photo is part of Reckow's 2nd Elbe Landwehr.

The 9th Infantry reeled under the impact of the French columns but held their ground. In the second round of melee, Jamin's Brigade charged into the swirling mass of troops within the woodland. Gradually the 9th Infantry gave way as their casualties mounted. Some of the French battalions had suffered a severe mauling in the process. 

With pressure building on the Prussian left, Friccius was ordered to support Kraft with his 3rd Westphalia Landwehr together with an attachment of the Silesian Rifles (bottom middle and left) from the 1st Corps 3rd Brigade.

On the Prussian right Lettow's 10th Infantry had expelled Husson's Brigade from the burning building and largely cleared them from the hill. Husson became increasingly frustrated and concerned by the persistent attacks of the Prussians which had left him permanently on the backfoot. As soon as he had rallied or reformed a battalion it was being hit again and relentlessly pushed back. Support had arrived with the 3 Middle Guard Grenadier battalions having formed a line on the heights to Husson's rear.

Campy (on hill middle left) angled two battalions to cover the valley. Two battalions lining the hill opened fire on the advancing 3rd Neumark Landwehr lead by Schmalensee. Several fell but to the surprise of the French, the Prussian conscripts had every intention of putting them to the bayonet. French confidence faltered as the Landwehr charged up the slope and into the 2 French line battalions. The French were unceremoniously repulsed from the forward slope of the hill leaving a gaping hole in Campy's line. Fortunately for him the Landwehr had become unformed and had not pursued which gave Campy time to plug the gap.

To the rear of the Prussian right flank, Braun had begun repositioning the 4th Corps reserve artillery to counter the massed French batteries in the centre. Sydow's 3rd Cavalry Brigade continues to move out to the clearer ground to protect the Prussian right from any cavalry interference. Fischer (bottom right) leads the 1st Silesia Landwehr forwards but is halted by the mass of artillery passing his front!

Action in the centre was largely confined to artillery fire. The Prussians in particular were keen to cancel out some of the French advantage in artillery, and although conventional wisdom dictates that counter-battery fire is a poor use of artillery, the Prussian cannon have some success in disrupting the French artillery line (top right). 

Stengel (middle left) leads out the 19th Infantry towards a small wood. It is Blucher's intention to gradually build up pressure on the French left and centre as their left flank is rolled up by the 4th Corps.

Further over towards the Prussian left, the Guards Heavy Cavalry now threatens the Prussian centre. Even more of a worry for the Prussians is the deployment of Guard Horse Artillery. The French artillery up until now had been firing at long range, and although they had inflicted casualties, the extreme range had limited their impact. The Guard Artillery had turned its attention firstly to a battery of Prussian artillery (bottom centre). Their first salvo destroyed a cannon and killed several crew causing a morale test (red micro dice). 

An overview of the current situation.

The intensity of the fight and the desperation of the Prussian position on their left reached a crescendo. The 9th Infantry had finally succumbed with their woodland fight with two of its battalions fleeing the field. Fortunately the remaining battalions of Kraft's Brigade did not break at the sight of their regular comrades streaming past them. Reuss and Bismarck charged their 26th Infantry and 1st Elbe Landwehr into the gap left by the 9th. They enjoyed initial success repelling some of the tiring French battalions but then they gradually gave ground under pressure from the 9th and 10th French Divisions.  

Reckow, who had been sat patiently on the left of Kraft's Brigade, could see that something bold was needed for the Prussians to have any chance of holding the left. Acting on his own initiative he gave the order to charge and the 2nd Elbe Landwehr surged forward (middle right of photo opposite French musket smoke). A note here about the rules. Reckow failed an activation test and in this instance resulted in an uncontrolled charge. As it turned out Reckow made the right call! 

Guiton's Cuirassier Brigade had finally found a way through the swirling mass of troops to be confronted by the Prussian 5th Hussars. On seeing the Cuirassiers the Hussars launched a charge at them. The lead Cuirassiers regt, the 11th Cuirassiers, counter-charged. The heavy armoured cavalry barrelled into the Hussars routing them from the field.

In the centre of the photo Cardell's 2/2nd Infantry had just repelled an attack by a French battalion had not taken into account the close proximity of Guiton's Cuirassiers. They did not have time to react as the 11th Cuirassiers charged into the column. Despite the outer most ranks turning to present their bayonets it was not enough as the Cuirassiers carved up their column. With their horses blown the remnants of the Prussian battalion were left to flee the field. 

Fighting continued to rage around the farm with Lafol's Division struggling in the confines of the farm and yard to make much headway. Charges and counter-charges had occurred with Roebel's Landwehr but they stubbornly held on.

The view from behind the French right at this stage of the battle. Reckow's attack is top middle. The French 11th Division (middle left) has yet to make any contact. The rear of Lafol's 8th Division is caught in heavy traffic in the wood (bottom right). Piquet's Brigade of Dragoons advances to support Foy (top right). French artillery has been brought up which is now causing some difficulty to one of Roebel's Landwehr battalions (middle).

Pire's 2nd Cavalry Division has now been formed up behind the centre left of the French position. Napoleon intends for that and the 12th Heavy Cavalry Division (middle left) to move out onto the open ground to threaten the Prussian attacking right flank.

Husson now only has 2 of his 4 battalions remaining as Lettow's columns march over the hill. Landwehr battalions enter the valley (top right).

The view from behind Camp's position. Dense Prussian columns advance along the hill and into the edge of the wood. Sydow's 3rd Cavalry Brigade can be seen advancing between the trees.

Pressure builds on the centre left of the Prussian line. Blucher is increasingly concerned with the threat posed by the Guard Heavy Cavalry and its accompanying artillery which has been joined by one of Foy's batteries as casualties continue to mount. Foy's 9th Division (middle top) is on the verge of engaging the first of the Prussian central units.

The view from behind the Prussian centre. The one remaining battalion of the 9th Infantry with Schmidt is lining a hedgerow (centre left). Ruess with the two battalions of the 26th is in front of them still fighting Foy's forces. 

Blucher needs a dramatic breakthrough on the right to counter the difficulties on his left. He throws all available units forward in a desperate attempt to smash their way through.

An overview of the Prussian right and centre. Napoleon at this stage is reasonably satisfied. It is taking a little longer than he would have liked to roll up the Prussian left but steady progress was being made. Although his left was under pressure, he was confident the Middle Guard would hold the Prussians. 

Roebel (bottom left) suffers a nasty turn of events as his 3rd battalion of the 5th Westphalia Landwehr (battalion in square next to farm) panic at the sight of the close proximity of the 8th Cuirassiers combined with casualties suffered from muskets fired from the farm. Their officers and NCO's desperately try and keep them in square but slowly at first it the well ordered lines become ragged and then with increasing rapidity the square collapses as the men run for their lives. In an instant the 8th Cuirassiers are amongst them hacking them down with their sabres. Roebel is now in a precarious situation. 

Sohr, in command of the Prussian 2nd Corps Reserve Cavalry Brigade (middle right) seeks to counter the cuirassiers and provide a screen for what is left to the Prussian left. 

Reckow (top right) with the 2nd Elbe Landwehr accompanied by Helmenstreit with a battalion of the 25th Infantry (on the left of Reckow) plough on into the French columns halting the French advance.

An overview of the Prussian right flank towards the centre. I will zoom in on the various units:

Husson is again beaten back and one of his battalions routs in the process. Here he is attempting to rally them. Blandowski leads the 2nd Silesia Landwehr into the valley.

Schmalensee halts to organise the 3rd Neumark Landwehr (middle top) and allow other units to catch up. Creilsheim leads the 15th Infantry (top left) towards the French position.

The 4 battalions of Chasseurs of the Middle Guard in column advance to counter the Prussian advance. Behind them the remnants of Campy's Brigade of rallied.

The French 1st Cavalry Brigade (Hubert) of the 2nd Cavalry Division move out to attack the Prussian cavalry. In doing so they got embarrassingly entangled with infantry columns repositioning.

Napoleon judges it is now time to put even more pressure on the Prussian centre and orders Bauduin's Brigade to advance. Here the first 5 battalions move out from the woods with the other 2 moving out from between the artillery batteries. As the 6th Division's commander, Jerome Napoleon, is poor it is not easy making effective command and control orders for that division. However, Bauduin is an excellent commander which goes some way to negating that problem.

Fischer finally finds a way past the artillery batteries but makes slow progress. 

As the infantry and cavalry continue to move forward, Watzdorf (centre left single cavalry regiment with artillery) decided to retire for absolutely no reason whatsoever!

Sohr had performed a masterful display of timing when he saw the 11th Cuirassiers reforming. He lead the 3rd Hussars as it charged into the unformed Cuirassiers. The Cuirassiers were promptly routed. With a 'Superb Discipline' result in the subsequent pursuit test, Sohr now turned his attention on the 8th Cuirassiers. The 8th Cuirassiers were clearly shocked at what happened to their comrades as they failed to counter-charge. The 3rd Hussars fought hard but finally fell back exhausted. Sohr's action probably saved several infantry units and also bought time.

Reckow's 2nd Elbe Landwehr (centre top) do an excellent job of holding off the French advance and Reckow himself is in the thick of it, shouting encouragement and directing his troops. The French commanders become increasingly frustrated at the delays caused by Reckow but all that changes when the 2nd Dragoons see an opening to charge through. The 2nd Battalion of the Elbe Landwehr are the target and they only have enough time to prepare for the impact. They commendably stand in spite of the cavalry charge but they are no match for the Dragoons who destroy the Landwehr column.

The single squadron of the 2nd Elbe Landwehr cavalry (centre right) charge into the French 2nd Dragoons sacrificing themselves in the process. Their demise saves the remaining battalions of Reckow's command who withdraw in good order.

The view across the Prussian left flank with the Prussians looking increasingly threadbare.

On the Prussian right flank, Husson has just enough time to rally his men before they are once again charged by Lettow's 10th Infantry Regt (middle right). This was Husson's final action. The last 2 battalions of his Brigade were destroyed by the Prussian columns and Husson was captured. Bachelu's Division had now been reduced to 3 battalions in Campy's Brigade.

An overview of the battlefield at this stage of the game.

The French 12th Heavy Cavalry Division (bottom right) is slow to deploy onto open ground with the lead Cuirassier regiment behind Hubert's Chasseur Brigade. The latter has deployed into open ground preparing to charge Sydow's 3rd Cavalry Brigade (middle top). Watzdorf has decided to rejoin the battle (behind) Sydow.

Soye's Brigade begins relocating towards the left to counter the Prussian threat (bottom left).

View from the Prussian centre towards their right flank.

12th Cavalry Division from the rear.

The remnants of the Prussian left flank are hanging on by their fingernails. Just off camera to the bottom right, Roebel is continuing to fight with his two remaining battalions but they are now completely cut off from the main Prussian force. With the French Dragoon threat removed (they retired with blown horses to reform), Reckow is back in the fray as is Helmenstreit with the last of his battalions. Sohr maintains a presence screening the last of the Prussian infantry. In the background Bismarck and Reuss continue to battle with Foy's Division and elements of the 10th Division. They are though gradually giving ground.

The crunch time comes in the Prussian centre as Bauduin's Light Infantry columns engage the first of the Prussian battalions (middle left). In the background can be seen smoke from Soye's battalions lining the wood who are firing on the nearby Prussian cavalry and infantry columns. Early clashes between the French Chasseurs and the Prussian Landwehr cavalry (middle top) prove decisive for the French who easily rout their opposition. They are too few in number to capitalise on it and Sydow successfully rallies his troops. The 12th Cavalry Division are starting to make their presence felt as the first of the Cuirassier regiments forms up on the open ground (middle top). 

Sydow struggles to coordinate his attacks as his inexperienced cavalry are unable to maintain consistency when testing to charge. Here the 2nd Neumark Landwehr cavalry has successfully made it's charge and is counter-charged by a Chasseur regiment. The Prussians are again thrown back. The imposing sight of the Cuirassiers arrive and prepare to charge.

Stengel's 19th Infantry do not perform well when hit by Bauduin's veteran troops. The Fusilier battalion routes after being contacted by two of Bauduin's battalions (middle of photo). The 19th disintegrates on seeing the fleeing Fusiliers with the 1st and 2nd battalions joining them. Donnersmack (command base bottom left) is concerned that his entire Brigade may soon not exist. The 4th Westphalia Landwehr (middle left) under Major Groben are subjected to morale tests due to the routing 19th.  

There is now nothing between the Prussians and the 3 Grenadier battalions of the Middle Guard. They are effectively the last line of defence on the far left of the French line.

A short distance away from the Grenadiers, Soye has aligned his columns ready to repel the Prussians who have infiltrated the woods. A couple of Soye's battalions have remained in the woods to the right to fire on any Prussians who venture too close.

Satisfied that the rest of the battle is going well, Napoleon is taking no chances with his left and has ordered the Old Guard to reposition. Here the Old Guard march towards the French left.

The French juggernaut has all but overwhelmed the Prussian left. Roebel is making his last stand (top right) having fought Lafol's division throughout.

The Prussian left is finally turned as Roebel's 5th Westphalia Landwehr finally succumb and rout from the field.

The Prussians have now been pushed to the northern edge of the wood. Bismarck's 1st Elbe Landwehr had dispersed. Friccius with the 3rd Westphalia Landwehr from the 1st Corps are heavily engaged. Jamin's Brigade charges them once again and routs the 2/3rd Westphalia. Schmidt is still there with his last battalion, the Fusiliers of the 9th Infantry. They also lose their melee and are forced to retreat. (White micro dice indicates that those units must conduct their retreat/rout move in the next compulsory phase). The Silesian rifles (in front of hedgerow to the right) pour effective volleys into a French column causing them to falter due to heavy casualties. The Prussian Battery in the road has run low on ammo. At the bottom right Hymmen of the 29th Infantry Regt, 1st Corps, starts to prepare a new defensive position in what he anticipates will soon be the front line. Generals Kraft and the 2nd Corps commander, Pirch, are precariously close to the action!

The last remnants of the Prussian left are still in good order and have behaved commendably well under trying circumstances. The entire force now consists of, from right to left, the 11th Hussars, the superb Reckow with the 2/2nd Elbe to the front and the 1/2nd to the rear, the equally superb Sohr with the 3rd Hussars, and Helmenstreit with the Brigade artillery battery and just out of camera shot to the left, the 2/25th Infantry. They steadily pull back in good order in the face of overwhelming odds.

The situation for the Prussians is deteriorating as the 19th Infantry regiment flees the field. Fortunately Groben's 4th Westphalia Landwehr held and engage Bauduin's Light Infantry (middle of photo). Groben leads the 3rd Battalion as it charges into 2 French columns and both sides descend into a bloody fight. To the right of the 4th Westphalia Landwehr, Massow brings up the 4th Silesia Landwehr. He charges in with the 1st Battalion but promptly gets himself killed. The 1st Battalion routs and the rest of the regiment fail a brigade morale test (the two battalions below wood to right). They subesquently rout from the field. 

The swirl of cavalry melees continues on the Prussian right. It is not all one sided and here the 1st Neumark Landwehr defeats the 6th Chasseurs causing them to retreat (bottom middle). The 2nd Cuirassiers (middle) defeats the 1st Pomerania Landwehr.

The main Prussian attack on their right starts to break down. Although they have isolated successes it is not enough to break through the ever increasing number of French among the woods to the right. Their main hope now rests with Lettow on the extreme right (left of photo).

An overview of latest situation. It is now 12.30pm (end of turn 14). Prussian casualties have now taken it past the Army Break point and it must take a break test.

NEXT: Part 3 and concluding part. Will the Prussians pass the break test?