Nap Campaign: 3rd Battle of Ainsworth. 18th April 1808. Introduction

For the first game of the year I have decided to go big. The 3rd and final battle of the campaign day beckons. I begin with the area map containing the battle:

The 3rd and final battle of this single day in the campaign is arguably the most important. This involves Napoleon himself leading a battered French army falling back from a strengthened Prussian army lead by Blucher. He is seeking an opportunity to give the Prussians a bloody nose and believes he may have found it. 

Continued -

Table Size = 7'6" x 4'6"

Figures = Baccus 6mm

Rules = Black Powder 2

Start Time 0900 = 24 turns

The Battlefield

The Square numbers L to R. Top: 17A18,19,20, 27A16
Middle: 17A23,24,25, 27A21
Bottom: 28A15, 20, 25, 15B21

17A18 – Rough terrain.

17A19 – Rocky Bleak terrain. High cliffs where river touches hill, deep river.

17A20 – Firm grazing land, hedgerows, fences.

27A16 – Firm grazing land.

17A23 – Firm grazing land, hedgerows, farm, deep river.

17A24 – Firm grazing land, fences, farm, cottage, smooth grassy hill, deep river.

17A25 – Bleak rocky terrain, cottage, deep river, stone bridge.

27A21 – Firm heathland, deep river.

28A15 – Broken heathland.

28A20 – Bleak treeless district.

28A25 – Bleak rocky district, deep river.

15B21 – Firm heathland, deep river.

All steep rocky hills are accessible only by skirmishers. 

Order of Battle

The battlefield looking East. 

Scouts reported to Napoleon that a significant Prussian force was moving parallel to them to the west and there was a danger that they could be struck in the flank or rear. More by luck than local knowledge, an opportunity presented itself to the French. 

A deep river running through rough terrain had been traversed by a single bridge. That bridge afforded the only crossing point for miles and could be easily defended by a relatively small force. Napoleon decided to make a stand intending to concentrate his force against the flanking Prussians leaving the Old Guard supported by the Guard Heavy Cavalry to hold the bridge. 

Observing the approaching Prussians from the west, the French 2nd Corps manoeuvred to provide the initial holding force. The 3rd Corps, 3rd Cavalry Corps and the Middle Guard began moving to support the 2nd Corps with the intention of providing the knock-out blow.

It should be said that the French Corps strengths have suffered from a near constant engagement. The 2nd Corps is around half its initial strength with the 3rd Corps little better. The 3rd Cavalry Corps is more of a Division and the Guards, although healthier, had nevertheless been reduced in size.

The Prussians were not immune to losses with the 4th Corps in particular in poor shape. They had though benefitted from fresh forces raised in significant numbers.  

A tour of the battlefield:

The single bridge with the 12th Infantry given the dubious honour of the first to attempt to force a crossing.

The Prussian 4th Corps nearest the camera.

The view towards the French. Having crossed the bridge the only access to the land beyond is through a narrow steep valley.

Blucher with his staff in the middle of the photo just behind the 1st Corps artillery park.

The view of the Prussians from the French position.

And the Prussian 1st Corps converging on the bridge.

The Prussian 1st Corps with their reserve cavalry formed up in the distance.

The French Guard, 3rd Corps and 3rd Cavalry Corps in the distance.

The Old Guard must hold off the Prussians at all cost.

The French 3rd Corps and Guard.

The French 3rd Corps and Guard.

The much reduced 3rd Cavalry Corps in the foreground.

The French 2nd Corps overlooking the arrival of the flanking Prussian force.

The 5th Division deployed to engage the Prussian arrivals supported by the 2nd Cavalry Division.

The next post will cover the opening turns.