3rd March 1814 - Battle of St Imier

St Imier Campaign Area

2^nd  Bavarian corps have orders to hold their position

They have 1600 infantry, 100 cavalry and 30 guns

Both 12^th and 16^th French corps have orders to attack the town

They each have 1600 infantry, 100 cavalry and 30 guns

16^th corps will arrive on the northern edge of the battlefield at the beginning of move 5

Special Rule

The Bavarian’s are not aware that there are two French corps approaching them

They must hold their ground until 16^th corps enters the table

They may then start to retreat if they wish, and are able to do so.

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

12^th French corps is approaching through Montbelliard

Lancer brigade has moved to their right to protect the corps whilst it deploys

2^nd Bavarian corps is deployed just north of St Imier

Dragoon brigade has moved to their left to counter the French cavalry

The town of St Imier is just off table behind the Bavarians

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

12^th corps have started to deploy west of the main road

They are still out of artillery range of the Bavarian guns

The Bavarians have moved one brigade forward to extend their line

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

12^th corps continue to deploy west of the main road

Still out of range of the Bavarian artillery

Bavarians wait for them to advance

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

12^th corps advance their cavalry and right hand division

Left hand division holds their ground rather than advance towards enemy artillery

Bavarian artillery start to redeploy to cover the approaching enemy infantry

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

16^th Italian corps arrive at Montbelliard

As soon as they are sighted Rechberg orders his corps to retreat

Bavarian cavalry charge French lancers on the left to cover the retreat

The lancers lose the melee and retire shaken

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

8^th Bavarian infantry receive 10%, lose morale and rout

Nearby infantry square are shaken but hold their ground

Right hand division of 12^th corps have forced the Bavarian cavalry to withdraw

16^th corps have reached the road junction

2^nd Bavarian corps has broken contact and is retreating

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500

French gunners turn their attention to the Bavarian square and rout it too

2^nd Bavarian corps is in full retreat, covered by their cavalry and jager brigade

Game Casualties

The Bavarian’s have suffered 800 infantry casualties

They also have two infantry brigades in rout

The French have not suffered any casualties

Game Summary

A decisive French victory

2^nd Bavarian corps wisely retreated as soon as they realised that they were outnumbered two to one.   They managed to do so before the two French corps could pin them