7th April 1814 – Battle of Arens

Arens Campaign area

Surprise British attack on Arens

5^th British corps have orders to attack Arens

18^th French corps have orders to hold Arens

British                              16,000 infantry            1,000 cavalry                 30 guns

French                              12,000 infantry           1,000 cavalry                 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

British Brigades          4 infantry         1 cavalry           1 artillery

French Brigades          3 infantry         1 cavalry           1 artillery

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

One French brigade is garrison of Arens

British arrive centre left

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

Both corps are within sight of each other

British blank is replaced first, then French

French are deployed as they have not moved

British are advancing in column of march

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

French artillery unlimber and cavalry move to face British dragoons

Leading British infantry form square to protect artillery

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

French wait for British to advance within artillery range

British artillery unlimber, infantry move towards Arens

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

British infantry form column of attack

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

French artillery fire on gunners, no casualties

British infantry and artillery advance

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500

French and British artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

British infantry continue to advance

Move 8 – 1500 to 1600

French and British artillery fire on infantry, no casualties

British infantry continue to advance

Move 9 – 1600 to 1700

Garrison receive 10% skirmish casualties, pass morale test

British infantry receive 10% artillery casualties, fail morale and rout

Polish lancers charge and rout British dragoons with 10% casualties

British commander orders a general retreat

Game Casualties

British 400 infantry and 100 cavalry

French 400 infantry

Game Summary

British deploy out of artillery range

Both French and British artillery ineffective fire

3 British brigades sent to skirmish the town

Garrison lost 10% casualties to skirmish but held the town

British dragoons advance to cover infantry attack

Polish lancers charge, dragoons fail to counter charge

Dragoons routed with 10% casualties

Infantry support for British artillery receive 10% casualties and also rout

With the loss of his left flank, and his artillery unprotected, the attack has failed