7th April 1814 – Battle of Oberstein

Oberstein Campaign area

Surprise Russian attack on Oberstein

The town is the main French depot

It is defended by just one infantry brigade

2^nd Russian corps have orders to attack orders

2^nd French corps have orders to moved closer to Oberstein on engage orders

Russian             12,000 infantry            1,000 cavalry                 30 guns

French                 8,000 infantry             1,000 cavalry                 30 gun

Table at start of wargame

Prussian  Brigades     3 infantry         1 cavalry           1 artillery

French Brigades          2 infantry         1 cavalry           1 artillery

2 French starts battle on table marching towards Oberstein

8 brigade is in the right hand section of the town

2 Russian enters bottom left start of move one

Move 1 – 0800 to 0900

Both corps move towards Oberstein

Move 2 – 0900 to 1000

French arrive at Oberstein

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100

Both corps are spotted and replace blanks with figures

The French only have two infantry brigades, the Russians have three

The Russian cavalry move onto the high ground to pin the French cavalry

Move 4 – 1100 to 1200

The French have deployed and wait for the Russians to attack

The Russian infantry form column of attack

Move 5 – 1200 to 1300

The Russian infantry advance towards the town

They thought that they were out of range, but the French artillery are 12 pounders

They open fire on the infantry, but do not cause any casualties

One Russian infantry brigade join the cavalry on the hill

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400

French square suffer 10% artillery casualties, pass morale test

French artillery fire on infantry but no casualties

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500

French square suffer 20% casualties, fail morale and retire shaken

Russian commander change orders from move to engage

French artillery fire on infantry but no casualties

Move 8 – 1500 to 1600

Artillery fire but no casualties

Shaken French infantry fail morale and remain shaken

Russian cavalry advance into charge range of enemy cavalry

Russian infantry enter town and skirmish, no casualties

Move 9 – 1600 to 1700

Artillery exchange fire but no casualties

Shaken French infantry fail morale and retreat shaken

Russian cavalry win melee, French retire shaken

Infantry in town skirmish but no casualties

French commander orders a general retreat

Game Casualties

French lose 800 infantry

Russian lose no casualties

Game Summary

2^nd French have been ordered to move closer to support garrison

They arrive in time to meet 2^nd Russian attack

The French were slightly outnumbered, but were in defence

The battle was decided by luck, particularly the artillery

The exposed French brigade suffered 20% casualties and retreated

The Russian cavalry won the melee, and the French retreated shaken

The French commander ordered a general retreat

Had he not done so he faced being surrounded and forced to surrender

The Russians have captured the main French supply depot and eight days supplies

They have also severed the main French supply and communications route

Total casualties, including from earlier battles, at the end of the battle

French 8,600 casualties two brigades shaken

Russian 9,200 casualties no brigades shaken or in rout