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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

16th April 1814 – Battle of Waremme – Day One


Waremme Campaign area

1 Prussian corps has orders to attack Waremme
13 Polish corps has orders to halt and resupply

Although on halt orders, the French are allowed to stand and fight on this occasion
If they retreat away from the advancing Prussians they will be driven away from their line of retreat towards Wavre.  In addition they will abandon their brigade in garrison in Wareme.   The corps commander decides to ignore his orders and accepts battle.

Prussian - 19200 infantry, 2000 cavalry and 60 guns
Polish - 10400 infantry, 1000 cavalry and 30 guns

Table at start of wargame

Prussian Brigades   5 infantry      2 cavalry       2 artillery
Polish Brigades       3 infantry      1 cavalry       1 artillery

Polish start on table.
One brigade is missing
One brigade is garrison of Waremme
One brigade has 30% casualties
Prussians arrive start of move 1
They are full strength
Move 1 – 0800 to 0900
Prussians arrive top left
Polish start to retreat towards Waremme
Lancer brigade moves forward to protect the retreat
Move 2 – 0900 to 1000
Prussians advance towards town
Hussar brigade deployed to protect the advance
Polish move off the hill towards the town

Move 3 – 1000 to 1100
Prussians continue to advance towards the town
Polish continue to retreat towards the town
Lancer brigade break contact and retreat with corps


Move 4 – 1100 to 1200
Prussians continue to advance
Hussar brigade move onto hill to cover deployment
Polish are nearing Waremme
Lancer brigade deploys to delay Prussian deployment
 
Move 5 – 1200 to 1300
Prussians continue to advance towards the town
Polish start to deploy, one brigade is sent to occupy left section of town
  

Move 6 – 1300 to 1400
Prussians continue to advance towards town
Polish continue to deploy

Move 7 – 1400 to 1500
Prussian start to deploy,  artillery unlimber
Polish artillery fire on square, no casualties
Lancers retreat out of artillery range

Move 8 – 1500 to 1600
Prussian artillery hit town, garrison pass morale with 10% casualties
Remainder of corps advance towards town
Polish artillery hit square, who pass morale with 10% casualties
Decouz decides to hold right section of town only
Brigade sent to secure left section is recalled

Move 9 – 1600 to 1700
Prussian square retreat out of artillery range
Remainder of infantry prepare to attack town
Prussian artillery fire on garrison, no casualties
Polish cavalry move south of town to threaten Prussian infantry
Polish artillery fire on gunners, no casualties


Move 10 – 1700 to 1800
Prussian artillery fire on garrison, no casualties
Cavalry move behind town to counter lancers
Infantry enter left town section
Polish artillery redeploy to fire on left town section
Cavalry deploy in line, forcing enemy to form square

Move 11 – 1800 to 1900
Prussian artillery fire on garrison, no casualties
Cavalry form line behind square
Infantry occupy left town section
Polish artillery fire on garrison, no casualties
Infantry in right section of town skirmish, no casualties

 

Move 12 -  1900 to 2000
Prussian artillery fire on garrison, no casualties
Polish artillery hit garrison, who pass morale with 10% casualties
Both garrisons skirmish, no casualties

Game Casualties
13 Polish corps lose 400 infantry
1 Prussian corps lose 800 infantry 


Game Summary
The Prussians advance on Waremme would outflank 13 Polish corps
As soon as the Prussian advance is sighted the Poles retreat towards Waremme
The remainder of the morning is a race to take up position around the town
The cavalry deploy to cover the moving columns
By midday the Poles have secured the eastern section of the town
They send a brigade to occupy the western section
It is soon obvious that the Poles will not be able to hold the whole town
They recall the brigade and abandon the western section
After an inconclusive artillery exchange the Prussians occupy the western section
At  nightfall there is a draw.  
Both sides hold half of the town
Both sides are strong enough to fight a second day

Total casualties, including from earlier battles,  at the end of the battle
French have 5,200 casualties  
Prussians have 4,800 casualties

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