after action report

Welcome to newly joining member, Benjamin Law.

15mm Napoleonic

The Greatest cavalry battle in history, Liebertwolkwitz (14th October 1813), re-enacted using the Napoleon’s Battles system.

8 people participated in the battle, the Grande Armée (French & her allies) commanded separately by Lawrence Ho, Ngo Wah Yiu, Derek Gould and Chai, while the Army of Bohemia was commanded by Herbert Wong (Prussian), James Cheung (Russian), Christopher Chu (Russian) and Alexander Lam (Austrian) .

The battle commences: the French are wary of the large number of cannon deployed by Russian army.  They are determined not to assault with their cavalry immediately, and instead drop back in order to reform and await a suitable opportunity.  The Russian commanders seize the chance to withdraw their Cossack light cavalry in order to reduce casualties.  The Russian commanders also expose more of their artillery, planning to shell the French.  Meanwhile, the armies of Prussia and Austria redeploy rapidly, in order to consolidate the battle line of the allied forces.

After several rounds of bombardment, neither side has suffered serious casualties. On the fifth round, after having completed the redeployment of the Prussian army, the Prussian commander, Herbert, advances on the French 8th Corps, routing it after only two rounds.  Many gaps appear in the French 2nd Corps following the Russian bombardment, forcing some divisions to retreat, thereby compelling the French left wing to retrocede.  On the right wing, the Austrian army also gain superiority in fire.

Perceiving this critical situation, the French commanders ordered their cavalry to assault the enemy in an effort to save a lost game.  They succeed in only destroying some cannons and are repulsed at canister range, with the help of fierce Cossack cavalry.  Many French cavalry are beaten back, two French officers are captured in this charge, with one fighting to his death on the field of honour.

The game ended due to lack of time.  In summary, by close of play, two French Corps had been routed and, had the game continued, it was considered likely that victory would belong to the Army of Bohemia.  

And the rest . . .