Scenario - Mockern, 16 Oct 1813

[shadowdragon]

All of my practice games up unitl now have been using the 1813 French versus 1813 Prussian lists. So far it's been hypothetical, but, for a change, I decided to model some actual corps from 1813 and settled on the fighting around Mockern (Battle of Leipzig) on the 16th October. It's somewhat bigger than a corps versus corps, but not by much.

Here's my go at the scenarios, which was inspired by one of the scenarios in the Napoleon's Battles scenario supplement. I'll provide the French Order of Battle in this post and will add the Prussian/Russian later as well as a map. I'm sure the Orders of Battle will change once the first volume of army lists come out within a month, but I've tried to use, as much as possible, the lists in the rule book. It seemed to mostly work.

The French have Marmont's VI Corps reinforced by Dombrowski's Polish division and later on in the day by a division from III Corps (Delmas). Plus the French have Arrighi's III Cavalry Corps, but it was spread out in bits to provide cavalry support to the various corps / divisions, which is consistent with the restrictions in the 1813 French list, but I’ve added a lot of officer attachments to reflect the missing cavalry commanders. Where I've made exceptions to the list, I have noted them.

(Note: this list was developed before the "Triumph of Nations" was released and has been replaced by one posted below which is based on the "Triumph of Nations".)

VI Corps Commander - Marmont (Exceptional, Charismatic)

20th Division - Compans (Skilled)
1 small Provisional line infantry (average conscript)
2 small Marine infantry (average drilled)
1 large Chasseur cavalry (poor drilled) (attached brigade, 6th Light Cavalry Division)
1 small 6 lb field artillery (average drilled)
1 officer attachment (i.e., Jacquinot –commander, brigade of 6th Light Cavalry Division)
1 skirmisher attachment

21st Division - Lagranges (Competent)
1 small Light infantry (average veteran)
2 small Marine infantry (average drilled)
1 small Chasseur cavalry (average drilled) (attached brigade, 6th Light Cavalry Division)
1 small 6lb field artillery (average veteran)
1 officer attachment (i.e., Lorges – commander 6th Light Cavalry Division)

22nd Division – Friedrichs (Competent)
1 small Line infantry (average drilled)
1 small Provisional Line infantry (average conscript)
1 small Württemberg Light Cavalry (average drilled) (Corps cavalry brigade)
1 small Dragoon (average drilled) (attached 4th Heavy Cavalry Division)
1 large 12lb field artillery (average veteran) (Corps reserve artillery)
1 officer attachment (i.e., Defrance – commander 4th Heavy Cavalry Division)
1 skirmisher attachment

Attached 27th Division (VIII Corps) – Dombrowski (Skilled)
1 small Polish Line infantry (average drilled)
1 small Polish Uhlans (average veteran lancer – taken from French 1812 list)
1 small 6lb field artillery (average drilled)
1 officer attachment

Attached 9th Division (III Corps) – Delmas* (Competent)
1 small Line infantry (average conscript) – arrives as a reinforcement
1 small Line Infantry (average drilled) - arrives as a reinforcement
1 small Light infantry (average drilled) – arrives as a reinforcement
1 small 6lb field artillery (average drilled) – arrives as a reinforcement
1 small Hussar (average drilled)
1 attachment (i.e., Fournier, commander 6th Light Cavalry Division)
*Note: Delmas should really arrive with the infantry, but I have him on the table at the start to provide a commander for Fournier’s dragoons and hussars.

Artillery: The information I’m using (mostly Nafziger) shows 16 medium artillery for each of the 20th, 21st and 22nd divisions, 12 medium artillery for the 9th division, 4 foot / 4 horse guns for the 27th division, 3 half-batteries of horse artillery distributed with the elements of the III Cavalry Corps and VI corps reserve artillery of 3 heavy batteries and 2 horse batteries. That could be represented by 4 small medium batteries, 1 large heavy battery, 1 small horse battery and 1 artillery attachment (27th Division) while ignoring the horse artillery half-batteries for a total of 14 bases of artillery. I decided to go mostly go with the 1813 list but I upped the maximum number of non-attached artillery bases from 8 to 10. Another option would be to have 1 artillery attachment for each of the 5 divisions plus 1 large heavy battery and 1 small horse battery (10 bases).

Note: 22nd Division – I’ve treated this division as a reserve division by adding an extra cavalry unit to the division plus the heavy artillery.

Total Points = 1,286

(The alternative artillery "solution" of 1 large average veteran heavy artillery unit, 1 small average veteran horse artillery unit and 5 artillery attachments (1 per division) is a total of 1,288 points.)

Summary of Exceptions to the 1813 French list in the rule book:
Max 5 division commanders instead of 4
Max 10 Chasseurs instead of 6
Max 10 artillery instead of 8
Polish infantry and uhlans added as an optional troop types (but maximum consistent with maximums in the optional list - i.e., up to 12 averaged drilled non-French, and 4 non-French cavalry)

Next will by Yorck's I Prussian Corps

[MikeK]

Nice. Historical organizations have a wider variety in size and composition after mix and matching and attrition on campaign. The 27th Div looks rather thin. Was it worn down by losses or were there detachments elsewhere? Which raises the question of including detached units in historical OOB but with a note as to status.

[shadowdragon]

Nice. Historical organizations have a wider variety in size and composition after mix and matching and attrition on campaign. The 27th Div looks rather thin. Was it worn down by losses or were there detachments elsewhere? Which raises the question of including detached units in historical OOB but with a note as to status.

When the 27th Division was detached from the VIII (Polish) Corps, one of its 2 infantry brigades was left behind and attached to the 26th Division / VIII Corps. However, it was given a cavalry brigade from the IV (Polish) Cavalry Corps. Individual regimental and brigade strengths aren't given, but the overall strength for the 27th division (after all the detachments-attachments) was 2,350. The IV Cavalry Corps is supposed to have 3,000, which equates to 375 per regiment for its 8 regiments. The brigade attached to the 27th Division has 2 regiments (2nd Polish Uhlan and 4th Chasseur) which should be about 2 X 375 = 750 troops. Subtracting that from the 2,350 means 1,600 infantry which equates to 400 per battalion for the 4 battalions in the infantry brigade. That's pretty good averages per unit. The 27th only has 4 infantry battalions and 2 cavalry regiments (8 squadrons). In comparison the infantry battalion strengths while the other 4 divisions all have 14 battalions each.

Sources:

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/CGSC/CARL/n ... 813JIA.pdf
http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/CGSC/CARL/n ... 813JIB.pdf
http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Frenc ... PZIG_1.htm

[shadowdragon]

Quite a different Corps – units are loaded up with attachments

(Note: this list was developed before the "Triumph of Nations" was released and has been superceded by one below which is based on the "Triumph of Nations".)

I Prussian Corps – Yorck (Exceptional Charismatic)

Advance Guard – Katzeler (Competent)
1 small Grenadier infantry (average veteran) – treated as Leib Infantry
1 small Reserve infantry (average drilled)
1 large (medium) Field artillery (average drilled) – attached from Corps reserve
1 small Hussar (average drilled)
1 small Uhlan (average drilled)
1 large Landwehr cavalry (average conscript lancer)
2 rifle skirmisher attachments
1 artillery attachment
1 officer attachment

1st & 2nd Brigades – Steinmetz (Skilled*)
1 small Grenadier infantry (average veteran) – treated as Leib Infantry
1 small Musketeer (average drilled)
1 small Landwehr infantry (average conscript)
2 skirmisher attachment
2 cavalry attachments
2 artillery attachments
* Skilled commander to account for combining the two brigades into one

7th Brigade – Horn (Competent)
1 small Musketeer (average veteran)
1 small Landwehr infantry (average conscript)
1 small Dragoon (superior drilled) – Cavalry Reserve
1 small horse artillery (average drilled) – Cavalry Reserve
1 rifle skirmisher attachment
1 cavalry attachment
1 artillery attachment
1 officer attachment (i.e., Jurgass, commander Cavalry Reserve)

8th Brigade – Huenerbein (Competent)
1 small Musketeer (average drilled)
1 small Landwehr infantry (average conscript)
1 small (heavy) Field artillery (average drilled) – attached from Corps Reserve
1 skirmisher attachment
1 cavalry attachment
1 artillery attachment

Total Points – 1,052

Corps and Cavalry Reserves could be attached to different brigades. This is just one option.

[shadowdragon]

The Russians...

(Note: this list was developed before the "Triumph of Nations" was released and has been replaced by one posted below which is based on the "Triumph of Nations".)

Russian Wing Command (treated as a Corps) – Langeron (Skilled)
(based on 1812 Russian list in the Rule book)

I Cavalry Corps (treated as a single division) – Korff (Competent)
1 small Dragoon (average veteran)
1 small Hussar (average drilled)
1 small Cossack (average irregular)
1 large Cossack (average irregular)
1 small Horse artillery (average veteran)
1 officer attachment

IX Corps (treated as a single division) – Udom (Competent)
1 small Jager (average veteran)
2 small Musketeer (average drilled)
1 small Musketeer (average conscript)
1 12lb Field artillery (average veteran)
2 artillery attachments
1 officer attachment

Total Points – 620

Exceptions to the 1812 List
Maximum 20 cavalry bases instead of 12 bases
Minimum of 2 bases for 6lb Field artillery ignored*

*Note: Nafziger only shows 1 position battery (12 guns) and 1 horse battery (12 guns) for the IX Corps. Apparently there were a number of other batteries around but there was no information on where they were deployed / attached.

Total Allied Points – 1,672

A reasonable match (in terms of points it’s 5:4 odds for the Allies) given the French are on the defence. If I’ve counted correctly the French have 12 infantry, 7 cavalry and 5 artillery units while the Allies have 13 infantry, 8 cavalry and 5 artillery.

[shadowdragon]

It's fairly crude - well, quite crude, but it'll do as a quick mock-up. It's also a bit scrunched to fit on a 6' X 4' table. It would be better to use 8' x 5', which is probably what I'll do when I eventually play the game.

(Note: A map for a large table has been posted below.)



The game starts at 2:00 PM. The fighting continued into the late evening, but since it was October probably it should finish by 7 PM.

French Deployment:
The 20th, 21st and 22nd divisions deploy between Mockern and Eutritzsch, while the 27th and 9th divisions between Eutritzsch and Gross Widderitzsch. The infantry and artillery of the 9th division arrive on the road with the arrow next to it at 4 PM.

Allied Deployment:
I Prussian Corps deploys between the Elster and Lindenthal, no closer that 16 MU from Mockern (or 10 MU of the centre line). The Russians deploy on the other side of Lindenthal from the Prussian, but no closer than 16 MU from Gross Widderitzsch (or 10 MU from the centre line).

Victory conditions are the standard FoG conditions.

[shadowdragon]

Using Triumph of Nations, I've modified the OOB. Here is the French list which now has 2 corps (1 infantry and 1 cavalry). The list was made to comply strictly to the ToN lists which required only minor adjustments (i.e., assigning 1 chasseur cavalry unit from III Cavalry Corps to VI corps, and the VI corps horse artillery to III Cavalry corps)

VI Infantry Corps
Commander - Marmont (Exceptional, Charismatic)

20th Division - Compans (Skilled)
1 small Provisional Line infantry (average conscript)
1 small Line (Marine) infantry (average drilled)
1 small Line (Marine) infantry (average veteran)
1 skirmisher attachment

21st Division - Lagranges (Competent)
1 small Light infantry (average veteran)
1 small Line (Marine) infantry (average drilled)
1 small Line (Marine) infantry (average veteran)

22nd Division – Friedrichs (Competent)
1 small Line infantry (average conscript)
2 small Provisional Line infantry (average conscript)
1 skirmisher attachment

Artillery (1 unit to be assigned to each of the above divisions):
2 large medium field artillery (average drilled)
1 small 12lb (heavy) field artillery (average drilled)

Corps Cavalry (2 units both to be assigned to one of the above divisions to create a mixed division):
1 large Württemberg Light Cavalry (average drilled)
1 small Chasseur (average drilled) - unit detached from III Cavalry Corps
1 officer attachment

Attached Duchy of Warsaw 27th Division (VIII Corps) – Dombrowski (Allied - Skilled)
1 small Polish Line infantry (average drilled)
1 small Polish Uhlans (average veteran lancer)
1 small 6lb field artillery (average drilled)
1 officer attachment

Total Points for VI Corps = 1016 pts

Sector Commander - Ney (Skilled Charismatic) - Serves as commander for III Cavalry Corps but, optionally, can be allowed to allocate command points to Marmont as well.

III Cavalry Corps
No Commander

5th Light Cavalry Division - Lorge (Skilled)
2 small Chasseur (average drilled)

6th Light / 4th Heavy Cavalry Division - Defrance (Skilled)
1 small Hussar (average drilled)
1 small Dragoon (average drilled)
1 officer attachment (Fournier)

Artillery (to be assigned to the above divisions):
1 small Horse Artillery (average drilled)
1 artillery attachment

Attached 9th Division (III Infantry Corps) – Delmas (Competent) - this division arrives as a reinforcement
1 small Line infantry (average conscript)
1 small Line Infantry (average drilled)
1 small Light infantry (average drilled)
1 small medium field artillery (average drilled)

Total Points for III Cavalry Corps (including Ney) = 552 pts

Total Points for French = 1568

[shadowdragon]

After bahdahbum pointing out that X corps should be involved in the fighting and considering the resistance of the outnumber Poles I've re-done this list so that Langeron's wing is an "infantry corps" with 2 infantry and 1 cavalry division. The Empire rating for Langeron and the corps commanders is "poor", so none are rated higher than "competent" which helps reflects the inability of Langeron and his subordinates to effectively employ their numerical superiority.

Russian Wing "Corps"
Commander - Langeron (Competent)

I Cavalry Corps "Division"
Commander - Korff (Competent)
1 large Dragoon (average drilled)
1 small Jager zu Pferde (average drilled)
2 small Cossack (average irregular)
1 small horse artillery (average drilled)

IX Corps "Division"
Commander - Olsufiev (Competent)
1 small Jager (average drilled)
1 small Musketeer (average drilled)
1 small Musketeer (average conscript)
1 small heavy artillery (average drilled)
1 cavalry attachment

X Corps "Division"
Commander - Kapzevich (competent)
1 small Jager (average veteran)
1 small Musketeer (average drilled)
1 small Musketeer (average conscript)
1 large medium artillery (average drilled)
1 medium artillery attachment
1 heavy artillery attachment (for the artillery)

Total Points = 732 pts

Notes:
1. The above artillery strength assumes that 3 heavy position batteries of X Corps (36 guns) either are not deployed or only reach the battlefield later on the 16th.

"IX Corps" is an off-table reserve and must be activated to enter the table.

[Greenjacket]

Surely you'd rate Jean-Dominique Compans as better than merely 'competent'? (even allowing for his rather despicable conduct in 1815).

[shadowdragon]

Surely you'd rate Jean-Dominique Compans as better than merely 'competent'? (even allowing for his rather despicable conduct in 1815).

Reasonable point. Changed above. One could even argue "charismatic" but the list allows the corps to have only one charismatic commander, which I've given to Marmont - even allowing for his (debatable) despicable conduct in 1814.

[shadowdragon]

Prussian re-done according to Autumn 1813-14 List in ToN, except the corps has 5 divisions.

I Prussian Corps
Commander - Yorck (Exceptional Charismatic)

Advance Guard – Katzeler (Competent)
1 small Grenadier infantry (average veteran) + rifle skirmisher attachment
1 small Landwehr infantry (average conscript)
1 small Hussar (superior drilled)
1 small Landwehr cavalry (average conscript lancer)
1 medium artillery attachment
1 cavalry attachment
1 cavalry officer attachment

1st Brigade – Steinmetz (Competent)
1 small Grenadier infantry (average veteran) + skirmisher attachment
1 small Landwehr infantry (superior conscript)
2 cavalry attachments
1 medium artillery attachment

2nd Brigade - Mecklenburg-Strelitz (Competent)
1 small Line Infantry (average drilled) + skirmisher attachment
1 small Landwehr infantry (superior conscript)
2 cavalry attachments
1 medium artillery attachment

7th Brigade – Horn (Competent)
1 small Leib Inf (average veteran) + rifle skirmisher attachment
1 small Landwehr infantry (superior conscript)
1 cavalry attachment
1 medium artillery attachment

8th Brigade – Huenerbein (Competent)
1 small Musketeer (average drilled) + skirmisher attachment
1 small Landwehr infantry (average conscript)
1 cavalry attachment
1 medium artillery attachment

Reserve: (to be assigned to above divisions according to ToN restrictions)
1 small Dragoon (superior drilled) + officer attachment
1 small horse artillery (average drilled)
1 small 6lb field artillery (average drilled)
1 small 12lb field artillery (average drilled)
1 cavalry attachment (not to be assigned to 1st or 2nd brigades as these already have 2 cavalry attachments)

Total Points = 1,088

Total Allied Points = 1820

Note: I've given "superior" status to the lower number Landwehr regiments and "average" to higher number regiments (or where the unit represents a mix of landwehr and reserve infantry).

[shadowdragon]

Revised map for a 9' X 5' table.

French VI Corps deployment is from Mockern to the point where the stream exits the bottom of the map; except that Drombrowksi's Polish division is deployed in and around Gr. Widderitzsch. Delmas' division arrives on the road near Birkenholz. Arrighi's cavalry corps is deployed anywhere behind the line of Mockern-Gr. Widderitzsch-Birkenholz.

The Prussians deploy between Wahren and Lindenthal and the Russians to the East of Lindenthal but no closer than 16 MU from the Mockern-Gr.Widderitzsch-Birkenholz line.

P.S. Now you can see just how distorted I made the 6' X 4' table above. Note that I've removed the gentle hill near Mockern. I found it one one wargamer's table version of the battlefield but I'm not sure there was any significant feature there. Hard to tell from Google Earth due to urban development.

I have enough figures to game this but at this time only if I use 1806 Prussians. I also need to rebase my Russians (the French are done).

Links to reference with maps:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=263429
http://www.rafaelpardoalmudi.com/NBmockern_1.html
http://rafa-pardo-almudi.blogspot.ca/20 ... chive.html

[donm]

Really like what you have done here and am looking to give it a go at our local club as troop numbers should not be a problem.

I was wondering where you got the troop numbers from, was it the scenario in the Napoleon's Battles scenario supplement?

I am not aware of this, but there is some variation between your ORBAT and Nafziger's book 'Napoleon at Leipzig'.

Thanks in anticiptaion

Don

[shadowdragon]

Really like what you have done here and am looking to give it a go at our local club as troop numbers should not be a problem.

I was wondering where you got the troop numbers from, was it the scenario in the Napoleon's Battles scenario supplement?

I am not aware of this, but there is some variation between your ORBAT and Nafziger's book 'Napoleon at Leipzig'.

Thanks in anticiptaion

Don

Thanks.

I only used Napoleon's Battles for the scenario setting. The troop numbers are "best fit" for FoG troops using Nafziger Leipzig Orbat downloaded from the US Army's Combined Arms Research Library..

http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/ ... 11/id/1277

...plus info from this site:

http://napoleonistyka.atspace.com/Frenc ... PZIG_1.htm

...plus some guestimates (e.g., using average squadron strengths to compute regimental strengths).

Let me / the forum know how the club game works out if you do give it a try. We demand pictures too!

P.S. Any comments, suggestions - including alternatives - with respect to the ORBATS are very welcome.

[Trailape]

I and 3 mates will be playing this scenario tomorrow.
I'll post an AAR and let you know it played.
Cheers

[shadowdragon]

I and 3 mates will be playing this scenario tomorrow.
I'll post an AAR and let you know it played.
Cheers

Now I have something to forward to....one of your excellent AAR! Let me know if there's a need to modify / tweak the scenario. All suggestions are welcome.

[Trailape]

Battle played and won. Major victory for the French.
A great game.
Details to follow shortly.
Cheers

[Trailape]

Hi guys
I'll post the full AAR tonight, but meanwhile here are a few of the 43 photos taken of the game.
Cheers

[Blathergut]

Looks great! Must have been fun. Am envious!

[Trailape]

Looks great! Must have been fun. Am envious!

It was a really enjoyable game.
Here is a bit of the AAR WIP:
"While the best part of two Prussian Brigades (Divisions) and their Korps Cavalry pounded away at Mockern itself and the two Brigades from 22 Division defending it, the remainder attacked the line between Mockern and Eutritzsch. These Prussians suffered heavy casualties in the approach, and like the historical battle the French Artillery was responsible the vast majority of pain inflicted.
The fire was so thick that an attached officer in the Advance Guard under Katzeler was killed by roundshot whilst approaching the large battery in direct support of the 22nd Division.
(Much cheering erupted from the French command at this Prussian Officer’s demise)
The Russians IX Corps were divided in their efforts. The 15th Division sent their Brigade of Jagers to occupy ‘Little Widderitzsch’ to the north of the Polish in ‘Greater Widderitzsch’ whilst their Brigade of Musketeers seem to just dither in a threatening stance to the west of the village. Whilst the 15th started upturning tables and ratted through the locals drawers the Russian 9th Division sent their Infantry to attack the French. Apparently in an effort to prove the Russian’s could be all things to all Prussians the Russian Cavalry Corps headed east to confront the French 9th Division.
It was these Russians that attacked between the Polish in ‘Greater Widderitzsch’ and the right flank of the French 21st division that took a pounding".