Winter War & Spring Recovery - 1807
Eylau
February 8, 1807
Background
After a confused series of winter maneuvers and small actions, the Russian army finally stands at bay. Numerically weak in infantry at the start of the battle, Napoleon counts on the arrival of Davout's and Ney's corps on the Russian flanks as the day wears on. Bennigsen puts his trust in the strength of his position, the tenacity of the Russian infantrymen, and his powerful artillery.
Location
Map
No map available yet.
Sequence
Do not use initiative.
France
Information Chart
Russia
Information Chart
Historical Order of Battle
Scenario Rules
- Arrival Times:French: l/III & 12#: 0930 hours. In march column at the E9 road end. 3/III: 1230 hours. In march column at the E9 road end. 1/VI & 4# & Marshal Ney: 1630 hours. In march column at Cl road end. 2/VI & 12#: 1800 hours. In march column at Cl road end. Russian: P: 1400 hours. In march column at the Cl road end.
- Alternate SetupBoth sides may place their on-table forces as desired within the general areas of the historic setup locations.
- Changing WeatherOptionalConstantly changing visibility made maneuvering and firing a real problem during the actual battle. At the start of a side's Movement Phase, before doing anything else, roll 1 die. If a "1" ("1" or "2" during the 1730—2130 Turns) is rolled, all movement (for both sides, when using reaction moves) is halved during that side's portion of the Turn (NOTE: React markers may still be placed if this is the only reason for reduced movement). At the start each individual combat, before doing anything else, roll 1 die. If a "1" ("1" or "2" during the 1730—2130 Turns) is rolled, the involved units are considered to have blundered into each other. In a "blunder" combat, before each combat round, the opposing players each roll a die and (no modifiers apply to these rolls) the difference (if any) is used as a positive modifier (cumulative with all other modifiers) for that one round's combat by the side that rolled higher.
- Victory PointsThe buildings of Preussisch-Eylau are worth 30/48, those of Althoff and Sepallen 40/64, that of Klein-Sausgarten 50/80, that of Schloditten 80/128, that of Schmoditten 140/224, and that of Kutschitten 115/184 French/Russian victory points each. All towns except Preussisch-Eylau (which is considered to be French-controlled) are considered to be Russian-controlled at the game's start.
Arrivals
No scenario commands or units are available yet. Add forces first.
No arrivals recorded.
Victory Locations
No victory locations recorded.
Historic Results
Early fighting saw limited French "pinning" attacks by the IV Corps in the center, followed by Russian counterattacks, while the French III Corps stormed SerpaJlen. The French VII Corps was to breach the center and seal the victory, but was engulfed by a sudden storm while moving forward, blown apart by Russian artillery when they appeared out of the murk, and finally destroyed by vicious Russian attacks. With his center nearly fatally weakened, Napoleon sent forward his cavalry reserve to tie up the Russians until the French infantry could regroup. Something like 10,000 French cavalry rode through the Russian lines and then back again in a glorious, costly, diversion. With the center stabilized, Davout's UI Corps ground forward, rolling up the Russian left flank and finally seizing Kutschitten. Meanwhile, Lestocq's Prussians had passed through Althoff with Ney's VI Corps in pursuit. The fresh Prussians moved through the Russian rear, then struck the strained UI Corps' lines at Kutschitten, driving the exhausted Frenchmen back toward Klein-Sausgarten. The VI Corps belatedly took Schloditten, then abandoned it as the cold dark night drove the survivors on both sides into whatever shelter could be found. Both sides had suffered disastrous losses, but the French strategic position, with the nearly fresh VI Corps up and still more distant troops marching to the guns, was much stronger. The Russians withdrew during the night, leaving the French happy enough to sit in place and claim the victory. Napoleon claimed a loss of only 8,000 men, but more realistic estimates reach 20—25,000. Russian losses were probably also in excess of 20,000 men.
Pictures
Links
- https://www.rafaelpardoalmudi.com/NBeylauI.htmlAfter Action Report
- https://www.rafaelpardoalmudi.com/NBeylauII.htmAfter Action Report
- https://pawnderings.blogspot.com/2008/04/napoleons-battles-session-report.htmlAfter Action Report
Required Bases
France - 175 bases
| # | Code | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Fr12# | 12# Heavy Artillery |
| 6 | Fr4# | 4# Horse Artillery |
| 4 | FrGHC | Guard Heavy Cavalry |
| 5 | FrGLC | Guard Light Cavalry |
| 6 | FrHC | Heavy Cavalry |
| 41 | FrLC | Light Cavalry |
| 91 | FrLN | Line Infantry |
| 5 | FrLT | Light Infantry |
| 13 | FrOGD | Old Guard Infantry |
| 175 | Total | |