The combat of Wiederitzsch (I)

The gun is roaring at Wiederezitsch and the Polish inafntry is forced by the Russians to leave its advanced position in the cemetery, and to take refuge in Klein Wiederitzsch.

Meanwhile in the center, the Russian cavalry has crossed the small stream under the fire of the Polish artillery, and the Russian Mounted Jagers are fighting the Polish Uhlans, that are forced to retire in the first stages of the mele because of the weigth of the numbers.

But the Polish Uhlans, with the help of its horse artillery, recover and reject their 'hereditary enemies'.

Dombrowsky is maintaning his position against the Russians... at least by now!

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The deployment at Wiederitzsch

Both sides have deployed at Wiederitzsch. The Polish have occupied Klein Wiederitzsch, placing one battalion at the cemetery and one in the village itself. The other wo battalions of the Dombrwosky's division are in reserve in the space between the twin villages. The Polish/French light cavaly is deployed on both flanks, whereas the French "heavy" cavalry (really "dragons d'Espagne") are in the rearguard.


The Langeron's forces are menacing the front of the Wiederiztsch with the infantry, whereas the cavaly is trying to outflank the position.


The scene is ready for the fight and both sides are expecting reinforcements.

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The actual terrain for Wiederitzsch

The actual shape of the table game is always slightly different from the first sketch. In the case of Wiederitzsch the terrain is almost flat and the geographical features are few: some low hills, a wood, a stream and the two twin villages of Klein (little) and Gross (Big) Wiederitzsch.
The pictures show three views of the final battlefield. The cemetery adds another place to fight, whereas the windmill is only added for aesthetic reasons.



Now for the deployment!

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Terrain and rules for Wiederitzsch

The twin villages of Klein and Gross Wiederitzsch appear in all the maps of the battle of Mockern. They changed several times of hands during the combats of October 16, and were the main geographical reference that day. Other features were the Birken Holz (Birch Wood) and the Rietschke stream, whith some minor tributaries not shown in all the maps. The city of Leipzig has expanded considerably and all the area has been heavily built, so the modern maps are not of great help.

I have used as a basis the above map found in the Napoleon-Series site. The rectangle is the area chosen for the the table game. I have moved slightly some features to make a manageable playing area. The final table map could be slightly different due to the fog of war!

The twin villages formed the right flank of the French line during the battle of Mockern. Whereas Yorck and Marmont fought around Mockern, a small Polish/French mixed detachment covered that flank to protect the line of advance of the French III Corps moving towards Leipzig. Therefore, Langeron (and Bluecher that spent the day in the area) faced a force very inferior in number, although the Allies were under the impression that Napoleon could arrive in any moment in force, to roll their left flank. At last, and while the Russians were trying to evict the Poles from the villages, the arrival of the Delmas's division escorting the baggage train of the III Corps, forced them to extend their line towards the left.
The Lasalle Scenario starts at 15h, immediately before of the Delmas's arrival, and has a basic duration of 30 turns. Therefore, not all the forces are initially on the map. For the Russian side, the 8th and 9th Infantry divisions and all the cavalry are present, whereas for the Polish/French side only the 27th Polish division, the Polish cavalry and part of the French cavalry are deployed. The rest of the forces would arrive according the following schedule:
Russians
15th Division/IX Corps: Arrival Turn: 2D6; Arrival point A2-A3-A4 (30%/40%/70%)
French
23th LC Division: Arrival Turn: 2D4 (instead 2D6); Arrival point B5-C5 end road
1st Brigade/III Corps: Arrival Turn: 2D6; Arrival point B5-C5 end road
2nd Brigade/III Corps: Arrival Turn: 2D6; Arrival point B5-C5 end road
Artillery/III Corps: Arrival Turn: 2D6; Arrival point B5-C5 end road
Baggage train/III Corps: Arrival Turn: 2D10; Arrival point B5-C5 end road (Edited 30/04/11)

In addition, the Optional rule for baggage units (See Lasalle e-book p. 143) and my optional rule for cossacks will be used. The objectives of the game are Klein Wiederitzsch, Gross Wiederitzsch, the Birken Holz wood and the French train baggage.

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Return to Saxony: Wiederitzsch

After a Peninsular break of near five months long, the moment has arrived for a return to the Campaign of Leipzig. The battle has been chosen by my Argentinian friend Armand d'Arc which acting as my Chief-of-Staff (my particular Jomini) has found the battle of Wiederitzsch.
This combat was part of the battle of Mockern, fought during the first day of the battle of Leipzig (October 16, 1813) between the Bluecher’s Army of Silesia and the Marmont’s VI Corps. The forces involved at Wiederitzsch were the Dombrowski’s (in polish Jan Henryk Dąbrowski) 27th Polish division reinforced by the Delmas’s division of the Souham’s III Corps (escorting the baggage train of the III Corps towards Leipzig) and the Langeron's Russian Army Group.
For the OOB, I have used the books of Digby Smith and George Nafziger as a basis, but removing some brigades to make the battle manageable for Lasalle.

Polish/French Army Moral 42 ; Break point 14
11 Battalions/7 Regiments/5 Batteries

27th (Polish) Division Dombrowski (+1/-)
Infantry Brigade Zoltowski (+1/*)
1/2nd [P] Reg R/E/SK2
2/2nd [P] Reg R/E/SK2
1/4th [P] Reg R/E/SK2
2/4th [P] Reg R/E/SK2
Cavalry Brigade Krukowiecki (+1/*)
2nd CheCHL Reg V/E/Pu/La
4th ChasChe Reg R/A/Pu
Artillery
1st [P] FA Foot/2 cannons/Medium/1 Hw
2nd [P] HA Horse/2 cannons/Medium/1 Hw
6th LC Division Fournier (-/-)
Mixed R/A/Pu
Mixed Hussars R/E/Pu
1/2 Horse Artillery Horse/2 cannons/Medium
1st Brigade 4th HC Division Avice(+1/*)
Mixed Dragoons R/E/Sh/Pu (+)

Reinforcementes
9th Division Delmas (-/-)
1st Brigade Esteve (-/*)
1/2nd Prv Leg Reg R/E/SK2
1/136th Ligne Reg R/E/SK2
2/136th Ligne Reg R/A/SK1
2nd Brigade Maran (+1/*)
1/138th Ligne Reg R/E/SK2
2/138th Ligne Reg R/A/SK1
1/145th Ligne Reg R/E/SK2
2/145th Ligne Reg R/A/SK1
Artillery
2/9th Foot Artillery Foot/3 cannons/ Medium/ 1 How
11/9th Foot Artillery Foot/3 cannons/ Medium/ 1 How
23th LC Division Beurmann (-/-)
10th Hussar Reg R/E/Pu
Baden Dr Reg S/A/Pu
1/2 Horse Artillery Horse/2 cannons/Medium
Baggage Train 3 units

Russian Army Moral 42 Break point 14
12 Battalions/7 Regiments/4 batteries
C-i-C Langeron (-1/-)

Avantgarde Rudzewitsch (-/-)
Cavalry Korff (-/-)
Brigade Emmanuel (-/-)
Kargopol DragR R/E/Pu
Kiev DragR R/E/Pu
Kinburn DragReg R/E/Pu
Brigade Pahlen III (-1/¶) (Edited 23/04/2011)
Derpt MountJag R/E/Pu
Livland Mount Jag R/E/Pu
Cossacks Witt (-/-)
1st Ukrainian Cossacks S/I/Pu
3rd Ukrainian Cosacks S/I/Pu

9th Division Udom II (-1/-)
1st Brigade Poltaratzki (-1/¶)
Naschburg IR R/E/SK1
Apscheronskoi IR R/E/SK1
3rd Brigade Grimblatt (-/*)
Riaschsk IR R/E/SK1
Jager #38 R/E/SK2
Artillery
15th Heavy Foot Artillery Foot/4 cannons/ Heavy/1How
8th Horse Foot Artillery Horse/3 cannons/Medium/2How

X Corps Kapsewitsch (-/-)
8th Division Urusoff (-1/*)
1st Brigade Schenschin (-1/-)
Archangel IR R/E/SK1
Schlüsselbourg IR R/E/SK1
2nd Brigade Rehren (-/¶)
Old Ingermannland IR R/E/SK1
Jager #37 R/E/SK2
Artillery
18th Heavy Foot Artillery Foot/4 cannons/ Heavy/1How
3rd Light Foot Artillery Foot/4 cannons/Medium/1How

Reinforcements
IX Corps Olsusief (-/-)
15th Division Korniloff (+1/*)
1st Brigade Torn (-/-)
Vitebsk IR R/E/SK1
Kaslow IR R/E/SK1
3rd Brigade Tichanowski (+1/*)
Jager #12 R/E/SK2
Jager #22 R/E/SK2

Bibliography
- 1813 Leipzig. Napoleon and the Battle of the Nations. D. Smith. Geenhill Books.2001
- Mémoires de Langeron, Général d'infanterie dans l'armée russe. L.G.F. Paris. 1909
- Journal des opérations des IIIe and Ve Corps en 1813. G. Fabry. Paris. 1902
- Napoleon at Leipzig. The Battle of Nations 1813. G. Nafziger. Chicago. 1996

The forces are similar in size and capacities, so the battle promises to be a very bloody affaire.

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Lessons of Castillejos

Castillejos has resulted a fast game. Both sides had very clear objectives: Ballesteros was fighting only a delaying action aimed to lose the minimum amount of men and to cause simultaneously the maximum damage possible, before to retire towards Portugal. On the other side, Gazan was decided to destroy Ballesteros's force and designed an encircling strategy to fully remove the Ballesteros's menace to the Soult's army besieging Badajoz.
The forces of both sides were thus unevenly matched but, despite his total lack of artillery, Ballesteros made a good use of the terrain: by garrisoning Villanueva de los Castillejos and using the Spanish cavalry to cover his open flank, he was capable to achieve his mission and retire in time.
Gazan also tried to accomplish his task and thus attacked Villanueva and destroyed the Spanish Regimiento de Lena, but his impatience resulted in the loss of the 1/28e de Legere that crossed the stream in the face of the enemy cavalry. The Sapnish cavalry (Húsares de Castilla), usually so shaky and timid, surprised the daring French while in column formation and rout them, delaying the French advance.
However, the French reinforcements arrived in both flanks and the weight of the numbers was too much for Ballesteros, that extricated his men from Villanueva and the cemetery and deployed on a ridge.
The arrival of the night finished the battle. Both sides lose one infantry battalion and the final result was a draw so the Spanish achieved a marginal victory (Special Sapnish rule) like in the real world.
An in all, Lasalle provided a good framework to fight this almost unknow combat.

See a more detailed A.A.R., with all the pictures shot during the game, at the main web site: Villanueva (1811)

The next battle will be a 'German affaire': the combat of Wiederitzsch. It was fought during the battle of Mockern in the first day of the battle of Leipzig (October 6, 1813) between the Russian Langeron's Army Group of the Army of Silesia and the Polish-French forces of Dombowski and Delmas.
This combat has been again suggested by my 'resident Jomini', my Argentinian friend Armand d'Arc.

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Ballesteros will be back!

Ballesteros has evacuated Villanueva and the Spanish battalions in march column formation are moving away, while Maransin forces have occupied all the village.

The Spanish infantry has formed a new line on the ridge, whereas the Cazadores de Barbastro are running before the advance of Pepin brigade that is closing on El Almendro.

The lone Regimiento de León, almost surrounded by enemy forces and deployed in the cemetery, is keeping at bay the French assaults.

And finally, under the French pressure, also retreats in perfect order towards the rest of their comrades that are awaiting the French advance.

But the battle ends in a draw after 23 turns, so it is considered a Spanish marginal victory. Like in the real world, Ballesteros will be back!

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Ballesteros is in trouble!

The action is raging at Villanueva. Maransin has launched an attack against the village: the two first battalions of the 103e de Ligne are exchanging fire with the Regimiento de Lena, deployed and sheltered in Villanueva.

However, a determined attack by the 1/103e has broken the Spanish battalion, spreading its remnants to the four winds.

Whereas the French are pouring in the village, the Spanish Regimiento de Pravia is forced to abandon the first line of defense and is retiring towards the second line of houses, whereas the Regimiento de Infiesto runs to its help, deploying at its left.

The French tide is only stopped by the Husares de Castilla, taking by surprise the 1/28e de Legere, that after failing to form square, is broken.

The fight is inconclusive but the French flanking detachments are coming, so Ballesteros is in trouble!

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First shots at Castillejos

The battle of Villanueva de los Castillejos has started with the advance of Maransin's brigade against Villanueva, garrisoned by the Spanish infantry. The French are approaching the village, and are crossing the stream under the menace of the Spanish cavalry that is watching its left flank. The fate of Ballesteros is in play!

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1961 A Space Oddity

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first human spaceflight by the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. I was only 7 years old but I still remember my family crowded around the radio.
The subsequent spacial race inspired some films and songs that make a strong impression on a boy like me. Kubrik's '2001. A space odissey' film and David Bowie's 'Space oddity' were amongst these.

The lyrics of the song talk about the loneliness of an astronaut lost in the space

Ground control to Major Tom
Ground control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
(Ten) Ground control (Nine) to major Tom (Eight)
(Seven, six) Commencing countdown (Five), engines on (Four)
(Three, two) Check ignition (One) and may gods (Blastoff) love be with you

This is ground control to Major Tom, you've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare

This is Major Tom to ground control, I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today
Here am I floatin' 'round my tin can far above the world
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do T

hough I'm past one hundred thousand miles, I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much, she knows

Ground control to Major Tom, your circuits dead, there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear...

Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do

You can watch a 1969 video featuring that song.

Enjoy it!

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The issue No. 11 of ALKAID

The issue No. 11 of ALKAID REVISTA MULTITEMÁTICA is out from April 8.
The magazine is devoted to the interaction amongst science, literature, poetry, history, so you can always find an article devoted to one of your interests! The Issue No. 11 contains at leat one article related with our hobby:
- 'The First Siege of Badajoz (1811) written by this humble blogger, about the facts aroud this first (French) siege of this Spanish border fortress. This topics was covered in a previous post, and the article follows and develops it.
Moreover there are articles about the 50th anniversary of the first human spatial flight, new propulsor systems for spaceships, the mathematics world of 'Imaginary', French gardens, climate change and the wine, mountain, poetry, short histories, etc.
The magazine is in Spanish and is available by subscription. Go to ALKAID EDICIONES web site, http://www.alkaidediciones.com/, and download the Subscription Form or contact me in this e-mail address: rpardoalmudi@gmail.com

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Actual terrain for Castillejos

After the design of the scenario, is the time to translate the map to the table. Although I draw the first map taking in account the actual terrain items and configuration of my table, there are always some modifications (finetuning?) to be made before the play begins. In the case of Castillejos, the existence of many small hills and stone-walled labour fields near the built-up area was a main concern, and led to some variations in the final terrain. In this same way I changed the walled enclosure between the two villages, by a cemetery, a piece of terrain I made almost three years ago. The above pictures have been shot after the terrain was finished.

I hope to start the battle soon!

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A great book about La Albuera

An old post (17th June, 2007) very adequate in these days, when the bicentenary of the battle of La Albuera is approaching

I have finished the book "The battle of Albuera -1811" , written by Michael Oliver and Richard Partridge (Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 2007).

The authors use noy only the habitual british sources (Napier, Oman) but also the spanish accounts of the battle: Burriel, Schepeler, Blake.... so the result is a narrative not biased against the spanish, i.e. no more cowards, no more uniformed rabble, etc...

The role played by some spanish units (the Zaya's Division for example) is fully acknowledged and the faults of all participants (british, spanish, french) are described.

Summarising, a fresh aportation that I recommend to all those interested in the 'Guerra de la Independencia' or 'Peninsular War'

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