Battle of Branau - Move 8

1900-2000

19 June 1813

End of move 8

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot has issued all necessary orders and must now leave it up to his corps commanders to do the best that they can.

Orders

5 Command Points

No new orders required

Move within command distance of town and right hand brigade

1 Austrian corps

General Lichtenstein moves to occupy hill

Orders – Move to hill

5 Command Points

Artillery fire on shaken square, total 2, miss

Move cavalry to engage enemy artillery on hill

Move three infantry towards hill

Remaining infantry form square to protect gunners

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai is desperate to will press home his infantry attack on the town before nightfall

Orders – Engage enemy

6 Command Points

Artillery fire on town, roll 2, miss

Move commander to central position

Move two infantry forward

Skirmish two brigades against enemy line, no casualties

9 Bavarian corps

Marshal Vandamme has exposed his artillery and must halt to regroup

Orders – Move to hill

6 Command PointsAustrian cavalry test to opportunity charge limbered artillery, fail morale

Commander changes orders to “Halt”

Artillery withdrawn to infantry support

Infantry withdrawn behind hill

Poor Card

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand withdraws Shaken infantry out of artillery range

Orders – Hold Branau

4 Command Points

Shaken infantry form column of march and withdraw

Gunners enter town

Infantry test morale, roll 3, make morale

Gunners test morale, roll 1 – remain Shaken

Austrian CinC

Archduke Charles must again miss his move due to Poor Card

3 Bavarian corps attack on Branau inflict no casualties

1 Austrian corps secure hill and enemy withdraw behind crest

Summary
Despite their early advantage the Austrians have failed to take Branau. However their advantage in cavalry and artillery made it difficult for 9 Bavarian corps to deploy.

As night fell the Austrians had just captured the hill, and were engaged in a skirmish fight with Branau.

Marshal Oudinot is at a distinct disadvantage. As night fall he orders a withdrawal towards Reishach. The lack of resolve on the part of the Austrians allows him to recover his artillery and make good his withdrawal

The Austrians suffered 3 cavalry casualties.

The Bavarians has suffered 5 cavalry and 1 infantry casualties.

These are heavy cavalry casualties, and will result in a reduction in the class of both brigades.

Battle of Branau - Move 7

1800-1900

19 June 1813

End of move 7

Austrian CinC

Archduke Charles must urgently change 1 corps orders so that they can take the hill on their right rather than continue to advance towards Branau

Orders

5 Command Points

Move to commander 1 corps

Change 1 corps orders to “Move to Hill”

9 Bavarian corps

Marshal Vandamme must move his corps towards hill

Orders – Move to hill

5 Command Points

Move artillery onto hill

Move 2 infantry onto hill

Move 2 infantry towards hill

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand must hold as best he can

Orders – Hold Branau

6 Command Points

No new orders required

Square test morale, roll 2, still Shaken

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Outinot has issued all the necessary orders, it is now up to his corps commanders to do the best that they can

Orders

5 Command Points

No new orders required

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai decides will press home his infantry attack on the town before nightfall

Orders – Engage enemy

5 Command Points

Artillery fire on town, roll 9, one hit

Garrison test morale, roll 5, make morale

Move three infantry forward

One brigade skirmish town – no hits

Cavalry move behind corps to regroup

1 Austrian corps

General Lichtenstein moves to occupy hill

Orders – Move to hill

6 Command Points

Artillery fire on shaken square, total 3, miss

Move Lichtenstein to central position

Manhandle gun forward

Corps move change all infantry into column of attack

Cavalry advance

Poor Card

No effect as all Poor commanders have moved.

3 corps artillery fire on town but no casualties
Grenadier brigade skirmish town again no casaulties

All infantry now in column of attack and move to engage enemy
Cavalry now reformed behind supports, but too many casualties to risk engagement

1 corps artillery fire on square but miss
All infantry now in column of attack
Cavalry cover advance


Summary
Both 9 Bavarian corps and 1 Austrian corps have orders to take the hill. The Bavarians have reached it first but they will have to fight to hold it.

3 Austrian corps is desperate to attack the town before night stops play

Battle of Branau - Move 6

1700-1800

19 June 1813

End of move 6

9 Bavarian corps

Marshal Vandamme must move his corps towards hill

Orders – Move to hill

6 Command Points

Move gun towards hill

Move gun onto hill

Move 3 infantry towards hill

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai decides to press home his infantry attack on the town and leave his Disordered cavalry to look after themselves

Orders – Engage enemy

6 Command Points

Move artillery and unlimber

Move 4 infantry brigades towards town

Move commander to central position

Move disordered cavalry behind corps

Bavarian CinC

He has issued all the necessary orders and must now leave it to his corps commanders to save the day.

Orders

5 Command Points

No new orders required

Move to join Shaken infantry square

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand must hold as best he can

Orders – Hold

4 Command Points

Commander double move to reach shaken square

Move square towards town for support

Square test morale, roll 2, still Shaken

Poor Card

1 Austrian corps

General Lichtenstein must towards Branau, even though 9 Bavarian corps is moving towards the hill on his right.

Orders – Move to Branau

5 Command Points

Move artillery and unlimber

Bring militia onto battlefield

Move all infantry forward in column of march

Austrian CinC

Archduke Charles is unable to change 1 corps orders as he has to miss his move due to Poor Card

3 corps artillery unlimbered within canister range of Branau.

All infantry now in column of attack and move to engage enemy

Cavalry are returning from Pursuit and are Disordered until behind supports

1 corps advance in column of march behind their cavalry.
Artillery unlimbered within range of town
Charles is with corps commander and wants to change orders, but unable to do so due to Poor Card

Summary
The Bavarians are in a desperate situation. 9 corps must take and hold the hill if they are to avoid a retreat at nightfall.

1 Austrian corps is in urgent need of new orders to take the hill on their right rather than advance towards Branau. 2 corps may not have sufficient time before nightfall to attack and take the town.

Battle of Branau - Move 5

1600-1700

19 June 1813

End of move 5

1 Austrian corps

General Lichtenstein has orders to move his corps to Branau, but he can choose to move it to the right of the road where there is more room to deploy

Orders – Move to Branau

7 Command Points

Move cavalry forward to cover advance

Move 4 infantry brigades forward

Move artillery behind cavalry

Move commander to central position

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai decides to press home his infantry attack on the town and leave his cavalry to look after themselves

Orders – Engage enemy

6 Command Points

Limber artillery

Move artillery closer to town

Change militia square to column of march

Move militia forward

Move rest of infantry closer to town with “command order”

Cavalry in Pursuit test morale, total 6, fail

Return to own lines

Remain Disordered until they reach them

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot’s first priority is to give orders to 9 corps who are about to arrive on the battlefield. He has left 10 corps to hold the town until they arrive.

6 Command Points

Moves off table to 9 corps

Change 9 corps orders to Move to hill left of Branau

Move to shaken square

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand must counter enemy infantry advance against his right and also hold his shaken left.

Orders – Hold

4 Command Points

Commander move to right of town

Infantry advance

Infantry form line

Commander return to shaken square

Square test morale, roll 3, still Shaken

9 Bavarian corps

Marshal Vandamme must move his corps towards hill

Orders – Move to hill

5 Command Points

Cavalry advance to cover corps deployment

Artillery move forward

Leading infantry brigade move forward

General move to central position

Cavalry advance another move

Austrian CinC

Archduke Charles wants 1 corps to attack 9 Bavarian corps before they can fully deploy

6 Command Points

Move to join commander 1 corps

Change orders to “Engage”

Remain with 1 corps

1 corps, nearest to camera, advance to right of town behind their cavalry screen.

Beyond them 3 corps cavalry return to join corps, who are nearing Branau.

9 corps cavalry are providing cover for their own corps and the Shaken infantry square

Summary
The battle is going badly for the Bavarians. The loss of 10 corps artillery and cavalry has left the remainder of the corps unable to hold the town and protect 9 corps approach area.

The Austrians are moving to push 9 Bavarian corps back towards Passau and take Branau at the same time.

Battle of Branau - Move 4

1500-1600

19 June 1813

End of move 4

3 Austrian corps

On Engage orders General Gyulai must press home his attack or change his orders. His cavalry are no longer Disordered and he decides to press home the attack before the enemy guns can fire on them

Orders – Engage enemy

7 Command Points

Artillery fire on town, roll 7, miss

Cavalry charge enemy cavalry

Move militia square out of artillery range

Move infantry towards town in column of march

Cavalry Melee:

Austrian total 16, result Rout enemy

Bavarian lose another 2 casualties and Rout

Austrian lose another casualty and Disordered

Bavarian Supports:

Infantry square test morale, total 1, Shaken

Gunners test morale, total 1, Shaken

Austrian cavalry test to Pursue

Test morale, total 6, Pursue

Test direction, total 4, charge nearest enemy

Bavarian gunners nearest but seek shelter in square

Austrian cavalry charge Shaken square

Cavalry v Infantry Melee:

Infantry total 4, result infantry retire 4” Shaken

Infantry lose 2 casualties, retire 4”, Shaken

Cavalry lose 0 casualties, halt Disordered and in Pursuit mode

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot leaves 10 corps to meet 9 corps as they arrive on Passau road

Orders

6 Command Points

Two moves to Passau road to wait for 9 corps

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand must counter enemy infantry advance against his right and also hold his shaken left.

Orders – Hold

4 Command Points

Move to infantry reserve

Move reserve infantry to right of town

Move to join shaken square

Routed cavalry have 4 casualties and can not rally.

Take one more rout move and remove from table

Shaken infantry square test morale, total 2, still Shaken

Austrian cavalry are in Pursuit but unable to break enemy square
Bavarian cavalry are in permanent Rout and flee battlefield

Summary
Both cavalry brigades have suffered enough casualties for them to be unable to take further part in the battle. However whilst the Bavarian are in Permanent Rout, the Austrian are only Disordered. Providing they do not have to take further morale they can still be used to prevent enemy gunners returning to their guns.

Battle of Branau - Move 3

1400-1500

19 June 1813

End of move 3

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai wants to engage enemy cavalry before his own suffer any artillery casualties.

Orders – Move to Branau

6 Command Points

Change orders to “Engage”

Artillery fire on town, roll 4, miss

Cavalry charge enemy cavalry

Move militia brigade forward

Form militia brigade in square to protect artillery

Cavalry Melee:

Austrian total 7 result draw

Both sides lose 1 casualty

Both sides are Disordered

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot wants 10 corps to halt and hold

Orders

8 Command Points

Move to commander 10 corps

Change orders to “Hold”

Move to command distance of cavalry

10 Bavarian corps

eneral Bertrand takes action in case his cavalry lose the melee

Orders – Hold

5 Command Points

Artillery fire on infantry square, roll 4, miss

Move nearest infantry within supporting distance of artillery

Form square to protect gunners

Continue cavalry melee

Cavalry melee:

Austrian total 9 result loser retires 4” Shaken

Bavarian lose 2 casualties, withdraw 4” and Shaken

Austrian lose 1 casualty and Disordered

Bavarian cavalry have withdrawn 4”, have a total of 3 casualties and are Shaken
Austrian cavalry have a total of 2 casualties and are Disordered
Austrian cavalry are now within canister range of enemy guns
Bavarian square in position to protect gunners


Summary
The cavalry melee continues and both brigades have sufficient casualties for them to be non combatant for the rest of the battle. However they must continue the melee until one side breaks and Routs.

Battle of Branau - Move 2

1300-1400

19 June 1813

End of Move 2

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai wants to approach the town from the south east to remain out of enemy artillery range and leave space for 1 Austrian corps when they arrive.

Orders – Move to Branau

6 Command Points

Move artillery

Unlimber artillery

Move 4 infantry brigades

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand wants to disrupt the Austrian advance to allow time for 9 corps to arrive

Orders – Move forward

5 Command Points

Artillery fire on enemy cavalry, roll 5, miss

Manhandle guns forward

Move cavalry towards enemy

Move left hand infantry reserve two moves forward

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot move to join cavalry who are out of support distance

Orders

7 Command Points

2 moves to join cavalry

Austrian cavalry have come under artillery fire, but no casualties yet. Enemy cavalry are now within charge distance of them. Austrian artillery have unlimbered within range of Branau. Remainder of corps advance towards town in exposed column of march.

Summary
Bavarians swing to their left to keep out of artillery range and to allow space for their reinforcements to arrive.

Austrians unable to react unless they abandon their left flank which they cannot do as their reinforcements will arrive along Passau road.

Battle of Branau - Move 1

1200-1300

19 June 1813

End of Move 1

Bavarian CinC

Marshal Oudinot wants 10 corps to move forward to delay the Austrian advance

6 Command Points

Move to commander 10 corps

Change 10 corps orders to “Move”

10 Bavarian corps

General Bertrand wants to move his cavalry towards approaching Austrians, and also move his artillery to the front of Branau.

Orders – Move forward

5 Command Points

Change cavalry formation to line

Move cavalry forward

Move artillery forward

Unlimber artillery

Move Bertrand to central position.

3 Austrian corps

General Gyulai wants to approach the town from the south east to remain out of enemy artillery range and leave space for 1 Austrian corps when they arrive.

Orders – Move to Branau

6 Command Points

Move cavalry to pin enemy cavalry

Move remainder of corps forward with “command order”

Move remainder of corps forward with “command order”

Move general to central position

Austrian cavalry advance on the right to counter enemy cavalry and protect the remainder of the corps as they advance. The remainder of the corps move to the left of Branau in column of march to make rapid progress. Austrian commander has positioned himself to be within command distance of both the cavalry and the corps column.

Summary
The Bavarians move forward to delay the Austrian advance and allow time for reinforcements to arrive.

The Austrians are advancing in column of march for more speed, and deploy their cavalry to counter the enemy advance from Branau

Battle of Branau - Set Up

Transfer from Map to Wargames Table

Tactical Map - 1200 19 June 1813

Campaign Background

Marshal Oudinot and 10 Bavarian corps are in and around the town of Branau and have orders to hold the town.

9 Bavarian corps will arrive on the Orienburg road at the start of move 5.

3 Austrian corps will arrive on the Altheim road at the start of move 1

Archduke Charles and 1 Austrian corps will arrive on the Altheim road at the start of move 5.

The battle starts at 1200 19 June 1813.

Wargames table at start of game

Wargames Table

Branau is the town in the centre

The centre road bottom to top is from Mattsee (bottom) to Orienburg (top)

The road from left to right is from Reishach (left) to Altheim (right)

10 Bavarian corps are deployed in and around Mattsee. They have orders to hold the town, and must also hold the road to Orienburg until 9 corps arrive

3 Austrian corps will enter the table on the Altheim road They have orders to attack Branau. The Archduke Charles and 1 corps will arrive on the same road at the start of move 5.

10 Bavarian corps have orders to hold Branau until 9 corps arrive from Orienburg

There is one infantry brigade in each of the town sections, with the other two brigades in reserve. The foot artillery is limbered ready to deploy as is the cavalry brigade