Auerstadt (Auerstedt) Variant Note
After gaming the historical action at Auerstadt the question came up "Would the outcome be any different if both sides, specifically the Prussians, took the time to deploy before committing to a course of action?". To try and answer this question we deployed both sides before starting the game.
Commander-in-Chief: Friedrich-Wilhelm III, König von Prussen :
Today is October 14, 1806. You are aware that some 30,000 French troops are east of you in Nauburg.
Most of your commanders are ordered to continue with their present orders that require them
to march north-east avoiding Nauburg. Schmettau has been ordered to hold the Kosen Pass
which will block any possible advance by the French.
For a detailed Prussian Order of Battle click HERE.
Commander III Corps : Maréchal Louis-Nicolas Davout :
Today is October 14, 1806. Napoleon has ordered you to attack the main Prussian Army which
is located some distance south-west of you. You expect to see some action before the day is
finished and you have advised your Divisional commanders to be prepared. At 5:30am you
put on your dress uniform as is your custom on the day of battle. Your command spent
the night near Nauburg and has started marching at 6:30am towards Auerstadt.
For a detailed French Order of Battle click HERE.
Auerstadt (Auerstedt) Variant Map:
After Action Report
The Prussians at first under Schmettau and then Brunswick decided to deploy behind the Lissbach Stream. Wartensleben was on the left and held Renndorf, Schmettau was in the center holding Poppel and Tauchwitz, the Prince of Orange on the right held Rehausen, Blücher was in reserve behind Schmettau.
Davout had Gudin in the center holding Hassenhausen, Friant on the right, Morand on the left in front of the windmill with Viallanes behind him on Sonnekupp Hill.
At about 11:00am both sides decided to attack with their left wings and hold their right wings. Despite repeated attempts Schmettau and Wartensleben could not make any headway against Friant. Morand managed to take Rehausen on his first attack. Both the Wartensieben regiment and their supporting Grenadier battalion (Knebel) were routed. Morand then attacked the Prince of Orange's batteries holding the Lissbach stream. The French overran the guns and caused heavy losses to the Puttkammer regiment and Rheinbaben Grenadiers. A counter attack by the Mollendorf regiment was also pushed back with heavy losses.
Despite sending Blücher to reinforce the Prince of Orange by 2:30pm Brunswick could see that he could not stop Morand and Viallanes. Rather then see his army destroyed he ordered a withdrawal.
Since the Prussians had a good defensive position the failed attack on Friant's crack troops has to be questioned. The Prince of Orange tried to stop Morand but his troops were no match for the experienced French. Morand's attacks were well planned and executed, he saw the weakness in the Prussian positions and exploited them. Morand clearly won the day and earned a victory for the French.
Footnote: Kalkreuth's troops were not used in this battle.
