Historical Note
On October 28, 1806 Maréchal Murat with two Dragoon Divisions, a Brigade of Light Cavalry, and Maréchal Lannes' light infantry managed to take Prenzlau from the Prussians and convinced GdI Fürst von Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen to capitulate with the remainder of his army.
Field Commander :
GdI Friedrich Ludwig, Fürst von Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen :
It is the mid-morning of October 28, 1806 and your troops are starving and exhausted.
You have managed to arrive at Prenzlau just ahead of the French who have been pursuing
you for sometime now. Your advance guard, commanded by GM von Schwerin, has moved forward
on the road to Blindow while your main body is trying to organize itself north east of the city.
GM von Hirschfeld controls the city and it's gates. Prinz August commands the rearguard and has not yet arrived when you receive information that the French are now approaching from the south. Prenzlau is an old fortress city in considerable disrepair. What is your response?
For a detailed Prussian Order of Battle click HERE.
Reserve Cavalry Commander : Maréchal Joachim Murat and V Corps Commander : Maréchal Jean Lannes :
It is mid-morning on October 28, 1806 and you have been trying to run Hohenlohe's army into
the ground for sometime now. As you approach Prenzlau from the south-west you discover
that his main body is already in the city. GB Lasalle is with you, with GD Grouchy and GD Beaumont
close behind. Maréchal Lannes has informed you that some of his infantry should be able to support
you today. What orders do you now wish to issue?
Prenzlau Map :
After Action Report
Although the Prussians managed to arrive at Prenzlau before the French they were unable to organize the majority of their forces back into effective fighting units.
To try and correct this Hohenlohe set up a camp north east of the city. All the troops were encouraged to proceed through the city and into the camp area. OB von Schwerin with the advance guard continued north on the road to Blindow. GM von Hirschfeld held the first bridge west of the city.
Murat arrived at 10:00am and ordered Lasalle to cut the road from Gustow and to storm the northern gates of the city. The approaching French set off a panic amongst the Prussians who quickly closed the city gates. Grouchy was ordered to support LaSalle and Beaumont was to deal with von Hirschfeld.
When Lannes arrived at noon Murat asked him to deal with a reported Prussian column heading from Gustow. Beaumont was detached to assist him.
Lasalle took his troopers right up to the city gates and burst them open. He continued on through the city and out the east gates where he could see Hohenlohe's army forming in a plain north east of the city.
Shortly after 1:00pm it was confirmed that the Prussian column was only the rear-guard of Hohenlohe's army under Prinz August. The Prinz asked for terms and was informed he would be treated in the same manner as the rest of the Prussian army when they surrendered. Thinking this was not acceptable the Prince ordered his men to press forward and cross the bridge. Lannes reacted swiftly and ordered Beaumont to hold the bridge while he attacked with his infantry. The counter attack was too much for the Prussians, they threw down their arms and surrendered.
Seeing that all was lost von Hirschfeld also laid down his arms and surrendered.
A few hours later Murat managed to convince Hohenlohe that his army was surrounded and he surrendered.
The game played out very similar to the historical outcome. The Prussians had few options but Prince August's failure to surrender incurred unnecessary casualties. Without knowing the details of the actual battle the French played it almost exactly like it was. Victory goes to the French.
