The first battle of our fictitious 1813 Campaign: The Battle of Brandenburg

The Battle of Brandenburg - 22 August 1813

From the GWC's ongoing 1813 Napoleonic campaign

A 25mm wargame fought on Saturday, November 8, 2008

This fictitious battle pitted Russian and Prussian troops against French forces marching towards Berlin. Our Gourmet Wargaming Club fought with 25mm miniatures using Age of Eagles rules. To fight the campaign we are using The Flight of the Eagle, the newest release from Pratzen Editions.

45,000 Coalition troops battled as many French for about 4-1/2 hours before both sides had had enough. Losses were 5-6,000 on both sides, the Coalition losing their elite cavalry.

Have a look at the carnage, below.

The battlefield before the coming storm.

The battle begins with a mass of Coalition cavalry (left) opposite elements of a French corps.

A closer look at the Allied cavalry.

The French front line.

Giant generals spring to life in April, 1813.

The enemy look on as a French general deploys his forces. Note the column of troops coming up the road to the battle.

Suddenly Coalition forces appear on the French right.

Enemy cavalry approach French positions from two sides.

The French extreme right flank is sent packing by the sudden attack. The flank is refused.

A close-up of the action on the French right: Prussians and Frenchmen exchange saber blows.

Prussian infantry (top center) march quickly to take the small hill opposite the enemy.

Coalition cavalry approach the line.

The fight on the French right draws in more and more units. Note the Russian cavalry in turquoise blue.

The first signs of more Prussian infantry.

The Polish Corps enters opposite the Prussians.

More and more French troops march to the battle down the main road.

The French front line is developing a pronounced bend.

Cossacks! These brave and foolish fellows are rebuffed by cannon and musket fire.

A massed Russian cavalry attack hits the enemy front line.

Prussian infantry and cavalry (top) face the Poles.

An overview clearly showing the battle developing along a wide front.

The French commander forms a grand battery, screened by infantry.

Clash of cavalry: Poles versus Prussians, a natural antipathy. Note the increasing number of Polish and French troops moving up through the patch of woods to the right.

A view of the French center.

So much power is held in the hands of the Umpire and his message boy. It makes one shudder to think of it.

French infantry unmask the grand battery. The thunderous roar of cannon fire fills every Brandenburger with fear, not to mention the poor Russian horsemen.

On the Coalition left, the cavalry skirmishes continue as French and Polish infantry begin to exert pressure. Nevertheless, the French decide to withdraw from the field soon after. Brandenburg bleibt Deutsch!

Our final destination: German chocolate cake. Perhaps this is why Berlin has been the goal of many a foreign army.

The battlefield before the coming storm.	The battle begins with a mass of Coalition cavalry (left) opposite elements of a French corps.	A closer look at the Allied cavalry.	The French front line.	Giant generals spring to life in April, 1813.
The enemy look on as a French general deploys his forces. Note the column of troops coming up the road to the battle.	Suddenly Coalition forces appear on the French right.	Enemy cavalry approach French positions from two sides.	The French extreme right flank is sent packing by the sudden attack. The flank is refused.	A close-up of the action on the French right: Prussians and Frenchmen exchange saber blows.
Prussian infantry (top center) march quickly to take the small hill opposite the enemy.	Coalition cavalry approach the line.	The fight on the French right draws in more and more units. Note the Russian cavalry in turquoise blue.	The first signs of more Prussian infantry.	The Polish Corps enters opposite the Prussians.
More and more French troops march to the battle down the main road.	The French front line is developing a pronounced bend.	Cossacks! These brave and foolish fellows are rebuffed by cannon and musket fire.	A massed Russian cavalry attack hits the enemy front line.	Prussian infantry and cavalry (top) face the Poles.
An overview clearly showing the battle developing along a wide front.	The French commander forms a grand battery, screened by infantry.	Clash of cavalry: Poles versus Prussians, a natural antipathy. Note the increasing number of Polish and French troops moving up through the patch of woods to the right.	A view of the French center.	So much power is held in the hands of the Umpire and his message boy. It makes one shudder to think of it.
French infantry unmask the grand battery. The thunderous roar of cannon fire fills every Brandenburger with fear, not to mention the poor Russian horsemen.	On the Coalition left, the cavalry skirmishes continue as French and Polish infantry begin to exert pressure. Nevertheless, the French decide to withdraw from the field soon after. Brandenburg bleibt Deutsch!	Our final destination: German chocolate cake. Perhaps this is why Berlin has been the goal of many a foreign army.