Bautzen, 1813 – After Action Report

We are very pleased to present a new guest After Action Report by Alexey T., who has already written several excellent and remarkably detailed AARs covering WDS Napoleonic Battles. This latest contribution takes the concept a step further. Rather than presenting the report as a conventional article, Alexey has created an interactive, self-contained AAR format, combining his narrative, maps, screenshots, and analysis into a purpose-built reading experience. 

The subject is the Battle of Bautzen, fought on May 20–21, 1813, during Napoleon’s spring campaign in Germany and recreated in ⁠Napoleonic Battles: Campaign Bautzen. Following his victory at Lützen, Napoleon again confronted the combined Russo-Prussian army in Saxony. Bautzen developed into a large two-day battle across an extensive front, with Napoleon seeking not merely to drive the Allies from their positions but to achieve the decisive result that had eluded him at Lützen. Alexey’s AAR approaches the battle from the perspective of Allied Headquarters, examining the developing situation, the information available to the commander, and the decisions made as the battle unfolds.

The AAR is embedded directly below and can be read within this page. For the best experience, however, click View AAR Fullscreen above the report. This expands the AAR to fill the browser window and gives its maps, images, navigation, and text considerably more room. When you are finished, press Esc or use the x button in the upper-right corner to return to the normal WDS article.

Note: The interactive AAR was designed with a desktop browser in mind. While it can also be viewed on larger tablets, the smaller screens of mobile phones are less suited to the format.