The Battle of Jena-Auerstedt After Action Report

We bring you another AAR from our guest author, Alexey. This time it's focused on the battle of Jena-Auerstedt. This is timed nicely as well, to coincide with this title being Game of the Week! So, get comfortable and read on about this latest encounter on a Napoleonic battlefield.

Introduction

As part of an ongoing series of Napoleonic After Action Reports (AARs), this time I find myself on the defensive taking command of the Prussian army in the Battle of Jena- Auerstedt, as my opponent attempts to replicate the feats of Napoleon and Davout.

The map for this scenario is enormous and offers both players several intriguing operational options. While the previous AAR for the Battle of Ligny focused mainly on a single battle with limited operational choices along a relatively narrow front, this AAR presents a much more complex affair. With larger armies, a vast map, bridges and river crossings, multiple armies/wings to coordinate across a wide front, multiple operational options and ETAs to consider, this scenario is a significant step up in scale and complexity compared to the battle of Ligny. 

The purpose of the AAR is to highlight the depth of the simulation WDS Napoleonic series offer and one of the ways they can be played. While sophisticated planning is an option, the games can still be enjoyed without it. Some players may rely on intuition, following general principles of warfare, enjoy the process and be victorious.

As usual, we begin with an analysis of both armies' OOBs, their respective strengths and weaknesses, the locations of Victory Points (VPs), the initial deployment and an assessment of possible defensive positions. The Prussian battle plan is then presented next.

Although the battle and scenario may seem like a lost cause for the Prussians from the first glance, my objective is to defeat the French. Initially, I was focused on simply avoiding a major defeat. On my second attempt at drawing a battle plan, I aimed for a draw. However, the final version of the plan presented in this AAR, though ambitious, was designed to achieve a French minor defeat.

While numerous images are provided to complement the text, it is recommended to open the scenario as you read along. This will help you better understand the initial deployments, distances involved, and key terrain features.  Additionally, a link to a ZIP file is provided along with this AAR, containing a few turns from this PBEM. Opening these files alongside your reading will provide a clearer view of the scenario’s progress. You will need to have version 4.09.1 to open the files. Download the ZIP file here and extract its contents into your WDS\Campaign Jena-Auerstedt\Saves folder.

Table of Contents

1. Scenario: #15_05h_2. The Battles of Jena-Auerstedt - Large Map (15-min version)
2. Prussian OOB
3. French OOB
4. Prussian Perspective: General Battle Plan
5. Prussian Battle Plan: Main Army Disposition
6. Prussian Battle Plan: Hohenlohe Army Disposition
7. Turns 1 to 6: Hohenlohe's Rearguard Holds
8. Turns 6 to 12: Hohenlohe escapes. The main army marches to concentrate.
9. Turns 12 to 18: Hohenlohe continues the retreat. The initial action on the North.
10. The Prussian battle plan is revised.
11. Turns 19 to 28: The fate of the battle is decided.
12. Losses
13. After action analysis

1. Scenario

15_05h_2. The Battles of Jena-Auerstedt - Large Map (15-min version)

14 October 1806 - Size: Huge - Location: South West of Leipzig 

Scenario Briefing: (Historical) The famous battles of Jena and Auerstedt. Napoleon's great victory at Jena was only surpassed by his subordinate, Marechal Davout, who pulled off a brilliant victory at Auerstedt to the north. These victories started the pursuit of the Prussian army which pretty much finished off any organized resistance. Victory over the Prussians, however, would only come later in 1807 and after many battles had been fought.

This version of the two battles is fought on a large map allowing the players a wide variety of options. Victory is mainly based on the destruction of the enemy forces.

The scenario features French and Prussian armies of around 250,000 troops in total, with 500 cannons: a lower ratio of about ~2 cannons per 1,000 troops. It is scheduled to last 46 turns, with rainy and foggy weather impacting gameplay. For the first five turns, movement costs are increased by 25%, and melee effectiveness is reduced by 10%. In the final 10 turns, the same movement and melee penalties apply, along with a 60% reduction in artillery firepower and a 50% reduction in musket firepower. The scenario begins with limited visibility (2 hexes), which gradually improves to 20 hexes by turn 5. However, during the last 4 turns, visibility drops again to just 1 hex.

To summarize: last 10 turns of the game do not favor offensive operations due to poor weather, although cavalry should do well due to reduced firearms and artillery effectiveness.

House rules used:

1. No Positioning of Unlimbered Artillery in Obstructed Terrain (detailed justification for this rule can be found in Ligny AAR).
2. No Simultaneous Melee of the Same Hex by Cavalry and Infantry.

Victory Conditions:

The battle begins with the French being in a position of Minor Defeat, holding 425 victory points (VPs). To achieve a Major Victory, the French need to accumulate over 6,000 VPs. Since on-map objectives can only provide up to 2,225 VPs, the remaining points must be earned through inflicting extremely disproportionate losses on the Prussian army.

The on-map VPs in Prussian control can be roughly grouped into two key areas, worth 1,000 and 800 VPs, respectively.

Given these conditions, a Major Defeat for either side is extremely unlikely. The primary contest is expected to be for a Minor Victory.

The following optional rules are being used:

Mostly default options with only three adjustments – the reasoning for which is explained in detail in the previous Ligny AAR and the Napoleonic Intro series. The new Skirmish Push rule is also enabled to enhance the realism of the battle flow.

2. Prussian OOB

The Prussian forces at J-A are split into three wings: The Main Army, Hohenlohe Wing, Ruchel’s Wing:

The Main Army is the largest wing of the Prussian army (56,000 strong) and has the most capable command chain due to the presence of the Prussian monarch Frederich-William. Although his command rating is only E it adds up to a decent reorganization probability of around 68% average:

The command ratings of individual Prussian commanders are lower than what is typically seen in other WDS Napoleonic titles, reflecting the rigid command system of the Prussian army in 1806. A 68% reorganization probability can only be achieved if the Main army fights as a single body with an uninterrupted command chain. Since most of the army lacks a corps system (only two divisions have a Corps commander), keeping all divisional commanders within the command chain of the Wing Commander (command range of 18) may prove exceptionally difficult, limiting the army's maneuvering options. Ideally, the Main army should be fighting along a narrow front to ensure its command chain remains intact.
 
The Main army has a strong cavalry force of around 15,000, a high share of which is excellent heavy cavalry. Most of the cavalry regiments are rated as “A.” The artillery batteries are also rated as “A,” with both artillery and cavalry dispersed among the infantry units organizationally. This setup effectively makes each Prussian division a small combined-arms force, unlike the French, whose combined arms formations are organized at the Corps level. The exception is the Advance Guard, led by Blücher, which consists mostly of light cavalry but has a brigade of light infantry, made up of four light infantry battalions.
 
A limiting factor for the Prussians is their artillery, which is lacking heavy cannons, with more than a third of their batteries consisting of 4-pounder guns. In contrast, the French artillery of the I and III Corps opposing the Main Prussian army in this sector,  is composed of mostly 6-, 8-, and a few 12-pounder batteries. This superior firepower allows the French to bombard the Prussian main army from the distance, effectively forcing it to either retreat or be provoked into taking the offensive.

The line infantry of the Prussian Main army is rated as “C,” with most battalions consisting of 840 men. These large battalions can be clumsy, as approximately one-third of their musket firepower is wasted due to the frontage limits of 100-meter per hex.  Hence, when deployed in line formation, about one-third of the battalion's companies are masked by those in front. Additionally, at divisional level, these larger battalions accumulate fatigue quicker, as the strain is distributed across a greater number of troops, making this battalion size less than ideal for melee combat.

A potential tactical response could be to use the extended line splitting the 840-strong battalions in two half-battalions optimizing firepower within the hex for half battalion “a” and also sparing half battalion “b” from fatigue accumulation in case of enemy melee attempt. However, this comes with its own challenges, as a routed half-battalion would severely restrict maneuver ability of the remaining unrouted half (half battalions can be positioned no more than 3 hexes apart).
 
Another limitation the Prussians face is that both the line infantry and grenadiers are "Restricted," meaning they are unable to detach skirmishers. Additionally, there is overall lack of skirmishers at the army level: there are only four battalions (Blücher's force), with a few weak companies scattered across other formations. As a result, the Prussian infantry cannot provide enough light troops to form a proper skirmish screen for the forward line, nor enough to bolster stacks made of half-battalions deployed in extended line. The Prussian 420-strong half-battalions are likely to be outgunned by versatile French infantry supported by numerous light troops and can be easily defeated in melee by a pair of French battalions supported by light companies.
  
Nevertheless, to optimize infantry firepower, mitigate fatigue strain and to have more tactical units for in-depth defense I intend to deploy my 840-man size battalions into two units via extended lines and operate them this way.
  
The best formation of the Main army is the Reserve Corps, consisting of two divisions with numerous Grenadier battalions and A-rated Heavy Cavalry regiments. This formation has the highest reorganization rating of 75%, due to the presence of the Corps Commander.
  
The Main army is positioned to cover the area with 800 VPs but begins the scenario unconcentrated with its leading cavalry elements lacking infantry support and with broken command chain.

The Hohenlohe Army is a 38,000 strong wing located further Southwest near Jena covering the area with 1,000 on map VPs.

Due to the absence of the Army Commander, the reorganization ratings are significantly lower than in the Main army.
 
To some extent, the lower reorganization ratings of Hohenlohe army are offset by the higher quality of Saxon infantry making up most of Hohenlohe army. The average battalion size in Hohenlohe’s army is around 650 men, which is much more optimal (vs 840) for musket and melee combat and better suited for rearguard actions.

All line infantry and grenadiers are Restricted, with only three light infantry battalions available across the army. The cavalry and artillery are almost entirely rated as “A,” and organizationally scattered across the infantry formations.
 
Hohenlohe's infantry is also short on ammunition, with only three supply wagons available for the entire battle line, one of which is fixed until turn 9. To mitigate this shortage, the Main army is to provide three additional supply wagons to Hohenlohe. Luckily these wagons are already positioned at the rear of Hohenlohe army, can be easily redirected to join Hohenlohe army to satisfy its ammo needs fully.
 
Hohenlohe's army begins the scenario in near contact with the French V Corps, with two of its divisions (the Left Flank and Right Wing) are fixed until turn 9. One heavy cavalry brigade of 2,800 strong is detached to guard the two bridges across Saale River at the center of the map.
 
Rüchel's Wing is in fact a large cavalry corps consisting of 5,300 cavalry (mixed ratings of A and B) with one infantry brigade (2 light and 2 line battalions) attached. This force is positioned approximately 17 turns' march away from Hohenlohe's army. To make matters worse, it remains fixed until turn 15, meaning it won't be able to support Hohenlohe until much later in the day.

Summary: Overall, the Prussian army begins the scenario dispersed, with poor command ratings, rigid organization, suboptimal battalion sizes, and with tactically unbalanced infantry due to a lack of light troops. While the excellent cuirassier and dragoon regiments provide additional strength to Prussian divisional commanders, the scattering of these regiments across infantry formations makes it very difficult to coordinate effective, large-scale cavalry charges.

3. French OOB

The French army of 150,000 strong consists of six army corps, the Imperial Guard, and two Reserve Cavalry formations. One of these, composed mostly of dragoons, is concentrated near Auerstedt, while the other, made up largely of cuirassiers, is positioned closer to Jena:

A few divisions from the IV and VI Corps are detached from their respective Corps and begin the scenario near Jena within the initial French concentration. For the purposes of this AAR, these divisions are indicated as attached to the nearest V Army Corps to ensure accurate force size estimations, and the OOB image above reflects this. Specifically, the V Corps has one large infantry of 7,400 and one cavalry division 2,000 strong from the IV Corps positioned near Jena on a road leading to Auerstedt. Additionally, Marshal Ney, with 2,000 troops from his VI Corps, is stationed near the V Corps, north of Jena.
 
While the Prussians may seem hopelessly outnumbered, in reality, the French IV and VI Corps, along with one of the Reserve Cavalry formations, are positioned in the rear with limited chances to engage the Prussian army within the 46 turns of the scenario. The Prussian battle plan described below aims to ensure that these 43,000 French troops do not have an opportunity to fire a shot. If the plan succeeds, the situation does not look as dire, with 100,000 Prussians facing 110,000 French.

As expected, the French army of 1806 is arguably at the peak of its strength, boasting superior numbers, an exceptional staff system, an efficient corps structure, high reorganization ratings of above 70%, numerous light troops, strong artillery with plenty of heavy (8lb and 12lb) cannons and the formidable 10,000 strong Imperial Guard.

4. Prussian Perspective: General battle plan

1. Hohenlohe is to fall back into a position near the village of Apolda (500 VPs objective) in order to secure the objective, move away from the French reserves and avoid battle until setting up a defensive position at Apolda. Rüchel is to join Hohenlohe on the right flank, where the terrain is favorable for his cavalry.

The position in front of the village allows the Prussians to protect the 500 VP objective and ensures that the French VI Corps and Reserve Cavalry’s made of cuirassiers are unlikely to reach the Prussian position by the end of the day.

Initially, the French are estimated to outnumber the Prussians (56,000 vs. 36,000), but after the arrival of Rüchel's Wing, the ratio should improve to 56,000 vs. 45,000. With Napoleon being present, the French reorganization rating is 72%, compared to Hohenlohe's only 53%. This part of the battle plan is the very questionable and risky.

2. Main army is to concentrate at the top of the map to cover the 800 VPs and to go into offensive if the situation allows. The two forces are similar in size (56k Prussians vs 54k French) and in organization ratings (68% for the Prussians vs ~75% for the French). The Prussians outnumber the French in terms of cavalry while the French artillery is superior in terms of caliber, as about a third of the Prussian guns are light 4-lbs pieces outgunned by the French heavy artillery present in the ranks of the I and III French corps.
 
3. A cavalry detachment at the center of the map is tasked with destroying the two bridges across the Saale River and then falling back to join the rest of Hohenlohe's army. This is to ensure that the French IV Corps cannot cross the river in time to engage either of the Prussian armies. It is estimated that it will take 15-20 turns to destroy the bridges, unless the French send their light cavalry from Jena sector to disrupt the process, and the Prussians fail to delay them long enough.

This battle plan, designed to achieve a Prussian minor victory, is based on four key assumptions:

1. Both bridges are destroyed on schedule.
2. The French VI and IV Corps, along with the Reserve Cavalry (Cuirassiers), are unable to arrive in time to participate in the battle.
3. Only two objectives near Jena, worth a total of 500 VPs, fall into French hands.
4. The Prussian army suffers disproportionately higher losses which however remain below 1,075 VPs level, which is roughly 5% of the Prussian army. In absolute terms this is equivalent to around ~4,000 infantry, ~1,500 cavalry and 10 guns worth of Prussian losses on top of French losses.

The French begin the scenario holding 425 VPs, with 500 VPs are to be given up / lost as per the general battle plan (925 in total). As long as Prussian losses remain within 1074 VPs above French losses, the battle would result in a French Minor Defeat:

Ambitious? Indeed.
 
There’s a risk that I miscalculated the ETAs, the bridges may not be destroyed on time, or the French could arrive earlier than expected, executing a disciplined march by ditching artillery and wagons to avoid traffic and bottlenecks. At the very least, the infantry of IV and V corps could give way to the cavalry, allowing them to dash toward the Prussian lines and arrive just in time to deliver a final, decisive charge.

Hohenlohe is likely to struggle disengaging at the beginning and will find it even more difficult to retreat in an orderly fashion along the two roads available without losing cohesion. With the French V Corps and the Imperial Guard on his heels, he will have to redeploy for battle without losing a material part of his army in the process.  Then he will have to face superior numbers (56,000 French vs. 36,000 Prussians) until Rüchel 8,000 Corps arrival much later. With this in mind and the 53% reorganization rating, and the challenge of engaging the Imperial Guard under Napoleon's direct command, avoiding destruction could be particularly difficult.
 
The Main army in the North might also be stretched thin by the two French Corps, with the command chain potentially breaking down, leading to the loss of even more ground.  A few things could go wrong, and even on paper, this plan may look like a drunken staff officer's wild dream.  But at least it’s a path to Victory and promises to be an interesting scenario.

5. Prussian Battle Plan: Main Army Disposition

The two armies facing each other at Auerstedt sector begin the scenario marching towards each other:

The leading elements of the Prussian army (3,000 strong) consist of heavy cavalry supported by eight 4-pound horse guns. The cavalry begins with only brigade commanders present, meaning they will only be effective for a single charge until the command chain is restored around turns 4-5. In contrast, the Advance Guard of the French III Corps is a slightly more balanced force, composed of a regiment of Chasseurs cavalry, the 3rd Infantry Division (8,400 strong), and eight guns (1 horse + 1 heavy battery).

The first elements of the Prussian infantry (from the Left-Wing division) are expected to arrive by turn 8. By turn 12, a second division of Davout's III Corps will begin reaching the area, suggesting that the battle will likely become a meeting engagement in the region marked on the image provided. The area is pretty much flat with fields and is favorable to the Powerful Prussian cavalry.

ETAs have been estimated for each Prussian formation, with the bulk of the Prussian army expected to arrive at the critical village of Poppel around Turn 10.  Upon the arrival of the Reserve Corps around turn 18, the main army may attempt an attack to secure a position offering a reverse slope with both flanks protected.

Most importantly, this position would force a frontal engagement, limiting the French's ability to turn the battle into one of maneuver, a style of warfare less suited to the Prussian command system. The Duke of Brunswick, the commander of the main army (Wing commander in game terminology), has a command range of 18 hexes (into all directions), allowing him to easily cover a 35-40 hex frontage.

 The Reserve Corps is to be positioned on the right flank and should the French attempt to outflank the Prussian army from the right, the Corps would have the needed flexibility in maneuvering, thanks to the additional command range of its corps commander (+15 hexes) while remaining under the command of his Wing Commander (Duke of Brunswick).

Davout’s elite infantry (Gudin’s division) of the III Corps is the French first wave facing the Prussian army are all rated as “B” with above 70% reorganization rating at Corps level and expected to put a tough resistance. Bernadot’s I corps infantry ratings of C and B. The Prussians have the advantage of their numerous “A” rated heavy cavalry so the clash of the two armies should be an interesting one.

6. Prussian Battle Plan: Hohenlohe Army Disposition

Now switching to the saddle of Hohenlohe, it's time to make a tactical-operational assessment at his army level. According to the general battle plan, Hohenlohe is to disengage and fall back into defensive positions 9 km to the north. In fact, this plan is a mini version of the Russian Campaign of 1812, where the Russian General Staff refused battle and retreated onto their reserves, away from Napoleon’s reserves until both armies were roughly equal in size. Strategically, this plan makes sense as it aims to ensure that the French IV, VI Corps and Reserve Cavalry are unable to join the action.

Now looking at the defensive position at Apolda village:

The center of the positions and the approaches to the VPs objective has some obstructed terrain (orchards, stream and village hexes) not suitable for cavalry operations but a terrain where French Guard battalions can break into skirmish formation and have an edge over Prussian infantry lacking skirmishes. Both flanks have open ground suitable for the Prussian cavalry. There are two streams dividing the position into three sectors. There is a road running in the Prussian rear parallel to the battle line which should help in shifting reserves. The French side of the intended battlefield does not offer such luxury so once their cavalry (~7,000 strong in total) and artillery is committed to one flank it would not be able to reposition to the opposite flank due obstructed terrain. The conclusion is made that the closer the French army approaches to the village the more separated it becomes as it will have to split its artillery and cavalry into three sectors being unable to support each other.

Depending on the timing, disposition and route of the French advance, I have a daring plan of going into an offensive relaying on the terrain features and Prussian cavalry advantage. Under this disposition - the powerful left wing (~11,000) can be shifted to either Prussian flank concentrating close to 10,000 cavalry in one sector and crushing one of French flanks using overwhelming cavalry advantage supported by horse artillery and infantry columns of the Left Wing division.

Accordingly, the Prussian battle plan in this sector is:

1. To fall back to the village itself, positioning elite infantry units to hold the center.
2. To identify the weakest flank of the French army. 
3. Using the advantage of the roads running parallel to the Prussian line, to concentrate Prussian powerful cavalry against this flank and to strike in force. The left flank of the French army looks promising for such action as this where Rüchel's 5,000 cavalry are expected to arrive by turn 35.

The divisional disposition for the battle is planned as following:

1. Reserve and Left Flank divisions to take the position in the center deploying their best infantry battalions (A and B rated) in the first line. This is where a direct assault is expected by the elite French units. This sector is not suitable for artillery deployment (due the house rule used not to deploy artillery in obstructed hexes) however I need to deploy as many artillery pieces here as I can to make the frontal assault for the French infantry costly. 
2. The Right Wing division is made of large quality C battalions. This force is to act as the main reserve and is to take the position in the second line in the village itself also extending its forces to cover the left flank. Its infantry is to go into extended line and to act as a counterattacking force using columns in the village itself. Its numerous excellent heavy cavalry are to be positioned on the road ready to be shifted to the opposite flank. The light cavalry is to form a screen to hide the deployment. 
3. Left wing division is to take positions on the Prussian right flank at an angle to the expected enemy advance threatening their flank. This force is expected to be reinforced by Rüchel force by turn 35. 
4. All skirmish companies are to be concentrated in the center within orchards on the approaches to the village.

Overall, the defensive position is designed to funnel the French force into the narrow front of less than 1 km at the center. Most likely the French won't be able to ignore the threats to their flanks and will have to spend time extending the front and to deal with flanks first pushing them away before attempting to assault the village. With Rüchel's force on the way to threat the French left, the more time the French spend on deploying for battle the better. 

The Prussian offensive plan is bold and ambitious as the French outnumber Hohenlohe army around ~1.5 to 1 (54,000 to 34,000) after accounting for the expected future losses from the rearguard action. With Rüchel arrival at turn 36 the situation will improve to (~1.25 to 1) but this only if the French player fails to concentrate its powerful reserve cavalry (~7,500 heavy cavalry).  

Otherwise, on the open Hohenlohe army may have a chance with its 15,000 cavalry (including Rüchel's force) - a formidable force which could be formed into 25-30 attacking stacks of 550-600 troopers within each stack, capable of defeating a couple of French infantry battalions. The Prussian cavalry numbers are also sufficient to cover the expected front so the attacking echelons are capable to charge and rotate recovering disorder even with its poor command chain of 53% disorder recovery probability.   

As of 4.09 the cavalry charge bonus has been standardized to *4 across all titles. In case the French opt for advance in tight infantry formations (large stacks of 1500 and above) the Prussian cavalry will struggle to defeat these tight formations as it resembles a formation similar to square and the type of formation used by the Austrians in 1809 and beyond:

(Image showing 1,800 troops stacked into 100-meter hex)

However, such formation would be extremely vulnerable to artillery due to columns pass through fire and target density modifier optional rules. Hence if I want my cavalry to force the French into tight, square like formations, I also need to deploy substantial share of my artillery in the same sector to work with cavalry in combined arms manner.  

The plan seems straight forward on paper; however, when viewed from Hohenlohe’s army tactical-divisional perspective, it becomes an extremely difficult mission. Historically, disengaging and assuming a new defensive position was one of the most challenging maneuvers to execute, and this holds true in the WDS Napoleonic titles as well.

I covered the topic of rearguard actions in detail on page 97 of the Intro_NapBattles PDF, which can be found in the game’s Manuals folder. Had I been commanding the Russian army of 1812, I would feel much more confident, with smaller battalion sizes more optimal for rearguard actions, with the fanatical modifier of +2, with French like Corps system, with a brigade of light troops in each infantry division, numerous horse batteries, and with Cossacks at my disposal. However, there are doubts whether the Prussian army of 1806 can withstand the pressure of rearguard action successfully while also being out of position in the first place.

The Intro_NapBattles pdf, also covers the description of one of my failed attempts to disengage and to retreat commanding the Austrian army in 1800 Marengo title and illustrates how disengaging attempts can easily turn into disaster.

“Some units got mixed up in the process of retreat, resulting in a partial loss of command and control. Effectively, by this time, the Austrian army was divided into three parts, out of position, crammed in obstructed terrain, and unable to deploy its cavalry and artillery, with some units detached and out of command. Organizing a new defensive line anywhere on the map was out of the question.”

(Intro_NapBattles pdf, "Napoleon’s Offensive Art", pages 74 to 76 of the PDF)

Needless to say, that battle ended in a Major Defeat for my Austrian army. Although, the Austrian army escaped with minor losses only due to the creek with only two crossings and obstructed terrain where Austrian rearguards made of elite grenadier battalions were able to create bottlenecks holding the French advance guards enough for the main army to escape.
 
This time, however, there is little obstructed terrain over the 90 hexes that need to be retreated over. There are two roads leading north; the one further west requires a detour to avoid congestion on the direct road. If the enemy commander throws his V Corps into the fray in force early in the battle, aiming to disorder and immobilize the Prussian units, the losses could be devastating jeopardizing the whole concept of the Prussian battle plan aiming for the Minor Victory.

Hohenlohe's has a theoretical advantage in cavalry which is 10,800 strong. However, 2,800 are detached to guard the bridges across Saale river, leaving the army with effectively 9,000 cavalry to attempt an organized retreat and prevent it from turning into a disaster. To make matters worse, two of Hohenlohe's divisions are fixed until Turn 9, leaving him with only 3,500 cavalry immediately available and meaning majority 5,500 of the Prussian-Saxon cavalry are likely to be out of position when the bulk of the French second echelon reaches their position. In comparison, the French have 2,000 light cavalry in the first echelon, immediately available to engage in battle, with up to 6,000 additional cavalry (including Guard Cavalry) in the second echelon, scheduled to reach the initial Prussian positions around turns 7-8.

It is my estimation that the best bet for the two divisions initially facing the French (the Reserve and Left Flank) is to retreat away from the French reserves, falling back on their second line (the Left Wing and Right Wing divisions being “Fixed”), while leaving light cavalry to cover the withdrawal. According to the game manual, a fixed unit will automatically become released if spotted by an enemy unit and an enemy unit comes within 9 hexes or closer. So, if the French commander pushes his V Corps forward too hard, he may reach the two Prussian fixed divisions, effectively releasing them before Turn 9.

In any case, Hohenlohe is likely to find himself in a difficult situation, and I can imagine the tense conversation he had with the adjutant from the main HQ who delivered his orders for the day. The fate of Prussia rests in the hands of Hohenlohe's army!

7. Turn 1-6: Hohenlohe's Rearguard Holds

Download here and open !JenaAursAAR Turn6_passwrd_1066  

Jena Sector

The battle began with the front echelons (not being fixed) of Hohenlohe’s army pulling back as planned and beginning their march towards Apolda position. The rearguard was formed, made of 5 grenadier battalions, a fusilier battalions and 8 light cavalry squadrons. The French initially advanced cautiously but the pressure mounted with every turn as more French units moved into the battle line. A continuous ZOC (white lines on the image below) front was maintained up to turn 6. The French infantry advanced in mixed order mixing firepower of lines and maneuver of columns. On turn 6, the Prussian weak center was wiped out by musket volleys and the French cavalry moved into the gap beginning to surround the battered flanks of the Prussian rearguard.

(The lines in white indicate the continuous ZOC: a critical element to preventing the enemy breakthrough.)

Auerstedt Sector

The Prussian advance guard, composed of cavalry, probed the French positions near the village Hassenhausen but was repulsed by French infantry musket fire and a four-gun horse battery. I then reluctantly withdrew my cavalry to await infantry support. I considered, but ultimately declined, the idea of charging into the undisordered large French battalions without infantry support and having only a dozen of 4-lb cannons.

8. Turn 6-12: Hohelohe Escapes. The Main Army Marches to Concentrate

Jena Sector

By Turn 8, the Prussian rearguard screen covering the retreat was destroyed, with survivors taken as prisoners through isolation and routing. Prussian losses totaled 1,500 infantry and 500 cavalry, while the French sustained only around 150 casualties. 350 VPs were already lost in the process due to Prussian losses. Three more Prussian battalions were ordered to go into extended line and to form squares in order to hold the line until the bulk of the Hohenlohe army (two divisions) are finally released on Turn 9. The rearguard’s sacrifice was not in vain, as it delayed the French advance just enough for these two divisions to disengage and begin their retreat.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn10_passwrd_1066

The units forming a rearguard were made of grenadiers and B quality Saxon line regiments who withstood the French onslaught without being routed and held the line just long enough for Hohenlohe to disengage and retreat:

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn12_passwrd_1066

Bridges across the Saale

At this point bad news came from the bridges worsening the operational situation dramatically. The first bridge was successfully demolished so not even infantry are able to cross without some time consuming bridge repairs. However, the second bridge across the Saale was failed to be destroyed as on by Turn 8, French light cavalry appeared on the other side of the riverbank disrupting the process.

By this point the bridge still had 230 points (out of 300) and was crossable by all arms. The Prussian cavalry evacuated on the other side of the bridge; however, the light cavalry French did not press and presumably awaited for their horse artillery to arrive. It was only a matter of time until the bridge would be captured by the enemy. The operational implications of this were not to be underestimated. Having possession of this crossing meant that the IV French corps made of ~20,000 was now probably marching to this spot.

From here it could turn northwest to strike the flank of the Main army (ETA Turn 37). Or opt to move South-West (ETA Turn 41) towards Apolda position where Hohenlohe was intending to deploy for battle. In either case it would be arriving just in time to strike either of the Prussian armies and the appearances of additional~20,000 troops were moving the scale of sheer numbers materially in favor of the French army (~130,000 vs ~100,000).
 
It became apparent that my battle plan was probably failing. I made the mistake in my planning of failing to account for the possibility of the Bernadotte I Corps light cavalry to move forward in order to seize the bridge before it gets destroyed. I was too preoccupied with my focus on the French I corps moving for concentration around Auerstedt sector that I did not expect them moving towards the 2nd bridge.

Auerstedt sector

From now on, considering the imminent loss of the bridge, it appeared as the only hope to secure a minor victory is to decisively defeat Davout’s corps opposing the Main army before French IV corps can come to its aid.  The main army had to begin its attack on Davout’s Corps at Auerstedt as soon as possible. By turn 12, the Main army was still concentrating, and not ready, with most of the artillery and infantry stuck in a traffic jam along the pike and with its large and clumsy infantry battalions preparing for action via splitting into two going into extended lines.  The schedules of arrival and deployment begun to fail. Only the Left Wing (LW_12k on the image) division and Blucher’s Advance Guard were deployed for battle, while the enemy took the defensive posture around the village of Hassenhausen. It appeared that only one division was holding the position around the village on a wide front.

9. Turn 13-20: Hohenlohe Continues the retreat. Initial action in the north.

Auerstedt sector

Considering the loss of Saale bridge, I had no option but to proceed with the original plan of attacking at Auerstedt sector with the Main Army as soon as possible. Now, the major blow to Davout’s army had to be delivered with the limited time before French IV corps can arrive and engage with full force, presenting the Prussian army with the reversed situation of Waterloo. 

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn13_passwrd_1066 

By turn 13, the Main army continued its concentration against Davout's corps and although not fully ready I proceeded with attacking the village of Hassenhausen occupied by a single French division. The division seemed to be exposed covering a wide front and being gradually surrounded by the Prussian cavalry deploying in a semicircle around the French position.  There was no precise intelligence where the rest of the French III (Davout) and I (Bernadotte) Corps were but it was estimated still on the march, so it was decided to press forward in what is believed to be an isolated French division being out of support.

Tactical tip: watch the replay of the Prussian cavalry (with the following file) as they begin their attack on the French position at the hex 287-41. Press F9 to pause and take notes on:

• The multiple echelons of the Prussian advance.
• The combined-arms approach, with both infantry and artillery following the cavalry and being ready to support the attack in the following turn.
• The use of the pike for a rapid approach toward the enemy line.
• The bending of the French position, which runs from south to north before turning northeast.
• The Prussian cavalry stack actions at hex 284-41. More on this tactic can be found in the After Action Analysis section at the bottom of this AAR.

From the zip file,  !JenaAursAAR Turn14_French_passwrd_Dino

Blucher’s light cavalry led the way, followed by heavies. Close to 8,000 Prussian cavalry participated in the attack, enveloping the village from one flank, surrounding and isolating one of the French brigades positioned within the village. To the south of the village a second French infantry brigade attempted to retreat under the weak cover made of Chasseurs light cavalry from the French III Corps. Blucher’s hussars advancing in the first echelon outnumbered the French light cavalry at least 3:1. This superior force smashed into the ranks of the French light cavalry pushing them into the ranks of the French infantry brigade positioned behind. The French infantry neglected to form squares and did not maintain continuous front against the Prussian cavalry. The whole French formation turned into disorder lacking continuous ZOC front:
 
From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn14_passwrd_1066

The following wave of the Prussian heavy cavalry charged into the French shattered lines lacking a cohesive front.  Within 90 minutes (6 turns) from the beginning of the attack, and with the arrival of the Prussian infantry who cleared the village itself, the French division was totally defeated with its battalions either routed but mostly isolated and eliminated. By Turn 20, the French losses from this action estimated to be as 7,000 (1,000 out of which were cavalry) vs 1,500 losses to the Prussians (out of which in 1,000 cavalry):

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn18_passwrd_1066 

The swift defeat of the French division was primarily due to its lack of depth in positioning, insufficient front to cover such a wide front, absence of a second and third lines in support, failure to maintain a continuous front with ZOC but probably most importantly neglect to form squares to counter the masses of Prussian cavalry. The destruction was completed within 90 minutes, resulting in close to third of the division being taken as prisoners, all colonels and brigade commanders either killed or captured, the loss of 8 guns, and the remains of the division routed.

This action inspired confidence in the Prussian ability to win the battle. It was an impressive performance by approximately 12,000 mostly A-quality rated cavalry executing a swift and concentrated attack in three echelons.

The destruction of Gudin’s division from Davout’s Corps earned the Prussian side +1,000 points from French losses after deducting Prussian losses.

Jena Sector

By turn 13 Hohenlohe managed to disengage and to retreat losing 4,000 of his troops in a costly delaying actions. French losses were around 500. Overall I was satisfied with the fact that the retreat, although costly, did not turn into a disaster as on a few occasions the retreating divisions were on the verge of being disordered by routed friendly units, which would slow them down, get them pressed into combat, isolated and destroyed. The tactic of picking up B and A rated ~650 size battalions of grenadiers, going into extended line, and forming squares to form a continuous ZOC has paid off. These elite battalions held the line just enough for the army to escape. Furthermore, the retreating division were marching in a good order with uninterrupted command and control:

10. Prussian Battle Plan is Revised

Although, the VPs balance due to losses turned into the Prussian favor, nevertheless it was time to reassess the battle plan considering the failure to destroy the bridge across the Saale. By turn 17, the situation unfolded as follows with presumably French IV Corps moving towards the undestroyed bridge:

Jena Sector

Hohenlohe’s army leading division reached Apolda and began to deploy in line with the previous defensive disposition to defend Apolda. 

Auerstedt sector

The Main army was regrouping after the previous action, with elements of the Elite Reserve Corps (~17,000 strong) beginning to arrive.

Saale Bridge

My cavalry pickets were still holding the bridge, but by Turn 23, the French IV Corps were expected to arrive and cross the river in force.

At this point, I decided to abandon the Apolda position (-500 VPs) due to the +1000 VPs already secured from the action at Hassenhausen and the high risk of Hohenlohe’s defeat in case of attempting to stand the ground at Apolda. This force was vulnerable in case the IV French Corps was moving towards the bridge and then turning towards Apolda position to strike the left flank of Hohenlohe’s army already badly outnumbered.
 
The safer course was to reunite the Prussian army by ordering Hohenlohe’s retreat north to establish a defensive line at Auerstedt. This allowed for better odds in a combined engagement, with the Prussian army facing more balanced numbers against the French and mitigating the risk of being overwhelmed at Apolda.
 
Although this plan involved potential losses (estimated as -500 VPs) during the renewed Hohenlohe’s retreat and the sacrifice of the Apolda objective, it maintained a reasonable chance of achieving a minor victory.

Ultimately, this decision was made on avoiding a disastrous outcome at Apolda and the potential loss of the bridge across the Saale was the primary driver for this decision. The fate of the battle is likely to be decided by the action in the north with the Main army engaging the French force opposing them.

11. Turns 18-28: Jena, Rearguard Action.  Auerstedt, The Fate of the battle is decided.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn20_passwrd_1066

Auerstedt sector

After the destruction of Godin’s forward division, the French assumed a defensive position on a plateau, covering a relatively narrow front with the River Saale to their rear. The center of the French position was strongly covered by artillery with an excellent field of fire. Their left flank anchored on the forest, while their right flank was heavily reinforced with French troops, outnumbering the opposing Prussian Left Wing division.

The Prussian main army continued to concentrate, with the Reserve Corps (~17,000 men) yet to arrive. I was considering the following option: to focus on the enemy’s right flank and launch a decisive strike, supported by an attack in the center and a diversionary assault the French left flank. I divided the sectors among my divisions and began deploying my artillery accordingly: 

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn22_passwrd_1066

At this moment, the Prussian plan became obsolete once again as the French opponent surprised me by initiating a sudden full-scale withdrawal from the center and their left. They unlimbered their artillery and began to withdrawal across the center and left flank. Meanwhile, the enemy's right flank continued to extend northward, moving additional troops into the area:

Seizing the opportunity, I ordered my cavalry across the entire line to move into contact and strike the enemy decisively while they were on the move, with artillery unlimbered.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn24_passwrd_1066 

The Prussian cavalry’s attack on the enemy's powerful right flank was beaten back, with several squadrons of Prussian cuirassiers cut off and eliminated:

I did not attempt a second attack, as more French divisions arrived in the area and began to outnumber the Prussian left flank considerably. The Prussian forces assumed a defensive posture following the failed assault.

The attack on the center, however, was more successful. The French initially deployed at least a division of dragoons to cover the retreat of their main force.

What followed was a massive cavalry clash - operationally a repetition of the earlier destruction of Gudin’s division at Hassenhausen. The Prussian light cavalry executed a pincer movement on both flanks, supported by a frontal push from heavy cavalry.

Initially, the French dragoons held firm against the first frontal charge by Prussian cuirassiers, continuing their orderly retreat along the highway. The second wave followed, and disorder began to spread among the French ranks. More French cavalry was sent to plug the gaps in the line to maintain a continuous ZOC front. Eventually, the entire French cavalry corps, along with a supporting light cavalry division, became embroiled in the clash.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn26_passwrd_1066

Meanwhile, the Prussian side received reinforcement from infantry units that began to arrive and opened deadly fire on the French dragoons. As the disarray in the French cavalry mounted, the third wave of Prussian heavy cavalry broke through the French formations, isolating the first line of the French cavalry:

After an hour of intense battle, the French formation was enveloped on both flanks by Prussian light cavalry and heavily pressed from the front by Prussian heavy cavalry and an increasing number of Prussian infantry.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn27_passwrd_1066 

Overall, close to 3,700 French cavalrymen had been eliminated at the cost of 1,300 Prussian losses. Additionally, approximately 2,000 more French cavalry were isolated and on the verge of destruction. By turn 27 the organized resistance of the French cavalry had ceased: 

While the French cavalry corps sacrificed itself in the massive cavalry battle under unfavorable conditions, it bought enough time for the main force to maneuver toward the French flank and avoid being trapped with the Saale River and its single bridge at their rear. The main French army successfully disengaged, with the remnants of the dragoon corps covering the retreat.

Meanwhile on the south The Hohenlohe army ceding the Apolda position, continued its retreat towards the main army with light cavalry skillfully covering its retreat using terrain features and not allowing the French advance guard to break through the screen. The battle was effectively over as no side had reasonable odds to push the battle beyond French minor defeat outcome.  

The conclusion was made via cease fire with a Situation as of Turn 28: 

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn28_passwrd_Dino

• The French IV Corps did not engage, missing the opportunity to cross the Saale River.

• To the north, the French III and I Corps are retreating from the Prussian Main army after suffering heavy losses. One of their infantry divisions was wiped out during the action at Hassenhausen, and their cavalry corps annihilated in the subsequent cavalry battle.

• At Apolda, the French main army continued pursuing Hohenlohe’s forces. However, Hohenlohe managed to disengage with the help of his light cavalry rearguard and was marching north to reunite with the Prussian main army.

• Meanwhile, Rüchel's corps retreated westward after successfully distracting part of Napoleon’s main force.

12. Losses

13. After Action Analysis

Operational Analysis

The battle was decided in the north (Auerstedt sector). Initially, the Prussian success in this sector lay in their ability to concentrate forces and strike the isolated enemy division with most of their army concentrated. The French forward deployment was overly ambitious, leaving Gudin’s division with exposed flanks, lacking in depth deployment and without support from the French main body.

Timing also played a key role. Exercising patience and refraining from an early Prussian attack using only cavalry proved crucial. The early attempt to dislodge Gudin’s force from his position at Hassenhausen village could have been a costly affair and at best could only achieve some ground being captured pushing the French force back towards their main body.
 
The situation in the south (Jena sector) and the Prussian decision to abandon their position at Apolda were heavily influenced by the successful engagement in the north which yielded the Prussian side +1,000 VPs and the anticipated loss of the bridge Saale which has never materialized. The initial retreat was a tactically challenging maneuver, and it was a close call for Hohenlohe to successfully extract his main force from an initially difficult position.
 
The Role of Bridges

Interestingly, the bridges across the Saale River did not influence the battle, as no French forces were diverted to the area. Both sides miscalculated the other’s abilities. The Prussian player failed to anticipate the potential capture of the second bridge early in the game by Bernadotte’s cavalry. Meanwhile, the French player overestimated the Prussian ability to destroy the bridges or organize prolonged resistance at the crossings and refrained from diverting any significant forces toward this are, dispatching only cavalry picquets for passive observation. 

Tactical Aspects

Despite the reduction of the cavalry charge bonus from *5 to *4 in version 4.09 (introduced to standardize the bonus across titles), concentrated cavalry effort remains an extremely powerful tool. Up to 8,000 Prussian cavalry participated in the destruction of Gudin’s division, and close to 10,000 took part in the subsequent cavalry clash against the French cavalry corps made of dragoons.

However, several conditions must be met before committing such a large cavalry force:

1. Terrain Consideration

The terrain must be suitable. Deploying a large cavalry force on a small patch of open ground allows the enemy to block them easily with a few infantry squares supported by a couple artillery batteries.

2. Use of Horse Artillery

Ideally, horse artillery should disorder enemy lines before a cavalry charge.

3. Deployment of Light Cavalry

Light cavalry is best positioned on the flanks to quickly envelop the enemy. In both engagements in the north, Blucher’s light cavalry played this role effectively. Light cavalry can also remained hidden in ravines, charging forward in the right moment to strike the enemy unexpectedly.

From the zip file, !JenaAursAAR Turn14_French_passwrd_Dino - and watch the replay of Prussian cavalry attacking from hex 276:44 to 284:41 and over to 288:43.

Blücher’s hussars used this tactic, signaling the full-scale attack on Gudin’s division: charging all the way (8 hexes) to the French skirmish line, cutting the enemy skirmishes in melee and proceeding in continue charge mode overrunning a French heavy battery, capturing a French brigade commander and disrupting the cohesion of the French line.
 
The initial 8 hexes of no man’s land from the Prussian lines may have seemed like a safe distance for the French side, but players must keep in mind that, as of rule 4.08, light cavalry can charge across 8 hexes, advance 1 more hex through melee (provided they win the melee), then continue for 3 more hexes in continued charge mode and engage in melee once again—covering a total of 13 hexes in one turn (8 charge + 1 melee + 3 continued charge + 1 melee). The important thing to keep in mind that cavalry moving in contained charge mode cannot be blocked by ZOC.
 
If such a charge is carried out in mass, with multiple stacks striking simultaneously at an enemy line composed of skirmishers, artillery, and infantry that neglected to form squares and lacks depth in deployment, the attack may tear apart and isolate a line that initially seemed solid.
 
Heavy cavalry is better suited for this role, but the beauty of light cavalry lies in its ability to strike from a greater distance (they cover more distance over 15min time slot) and emerge from ravines while remaining out of sight, delivering a devastating blow when least expected.

4. Concentration of Heavy Cavalry

The presence of a concentrated heavy cavalry force can have a significant psychological effect on enemy morale. After Gudin’s division was eliminated, the French appeared to lose confidence in their ability to defend against masses of heavy cavalry, likely influencing their decision to abandon a strong defensive position and to retreat north leaving dragoon cavalry to cover their retreat.

The Role of Infantry Squares in 4.09

Despite the power of cavalry, it is not an unstoppable force. In both engagements at Auerstedt sector on the north —the attack on Gudin’s division and the subsequent cavalry rear-guard action—infantry squares could have halted the Prussian cavalry, regardless of their numbers.

Infantry squares remain the ultimate tool to counter cavalry as of 4.09 as it should be. Half-battalions in extended line can also be used to cover a wider front. Hohenlohe’s rear guard employed this tactic effectively in the early hours of the battle at Jena. Although these troops were eventually lost, they maintained a coherent line long enough for the main Hohenlohe’s force to escape.

Had Gudin’s division deployed in half-battalion squares, the Prussian light cavalry would not have been able to envelop and break through its formations surrounding and isolating the division. This might have bought enough time for the main French body to arrive within a few turns. Similarly, the French army’s retreat in the subsequent turns could have been covered with half-battalion squares acting as a rearguard, instead of relying on large body of dragoons, whose formations were ultimately broken with heavy losses to the French side.

In fact, the use of infantry squares supported by superior French artillery with excellent field of fire and positioned in intervals behind squares might have made a retreat unnecessary. Even a 15,000-strong heavy cavalry force would find it nearly impossible to break through a squares line supported by heavy artillery.

(Note from RH: As always, WDS does not endorse any specific club, but there are several around the web. The following is included on Alexey's request.)

Allied Training College (ATC) at Napoleonic Wargame Club (NWC)

It must be remembered that there is no ultimate winning formula. Each formation and force mix must be adapted to the specific tactical situation and, most importantly, to the actions of the opponent.
 
To help players master these tactics, the NWC Website offers basic training for new cadets, whether they join the French or Coalition armies. Cadets participate in a training game under the guidance of an experienced officer who provides insights into the tactical aspects of gameplay.

For those who want to expand their skills beyond tactical aspects to operational-level, the Allied Training College (ATC) of the NWC is planning to launch an experimental advanced training course to help NWC officers polish their operational skills at the division and corps level. This course will cover the theory on a broader range of operational concepts and guide participants through the complexities of large-scale maneuvers.

In particular, cadets will find themselves in the shoes of senior staff officers in two medium and large scenarios from Napoleon’s Russian Campaign and Campaign Leipzig. They will be assigned tasks to develop detailed battle and maneuver plans for different stages of the two scenarios, providing commentary and rationale behind their decisions. Then receiving feedback from ATC staff and proceeding to the next stage of the scenario to face a new operational decision to be made. The course will cover multiple topics, including:

• Assessing initial forces, terrain, and distances
• Developing and adjusting the main battle plan
• Assigning divisional sectors in line with the main plan
• Stretching the enemy front and enveloping flanks
• Establishing a rearguard and managing a fighting withdrawal
• Deploying a grand battery and planning cavalry raids into the enemy rear
• Coordinating multiple columns, corps, or wings
• Planning frontal combined-arms assaults and choosing the right force mix

While this is a theoretical pen and paper exercise, it is designed to provide cadets with a practical approach for making sense of the chaos of the battlefield. Nothing can replace the experience gained through actual PBEM battles, but this course is designed to equip the participants with step-by-step framework for planning and decision-making using real PBEM situations. Generally, as players actions become less random and more conscious across command layers - moving from division to corps-level operations - the enjoyment of the game will likely increase dramatically.

If this experimental class proves successful, it will be offered to all NWC officers through the ATC page as a self-learning material. In the meantime, join the NWC, pass the basic training, and keep an eye on the ATC space for the launch of the advanced course later this year.

We conclude todays post by reminding you that each game series has its own section in the Official Forums where you can discuss things like this. Here is the Napoleonic Battles section.

And remember, this title is our featured Game of the Week now through March 9th, so you can pick up a copy at 25% off if you don't already own it.

<salute>