09. Battle of Gera - 18th May 1813

Near Gera a combined Russian and Prussian army commanded by Prinz Blucher is deployed facing north-west at Reutelspach. It's flanks rest on Steinbruch and Schnaidt. Cavalry are known to be holding the flanks, infantry in the centre with a formidable line of Russian artillery across the front.



French columns each in corps strength have advanced upon Reutelspach from Leutzen and Jena. The French have deployed facing the Allies in a generally corresponding south-east facing line with the stream (the Steinwasser) being the boundary between their two corps. The Allies have superior cavalry and have probably taken close note of enemy numbers. For this reason French information about their enemy and his deployment is limited.

The Steinwasser that rises near Esslingen and flows east across the right front of the Allied position is only a minor obstacle that can be crossed at any point with modest delays. It is crossed by several stone bridges that carry the small roads of the region.

The road to Leutzen runs north from Canstadt, the road to Jena runs west of Pittingshausen and the road to Plauen runs south-west from near Eschterdingen. The road to Borna runs east from Steinbruch and the road to Zwickau runs south from Schnaidt. Reutelspach is the key to the position and will be an objective.

The marked road exit points are safe zones for the appropriate side in the usual manner of our campaign battles.

More details given in the private forums for both sides.

A Doodle Poll has been set up. This will be a big battle and will require at least 5 players per side so please sign up.

Several people have signed up and we have a few days with 5 players but need more. Please fill in the Doodle Poll asap. Thanks.

Saturday 2nd July is our best attended date so we will play that day at 20:00 BST, 15:00 EST, 21:00 CET.

We have 6 players which gives us 3 a side. Its very few but the battle is just do-able with this few. 1 more per side would give us more flexibility. 2 more per side would be perfect.

If we get 7 players the Russians can have 4, if we get 9 players the French can have 5.

See you on Saturday.

Sorry, I cannot make this. Night shifts again. Thankfully, come September (and my new job) this will no longer be an issue.

Come on September!!

I can't recall what I posted but I will not be home this weekend after all. Going to the lake. Me, my mate and five lovely ladies.

Happy Independence Day everyone

We'll carry on with the Saturday fixture as others often show up who don't fill in Doodle Polls. Three a side is the rock bottom minimum however, with 4 preferable.

Freakin' yanks and their 4th of July

And its only the 2nd!

This battle would be considered one of My Independence Day weekend festivities.

My wife is taking me on a date. Can't refuse it. I need to bow out. Happy 4th to my American friends. And "sorry you lost us" to those in UK. Sorry guys. Family trumps combat today.

Being British the only significance of this weekend was the 100th anniversary of the Somme and I didn't think anyone would be out partying in remembrance of that.

I will reschedule this game for during the week.

There is good news and bad. The good news is we have another battle to fight this turn. The bad news is in fact there are THREE more battles to fight this turn:

Leipzig

Dessau

Wiesenburg

All being French attacks, so to resolve these this turn is going to occupy us for about another month!

I can play Mon-Wed.

Gera will now not be fought as an SoW game. Part of the Allied army elected to retreat to Borna the night before the battle and the remainder that could not escape along the (now crowded) Borna road was all but destroyed in the strong French assault. Marechal Ney has attained a great victory! Many prisoners, guns and standards have been captured.

Details will be supplied to the two sides by their respective staffs as soon as the full implications of the battle been understood and tabulated.

I will arrange Leipzig as the next battle over the coming week.

General Blucher.

What is your response to the huge blunder?

I demand to hear from you swiftly!

Marechal Ney,

You disobedience to orders is precisely the reason the French army stands in its currently position. Your victory at Gera has changed the course of this campaign.

When a Marechal disobeys a direct order from the Emperor there can be only two outcomes; dismissal or reward. In this case, Ney, you are hereby granted estates in Saarbrücken and an annuity of 20,000 Francs. You shall be thenceforth recognized, and allowed to add to your titles, as the duc de Reutelspach.

~N

Your Majesty,
Thank you for this fine reward.
Marechal Ney