One of the odd things about Lutzen is that, right away, we have an anomaly in the way Blucher fits the whole scheme of things. First of all, he is the leader of the First Line of the Army of Silesia. The tricky thing, however, is that the First Line only consists of a single wing. He is, then, necessarily the Wing leader of the First Line since no one else occupies this position. (Historically, Zieten occupied this position, sort of, and is listed as a divisional leader in most OBs of the battle. But that's not what he really did. When Blucher gave an order to either Pirch or Klux he did so directly.) Thus, if the First Line consisted of two wings Blucher would have acted as a Line leader for the one, and Wing leader for the other Oust as Yorck acts in the game.) But since this is not the case he is a Line leader by definition, but must function with only the command span of a Wing leader.
The illustration at right is designed to represent things as they could be at the end of the third turn of the game. As you remember, Wittgenstein begins the game stacked with Blucher; activating the First Line on the very first turn (as Ney begins Mont St. Jean stacked with Reille or d'Erlon). Since the first turn both Wittgenstein and Bhicher have parted ways but still keep the ten hex distance necessary to maintain Blucher's active status (Wittgenstein is the lone 0- 11 at the bottom left of the illo., Blucher has the First Line Hub marker on his counter at the center- right. Klux' (0-12) brigade has moved to the west of the road (left) while Pirch's (0-10) brigade has advanced pretty much straight on to the French. Zieten's (0-10) cavalry protects the right flank of this brigade and is the northern most Prussian formation. Note that Klux, Pirch and Zieten are all within 6 hexes of Blucher.
Because Blucher's command status is "active" his entire wing may move as one Manoeuvre Unit in the next turn. This movement, however, must be conducted by brigade. In other words, all the movement possible for Khux's brigade must be conducted or forfeited prior to moving any part of either Pirch's or Zieten's brigades (of course, the Allied player will determine in what order he conducts the movement of his brigades; Klux need not precede Pirch). Had one of the brigade commanders not been within Blucher's command span the other two brigades could have moved under Blucher's MU, while a second MU would have been required for the first brigade if the player had indeed wished to move it.
Of Klux' brigade, note that one battery has moved and unlimbered outside of his command span, as has the Fusilier battalion that is currently assaulting the southernmost portion of Gross Gorschen. In Pirch's brigade the two battalions currently assaulting the village have advanced beyond his command span as has the Silesian Schutzen company (in skirmish order). Note the trailing AAW also seemingly out of command. Careful readers of the AAW section above will not be fooled by this, however, and know which solution given in that section I prefer. All of Zieten's units are in command.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Klux has not left an adequate avenue of retreat for his fusiliers. If this unit is somehow forced to rout it will most likely blunder over the AAW (distinguished by its range of "9"). On the other hand, though the French artillery battery has a very clean shot on the two squadrons of Prussian Dragoons, these same dragoons are, or the full regiment of dragoons two hexes away, perfectly positioned to come thundering forth to silence them.
Klux also has adequate reserves, and did not make the historical blunder of sending his entire brigade smashing into the village. With those locking zones of influence (dealt with above) reserves at the tactical (or brigade) level are now critical. You do not want to be embarrassed by having all your battalions stuck to the enemy like flies on flypaper just because a bunch of French recruits successfully rolled to stand!
Pirch's brigade is much more methodically deployed and both assaulting battalions have clear avenues of retreat. The two artillery batteries are not supported very well, but what the heck, Souham's not in any position to do anything about it. Von Starkenfeld, Blucher's ADC, stands ready to lead another battalion into the fray if the assaulting fusiliers don't take the church from the 4th bat./22nd Ligne. I say, if at first you don't succeed, next time send in an assault reinforced by one of your leaders. Note that the fusiliers are in a multi-hex line. I'd rather do this than commit a second battalion to get the roll to stand up to a 2 to 1 (from two separate hexes).
Zieten is pretty much relegated to holding the flank (remember, Klein G6rschen and more French are just off the map to their north). Note that there are some Uhlans champing at the bit with a direct line on the French battery, which itself cannot see them because of the Hussars deployed in skirmish order... maybe next turn. Remember Blucher's dictum: "To defeat their infantry I will use my artillery, to defeat their artillery I will use my cavalry, and to defeat their cavalry I will use my infantry.
More The La Bataille Forum
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La Bataille de Lutzen History
La Bataille de Lutzen Some Errata
La Bataille de Lutzen Artillery Ammunition Wagons
La Bataille de Lutzen Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
La Bataille de Lutzen Example of Play: Command System
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