The Battle of Leipzig Recreated

Special Instructions
to the Allied Commander

by Bruce Weeks

SITUATION: Prince Schwarzenberg has entrusted to you the conduct of his main attack upon Leipzig. The Corps of Kleist (Austrian), Gortschakoff (Russian), and Langeron (Prussian), supported by the Cavalry Division of Pahlen will assault northwards along the eastern bank of the Pleisse River to seize the city of Leipzig prior to nightfall on the 16th of October. The Reserve Corps is in immediate support, but can only be released by the Emperor of Russia's personal order. The army trains shall be located in Rotha.

EXECUTION: You have 100 points with which to pick your troops. They must be organized by nationality into three corps and a reserve, only the reserve may be of mixed nationality. Each corps may have attached a light cavalry brigade of the appropriate nationality and Pahlen's Division may also be of mixed nationality.

You need as a minimum four subordinate commanders to command these units. You may command any unit you wish as long as you are not one of the Corps commanders. Artillery strength is limited to ten batteries whose size shall be determined by the umpire when you present your order of battle.

On the situation map (map A), you must show the route and objectives of each corps. You must submit a written estimate of the situation and a general operation plan to the umpire not later than 72 furs. prior to the game. At that time you will receive intelligence and also be shown the general area of the map that will be reproduced on the wargame table.

TERRAIN: Instructions same as for French commander.

ALLIED GENERAL ORDERS

Our main objective is to capture Leipzig, destroying any French defenses that prevent you from obtaining that objective.

The Army will attack as three Corps (Austrian, Russian, Prussian), with a Reserve Division and a Cavalry Division acting as rear guard.

It is estimated that the French will establish a defensive position somewhere in the area of the east to west road south of the Galgenberg and secondly along the east to west road through Probsthayda. If the French are not defending the Galgenberg in strength, then their main force will probably be encountered along a line east to west through Muesdorf, Dosen, and Dolitz with reserves in the vicinity of Probsthayda.

Our intention is to break through with the Austrian Corps as it advances along the east bank of the Pleisse while the Russian and Prussian Corps serve as flank guards to destroy any enemy attempting to attack our flanks.

I shall advance with the Russian Corps and will be located there for the duration of the battle.

All units shall break bivouac at 0300 hrs. and be prepared to march at 0420 hrs. (sunrise).

More Leipzig

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