Maloyaroslavets (1812) Battle Report
This awesome battle report was sent to us from across the pond, by Gary Clarke (Prince Eugene) & Richard
Ward (General Dokhturov), playing in Sheffield, England, on 30 December 2014. The historical battle of Maloyaroslavets was what I could kindly call "a knife fight in a phone booth." Two large armies found themselves fighting over a chokepoint across the Lutza River in the aftermath of Borodino. Let's see how Gary and Richard fared in their game:
10.00am – The Russian VI Corps arrived in Maloyaroslavets to find the French 13th Division occupying the bridge over the River Lutza and advancing towards Maloyaroslavets. General Dokhturov hastily occupied the village with his 7th Division, taking up strong defensive positions with the Divisional artillery batteries placed to left and right sides of the village.
10.30am – Prince Eugene arrived at the bridgehead over the Lutza but was unable to send Broussier’s 14th Division over the bridge because elements of 13th Division were blocking their exit. However, two battalions of the 13th had moved swiftly to occupy the strongpoint of the church to their left, beneath the heights of Maloyaroslavets. Eugene prioritised the movement of his three artillery batteries to the church, fearing they would be trapped in a logjam of infantry on the north bank of the river.
11.00am – Musket volleys were exchanged as the lead battalions of 13th Division tried to force their way into Maloyaroslavets. Intensive melee action took place between the French and Russian infantry, the Russians winning each time thanks to the advantage of being in hard cover. This would be the pattern for the next three hours as battalion after battalion of the 13th and 14th Divisions threw themselves against the Russian defenders.
10.00am – The Russian VI Corps arrived in Maloyaroslavets to find the French 13th Division occupying the bridge over the River Lutza and advancing towards Maloyaroslavets. General Dokhturov hastily occupied the village with his 7th Division, taking up strong defensive positions with the Divisional artillery batteries placed to left and right sides of the village.
10.30am – Prince Eugene arrived at the bridgehead over the Lutza but was unable to send Broussier’s 14th Division over the bridge because elements of 13th Division were blocking their exit. However, two battalions of the 13th had moved swiftly to occupy the strongpoint of the church to their left, beneath the heights of Maloyaroslavets. Eugene prioritised the movement of his three artillery batteries to the church, fearing they would be trapped in a logjam of infantry on the north bank of the river.
11.00am – Musket volleys were exchanged as the lead battalions of 13th Division tried to force their way into Maloyaroslavets. Intensive melee action took place between the French and Russian infantry, the Russians winning each time thanks to the advantage of being in hard cover. This would be the pattern for the next three hours as battalion after battalion of the 13th and 14th Divisions threw themselves against the Russian defenders.
12.00pm
– Eugene tried to make progress on his right
flank by sending four battalions and GD Ornano’s three Chasseur a Cheval units
into the wooded heights to the right of Maloyaroslavets. Progress seemed
assured as elements of the Russian 24th Division were defeated in
melee…then the Cossacks appeared in the woods…. The Cossack units charged the
three Chasseur a Cheval units and defeated all three so comprehensively that
the Chasseurs retreated to the bridgehead, causing further movement problems
for the infantry.
For the next two hours the Cossacks constantly
harried the French right wing, to the point where all progress ceased and the
French infantry could only sit tight in squares, unable to move.
2.00p – As the afternoon wore on and the winter daylight began to fade, Eugene faced a crisis. Both his attacks on Maloyaroslavets in the centre, and the right flank attack had stalled. No progress was being made, and the Russians were getting stronger as General Raevski’s VII Corps began to make its presence felt. The only positive news from the battlefield was the rock-like defence of the church below Maloyaroslavets by two of his infantry battalions and his artillery batteries. Steadily, their fire was creating problems for the Russian right flank – three battalions progressively failed morale tests due to attrition. Therefore, he decided that his only chance of success was a massive flank attack on his left wing.
2.30pm – Eugene ordered the entire strength of his Italian 15th Division (8 battalions) to form two massive “battalion columns” and advance, side by side, against the Russian right flank. These two columns stormed the slopes beyond the church and gained the hilltops without loss. Before them lay the Russian 12th Division. The battalions stormed into action. Against the odds, they had a terrific run of luck in melee after melee, and by 4pm had reduced the 12th Division to half strength. Dokhturov began to look nervously at his right flank, and gave orders for his reserves (from Raevsky’s Corps) to start moving up, just in case….
2.00p – As the afternoon wore on and the winter daylight began to fade, Eugene faced a crisis. Both his attacks on Maloyaroslavets in the centre, and the right flank attack had stalled. No progress was being made, and the Russians were getting stronger as General Raevski’s VII Corps began to make its presence felt. The only positive news from the battlefield was the rock-like defence of the church below Maloyaroslavets by two of his infantry battalions and his artillery batteries. Steadily, their fire was creating problems for the Russian right flank – three battalions progressively failed morale tests due to attrition. Therefore, he decided that his only chance of success was a massive flank attack on his left wing.
2.30pm – Eugene ordered the entire strength of his Italian 15th Division (8 battalions) to form two massive “battalion columns” and advance, side by side, against the Russian right flank. These two columns stormed the slopes beyond the church and gained the hilltops without loss. Before them lay the Russian 12th Division. The battalions stormed into action. Against the odds, they had a terrific run of luck in melee after melee, and by 4pm had reduced the 12th Division to half strength. Dokhturov began to look nervously at his right flank, and gave orders for his reserves (from Raevsky’s Corps) to start moving up, just in case….
4.00pm
– Eugene surveyed the battlefield. Although the Bavarian Cheveau-Leger had
bolstered his centre by destroying three Russian batteries just outside
Maloyaroslavets, (the Russian commander had rather foolishly left them without
close infantry support!) he could see his centre was vulnerable to a concerted
push from the Russians. With his right wing pinned down by the constant Cossack
menace, there was a significant risk of the Russians trapping his army on the
south bank. With great sadness, he gave the orders for a fighting retreat to
the bridgehead. He had failed to achieve his strategic goal of taking
Maloyaroslavets – the battle was lost!
Victory Objectives:The Russians held Maloyaroslavets “uncontested”
for more than three turns after 2.30pm and thus fulfilled the criteria for
victory. However, given that the French did not manage to throw them out of the
village at any point in the whole battle, this must be seen as a resounding
victory for the Russians. It was not without cost though – 8 battalions of
their infantry were destroyed and all of the VI Corps artillery. French losses
were fewer, but strategically crippling – all of Eugene’s cavalry units were
forced from the battlefield, leaving the infantry with an insurmountable task.
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General Gallitzin's Report
My Emperor, it is with deep regret that I
must inform you of our failure to take Maloyaroslavets and thus force a route
to the south west for your Army.
The terrain was very difficult – I simply could not feed my divisions through the bridgehead over the Lutza river fast enough to take Maloyaroslavets with a coup de main. Concerned at the prospect of the infantry fighting on the south bank with no artillery support, I had to hold back Broussier’s Division to allow our cannon a clear passage. However, no blame should attach to the artillerymen – once established near the church on the south bank, they pounded the Russians all afternoon without loss to their own forces, but destroyed many battalions in the Russian centre.
Just as I thought we were making progress (elements of Guilleminot’s 13th Division were making a strong advance on our right) the hated Cossacks arrived – in force! Never before have I seen such a concentrated force of Cossacks – a veritable swarm of them enveloped our right wing. The infantry stood their ground but could do no more than sit tight in squares. Although I sent Ornano’s Chasseurs to deal with the Cossacks, I am afraid I must report that they failed miserably. All three regiments were chased from the field! The Italian Guard Dragoons and Queen’s Dragoons fared no better. I fear for the coming month if our cavalry cannot give better assistance to our infantry and artillery….
Since the centre had become an attritional battle with little hope of breaking the Russian defenders in Maloyaroslavets, I launched a great assault on our left flank. I must praise the performance of our Italian soldiers of Pino’s 15th Division. They carved through the Russian right wing and, had the rest of the army shown the esprit of these Italians, we may have carried the day! Unfortunately, it was not to be. The road south is closed.
I remain your obedient servant,
Eugene
The terrain was very difficult – I simply could not feed my divisions through the bridgehead over the Lutza river fast enough to take Maloyaroslavets with a coup de main. Concerned at the prospect of the infantry fighting on the south bank with no artillery support, I had to hold back Broussier’s Division to allow our cannon a clear passage. However, no blame should attach to the artillerymen – once established near the church on the south bank, they pounded the Russians all afternoon without loss to their own forces, but destroyed many battalions in the Russian centre.
Just as I thought we were making progress (elements of Guilleminot’s 13th Division were making a strong advance on our right) the hated Cossacks arrived – in force! Never before have I seen such a concentrated force of Cossacks – a veritable swarm of them enveloped our right wing. The infantry stood their ground but could do no more than sit tight in squares. Although I sent Ornano’s Chasseurs to deal with the Cossacks, I am afraid I must report that they failed miserably. All three regiments were chased from the field! The Italian Guard Dragoons and Queen’s Dragoons fared no better. I fear for the coming month if our cavalry cannot give better assistance to our infantry and artillery….
Since the centre had become an attritional battle with little hope of breaking the Russian defenders in Maloyaroslavets, I launched a great assault on our left flank. I must praise the performance of our Italian soldiers of Pino’s 15th Division. They carved through the Russian right wing and, had the rest of the army shown the esprit of these Italians, we may have carried the day! Unfortunately, it was not to be. The road south is closed.
I remain your obedient servant,
Eugene
General Dmitry Dokturov's Report
My dear Prince Kutuzov, victory is ours!
As directed by your Highness, I force marched the army last night to reach Maloyaroslavets this morning. We arrived just in time, since French infantry had already crossed the Lutza and were about to occupy Maloyaroslavets.
Quickly, my 7th Division occupied the village and established strong defensive positions. The troops of the 7th would go on to demonstrate the reputation of the Russian soldier for dogged determination as they fought off repeated French attacks for the next three hours. Not once did they waver, not one inch of hallowed ground did they surrender.
At the same time, our heroic Cossack force defeated a strong attack on our left wing, stopping a brigade of infantry in their tracks, then despatching a brigade of Chasseurs a Cheval. Had it not been for their victorious actions, Maloyaroslavets would have come under attack on most sides.
As the afternoon faded, the enemy unleashed his final onslaught – a massed infantry attack on our right wing. I am afraid we suffered dreadful losses – my VI Corps will require considerable reinforcement – but ultimately stood firm. Dismayed by their failure to break the great Russian spirit, the enemy sounded a general retreat, leaving the field to the glory of the Tsar. The road to the south is barred, and the enemy is forced into barren land.
Long live Mother Russia!
Your humble servant,
Dokhturov
As directed by your Highness, I force marched the army last night to reach Maloyaroslavets this morning. We arrived just in time, since French infantry had already crossed the Lutza and were about to occupy Maloyaroslavets.
Quickly, my 7th Division occupied the village and established strong defensive positions. The troops of the 7th would go on to demonstrate the reputation of the Russian soldier for dogged determination as they fought off repeated French attacks for the next three hours. Not once did they waver, not one inch of hallowed ground did they surrender.
At the same time, our heroic Cossack force defeated a strong attack on our left wing, stopping a brigade of infantry in their tracks, then despatching a brigade of Chasseurs a Cheval. Had it not been for their victorious actions, Maloyaroslavets would have come under attack on most sides.
As the afternoon faded, the enemy unleashed his final onslaught – a massed infantry attack on our right wing. I am afraid we suffered dreadful losses – my VI Corps will require considerable reinforcement – but ultimately stood firm. Dismayed by their failure to break the great Russian spirit, the enemy sounded a general retreat, leaving the field to the glory of the Tsar. The road to the south is barred, and the enemy is forced into barren land.
Long live Mother Russia!
Your humble servant,
Dokhturov
[NOTES TO FELLOW WARGAMERS]
(1) We failed to recreate the ebb and flow of the real historical battle, in that we were hoping to see Maloyaroslavets change hands several times. A key obstacle to this was the power of the 7 Cossack units. Our own rules give lancers a +3 advantage in 1st round melees, and effectively this resulted in the destruction of 5 of Eugene’s 7 cavalry units. With hindsight we should have modified our rules for Cossacks, to reflect their unreliability when faced with formed, disciplined units, eg just allowing a +1 modifier on 1st round.
(2) Our table is 7 x 5 foot, and with 24 figures per battalion we had about 1500 figures on the table (1/72nd - mostly Hat figures). With so much activity concentrated around the bridgehead and the slopes in front of Maloyaroslavets we found congestion to be a real problem (at one stage the whole 15th Division were represented by a piece of paper with “15th Div” written on it! How’s that for minimalist wargaming!! If we were gaming this battle again, we would try using 12 figure battalions.
(1) We failed to recreate the ebb and flow of the real historical battle, in that we were hoping to see Maloyaroslavets change hands several times. A key obstacle to this was the power of the 7 Cossack units. Our own rules give lancers a +3 advantage in 1st round melees, and effectively this resulted in the destruction of 5 of Eugene’s 7 cavalry units. With hindsight we should have modified our rules for Cossacks, to reflect their unreliability when faced with formed, disciplined units, eg just allowing a +1 modifier on 1st round.
(2) Our table is 7 x 5 foot, and with 24 figures per battalion we had about 1500 figures on the table (1/72nd - mostly Hat figures). With so much activity concentrated around the bridgehead and the slopes in front of Maloyaroslavets we found congestion to be a real problem (at one stage the whole 15th Division were represented by a piece of paper with “15th Div” written on it! How’s that for minimalist wargaming!! If we were gaming this battle again, we would try using 12 figure battalions.