Leipzig Games 1 and 2

Our gaming group, Bramley Barn Wargames trialled the full Leipzig game over the weekend of 05 and 06 August 2023, with probably in the region of 10,000 figures being on table at the peak point. We then hosted a group of six gamers for a long weekend on 01 to 03 Sept 2023, playing an extended version of the Southern part of the battlefield. Our thanks to everyone who took part in the trial game, in particular to Chris Flowers to putting it together and supplying all the troops. Thank you also to Adrian, Billy, Brian, Duncan, Paul and Peter for coming to the long weekend game which was our first three day event. It was played in great spirit and was  a pleasure to organise and host.

Here are a few pictures of both games.

Bramley Barn Game Day 1 – looking from East to the West along the Southern Sector

Bramley Barn Game Day 1 – looking from West to the East along the Southern Sector

Bramley Barn Game Day 1 – looking from West to the East along the Northern Sector

Bramley Barn Game Day 2 – looking at the Eastern approaches as the Allied reinforcements arrive.

Bramley Barn Game Day 2 – another view of the whole NE to SE side of the battle and part of the central Southern Sector.

For the long weekend game on 01 to 03 Sept 2023, we took about 15×6 feet of the Southern Sector and extended it to a more impressive 23×12 feet. This gave the French more depth to defend in and more space to deploy in for both sides. We played the 16th Oct 1813 over the first day and a half of game time, and the 18th Oct 1813 over the next day and a half.

The second weekend, the Southern battle .

16th October

A few thoughtful looks as deployments are done on tiles.

A couple of shots of the opening deployments. In the foreground French 1st Cavalry Corps opposite Platov`s

Cossacks. Then the village of Seyffertshain, held by Victor`s 2nd Corps. 5th Corps (lauriston) fills the gap up to Leibertwolkwitz.

Opposite this are Barclay de Tolly`s Russians.

Prussians attack Wachau.

The Baden Light Dragoons advance towards Austrian Cuirassier supported by The 5th Cavalry Corps.

 

Not far behind the Austrians are the Russians.

The Prussian advance is stopped by Poles and German troops.

French attacking Russians to the front left of Liebertwolkwitz.

 

This photo shows the state of play half way through the first day of battle. In the foreground 1st cavalry have gain forced the Russian cavalry back but are unable to exploit this due to heavy artillery fire.

In the centre the French have driven the Russians out of the wood, but Austrians are now moving up on there right flank.

Beyond that the early cavalry action has died down without a decisive conclusion.

 

Austrian 4th Corps heading for Leibertwolkwitz now has French columns to its right.

 

A French column routs Austrians after a brief melee. Russians can also be seen retaking the wood the left!

A clear view of the centre. The French have clearly withdrawn their cavalry behind a gun line. One of the Batteries belongs to the Guard.

The Austrians have become embroiled in the battle for the woods to their right which has halted the attack on Leibertwolkwitz.

 

The French left withdrawing as  Allied columns are seen  arriving in the distance.

18th October.

The French set up for the !9th. 1st cavalry still sits on the Left flank. 2nd corps are now set up in and around

Klein-Posna.

Then 5th Corps has been joined by 2nd Young Guard Division. 10th Corps still hold Leibertwolkwitz and Wachau.

8th Corps still control the ground between Wachau and Mark-Kleeburg.

Austrian 1st corps (Colleredo) arrived late on the 16th. Heading straight towards the French 2nd Corps.

Fearing a breakthrough in the centre Napoleon releases the Guard cavalry.

As the Russians advance they come under attack from French Lancers! Needing only an 8 or more on three d6!  Despair and gasps as only six is rolled! The Russians survive!

 

Leibertwolkwitz finally falls and Austrian and Russians advance on to the Galgenburg heights.

On the Allied  left Prussians have had enough and withdraw from an attack on Mark- Kleeburg.

The end of play at the end of the 18th. The Allies have finally gained a foot hold over the gap in the tables.

Sept 2023 Game – Richard giving a post game analysis after Day 3

Sept 2023 Game – a look at the whole battlefield after the table had been tidied up and the players had

departed. The Austrians had bridged the gap and reached the second table. The French line was very thin in

places. The Allied objective had been to have advanced across both tables at some point.

Therefore a victory was awarded to the French on this occasion!