Hagelberg
August 27th, 1813
In August 1813, during the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon’s forces aimed to capture Berlin. After their defeat at Großbeeren, a French-led force of 8,900 men under General Girard was sent from Magdeburg to support the advance. They camped near Hagelberg, unaware that Prussian General Hirschfeld had gathered over 11,000 troops, including Landwehr militia, to strike. The French positioned their defenses eastward, expecting Russian Cossacks, leaving their western flank exposed.
On August 27, Prussian forces launched a surprise attack from the west, catching the French off guard. Despite their inexperience, the Prussian Landwehr fought fiercely in rain-soaked conditions, where wet gunpowder forced brutal hand-to-hand combat. The arrival of Russian Cossacks turned the tide, and some Saxon troops defected. After hours of intense fighting, the French, with General Girard wounded, began retreating toward Magdeburg, pursued by Cossacks.
The French suffered around 6,000 casualties, while Prussian losses were about 1,700. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of the Prussian Landwehr and boosted Allied morale. In recognition, 136 Iron Crosses were awarded, marking the Prussian militia’s growing importance.
Belligerants
France
Command 3
Leaders 1
Prussia & Russia
Command 3
Leaders 1
Initiative
Scale
One Space = ~ 350 meters
One Unit = ~ 1200 infantry / 500 cavalry / 10 guns
Starting deployment
Special rules
Surprise attack – The French didn’t expect the Prussian attack and were imprepared. At the beginning of the battle, most of the French units are Disordered. The French player will need to deploy them in formation performing a Rally, following the normal rules.
Damp powder – An heavy rain was falling during the battle, making muskets and artillery less efficient. A single die is rolled when resolving fire (a single die is also rolled when firing on a target in a space with the Cover rule).
Landwehr – The Prussian infantry was formed for the most part by the newly formed and inexperienced Landwehr militia. When a French unit is assaulting or firing on an enemy Infantry unit, the “better quality” result is always considered a success.
Faq & Errata
- Czernichev’s Cossack cavalry enters only once during the battle. When the reinforcement marker reaches the first space (marked ‘4+’), reinforcements will only enter with a dice roll of 4+. When the second space is reached, reinforcements will only enter if they have not already entered previously.