EPIC13 Eylau (8 February 1807)
Historical Background
At the start of the day Benigsen's army outnumbered the French, but Napoleon was determined to hold his position. He knew Ney was coming up on the left and Davout on the right to execute a double envelopment of the Russian Army. Bennigsen's four Corps and cavalry were deployed on the heights in front of Eylau but could not throw up fieldworks because the ground was frozen solid. Around 8:00 AM the Russian guns, positioned somewhat forward of the main line, opened fire and the French artillery replied with greater effect. Tutchkov countered a French probe on the Russian left, and Soult's IV Corps was hard pressed to hold its ground. At the same time, the Russian cavalry attacked the advanced guard of Davout's III Corps. To take the pressure off his flanks and allow Davout's corps to advance against the Russian flank, Napoleon ordered his center forward. Augereau's VII Corps advanced into a blinding snowstorm, lost their bearings, and veered left—directly into the line of fire of the massed 70 gun Russian grand battery. A massacre ensued as thousands of French
soldiers were cut down within minutes. The survivors retreated to Eylau. The French center had ceased to exist. Bennigsen seized the opportunity to counterattack. Twenty thousand Russians advanced across the valley, driving the French back to the town. Victory seemed to be at hand for Bennigsen and the Russian army. Napoleon did not panic. He called for Murat and his cavalry reserve to advance and save the army. Led by the redoubtable cuirassiers, 12,000 French troopers executed the most decisive cavalry charge of the Napoleonic Wars. Hidden by the swirling snow, the cavalry crashed into the advancing Russian infantry. The Russian formations dissolved and thousands of Russian infantry were cut down as the cavalry swept onward and overran the guns.
Cutting their way back out of the reforming Russian infantry, Murat's victorious troopers retired and the battle settled into stalemate ended by darkness. During the night, Bennigsen retreated his battered army, leaving the equally battered French in possession of the dismal field of battle.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command.
Can you change history?
Battle Notes
Russian Army
* Commander: Bennigsen
* 5 Command Cards
* 4 Tactician Cards
French Army
* Commander: Napoleon (Iconic)
* 6 Command Cards
* 6 Tactician Cards
* Move First
Victory
16 Victory Banners
Special Rules
* The Russian player gains one Temporary Victory Banner for each town hex of Eylau occupied at the start of the turn.
* The French player gains one Temporary Victory Banner at the start of the turn for each hill hex (four hexes or closer to Russian baseline) occupied on Russian side of battlefield.
* The Lakes are Frozen.
* No Pre-Battle Mother Russia Roll.
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