Battle of Katzbach - 26 August 1813
Janowitz Plateau
Historical Background
"It was a day of fearful rain. Flint and gunpowder could not be used. It came to a murderous grapple of man with man: and with the butt end of their muskets, the infuriate Germans, like some Hercules prostrating wild beasts with a club, drove the French in a confused rout down the steep bank into the red-flooded wild-gushing stream of the Katzbach."
Napoleon, having marched to the aid of Dresden, MacDonald was left in charge of the French forces in Silesia. He was instructed to protect Napoleon's chain of supply and hold but against orders he continued the pursuit of Blücher's Army of Silesia (made up of Russian and Prussians). MacDonald's forces were strung out and initially defending the Katzbach river line, when he decided to make a crossing despite adverse weather and without proper survey of the difficult terrain.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms made difficult his approach and crossing at the same time that Blücher decided to turn and attack once realizing Napoleon was not with this force. Much to the allied generals delight, he realized he would not have to attack over the river but rather MacDonald was coming to him! Holding at the Janowitz plateau, he allowed the French to cross and make the difficult climb before ordering the attack.
The heavy rain kept infantry muskets from firing giving full rein to the Allied superiority in cavalry and artillery position.
The heavy rains led to much flooding and the French were unable to retreat effectively and suffered heavy losses.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. Can you change history?
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Set-Up Order
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Battle Notes
Allied Army of Silesia
•Commander: Blücher
•5 Command Cards
•5 Tactician Cards (optional)
•No Mother Russia roll
•2 Iron Will
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| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
1French Army of the Bober
•Commander: MacDonald
•5 Command Cards
•4 Tactician Cards (optional)
•Move First 
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| 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Victory
7 Banners
Special Rules
•Eichholz is a French Temporary Banner Objective, worth 1 victory banner (turn start) (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)
•Gross Jänowitz is a Temporary Banner Objective, worth 1 victory banner (turn start) (Temporary Victory Banner Turn Start)
•Artillery fire at -1 die at all ranges except melee due to heavy rain and storms.
•Infantry units may not fire at range fire due to the thunderstorms and heavy rains
•If a player draws the La Grand Maneuver card, they should discard it and replace it with a new card due to the restricted area of battle and weather
•All Russian LN units start at 4 strength
