Battle of Loubino 1812 (Age of Eagles AAR)

An after action report on the Battle of Loubino 1812 using Age of Eagles rules and this scenario. 

Following his defeat at Smolensk, Barclay de Tolly ordered the Russian army to split into three columns and withdraw to the Moscow road. The largest of these columns, commanded by Tuchkov I and Barclay himself, had to pass through a crucial road junction at Loubino. To safeguard the crossroads, a small Russian force raced ahead, where they met Marshal Ney’s corps. 

Initial setup with Ney's French on the right and the Russians initially holding the ridge line. Loubino is at the far left following the road. Russian reinforcements start over the first few turns. The French objective is the town of Loubino.

Turn 1 (4.30pm)

The French heavy artillery opens the battle with a stinging bombardment of the ridge line. The Russian guns go silent and the French infantry advance all along the line. A second barrage disorders the Russian brigade in the centre.

The French cavalry moves out to the open plains on the Russian left. However, half their cavalry rolls poorly and don't appear to have got the message so remain unmoved.

Junot doesn't yet appear on the French right.

Turn 2 (5.00pm)

The Russian reinforcements start arriving with Ostermann's Division.

The French attack crosses the stream and prepares for the assault on the ridge. The silenced Russian artillery pulls back but the reserve artillery has now setup behind the front line.

On the Russian left, Junot still hasn't arrived, but the French cavalry cross the stream ready to engage their Russian counterparts.

Turn 3 (5.30pm)

The French left flank demolishes the Russian line on the ridge and breaks-through onto the hilltop.

To add to the Russian plight reinforcements have stalled outside Loubino (top right of pic).

The Russian centre has also been decimated and the Russians just manage to set up a single brigade with supporting artillery as their sole defence of the road to Loubino. Meanwhile, Gudin's Division has arrived to further support the attack (foreground). It already looks desparate for the Russians.

On the French right flank the cavalry fight an even struggle although the French have the weight of numbers. 

Junot is still yet to arrive.

Turn 4 (6.00pm)

The Russians are pushed back again as the French steamroll over the ridge. Russian reinforcements now setup on the second ridge in front of Loubino.

On th Russian left flank Junot's Corps has finally appeared. The Russian cavalry pulls back.

Turn 5 (6.30pm)

A lone Russian brigade and supporting artillery manage to hold up the French centre repelling two assaults. But the French have broken through completely on the far left flank and another brigade has routed a Russian grenadier brigade and has reached the river just prior to the final Russian position on the right.

Russian reinforcements have set up in depth behind the river with artillery on the ridge above.

Junot's Corps halts for the turn on the right flank and a cavalry melee pushes the Russians cavalry back.

Turn 6 (7.00pm)

The lone Jager brigade continues to hold up the French advance in the centre but the supporting artillery has been destroyed. More Russian reinforcements arrive in march column through Loubino as they desparately try to set up a defensive line along the river. A French artillery barrage from the opposite ridge catches one of the arriving brigades and it suffers a number of casualties.

Most of the French brigades are worn apart from the two reserve brigades sitting atop the ridge with the artillery. There are only 3 turns remaining and the French will have to throw everything at the the town to win.

On the Russian left Junot continues to hold back and the respective cavalry fight out inclusive melees.

Turn 7 (7.30pm)

The French (nearest) throw everything they have into the valley between the two ridge lines. An assault by a single French brigade on the right breaches the river but is then thrown back by artillery fire. The single Russian Jager brigade still holds out with it's back to the river. More Russian reinforcements arrive through Loubino.

Junot fails to move again. 

The French cavalry make some inroads but the Russian cavalry continues to hold firm.

Turn 8 (8.00pm)

The French launch an all-out assault on the river in front of Loubino but the Russians stand firm. On the right two Russian brigades beat back the French inflicting severe casualties.The French assault on the bridge is also beaten back with significant casualties to the French. Even the fresh elite French regiment to the left of the bridge fails to make any headway and is pushed back across the river. The French brigades on the left are too weak to successfully launch an assault. The Russian guns arrayed along the ridge in front of Loubino were particularly successful this turn.

The Russians look too strong now and it would take a huge effort in the last turn for the French to take Loubino.

On the French right flank, two French brigades did not rally allowing the Russians to regroup back over the stream.

Turn 9 (8.30pm)

The final turn and the French cavalry brigades fails to make contact as the Russians face them down across the stream.

The French launch a final assault on Loubino. A single French brigade breaches the river while the remainder are savagely mauled by the Russian defenders. With no support the lone French brigade would likely withdraw next turn anyway.

It was a close win to the Russians. The French had a lot of early success but a single Jager brigade held up the centre thrust for several turns allowing the Russian reserves to form a solid defense in front of Loubino.

Junot was useless for the French, just like the real battle.