GAJO Games

As we work toward a giant Leipzig game planned for next year, I've been running a series of prepatory battles to help players build their forces.

This month we moved on the 1813 campaign, starting with the battle of Lutzen from 1813. This saw a combined Russo-Prussian force attempt to crush Napoleon's leading elements under Marshal Ney, while French forces converged on their flanks.

The historical battle was a French victory, but with heavy casualties it wasn't the decisive victory the Emperor was looking for.

Our refight focused on the action east of the Flossgraben, which focused on control of a number of small villages, including Kaja, Rahna, Grossgorschen and Kleingorschen.

Our refight went quite like the original, with back and forth actions around the villages while the Allies desperately tried to hold their flanks. When the smoke cleared, the French had taken Rahna, and then held it from a furious Russian assault at nightfall to secure a narrow French victory. It was a beautiful game and great fun!