The Battle of Lebach, 18th July 1870

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

After  fighting at Forbach and St Wendle, Prussian VIII had retired to Lebach to lick their wounds. 15th Division was ordered to hold the town, 16th Division to hold the area to the North East of the town and  the 4th Cavalry Division was to the North of town. There had been reports of Cavalry activity from the North-East and the direction of St Wendle.
Unfortunately, it was not going to be a nice rest!

The Prussian planned dispositions

The table
The Prussian deployment.

The Prussian orders were to stand to at 05:15, but at 04:30 there was a rude awakening for them, as from the South, through the river mist, emerged the French 4th Corps 3rd Division, and the cavalry division from IV Corps and from the west the Cavalry Division from VI Corps (who having been ordered to stop 4th Prussian Cavalry becoming involved, had rolled 00 to complete their orders, had taken the initiative and had done their own thing, much to everyone's shock).


IV Corps Cavalry screened the French Infantry as they advanced across the front of Prussian 16th Division.

The arrival of IV Corps II Division launched a series of viscous fire fights with the remnants of 15th Prussian Division in Lebach, supported by the artillery and mitrailleuse from III Division (guess what jammed, AGAIN!).

The Prussian 4th Corps sorted themselves out, and charged home on French VI Corps Cavalry Division.



In a swirling melee of horsemen, the results were shockingly in favour of the French! The Prussians Cavalry failed all their moral and broke from the field, allowing the French to charge onto the Prussian guns!

The Prussians turned their guns to react, but meanwhile, the French Third Division had moved up, unfortunately the French IV Corps Cavalry failed to move and it was left to the infantry!

Meanwhile II Division was being disrupted as they engaged 15th Prussian division in the town, including the destruction of the mitrailleuse battery!

The French VI Corps cavalry came under heavy artillery fire as it recovered from it's assault. Enevtualy having to retire to safety.

IV Corps, III Division was not stopped by Prussian defensive fire, charged through the valley mist and crashed through the Prussian line, breaking the Prussian army! The previously unengaged French Lancers pushed back the 9th Hussars and then crashed into the rear of the Prussian line, compounding the misery of the Prussian defeat!

While the firefight in the town continued.

The final standings...


The Prussian 15th Division was caught inside the town as VI Corps arrived from the West, 16th Division was shattered and routed and 4th Cavalry had been broken of the field.
At the end of the day, VIII Corps was shattered, von Steinmetz escaped with elements of 9th Hussars, but VIII Corps is effectively removed from the Prussian order of battle.

It was always a rather one sided affair unfortunately, compounded by some VERY lucky French rolls and combat results and some truly appalling moral rolls from the Prussians.

So much for the freshly painted Prussian 4th Cavalry and 16th Divisions, first time out and both broke!   

[nikharwood]

Nicely done again mad lemmey - not the result, natch, but the battle looks superb 

[Techno]

Thanks Lemmey.
Great report ! (What do the yellow counters represent ?....morale ?.....'wounded' ?)
Cheers - Phil.

[General Bt Sherman]

Great report

[Albie Bach]

So much for the freshly painted Prussian 4th Cavalry and 16th Divisions, first time out and both broke!   

It always seems to be the way.

Great game and report, thanks.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Thanks Lemmey.
Great report ! (What do the yellow counters represent ?....morale ?.....'wounded' ?)
Cheers - Phil.

Cheers lads.
Counters are to mark effects caused by wounds Phil! 

[Steve J]

New toys on the table never seem to perform as you hope . Great report and Allez les Francais!

[Techno]

Counters are to mark effects caused by wounds Phil! 

Thanks Matey !
Cheers - Phil.

[Hertsblue]

Nice one, Lemmey. 

[Le Manchou]

Great report and glad to hear the French won!