On the morning of August 18^th 1870 began what was to be the largest battle of the Franco-Prussian War. At the end of the day the French Army retreated back behind the defences of the Metz forts, where it was to remain until its capitulation xx days later.

Although heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the French were presented with several opportunities to win a stunning victory, a victory which may well have turned the whole course of the war.

The Strategic situation

Following the battles on theFrontier (Spicheren, Wissembourg, Worth), the French armies fell back on Chalons (McMahon with I, V and VII Corps) and Metz (Bazaine with II, III and IV). At Metz Baziane was to assemble his corps together with the Imperial Guard and the hastily assembled VI Corps, and then unite with McMahon at Chalons. This was the French plan, such as it was.

The French were very dilatory in their efforts to escape the pursuing forces and their rearguard was attacked in what became the battle of Columbey. Although the French repulsed the attacks, it proved to be a fatal delay to the retreat.

Napoleon III himself left the army to its own devices and headed to Chalons via way of Verdun leaving Bazaine instructions to follow.

The Prussian I and II armies, having sorted themselves out of the tangled mess that von Steinmetz had managed to cause, crossed the Moselle River south of Metz, finding no opposition on the way. They then swung north expecting to catch the French rearguard.

The French had been so slow in passing through Metz, that the Prussian III corps hit the French advanced guard not their rearguard. In the furious battle of Mars-la-Tour that was to follow, III Corps supported for most of the day only by X Corps and 2 Cavalry Divisions, held up the entire French army.

The French then fell back upon a strong defensive position along the line of St-Privat-Amanvilliers-Gravelotte. As a result the French had their back to Metz and were facing Paris, The Prussians, the reverse. Hence a defeat for either side would prove to be disastrous. So it was to prove.

The Battle

The morning of the 18^th found the French deployed with the II corps resting its left flank upon the Moselle River, with III, IV and VI Corps stretching away Northwards. VI Corps was open to being outflanked but Bazaine placed all his reserves behind the Southern flank to support II and III Corps.

The battle began with the Prussian I Army under that redoubtable loony, General von Steinmetz, hurling itself upon the prepared positions of the II and III French Corps. Not satisfied with progress he commited more troops until both VII and VII Corps were milling about in the Mance Ravine whilst the French took pot shots at them. Steinmetz’s answer was to commit the Cavalry and so the 1^st Cavalry Division had to charge across the ravine as well. His final act of the day was to commit the fresh II Corps to the battle with the same, predictable results. Only a complete lack of French initiative and the incredible mess in the Mance Ravine prevented three entire Corps being swept away in total rout.

Further North von Manstein’s IX Corps was pinned down by Chassepot rifle fire.

Only in the far North did things begin to go wrong for the French. Here Canrobert’s VI Corps held the open flank without promise of any assistance.

The Prussian efforts to outflank the French right resulted in the Prussian Imperial Guard Corps hitting Canrobert’s men head-on. Rather than wait for the Saxons of the XII Corps to march around the French flank, or wait for the artillery to catch up, the entire infantry of the Guard launched itself up a bare slope at the French position. None got much closer than 600 yards and by the end of the day, nearly half the Corps would be listed as casualties.

Finally the Prussian twigged as to what was required and assembled 200+ Krupp guns which they used to batter the French lines. Under this maelstrom of fire and with the Saxons at last bring pressure to bear, the French postion collapsed.

Too late in the day Bazaine sent General Bourbaki with the Guard Grenadier Division to shore up the line. But on seeing the rout of VI Corps, Bourbaki turned the Guard around.

As darkness fell, the French retreated the last distance back into Metz.

The reconstruction

What follows is my version of the OOB’s for the respective forces. I have relied on two main sources for this :-

The Franco-German War of 1870 – German General Staff

Studes from the Franco-Prussian War, The French Imperial Army – Stephen Shann

There are likely to be may contentious issue contained herein, but I welcome comment as always.

I have taken what information I have read so far and amalgamated it, hence any ideas put forward here pay homage to the author and are not intended as a attempt to pinch good ideas.

Rob Gill
vonsteinmetz@hotmail.com

FRENCH ARMY

Marshal Bazaine AC

II CORPS

General Frossard CC, II Corps

1^st Division, Gen Verge DC Exhaustion=8 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Valaze

• 3^rd Chasseurs 6 [ ] ss
• 32^nd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 55^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 76^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 77^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 6^th Battery, 5^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 5^th + 12^th Batteries, 5^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

1^st Brigade, Gen Pouget

• 12^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] ss
• 8^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 23^rd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 66^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 67^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 9^th Battery, 5^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 7^th + 8^th Batteries, 5^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

(Attached from V Corps)

Gen Lapasset DC Exhaustion=5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 2^nd Co. 14th Chasseurs 6 [ ] ss
• 84^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 97^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 3^rd Lancers 5 [s] lt, lncr
• 7^th Battery, 2^nd Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] R-F

Corps Troops

• 10^th + 11th Batteries, 5^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv
• 6^th + 10^th Batteries, 15^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 7^th + 8^th Batteries, 17^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

III CORPS

Marshal Le Boeuf CC, III Corps

1^st Division, Gen Montaudon DC Exhaustion=10 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Aymard

• 18^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 51^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 62^nd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 81^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 95^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 8^th Battery, 4^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 5^th + 6^th Batteries, 4^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

2^nd Division, Gen de Castagny DC Exhaustion=9 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Nayral

• 15^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] ss
• 19^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 41^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Duplessis

• 69^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 90^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 9^th Battery, 4^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 11^th + 12^th Batteries, 4^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

1^st Brigade, Gen de Potier

• 7^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 7^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 29^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Arnaudeau

• 59^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 71^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 5^th Battery, 11^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 6^th + 7^th Batteries, 11^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

4^th Division, Gen Decean DC Exhaustion=11 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen de Brauer

• 11^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 44^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 60^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Sangle-Ferriere

• 80^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 85^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 8^th Battery, 11^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 9^th + 10^th Batteries, 11^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

Corps Troops

• 10^th + 12^th Batteries, 11^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv
• 7^th + 10^th Batteries, 4^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Batteries, 17^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Batteries, 17^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

 

General de Ladmirault CC, IV Corps

1^st Division, Gen de Cissey DC Exhaustion=9 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Brayer

• 20^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 1^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 6^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Golberg

• 57^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 73^rd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional troops

• 12th Battery, 15^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 5^th + 9^th Batteries, 15^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

2^nd Division, Gen Grenier DC Exhaustion=9 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Bellecourt

• 5^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 13^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 43^rd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Pradier

• 64^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 98^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 5th Battery, 1^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 6^th + 7^th Batteries, 5^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

3^rd Division, Gen de Lorencez DC Exhaustion=10 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Pajol

• 2nd Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 15^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 33^rd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 54^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 66^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 8^th Battery, 1^st Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 9^th + 10^th Batteries, 1^st Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

• 11^th + 12^th Batteries, 1^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv
• 6^th + 7^th Batteries, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 5^th + 6^th Batteries, 17^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

VI CORPS

Marshal Canrobert CC, VI Corps

1st Division, Gen Tixier DC Exhaustion=10 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Pechot

• 9^th Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 4^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 10^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen le Roy de Dais

• 12^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 100^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional troops

• 12^th Battery, 8^th Field Artillery Regt (Mitrailleuse) 5 [ ] mg
• 5^th, 7^th + 8^th Batteries, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] R-F

2^nd Division, Gen Bisson DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Archinaud

• 9^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 9^th + 10^th Batteries, 13th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv

3^rd Division, Gen de Villiers DC Exhaustion=6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen de Sonnay

• 75^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 91^st Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen Colin

• 93^rd Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] ( linear stand )
• 94^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 5^th, 6^th + 7^th, 14^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] R-F

4^th Division, Gen Levassor-Sorval DC Ex=8 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen Marguenat

• 25^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 26^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen de Chanaleilles

• 28^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 70^th Regt de Ligne 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional Troops

• 7^th, 8^th + 9^th Batteries, 10th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] R-F

CAVALRY

2^nd Cavalry Division

Gen de Valabregue DC Exhaustion= 2 [ ] [ ]
(Gen Marmier should have led this division, but didn’t make it to the battlefield in time)

1^st Brigade, (under direct command of Gen de Valabregue)

• 4^th + 5^th Chasseurs 5 [s] [s] lt

• 7^th + 12^th Dragoons 5 [ ] [ ] md

3^rd Cavalry Division

Gen Clerambault DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

(1^st Brigade attached to 1^st Reserve Cavalry Division)

2^nd Brigade, Gen de Maubranches

• 2^nd + 4^th Dragoons 5 [ ] [ ] md

• 5^th + 8^th Dragoons 5 [ ] [ ] md

4^th Cavalry Division

Gen Legrand DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen de Montaigu

• 2^nd + 7^th Hussars 5 [s] [s] lt

• 3^rd + 11^th Dragoons 5 [ ] [ ] md

Imperial Guard Cavalry Division

Gen Desvaux DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

2^nd Brigade, Gen de France

• Guard Dragoons + Lancers 6 [ ] [ ] md

• Guard Cuirassiers + Carabiniers 6 [ ] [ ] Hv

1^st Reserve Cavalry Division

Gen du Barail DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Gen de Lajaille

• 2^nd Chasseurs d’Afrique + 2^nd Chasseurs 6 [ ] [ ] lt

• 3^rd + 10^th Chasseurs 5 [s] [s] lt

• 5th + 6th Batterries, 19th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

3^rd Reserve Cavalry Divison

Gen Forton DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Prince Murat

• 1^st + 9^th Dragoons 5 [ ] [ ] md

• 7^th + 10^th Cuirassiers. 5 [ ] [ ] Hv

• 7^th + 8^th Batteries, 20^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

RESERVE ARTILLERY

Gen Canu DC

Field Artillery Reserve, Colonel Salvador

• (5^th +6^th Batteries attached to 2^nd Division, VI corps)
• 7^th +8^th Batteries, 13^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv
• 9^th +10^th Batteries, 13^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv
• 11^th +12^th Batteries, 13^th Field Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-Hv

Horse Artillery Reserve, Colonel Toussant

• 1^st +2^nd Batteries, 18^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 3^rd +4^th Batteries, 18^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 5^th +6^th Batteries, 18^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F
• 7^th +8^th Batteries, 18^th Horse Artillery Regt 5 [ ] [ ] R-F

Notes on French OOB:

French Corps are all at 50% exhaustion, except for the Imperial Guard, which is set to 60%.

There is a large variation in regimental strengths caused by mobilisation difficulties and casualties at Spicheren, Colombey and Mars-la-Tour. 4SP is the standard size. As a result all French regiments are understrength except for the 44^th Ligne. The 44^th Ligne’s regimental depot was Metz.

3^rd Division, II Corps was not present at the battle. It was detached to garrison the Metz forts following its rough handling at Spicheren. Its place was partly taken by Lavacoupet’s Brigade, which had been picked up, from where it had been left when V Corps retreated to Chalons. The 3^rd Lancer Regiment came with it as did 1 squadron of the 7^th Hussars, which was attached to form an escort for Marshal Bazaine.

The 1^st Reserve Cavalry Division should be made up of 4 regiments of Chasseurs d’Afrique, however one was wandering around Southern France, and 2 more had been attached, together with 3^rd Bn, 3^rd Grenadier Guards to escort Napoleon III to Chalons. The division was reconstituted by transferring the 1^st Brigade, 3^rd Cavalry Division to it.

The Guard Grenadier Division was roughly handled at Mars-la-Tour, suffering over 1,000 casualties. This together with the detachment to escort Napoleon III, left 3^rd Regiment with less than 1,000 effectives for the battle, hence it can only be regarded as a 2SP linear stand.

The 93^rd Ligne is also rated as a linear stand as it was the weakest regiment in the army and was run over by von Bredow’s Cavalry, amongst other things, at Mars-la-Tour.

All Guard Grenadier Regiments are rated as shock troops, and all Voltigeur regiments may detach a single stand of M6 sharpshooters.

The VI corps arrived at Metz with only 1 regiment of its 2^nd division, half its artillery, no cavalry and most importantly of all, no shovels. As a result VI corps is not entrenched in any way. II, III and IV corps are all occupying positions rated as hasty works.

The French deployed II, III, IV and VI corps in the front line and held the Imperial Guard and Reserve Artillery in reserve behind. In the event neither reserve was used.

The French cavalry spent the day stuffed into a ravine just behind IV corps. It did nothing during the entire battle apart from 2 squadrons of the 3^rd Chasseurs a Cheval, which attempted to charge, but quickly packed in the idea when they got shot at.

PRUSSIAN I ARMY

General von Steinmetz AC
1st Army General Staff AC

VII CORPS

Gen von Zastrow CC

13th Division, Lt Gen v Glumer DC Exhaustion=12 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

25^th Brigade, Major Gen Baron von Osten-Sacken

• 13th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 73rd Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 15th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 55th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 7th Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 8th Hussars 5 [s] lt
• 5^th + 6^th Lt Batteries, 3^rd Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Hv Batteries, 3^rd Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

14th Division, Gen v. Kamecke DC Exhaustion=11 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

27^th Brigade, Major Gen von Francois

• 39th Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 74th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 53rd Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 77th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 15th Hussars 5 [s] lt
• 1^st + 2^nd Lt Batteries, 1^st Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Hv Batteries, 1^st Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

• 3^rd + 4^th Lt Batteries, 2^nd Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Hv Batteries, 2^nd Div, 7^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 2^nd + 3^rd Batteries, Horse Art Div, 7^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

VIII CORPS

Gen von Goeben CC

15th Division, Lt Gen v Weltzien DC Exhaustion=14 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

29^th Brigade, Major Gen von Wedell

• 33rd Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 60th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 28th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 67th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 8th Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 7th Hussars 5 [s] lt
• 5^th + 6^th Lt Batteries, 3^rd Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Hv Batteries, 3^rd Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

16th Division, Lt Gen Barnekow DC Exhaustion=11 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

31^st Brigade, Major Gen Count von Gneisenau

• 29th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 69th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 40th Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 72nd Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 9th Hussars 5 [s] lt
• 1^st + 2^nd Lt Batteries, 1^st Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Hv Batteries, 1^st Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

• 3^rd + 4^th Lt Batteries, 2^nd Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Hv Batteries, 2^nd Div, 8^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 1^st, 2^nd + 3^rd Btys, Horse Art Div, 8^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] AR-F

1^st Cavalry Division,

Lieut Gen von Hartmann DC Exhaustion=4 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Major Gen von Luderitz

• 2^nd Kurassiere, 4^th Uhlans + 9^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] [s] md

• 3^rd Kurassiere, 8^th Uhlans + 12^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] [s] md

• 1^st Horse Art Battery, 1^st Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] AR-F

PRUSSIAN II ARMY

Crown Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia AC
II Army General Staff I AC
II Army General Staff II AC

Imperial Guard Corps

Prince Augustus von Wurtemberg CC

1^st Division, Maj Gen von Pape DC Exhaustion=20 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Major Gen Kessel

• 1^st Foot Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 2^nd Foot Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 3^rd Foot Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 4^th Foot Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• Guard Fusileer Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• Guard Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• Guard Hussar Regiment 6 [s] lt
• 1^st + 2^nd Light batteries, 1^st Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Heavy batteries, 1^st Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

2nd Division, Gen von Budritzki DC Exhaustion=16 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

3^rd Brigade, Colonel von Knappstadt

• 1^st Grenadier Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 2^nd Grenadier Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 3^rd Grenadier Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 4^th Grenadier Guard Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• Guard Schutzen Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 2^nd Guard Uhlan Regiment 6 [s] lt, lncr
• 5^th + 6^th Light batteries, 3^rd Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Heavy batteries, 3^rd Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

• 3^rd + 4^th Light batteries, 2^nd Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy batteries, 2^nd Div, Gd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 1^st, 2^nd + 3^rd Horse Art batteries, Gd Horse Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] AR-F

III CORPS

Gen von Alvensleben CC

5^th Division, Lt Gen v Stulpnagel DC Exhaustion=7 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

9^th Brigade, Major Gen von Doring

• 8^th Grenadier Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 48th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 12^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 52^nd Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]

Divisional troops

• 3^rd Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 12^th Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 1^st +2^nd Light Batteries, 1^st Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st +2^nd Heavy Batteries, 1^st Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

6^th Div, Lt Gen v Buddenbrock DC Exhaustion=7 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

11^th Brigade, Major Gen von Rothmaler

• 20^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 35^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 24^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 64^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 2^nd Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 5^th +6^th Light Batteries, 3^rd Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Heavy Batteries, 3^rd Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

Corps Artillery, Maj Gen v.Bulow DC

• 3^rd +4^th Light Batteries, 2^nd Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy Batteries, 2^nd Div, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 2^nd +3^rd Horse Art Batteries, 3^rd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

IX CORPS

Lt Gen von Manstein CC

18^th Division, Lt Gen v Wrangel DC Exhaustion=12 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

35^th Brigade, Major Gen von Blumenthal

• 36^th Fusileer Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 84^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 11^th Grenadier Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 85^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 9^th Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 6^th Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 1^st + 2^nd Lt Batteries, 1^stDiv, 9^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Hv Batteries, 1^st Div, 9^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

25th Division, Lt Gen HRH Prince Louis of Hesse DC Exhaustion=11 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

49^th Brigade, Major Gen von Wettich

• 1^st Hessian Leib-Gardes 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 2^nd Hessian Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 1^st Hessian Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss

• 3^rd Hessian Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 4^th Hessian Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 2^nd Hessian Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss

• 1^st , 2^nd +3^rd Light Batteries, Hessian Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st +2^nd Heavy Batteries, Hessian Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• Horse Artillery Battery, Hessian Field Art Regt 6 [ ] AR-F

• 1^st & 2^nd Reiters 5 [ ] [ ] md

• 3^rd +4^th Light Batteries, 2^nd Div, 9^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy Batteries, 2^nd Div, 9^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

X CORPS

Lt Gen vonVoights-Rhetz I CC

19^th Division, Gen v Shwartzkoppen DC Exhaustion=7 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

37^th Brigade, Colonel Lehmann

• 78^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 91^st Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 16^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 57^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 9^th Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 1^st + 2^nd Lt Batteries, 1^st Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Hv Batteries, 1^st Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

20^th Division, Gen v Kraatz-Koschlau DC Exhaustion=9 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

39^th Brigade, Major Gen von Woyna

• 56^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 79^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 17^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 92^nd Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 10^th Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 16^th Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 3^rd + 4^th Light batteries, 2^nd Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy batteries, 2^nd Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

Corps Artillery, Colonel Baron von de Becke DC

• 5^th +6^th Light Batteries, 3^rd Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Heavy Batteries, 3^rd Div, 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 1^st + 3^rd Btys Horse Art Div 10^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

XII (ROYAL SAXON) CORPS

H.R.H Crown Prince of Saxony CC

23^rd Division, HRH Prince George of Saxony DC Exhaustion=16 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

45^th Brigade, Major Gen von Craushaar

• 100^th (1^st Saxon Leib) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 101^st (2^nd Saxon) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 102^nd (3^rd Saxon Leib) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 103^rd (4^th Saxon Leib) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 108^th (Saxon Schutzen) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 1^st (Crown Prince) Saxon Reiter Regt 5 [s] md
• 1^st + 2^nd Lt Batteries, 1^st Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st + 2^nd Hv Batteries, 1^st Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

24^th Division, Gen von Holderburg DC Exhaustion=15 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

47^th Brigade, Major General von Leonhardi

• 104^th (5^th Saxon) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 105^th (6^th Saxon) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 12th Jaeger Bn 5 [ ] [ ] ss

• 106^th (7^th Saxon) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 107^th (8^th Saxon) Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 13^th Jaeger Bn 5 [ ] [ ] ss

• 2^nd Saxon Reiter Regt 5 [s] md
• 2^nd Saxon Jaeger Bn 5 [ ] [ ] ss
• 3^rd + 4^th Light batteries, 2^nd Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy batteries, 2^nd Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

Corps Artillery, Major Gen Kohler DC

• 5^th + 6^th Light batteries, 3^rd Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Heavy batteries, 3^rd Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 2^nd Horse Art Bty, Horse Art Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

7^th + 8^th Heavy batteries, 2^nd Div, 12^th Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

CAVALRY

Guard Cavalry Division

Maj Gen v. der Goltz DC Ex=4 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

1^st Brigade, Major Gen von Brandenburg I

• Garde du Corps, Guard Kurassiere 6 [ ] [ ] Hv

• 1^st + 3^rd Guard Uhlans 6 [s] [s] lt, lncr

• 1^st +2^nd Guard Dragoons 6 [ ] [ ] md

5^th Cavalry Division

Lt Gen v.Rheinbaben: DC Exhaustion=5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

11^th Brigade, Major Gen von Barby

• 4^th Kurassiere, 19^th Dragoons + 13^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] [s] md

• 7^th Kurassiere, 13^th Dragoons + 16^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] md

• 10^th, 11^th + 17^th (Brunswick) Hussars 5 [s] [s] [s] lt

• 1^st H.A Battery, 4^th Field Artillery Regt + 2^nd H.A Battery, 10^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

6^th Cavalry Division

H.H. Duke Wilhelm of Mecklenburg-Schwerin Exhaustion=3 [ ] [ ] [ ]

14^th Brigade, Major Gen Baron von Diepenbroick-Gruter

• 6^th Kurassiere, 3^rd Uhlans + 15^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] [s] md

• 3^rd + 16^th Hussars 5 [s] [s] lt

• 2^nd Horse Art Battery, 3^rd Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] AR-F

12^th Cavalry Divison

Maj Gen Count Lippe DC Exhaustion=2 [ ] [ ]

23^rd Brigade, Major Gen von Nidda

• Saxon Guard Cavalry, 17^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] md

• 3^rd Saxon Reiter, 18^th Uhlans 5 [ ] [ ] md

1^st Horse Artillery Battery, 12^th Field Artillery Regt 6 [ ] AR-F

UNATTACHED UNITS

II CORPS

Gen von Fransecky CC

3^rd Division, Major Gen v Hartmann DC Exhaustion=14 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

5^th Brigade, Major Gen von Koblinski

• 2^nd Grenadier Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 42^nd Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 14^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 54^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 2^nd Jager Bn 6 [ ] [ ] ss
• 3^rd Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 1^st +2^nd Light Batteries, 1^st Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 1^st +2^nd Heavy Batteries, 1^st Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

4^th Division, Lt Gen v Weyham DC Exhaustion=13 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

7^th Brigade, Major Gen du Trossel

• 9^th Grenadier Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 49^th Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 21^st Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• 61^st Inf Regt 5 [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

• 11^th Dragoons 5 [s] md
• 5^th +6^th Light Batteries, 3^rd Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 5^th + 6^th Heavy Batteries, 3^rd Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv

Corps Artillery, Maj Gen von.Kleist DC

• 3^rd +4^th Light Batteries, 2^nd Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F
• 3^rd + 4^th Heavy Batteries, 2^nd Div, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-Hv
• 2^nd +3^rd Horse Art Batteries, 2^nd Field Art Regt 6 [ ] [ ] AR-F

Notes on Prussian OOB:-

There are actually 2 armies present; hence there are 2 AC’s. The titular head of the army as a whole was the King himself, but he did nothing during the battle other than give von Steinmetz the use of II corps when it arrived. Likewise von Moltke, Chief of the General Staff, did nothing except agree with the King. As a result they are not represented on the battlefield.

There are also additional AC's depicting the ever present Prussian General Staff. These act in all repects as AC's (their word was divine law). There is one General Staff AC for the Ist Army and 2 for the IInd Army (to reflect their relative sizes).

II corps is not directly attached to either army, but in the real battle von Steinmetz was given use of it; hence it should be attached to I Army if you wish to follow history.

VIII Corps on paper was part of the I Army, but had been detached under the King’s direct command, primarily to stop von Steinmetz doing anything stupid with it. However he gave von Goeben the order to attack, which he obeyed. Although strictly speaking he could have ignored this order and referred to the King, he obediently sent his corps to its destruction in the Mance Ravine.

All infantry corps have 50% exhaustion limits except the Guard, which has 60% and III and X corps which have 40%. I have downrated the III and X corps as I believe this to be the best way to portray what happened at Mars-la-Tour. III Corps in particular suffered severely as it attempted to fight the entire French Army on its own. In the historical battle, both these Corps were held in reserve and virtually uncommited with the exception of their Corps artillery assests, which were leant to the Corps in front of them.

Cavalry divisions have, in theory, 60% exhaustion, but due to the strengths it comes out as 50% in most cases. Von Bredow’s Brigade ( 12^th Brigade, 5^th Cavalry Division ) has been reduced following its infamous ‘Death Ride’ at Mars-la-Tour – the equivalent 4 squadrons were lost during the charge.

The downgrading of III and X corps is as a result of the battle of Mars-la-Tour (Rezonville) 2 days previously, in which these 2 corps held up the entire French army virtually without assistance. As a result of this they were placed in the rear of the army, III corps behind IX corps, and X corps behind the Guard Corps. Apart from their Corps artillery assets, which were lent to the corps in front, they were not seriously engaged.

Prussian Corps artillery have their own commanders so can act independently under his command.

The Guard Fusileer and Saxon Schutzen Regiments are treated as light infantry regiments; that is to say they may break down entirely into skirmish (not sharpshooters) stands. I have some doubts as to the deployment of the Guard Fusileers this way as other Fusileer battalions fought as the Line infantry, however the Saxon Schutzen wore Jager uniforms so that sort of implies a dual role.

IX Corps is a non-standard corps in that it includes the 25^th Hessian Division. All the Hessian regiments have only 2 battalions, hence have only 4SP. They do, however, have an extra Jager battalion and a full Cavalry brigade attached to the division.

XII (Saxon) Corps is also slightly non-standard and it has its own attached cavalry division (12^th).
 

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