I know that on (probably) day 1 of the war the only deployed force I have is facing a formation who outnumber them c.2:1 in all arms, who have begun an attack with (I assume) the intention of preventing my side's mobilisation. I assume my own command will outnumber the enemy once fully deployed (12-48hrs) as I have 2 more infantry divisions and a cavalry division to come. I know it is the enemy who has declared the war. Therefore I assume my opposite number was more organised at their jumping-off point than I am now and this will be a full-scale attack on their part.
Although I assume enemy reserves will not ultimately be in short supply. I know that by day 3, 2 more formations of roughly the size of my own command will have arrived in the theatre and begun to deploy. Therefore time is more my friend than theirs.
I assume the Metz fortress has its own garrison and for the purposes of this exercise I do not need to worry about the enemy seizing it undefended.
I assume the major roads in the region form a rough spider's web with Gross Tänchen at the centre and the other indicated settlements on its spokes.
I know that the weather has been poor so while the enemy's overall advance will be slowed, their artillery in particular will make worse headway even on what good roads exist in the region. If my above assumption is correct, every gun and most of the reservists they have will have to go along the same road from Château-Salins.
I hope a decent proportion of the pioneers mentioned in the introduction to the case are in GT with the 5th, and if so have not been idle in recent months preparing fortifications.
On the basis of all the above, it seems to me that GT is a key defensive node for our mobilisation and in any case there is as yet no need to even think of retreat. A 2:1 ratio in the attacker's favour is unlikely to be preponderant against a prepared defence, the more so as the enemy will almost certainly be disorganised by the march and lacking in artillery support (since it appears to be c.40km from Nancy and c.25km from CS as the crow flies). My orders are as follows:
The 5th is to hold GT against the enemy and await imminent reinforcement. Cavalry are to screen the roads north and east, to minimise enemy cavalry actions but mostly for reconnaissance - if the enemy has managed to bring artillery or significant infantry formations up to or beyond GT on its axis of advance this is to be reported immediately. Infantry may push out beyond the village to engage the enemy if the engagement seems on favourable terms or of [the 19th-c equivalent of] operational benefit, but the guns are not to advance and infantry are not to move beyond the protection of the artillery unless circumstances are exceptionally favourable. The divisional commander may retain a reserve of cavalry to assist in this latter task if he sees fit, but their main priority is to keep HQ informed regarding the enemy's disposition.
1. All regiments hold unless given explicit orders to fall back. The important objective is to be a cog in the wheel while the rest of the follow-on Corps marshal.
2. Fling my CAV out wide to look for the enemy or signs of his columns (in the mud, because of the rain).
3. While the CAV is on recon, To obscure my numbers, I’d take and consolidate what additional horses/transpo I have and create a “flying” force of maybe a battalion or two to send out and fight a delaying engagement where beneficial to me. Keep him off balance, make him think I’m stronger and confuse his view of my position and offensive capability
5th Division, along with whatever reinforcements we can muster (while keeping a healthy reserve,) are going to have to fight a delaying action for at least 2-3 days while our army groups come in.
Luckily, the poor weather seems to be in our favor as it should slow the enemy down.
I know that on (probably) day 1 of the war the only deployed force I have is facing a formation who outnumber them c.2:1 in all arms, who have begun an attack with (I assume) the intention of preventing my side's mobilisation. I assume my own command will outnumber the enemy once fully deployed (12-48hrs) as I have 2 more infantry divisions and a cavalry division to come. I know it is the enemy who has declared the war. Therefore I assume my opposite number was more organised at their jumping-off point than I am now and this will be a full-scale attack on their part.
Although I assume enemy reserves will not ultimately be in short supply. I know that by day 3, 2 more formations of roughly the size of my own command will have arrived in the theatre and begun to deploy. Therefore time is more my friend than theirs.
I assume the Metz fortress has its own garrison and for the purposes of this exercise I do not need to worry about the enemy seizing it undefended.
I assume the major roads in the region form a rough spider's web with Gross Tänchen at the centre and the other indicated settlements on its spokes.
I know that the weather has been poor so while the enemy's overall advance will be slowed, their artillery in particular will make worse headway even on what good roads exist in the region. If my above assumption is correct, every gun and most of the reservists they have will have to go along the same road from Château-Salins.
I hope a decent proportion of the pioneers mentioned in the introduction to the case are in GT with the 5th, and if so have not been idle in recent months preparing fortifications.
On the basis of all the above, it seems to me that GT is a key defensive node for our mobilisation and in any case there is as yet no need to even think of retreat. A 2:1 ratio in the attacker's favour is unlikely to be preponderant against a prepared defence, the more so as the enemy will almost certainly be disorganised by the march and lacking in artillery support (since it appears to be c.40km from Nancy and c.25km from CS as the crow flies). My orders are as follows:
The 5th is to hold GT against the enemy and await imminent reinforcement. Cavalry are to screen the roads north and east, to minimise enemy cavalry actions but mostly for reconnaissance - if the enemy has managed to bring artillery or significant infantry formations up to or beyond GT on its axis of advance this is to be reported immediately. Infantry may push out beyond the village to engage the enemy if the engagement seems on favourable terms or of [the 19th-c equivalent of] operational benefit, but the guns are not to advance and infantry are not to move beyond the protection of the artillery unless circumstances are exceptionally favourable. The divisional commander may retain a reserve of cavalry to assist in this latter task if he sees fit, but their main priority is to keep HQ informed regarding the enemy's disposition.
I would do three things while waiting for my main force to arrive.
1) I would take my best marksmen, see how close I could get to the enemy, and start sniping their officer corps.
2) I would use my cavalry to carry out quick raids against their foot infantry.
3) I would place my artillery so as to try to mitigate their cavalry attacking my infantry.
High ground, high ground, high ground.
1. All regiments hold unless given explicit orders to fall back. The important objective is to be a cog in the wheel while the rest of the follow-on Corps marshal.
2. Fling my CAV out wide to look for the enemy or signs of his columns (in the mud, because of the rain).
3. While the CAV is on recon, To obscure my numbers, I’d take and consolidate what additional horses/transpo I have and create a “flying” force of maybe a battalion or two to send out and fight a delaying engagement where beneficial to me. Keep him off balance, make him think I’m stronger and confuse his view of my position and offensive capability
5th Division, along with whatever reinforcements we can muster (while keeping a healthy reserve,) are going to have to fight a delaying action for at least 2-3 days while our army groups come in.
Luckily, the poor weather seems to be in our favor as it should slow the enemy down.