Use the artillery to fix the Northern force NW of the Bode River. Demonstrate or just start crossing the Salle on the W side of the Bode with 2 BNs. Send the third battalion to watch the Prussian Battalion at Bernuberg and prepare to force it if the Prussian Battalion moves toward the pontoon crossing site. That gives you two shots at crossing and puts you across with the Bode R between you and the equiv Prussian force
As far as you know, there are no other bridges across the Saale. As a rule, the inhabitants make extensive use of boats and ferries, all of which have been moved to the west bank of the Saale.
As far as the Bode goes, you have no information about bridges, ferries, or boats. You know that it is a somewhat narrower version of the Saale and so difficult (if not impossible) to ford.
Under the given circumstances, I would suggest the following:
1. The first group (a battery of 12-pounders and one battalion of infantry) should advance to the very north in order to demonstrate the crossing. Easter of Calbe, where the river Saale flows in the eastern direction, the battalion must provoke the enemy forces to engage in a firefight and give them the impression that the main forces are present. The group should be commanded by the most proactive and aggressive officer. Demonstrations of the crossing by boats and the spread of rumors among the population that the crossing of the main forces will be organized east of Calbe are to be conducted. The key moment for the diversion of forces should be a battery of 12-pounder guns, which should pin down enemy movements with fire. If there are extra pontoons for the crossing, then they can be given to this group for demonstration.
2. The second group (with a force of one company, detached from the rest of the battalions) should block Barnburg.
3. The third group will consist of the main forces - two battalions and a pontoon detachment. Initially, it should follow the first group and give the impression of a march to the north. However, after the first group begins to demonstrate a false river crossing and engage in combat in the area east of Calbe, it must rapidly establish a crossing north of Nienburg and cross to the western bank of the Saale. The main risk is the enemy cavalry squadron, which could patrol the coast between Nienburg and Calbe, so the crossing must be completed as quickly as possible.
In the event of a successful crossing, there are two scenarios.
Option A. If it is possible to ford the Bode and the bridge is not blown up, then it is possible to try to surround or force the enemy to leave the bridge in Bernburg. Next, forces will advance to the north.
Option B. If it is not possible to quickly cross the Bode and / or the bridge at Bernburg is blown up, then it is necessary to continue the offensive to the north with the support of a 12-pounder battery from the other side.
Cross the Saale in or just downriver of Nienburg with the pontoon bridge, embed in the town to defend the bridge against attacks from the near-peer Prussian force to our north. This should achieve the main objective of creating a secure crossing, as we will have a greater number of equivalently-armed infantry, superior artillery and a defensive position that effectively neutralises the enemy cavalry. Send small groups from one company (or a full company if our command structure doesn't permit further subdivision) W along the N bank of the Bode to investigate bridges in the area (thus the possibility that the enemy company in Bernberg may be able to rejoin the larger detachment), but with strict orders not to progress to a point where terrain restricts visibility, in case the enemy cavalry are scouting in the area and see an opportunity to destroy some of our men at little cost to themselves.
Can't you try to seize the bridge at Berburg before they detonate it, overwhelm the southern BN, and then build the pontoon bridge across the Bode near Nienburg and hold it while shelling the NW BNs until the main army arrives?
Use the artillery to fix the Northern force NW of the Bode River. Demonstrate or just start crossing the Salle on the W side of the Bode with 2 BNs. Send the third battalion to watch the Prussian Battalion at Bernuberg and prepare to force it if the Prussian Battalion moves toward the pontoon crossing site. That gives you two shots at crossing and puts you across with the Bode R between you and the equiv Prussian force
Could you please clarify two points:
1. Is it possible to cross the river Bode without a pontoon crossing?
2. Apart from the bridge in Bernuberg, do the other two cities have bridges across the Saale river?
As far as you know, there are no other bridges across the Saale. As a rule, the inhabitants make extensive use of boats and ferries, all of which have been moved to the west bank of the Saale.
As far as the Bode goes, you have no information about bridges, ferries, or boats. You know that it is a somewhat narrower version of the Saale and so difficult (if not impossible) to ford.
Under the given circumstances, I would suggest the following:
1. The first group (a battery of 12-pounders and one battalion of infantry) should advance to the very north in order to demonstrate the crossing. Easter of Calbe, where the river Saale flows in the eastern direction, the battalion must provoke the enemy forces to engage in a firefight and give them the impression that the main forces are present. The group should be commanded by the most proactive and aggressive officer. Demonstrations of the crossing by boats and the spread of rumors among the population that the crossing of the main forces will be organized east of Calbe are to be conducted. The key moment for the diversion of forces should be a battery of 12-pounder guns, which should pin down enemy movements with fire. If there are extra pontoons for the crossing, then they can be given to this group for demonstration.
2. The second group (with a force of one company, detached from the rest of the battalions) should block Barnburg.
3. The third group will consist of the main forces - two battalions and a pontoon detachment. Initially, it should follow the first group and give the impression of a march to the north. However, after the first group begins to demonstrate a false river crossing and engage in combat in the area east of Calbe, it must rapidly establish a crossing north of Nienburg and cross to the western bank of the Saale. The main risk is the enemy cavalry squadron, which could patrol the coast between Nienburg and Calbe, so the crossing must be completed as quickly as possible.
In the event of a successful crossing, there are two scenarios.
Option A. If it is possible to ford the Bode and the bridge is not blown up, then it is possible to try to surround or force the enemy to leave the bridge in Bernburg. Next, forces will advance to the north.
Option B. If it is not possible to quickly cross the Bode and / or the bridge at Bernburg is blown up, then it is necessary to continue the offensive to the north with the support of a 12-pounder battery from the other side.
Cross the Saale in or just downriver of Nienburg with the pontoon bridge, embed in the town to defend the bridge against attacks from the near-peer Prussian force to our north. This should achieve the main objective of creating a secure crossing, as we will have a greater number of equivalently-armed infantry, superior artillery and a defensive position that effectively neutralises the enemy cavalry. Send small groups from one company (or a full company if our command structure doesn't permit further subdivision) W along the N bank of the Bode to investigate bridges in the area (thus the possibility that the enemy company in Bernberg may be able to rejoin the larger detachment), but with strict orders not to progress to a point where terrain restricts visibility, in case the enemy cavalry are scouting in the area and see an opportunity to destroy some of our men at little cost to themselves.
Can't you try to seize the bridge at Berburg before they detonate it, overwhelm the southern BN, and then build the pontoon bridge across the Bode near Nienburg and hold it while shelling the NW BNs until the main army arrives?