Pulczinski in the Battle of Nations, Leipzig 1813

Pulczinski in the Battle of Nations, Leipzig/Germany

18 October 1813


Free translated from german to english and in military context
by Andreas Pulczinski, August 2009

Introduction:
Major von Pulczinski was member of the allied troops as a commander of the Prussian "4TH RESERVE INFANTRY REGIMENT" fighting against Napoleon.
This regiment was formed from the 3rd East-Prussian Musketeer Battalion and the 3rd East Prussian-Infantry Reserve Battalion.
The climax of the war was the Battle of Nations, where the allied defeated Napoleons army so badly, that Napoleon was forced to change to a defence strategy on own territory in the following.
During the battle of nations the amount of casualties on both sides were extremly high; approximatly 80.000 to 110.000 total were killed or wounded.
Napoleon lost about 38,000 killed and wounded soldiers. The allied Troops captured 36.000 Prisoners of War.
Among the dead on allied site (polish), was Marshal Józef Antoni Poniatowski, a nephew to the last king of Poland, Stanisław August Poniatowski.

In the battle Major von Pulczinski commanded an attack on Paunsdorff/Leipzig against the French troops on 18 October 1813.

The Scenary:

Major von Pulczinski, captured with his regiment in these battles three cannons and two howitzers and took as well, a big amount of prisoners nearly a complete regiment at Dennewitz. The attack he commanded was reported to Colonel von Bockum:

‘On 18 October at three o’clock in the afternoon, Major von Pulczinski was ordered from the crown prince of Sweden, to capture Paunsdorf with 2 Batallions. Behind this village, enemy infantry with artillery was detected.
…. The village was captured in the first attack. In opposite of the village, the battalions came under cross fire by an enemy artillery battery, at the road to Sellershausen.
The Attack stocked for a moment, then 1st and the 2nd battalion regathered themselfs and captured two howitzers and a cannon. ....
Continuing the attack and now supported by the captured artillery, the regiment moved forward to Sellershausen and assaulted the village under artillery fire.. …. Major von Stutterheim arrived with six platoons of the 1st battalion, to support the 2nd Batallion with building a frontline behind the village, which thrown back the fleeing enemy into Sellershausen.
At this moment all three prussian field officers were seriously wounded; 3 captains and 3 lieutenants were out of action.
Because of the intensive urban warfare, the battalions were mainly dispersed and splittered into small combat groups. Without any coverage they needed to retreat from Sellershausen to Paunsdorf to be formed- up again into organization.

During the retreat, the main part of his men fought their way back in close combat with bayonett and saber.

Captain von Beyer was leaving Sellershausen with the skirmishers of the 2nd battalion, as reguard.
Officer Cadett von Görtzke and Officer Cadett von Obstfelder who was hit by 3 shots, were beside him.

Until the Brigades ‘Borstell’ and ‘Krafft’ arrived, General von Bülow was not able to support Major von Pulczinski more earlier. The big losses of the regiment could only be compensated by their reckless braveness only, with which the men followed their leaders…… [Signed:] Friccius”


Source: Friccius, “Berichtigung”, in ‘Militär-Wochenblatt’, 27. Jahrgang No. 25, 24 June 1843
Source: Heereskunde1929_PR_Reserveinfanterieregimenter, Berlin 1929
Source: Digby-Smith - "1813: Leipzig" p 195


MY PERSONAL REMARK::::::::: MAKE LOVE NOT WAR::::::

Free translated and in military contextby Andreas Pulczinski, August 2009 (C)