La Bataille de Dresde

About this board game

La Bataille de Dresde is a 2–8 player board game about the titanic Battle of Dresden, played over an extended 720-minute session. Set in August 1813, it covers the three-day battle that raged from August 25 through August 27.

Austria has ended its neutrality and joined the VIth Coalition against France. Alongside Russian and Prussian contingents, its army advances north out of Bohemia in a force nearly two hundred thousand strong, moving through the Erz mountains and into Saxony along the west bank of the Elbe.

Napoleon recognizes the danger to his line of communications and to Dresden, the main supply depot for his army. With only a single French Corps blocking the coalition advance and outnumbered nearly ten-to-one, he issues a flurry of orders to redirect the Guard and several corps to its rescue.

Up to four players command the Prussian, Austrian, and Russian forces under Feldmarschall Carl zu Schwarzenberg. Up to four more players take control of French commanders, including Napoleon and Marshals Ney, Marmont, Mortier, Victor, and St. Cyr.

• Players: 2–8
• Play time: 720 minutes
• Setting: the Battle of Dresden, August 1813
• Forces: Prussian, Austrian, Russian, and French armies

La Bataille de Dresde represents every battalion of infantry, squadron of cavalry, and battery of artillery present at the battle. With these forces at the players’ command, the game focuses on the immense scale of the confrontation and the urgent French effort to defend Dresden against the advancing coalition army.