Battle of Friedland

The Battle of Friedland is a historical battle in Napoleon: Total War. It is unlocked with the purchase of the Coalition Battle Pack DLC.

Description

The Battle of Friedland (14 June, 1807) with Napoleon's empire at its height, he took a chance and defeated Russia in detail, knocking them out of the war and bringing the Fourth Coalition to an end.

Narration

Without Berlin, the Prussians came to terms. I turned then on the Russians in Poland. Yet at Eylau, something happened: my army shuddered, for a moment. So they had suffered? No matter. But I had to take personal control to restore French – that is, my – glory.

Pre-Battle Text

Napoleon: July 14th, 1807. General Bennigsen has made a grave error in his judgement. Ordering his entire army across d'Alle to the west of Friedland, he believes his force vastly outnumbers my deceptively isolated Lannes' V Corps.

In addition Gorchakov and Bagration are providing Bennigsen with additional Russian troops on the right and left flanks respectively.

To my northern left flank, Grouchy and Nansouty's cavalry occupy the village of Heinrichsdorf and should provide excellent cover for my main assault.

Marshal Lannes occupies the centre and will tempt my Russian enemies in, to what will prove to be their demise.

Victory Text

Prussia, Russia, Austria, Britain, even Sweden! Let them come! My Grande Armée will prevail!

Defeat Text

I am Emperor of France. I will not kneel to any man, even if he has the armies of the world at his back! I refuse to be defeated!

General Information

Map of the initial deployment. The player's forces are on the far left. The three blue lines to their right are allied French forces. The red dots are Russian forces.

Unlike other historical battles, the Battle of Friedland can be played at any time as long as the Coalition Battle Pack DLC is purchased. Beating the battle does not count toward unlocking other battles, however. The Battle of Friedland is unusual in that it is one of the few historical battles that is not available in multiplayer. It is also the only singleplayer battle in which the player does not control all the French forces.

The player's forces begin the battle at the far west end of the map. Three very weak French forces are between them and a large Russian army. The player may choose to reinforce these armies with their troops, or use the allied troops as distractions for the Russian army. 

The Russians are numerically far superior (even when taking Napoleon's troops into account) and are well experienced. Two regiments of Russian 6-lber Foot Artillery are in excellent positions on a hill, allowing them to rain accurate fire on the French troops. Russian infantry and cavalry both heavily outnumber the French forces, which must rely on mobility to overcome their numerical deficiency. Most of the best Russian troops are in their center; however, they have one regiment of guards on the southernmost flank. While their northernmost flank of infantry are weak, they have three regiments of cavalry to back them up there.

The French have a 6-lber Horse Artillery regiment, which can help provide crucial firepower to level the playing field. The French also have a regiment of 12-lber Foot Artillery, but owing to its extremely slow movement speed it's difficult to maneuvre it to a location where it can deal good damage. There's a ridge close to the starting zone for Napoleon's forces, which may be a good point to set up for the foot artillery.

The Russian forces begin the battle by firing their cannons at the center cluster of French units. After a few minutes, it begins charging its infantry at the three minor French forces. Therefore, if saving Lannes' forces are desired, Napoleon's forces must move as quickly as possible to reinforce them: even at a dead sprint from the moment the battle begins, they will only barely get there in time to meet the Russians. After the initial wave of infantry, the Russian forces send in their cavalry on all points. Once these and the infantry are defeated, all that remains is for the Russian artillery to be dealt with.

General Bennigsen tends to stay close to the center group of infantry. Killing him drastically lowers Russian morale, helping inferior numbers of French troops rout larger Russian forces.

Units

Napoleon's forces:

• Napoleon Bonaparte's General's Staff: 24 men, 3 experience
• Dragoons: 60 men, 1 experience
• Cuirassiers: 60 men, 1 experience
• 3x Fusiliers of Line: 120 men each, 1 experience each
• Old Guard: 120 men, 1 experience
• Young Guard: 120 men, 1 experience
• 6-lber Horse Artillery: 24 men, 1 experience
• 12-lber Foot Artillery: 32 men, 1 experience.

Lanne's forces:

Northernmost group:

• Dragoons: 30 men, 1 experience
• Chasseurs a Cheval: 30 men, 1 experience
• 2x Fusiliers of Line: 60 men each, 1 experience each

Center group:

• Jean Lannes' General's Staff: 24 men
• 2x Chasseurs: 60 men each, 1 experience each
• Cuirassiers: 30 men, 1 experience

Southernmost group:

• 2x Grenadiers of the Line: 60 men each, 1 experience each
• Dragoons: 30 men, 1 experience

Bennigsen's Forces

From north to south:

• 2x Musketeers: 160 men each, 2 experience each
• 3x Lifeguard Hussars: 60 men each, 1 experience for two regiments, 0 experience for one regiment
• Dragoons: 60 men, 1 experience
• Count von Bennigsen's General's Staff, 24 men, 6 experience
• 2x 6-lber Foot Artillery, 2 experience each
• 2x Grenadiers, 160 men each, 5 experience each
• 2x Musketeers, 160 men each, 5 experience each
• 1x Musketeers, 160 men, 2 experience
• 1x Semenovski Lifeguard, 160 men, 2 experience
• 1x Grenadiers, 160 men, 2 experience
• 1x Dragoons, 60 men, 1 experience