For the first battle of the campaign I am using the scenario 'The Combat of St. Ulrich' . The Austrians have stolen a march on the Prussians and a picked force of Grenadiers have captured the bridge over the Schwartz River . They have deployed the Grenadiers to protect the bridge with a unit of cavalry to the flank , with the gun on a hill on the other side of the river . The Prussians are advancing through the village of Mulheim in the to of the photo.
The Austrian command , the Grenadier Brigadier is unfortunately a 'ditherer' - hence the green counter , he will need encouraging to do things !
The Austrian Artillery - it didn't fire during the entire game !
The Prussian command the Brigadier is 'Dashing' hence the red counter, and the King of Prussia is overseeing the action .
The Prussians advanced through the village and their Dragoons formed into line and were charged by the Austrians so they counter-charged!
After 2 rounds of combat the Prussians broke and routed off the table ! , the Austrians rallied back to reform.
Then to everyone's surprise the Austrians the Austrian rolled a 6 and with the encouragement of the C in C and advanced two moves and fired into the advancing Prussian columns - who had not deployed - not expecting the Austrians to advance !
Oh dear ! the Prussians bumbled there !
The Prussians struggled to deploy under close range volleys from the Austrians .
One of the Line Battalions was driven back with but Frederick used the card to rally hits off them - so saving the situation .
However the Prussians couldn't turn the game around, the left flank Battalion broke and fled , the Prussian Artillery drove the Austrian left flank Grenadiers back but having lost 2 army points (Dragoons and the Line Battalion) the Prussians lost the game and had to retreat back through the village leaving the field to the Austrians . Well I wasn't expecting that !, a very quick game (only 3 moves) and a Austrian victory . The Campaign continues next blog .
Excellent game Tony, very exciting! Everything looks great, your terrain is perfect with the Wofun figures! I love your last picture, old Fritz trying to save the day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comments , Although short it was a very enjoyable game .
DeleteSchoolboy error by Wedel allowing his men to be taken in column! Nice looking action.
ReplyDeleteChris
PS I see that you are 'one of the afflicted' listening to We Have Ways ;-)
Yes I didn't think the Austrians would get a double move and get right in the Prussians face , Big fan of We Have Ways - always interesting !
DeleteGood to see the WoFun collection hitting the table, and in a campaign, no less! A good outing for the White Menace, but I'm sure that Old Fritz will have something to say in the next go round.
ReplyDeleteThink he might be a big disappointed with his troops performance this game.
DeleteAvery interesting battle report and a nice surprise with the Prussians losing, but it is a battle and not the war, awaiting with interest for the next round!
ReplyDeleteA very quick game - the poor Prussians where back footed from the start .
DeleteVery nice indeed, Tony. Reminds me of a tabletop display that was on show for many years in Dorchester Keep, Dorset. It involved flats, representing the armies at the battle of Plassey. I think they were about 35mm high. It was a very old display behind glass. The 39th or Dorsetshire Regt. having fought in that battle.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Sadly you rarely get dioramas in 'modern' military museums nowadays,
DeleteTony, the modern criteria for the employment of military museum curators seems strangely in conflict with the museum's existence. Combine this with a minimalist approach to displays, where subjective information boards are given priority over the actual exhibit, a visit becomes largely pointless compared to other sources for information.
DeleteMichael
Yes sadly museums have 'dummed down' in an effort to attract more customers - I wonder in this media age the still have a role to play ? - find it rather sad as I've visited some cracking museums in the past,
Delete