This article is my my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.
After the Battle of Bassignana, the Allied Alliance of Britain ( with Hanover ), Austria, Holland and Piedmont started to fragment.
King Charles Emmanuel, the Piedmontese Monarch, was none to happy with the Austrian General Shulenburg’s indifference to the plight of his Kingdom, particularly now that his Army was stuck in Alessandria and Asti under siege by Spanish and French forces.
Similarly, the Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa was not impressed by Britain’s continued insistence that she should come to terms with Prussia and confirm King Fredericks ownership of Silesia. In turn, Austrian Diplomats had been quietly talking to Ministers from Saxony and Russia.
In September of 1745, Fredericks army was camped in Bohemia. The campaign to take the Province had not been going well. The local population knew that the Austrian Empress would punish anybody helping the enemy. This included loss of personal property, banishment and in extreme cases, execution. Therefore the Prussian forces were continually harassed by groups of Bohemian citizen partizans.
The Prussian Monarch was in no hurry to give up the Province. However his grip was tenuous, made so because he could gather no intelligence from the hostile population.
The Austrian commander, Prince Charles, now reinforced by Saxon troops, was determined to force the Prussians from Bohemia. For his part, Frederick-was well aware of one major trait of the Austrian forces. It’s innate ability to move very slowly.
Frederick was more than happy that he could defeat the Austrians whatever they did. This overconfidence very nearly got his army destroyed ( a fact he later admitted to ).
The Prussian army of 23,000 was camped East to West facing South, near the village of Burkersdorf. The Austrian army of 40,000 managed to gain a position on the Graner Koppe, an eminence on the western flank of the Prussian position. During a pre-march Officers conference at about five in the morning, the King was told of the Austrian presence.
Very rapidly, Frederick realised the terrible position his army was in. Not only was there an enemy army on his western flank but Austrian light troops were holding positions on the hills around the northern route, back to Silesia. To cap it all his army was still at ease within the encampment.
Knowing the capabilities of his men and those of the enemy, The King ordered the only action open to him: Rouse the troops an mount an immediate attack!!———————-.
17,000 Infantry, 6000 Cavalry, 40 guns.
2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 3 points = 6 points.
3 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points = 6 points.
1 stand of Light Infantry Frei Korp @ 1point.
2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.
2 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points = 4 points.
1 stand of Hussar Cavalry @ 1 point.
King Frederick 2nd @ 2 points.
General Ryau @ 1 point.
General Duke of Brunswick @ 1 point.
General Buddenbrock @ 1 point.
THE AUSTRIAN ARMY: 40,000. ( 40 points).
28,000 Infantry, 12,000 Cavalry (inc Generals), 90 Guns.
2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 2 points = 4points.
8 stands of Austrian Line Infantry @ 2 points = 16 points.
2 stands of Saxon Line Infantry @ 2 points = 4 points.
4 stands of Grenzer Light Infantry @ 1 point = 4 points.
6 stands of Cavalry @ 1 point = 6 points.
1 stand of Light Cavalry @ 1 point.
General Lobkowitz @ 1 point.
General Daun @ 1 point.
General D’Aremburg @ 1 point.
General Nadasty @ 1 point.
Prince Charles @ 1 point.
2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points = 4 points.
1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.
By any stretch of reality, this is a difficult battle to recreate. The Prussian army such as it was, pulled off an exceptional feat of arms.
Also, the Austrians seemed to suffer a complete paralysis of command. Having gained an unparalleled advantage over the Prussian army the Austrians then—-froze!.
This description belies the intense and savage fighting that took place when the Prussian infantry were twice repulsed from the Graner Koppe.
* The Prussian Army retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.
*. The Prussians move first on the first Game-Turn. From Game-Turn 2 onwards, both sides throw a die to see who moves first at the start of the Game-Turn, however the Prussians FIRE FIRST on every Game-Turn.
* The Prussians win all tied results.
* The Prussians do not have two points deducted from their die rolls when involved in close combat while being moved uphill.
* The Austrian Cavalry never moved during the battle until it was time to retreat. However if the Austrian player wishes to use them, there are restrictions:
* The Austrian Cavalry do not get the 3 points for attacking Infantry in the open.
* Because of the lack of unified action, the Austrian Cavalry do not get the “ +1” for Support in close combat.
* The Austrians have 2 points deducted from all their die rolls
GENERAL NADASDY;
Nadasdy’s Brigade were in woods to the east of the Prussian camp. Instead of attacking the rear of the Prussian army, Nadasdy, true to his nature, raided the Prussian camp, where his men set about brutalising and killing the civilians. They then plundered the army pay chests and took the personal belongings of the King including his flute and his pet dog! ( even though this was” the Age of Reason,” warfare was just as brutal as any other era ).
Papers containing important information of military manoeuvres and plans were scattered and left behind. After all that, Nadasdy and his men headed back into the woods,
If the Austrians wish to bring Nadasdy’s group into the game: A 12 sided die must be thrown for the group at the start of every Game-Turn. A score of 12 on the die must be attained before the group can move. If they cannot move, THEY CANNOT FIRE. This includes the two stands of Grenzer positioned on each side of the Northern exit.
VICTORY:
There are two ways that the game can be concluded. The reason is because of the disparity in troop numbers between both sides and the unusual circumstances of the battle:
1) The Prussians win if they can get three stands on the Graner Koppe in any position at the end of any Game-Turn. Note, each Game-Turn must be played through until it’s conclusion.
2) The points total of each side IS HALVED, is noted,THEN EXCHANGED:
The Austrian army is 12 points. The Prussian army is 20 points. Each time a stand is removed from play, it’s points are deducted from the total. The first side to reach a zero total at the end of a Game-Turn looses the battle. ( a basic Morale rule).
The battle is played nominally for eight Game-Turns or, until either one of the chosen conclusions above are reached.
Endnote:
This was a difficult battle to plan. Not many gamers would like to field an army, and have half of it just sitting there, Therefore I’ve tried for a possible inclusion which would not completely alter the history of the real battle.
As the Austrian army retreated, Frederick ordered a pursuit however his army were having none of it! As far as the men were concerned they had done their duty and performed a miracle on the day. Basically, by their heroic efforts they had pulled the Kings backside out of the fire and they knew it!
CREDITS:
Most of the figures are from Miniature Figurines with some from Peter Pig. The campsites and wagons are Peter Pig.
The flag poles are from Northstar Miniatures Spears. The flags are hand painted on masking tape ( I’ve just found out that Pendraken Miniatures do a nice range of 10mm flags that do not look out of place with 15mm figures.)
The stands are 40mm x 40mm and cut from picture framing cardboard. The round 40mm stands are MDF and obtained from Minibits ( which is part of Pendraken).
The hills are made from cork tiles and some were made by Brian of Essex Miniatures. The trees were from various manufacturers, one being Guagemaster. The houses were scratch built and the road was cut from thin card.
As before, the board is 3 feet ( 90cm ) x 2 feet ( 60cm) with 2 inch ( 50mm ) squares.
