The Start of The Seven Years War and the Battle of Lobositz: Bohemia: 1st October 1756.

This is my personal interpretation of events at this time. Any mistakes are my own.

As the year 1756 dawned, the political situation in Europe was once again becoming tense. Talks were taking place between Austria and its new Allies, France, Saxony and Russia. The focus of this group centered on Prussia, and its nominal Ally, Great Britain ( although King George detested Frederick!)

The Empress of Austria, Maria Theresa had every intention of regaining the lost Province of Silesia from Prussia. Minor clashes had already taken place between other potential belligerents. France had decided to take the island of Minorca in the Mediterranean from the British.

Admiral John Byng and his Fleet, were tasked with defending the Island but he failed to do so. The British Captains owned their ships. All costs for running the ship came from the Captains pocket. Therefore they were reluctant to risk them in combat.

The Captains would not follow Byng’s  orders for closing with the French Fleet, ultimately losing  the engagement. Although not entirely to blame for the debacle, Byng, after a Court Martial, payed for this defeat with his life. He was shot by firing squad on his own quarterdeck. ( This was also to put other Captains on notice that the Admiralty would no longer tolerate this behaviour, leading to more aggressive action in combat!)

( note: of the four Regiments defending Minorca,  at least 30 Officers were absent including all the Senior Commanders. The Garrison surrendered after a brief siege!)

Meanwhile, in the American Colonies, a young Militia Lieutenant in the British Service by the name of George Washington, leading a group of Native Americans, clashed with a French Patrol resulting in fatalities.

 ( Jumonville Glen was named after the French Ensign who lost his life there.The circumstances of this clash are still debated to this day.)

In Prussia, the King, Frederick the 2nd was also weighing his options. His spies had heard rumours of an attack but had no actual evidence. By September of 1756, Frederick had made his decision. He wasn’t going to wait on events.

Before any formal declaration of war, the  King marched his army of 60,000 into Saxony taking the capital and besieging the Saxon army at their camp at Pirna. His troops ransacked the Royal Residence looking for proof of collusion between the Allied States. The Queen of Poland, Maria Josepha ( a relation to the Empress of Austria) was manhandled from her Chancellry while trying to stop the depredation..

This action caused outrage amongst the Nobility of Europe and labelled Frederick as a Vandal.

Frederick could not find any evidence of collusion, but that didn’t stop him from pillaging the Kingdom. He also found the dyes for the Polish coinage. ( The Saxon Elector Augustus 3rd was  also titular Monarch of Poland).

Having bottled up the Saxon Army at Pirna with part of his army, Frederick marched the rest of  his troops into the Austrian Province of Bohemia intending to spend the winter there, ( and loot it as much as he could!).

The Austrian Ministry issued orders to General Ulysses Von Browne ( one of the famous Irish Generals ( Wild Geese ) in Austrian service). His brief was to intercept the Prussians, using any means he saw fit. Browne had scouts out and knew where Frederick’s army would appear from the Mountain passes.

 At 7:30 in the morning of the 1st October 1756, Browne’s army was in position at Lobositz facing west as the Prussian army came out of the pass…..what would become known as the Seven Years War had started in ernest……

THE AUSTRIAN ARMY: 36,000 = 36pts x 2 = 72 points.

26,500 Infantry = 26.5pts x 2 = 53 points.

7,500 Cavalry = 7.5pts x 2 = 15 points.

74 Guns x 30 Gunners = 2220.= 2.220pts x 2 = 4pts r/d.

11 stands of Line Infantry @  3pts  =  33pts.

3 Grenadier Infantry stands  @ 4pts  =  12pts.

4 stands of Light Infantry Grenzer  @ 1pt = 4 pts.

1 General Count Ulysses Von Browne @  2pts

1 General Moritz Von Lacy  @ 1pt.

1 General Karel Adam Felix Von Lobkowitz  @ 1pt.

( These three Generals are part of the Infantry tally.)

6 stands of Cavalry @ 2 pts  = 12 pts.

2 stands of Light Cavalry  @ 1pt = 2pts

1 Cavalry General: Joseph Count Lucchesi d’Averna @ 1 pt.

1 stand of Heavy Artillery  @ 2pts.

2 stands of Light Artillery  @ 1pt = 2pts.

THE PRUSSIAN ARMY: 35,000 = 35 pts x 2 = 70pts.

21,000 Infantry = 21pts x 2 = 42 points.

10,800 Cavalry = 10.8pts x 2 = 22pts r/u.

97 guns = 97 x 30 = 2,910 = 2.910pts x 2 =6pt r/u.

3 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 4pts =12pts.

9 stands of Line Infantry @ 3pts = 27points.

1 stand of Light Infantry Jagers @ 2pts.

1 General the Duke of Brunswick-Bevern @ 1pt.

( the above General is part of the Infantry total.)

9 stands of Cavalry @ 2 pts = 18 pts.

1 General: King Frederick the 2nd  @ 1pt

1 General: Field Marshal James Frances Edward Keith  @ 2pts.

1 General Friedrich Leopold Von Gessler @ 1pt.

( These three Generals are part of the Cavalry total. Keith was a Scottish Jacobite Emigre who had previously found service with the Russian army then left and joined the Prussian Army.)

2 stands of Heavy Artillery @ 2pts = 4pts.

2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1pt = 2pt

Note: I’ve given Frederick a value of 1 point because of his mistakes and his retirement from the field.

THE BATTLE:

* The battle will be played for 7 Game-Turns instead of the normal eight. ( 7:30 am until 2:30 pm ).

* On the 7th Game-Turn neither side can shoot. So much ammunition was used in the battle that both sides ran short.

* The Austrians retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The Austrians also win any tied results.

* On the first Game-Turn, the Prussians MOVE first but the Austrians FIRE first.

* Both sides will roll as normal at the beginning of Game-Turn 2.  The higher score moves first,Fires first and decides order of close quarter combat.

* Any stand entering the Morellenbach must stop moving. Cavalry stands do not get the extra 3 points when in close quarters combat with Infantry and artillery whilst positioned in the stream.

* The sunken part of the road west of Lobositz counts as “ Trench”.

VICTORY:

* If the Austrians are driven from the field by the end of Game-Turn 7, the Prussians win.

* If the Austrians are still on the field by the end of Game-Turn 7, the Austrians win the battle.

THE HISTORY:

When Frederick started his campaign, his low opinion of his erstwhile opponents had its roots in the previous war. On arriving at Lobositz, the fog hindered any proper reconnaissance. Frederick decided that the enemy troops he could see were part of a rearguard left behind by the main Austrian Army.

There were also Austrian  light troops in walled vineyards up on the Lobosch to the Prussian left. Having taken up position on the vacant Holmolka Mound to the right of his army, Frederick sent orders to his Generals to attack both groups. That’s when reality took a hand.

The Prussian cavalry thundered forward to sweep away the fragile Austrian rearguard……and galloped into a wall of shot and shell from front and flank.  Meanwhile, Bevern’s troops advanced uphill to deal with the Grenzer ( Austrian Militia Light Infantry )…..and into well-aimed fire, bringing the movement to a halt.

As the battle progressed it dawned on Frederick that he had marched into a trap. Whoever was in command of the Austrian army knew what they were doing, and that the Austrian Army had not retreated.

At one stage, as at Mollwitz,  Frederick left the field putting Keith in charge of a possible retreat. As before, it was the bravery of the Prussian rank and file making repeated attacks and suffering severe casualties that pulled Frederick’s backside out of the fire, ( again!).

 When the battle ended, Frederick returned to the front line and claimed a victory because the Austrians had retreated. However Browne had stopped the Prussian army from  invading Bohemia, achieving his main objective. Browne had also dispatched a Flying Column to aide the Saxons in escaping the siege. Unfortunately the Saxon Command had dithered and the opportunity was lost.

Frederick returned with his battered army to Saxony whereupon the Saxon troops in Pirna surrendered. The Prussian Monarch then press-ganged all 15,000 of the captive Saxon troops into his army to make up his losses!.

Frederick had found out the hard way that his main protagonists were no longer the “ the same old Austrians”, and this war was going to be tougher than he thought…….

CREDITS :

The figures are a mix of Miniature Figurines, Peter Pig and Essex 15mm. The ships Captains are Minifigs and the ships guns and crew figures are from the Peter Pig “ Pieces of Eight range. The ships are scratchbuilt from foamboard and cardboard.

The scenery for the game is all nearly all scratchbuilt from cardboard. The hill sections are made from cork self adhesive tiles. The trees are from various manufacturers, Guagemaster being one. The “ flat-pack” villages are scratchbuilt from Foamboard and cardboard.

The tiny trees marking the edge of the sunken road are from The Square. The small hedge sections are from Pendraken Miniatures. The wall sections marking the Vineyard are from Debris Of War.

The round MDF stands are from Sarrisa Precision. The square 40 x 40 mm stands are cut from picture framing card ( although Sarrisa do these as well now).

The table mat is a custom 3ft x 2ft ( 90 cm x 60 cm ) overlayed with 2 inch ( 50 mm ) squares obtained from Deep Cut Studios. ( Their customer service is excellent).

The Sea cloth is also a custom cloth overlaid with 4 inch x 4 inch squares (100mm x 100mm) also from Deep Cut Studios.

The Battle of Valverde. New Mexico Territory, February 21st 1862.

 This article is my personal interpretation of events at this time. Any mistakes are my own.

On a cold morning in February of 1862 a watery sun shone through the clouded sky over Fort Bliss. Within, and around its environs 2,500 men went about the business of preparing for conflict: saddling up, checking weapons, storing rations, packing ammunition and receiving orders.

This was no mob of ragamuffins. This was a formation of professional soldiers committed to fighting for the Confederate cause led by experienced officers.

Unfortunately the General with the job with leading this force lacked the Martial Spirit for the task ahead. Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley had grandiose ideas of  bringing all of New Mexico under Confederate control. He said he had sold the idea to the Government in Richmond for this campaign. However there were those in the force who doubted that a General who was permanently drunk could sell anything !!    

An additional important problem, one that Sibley seems to have overlooked in his grand scheme, was that although New Mexico had some Southern sympathizers it was staunchly Union. Also, the Mexican locals were not enarmoured with their Texan neighbours. Nonetheless the Confederate Brigade set out on the 140 mile ride in rough weather to Fort Craig, the main Union post in the territory.  Sibley’s plan was to take the fort then move further North onto the main Union supply base at Albuquerque.

The Union Commander of Fort Craig was the complete opposite of  the Confederate General. Colonel Edward Canby was taciturn, energetic and a total professional. When he received intelligence that a Confederate force was heading toward his Headquarters he set about organising the defense.

All outlying forces were called in. Additional volunteer troops were sent for from Colorado. The forts defenseworks were strengthened. Eventually, the Confederate army arrived at Fort Craig forming up outside the walls. Sibley hoped to draw out the Garrison, but Canby kept his men firmly within the fort.

After an Officers briefing, having noted how strong the forts defenses were, the Confederates decided to march around the fort.  The grey-clad troops crossed the Rio Grande River from west to east, then marched north intending to recross the Rio Grande upriver from the fort cutting the forts supply line to Albuquerque..

However the Union General Canby, was not one for sitting still. Leaving a small force to guard fort Craig,  Canby mustered every man he could to march north and stop the Confederates from crossing the Rio Grande and realising their mission…

CONFEDERATE ARMY OF NEW MEXICO: 

2,550 Officers and men = 2.550 x 12 = 31pts.

Nominal Command : Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley. (  To quote a phrase from Mr Albert’s book:” the Officers were not sure if Sibley was ill because he was drunk, or drunk because he was ill”!) on a number of occasions he recused himself from Command when battle was imminent.

Actual Command: Colonel Tom Green  @ 1 point

2nd Command: Lieutenant William Read ( “ Dirty Shirt”) Scurry  @ 1pt.

1 Artillery Battalion = 4 Batteries each of 3 guns and 30 gunners = 360 gunners = 0.360 pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 4 stands of Light Horse Artillery  @ 1pt = 4pts.

The 2nd Texas ( Arizona Militia ) Mounted Regt = 250 Men = 0.250pts x 12 = 3pts = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 1 point = 3pts. Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Pyron @ 1 point.

The 4th Texas Mounted Regt = 600 men = 0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6 points. + Colonel James Riley @ 1 point.

The 5th Texas Mounted Regt =  600 men = 0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6 points + Major Samual Lockridge @  1point.

Note: If you wish to represent the Company of Lancers within the 5th Regiment, the muster would read: 2 stands of Cavalry @ 2 points. Lockridge @ 1 point. 1 stand of Cavalry @ 1 point and one stand of Lancer Cavalry @ 1 point.

On the battle plan the Lancers are shown as a dotted square to the right of the 5th Regiment.

The 7th Texas Mounted Regt = 600 men =  0.600pts x 12 = 7pts r/d = 3 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 6pts + Colonel William Steel @ 1pt.

THE UNION ARMY OF NEW MEXICO:

3,800 Officers and men. = 3.8 pts x 12 = 46pts r/u.

C-in-C: Colonel Edward Canby  @ 1pt.

1st U.S Cavalry = 200 men = 0.200pts x 12 = 2pts r/d = 2 stands of  Cavalry @ 1point = 2 points..

3rd U.S. Cavalry = 200 men = 0.200pts x 12 = 2pts r/d = 2 stands of Cavalry @ 1 point = 2 points.

Major Thomas Duncan @  1point.

5th U.S. Infantry = 400 men = 0.400pts x 12 = 5pts r/u = 2 stands of Infantry @ 2 points = 4pts + Captain Benjamin Wingate @ 1pt.

7th U.S. Infantry = 200 men = 0.200 pts x 12 = 2 pts r/d = 2 stands @ 1point = 2pts.

10th U.S. Infantry = 200 men = 0.200 pts x 12 = 2 pts r/d = 2 stands @ 1 point = 2pts.

Colonel Benjamin S. Robert’s @ 1 point.

1st New Mexico Infantry = 560 men = 0.560pts x 12 = 7pts r/u = 3 stands @ 2points + Colonel Kit Carson @ 1 point.

2nd New Mexico Infantry = 360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

3rd New Mexico Infantry = 360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

4th New Mexico Infantry =  360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 2 stands @ 2pts.

5th New Mexico Infantry = 360 men = 0.360pts x 12 = 4pts r/d = 4 stands @ 1pt = 4pts.

2nd ColoradoVolunteer Infantry = 300 men = 0.300pts x 12 = 4pts r/u = 2 stands @ 2pts.

Graydon’s Independant Cavalry Company = 100 men =  0.100pts x 12 = 1.2 pts = 1 stand @ 1point.

Mc Rae’s Artillery Battery = 6 guns each with 30 gunners = 180 gunners = 0.180 x 12 = 2pts r/d =  2 stands of Light Horse Artillery @ 1point.

BATTLE NOTES:

* Dismounted Cavalry are 1pt less than their mounted selves. If the mounted Cavalry are 1 point then just throw a basic die roll for the dismounted stand.

* Dismounted Cavalry stands can move in any direction.

* All the Infantry in this battle are treated as Line Infantry. Therefore they can only move through the face of a square, not a diagonal.

* The Confederates retain the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

*  The Confederates win any tied results.

MORALE

1)  Add up the points of each army to arrive at a total.

2). That total is then halved to get a final number.

3)  Those numbers are then SWAPPED OVER. In this case ,the Union Army is 31points, The Confederate army is 46 points.

Note: This is because one of the Union Volunteer Regiments panicked which caused other Regiments to waver.

As Stands are removed, the points are deducted from the total of the respective Army.

* The battle will be played for 8 Game Turns and/or until one side’s Morale Total is reduced to Zero.

The Union Player also wins if they stop the Confederate stands from reaching the Rio Grande. ( the Confederates were short of water)

The Confederates also win if they control the crossings at the river and remove all the Union stands from the east side of the river

* This is a regimental sized battle, therefore, stands of a regiment must always remain in squares adjacent to each other even on a diagonal. This rule also applies to each of the regimental commanders present.

* If for any reason the stands of a Regiment become separated, each stand of that regiment will deduct 1 point from its Firing and Close Combat die rolls.

* FIRING:

The Confederate troops were armed with shotguns, pistols and smoothbore carbines therefore the range for all Confederate ( and Union Cavalry ) carbines is 2 squares. The range for pistols is 1 square.

The range for Union Infantry muskets is 3 squares as the Federal troops were better armed.

The Confederates were also hampered with their artillery. They were outranged by the Union guns therefore: Confederate artillery has a range of 4 squares. The Union Artillery is 6 squares.

I’ve put small squares of card with the Regimental number on each stands.

*TREES: 

The trees cannot be moved. They block line-of-sight for shooting and hamper movement.

* THE RIO GRANDE:

The river can only be crossed at the Fords. Any stand being forced into any other part of the river will be lost.

THE OLD RIVER BED:

*The silt from this had gradually built up into an embankment, the river having changed its course by natural means. Therefore, Union troops firing at any stand behind the Embankment must deduct 2 points from all Firing die rolls.

* The Embankment is classed as “Trench” during Close Combat.

* I’m not sure whether the mounted troops were able to go over the embankment or not. Therefore I’ve judged it too awkward for the horses to go into the ditch then up over the embankment. Mounted troops have to go around either end of the Embankment.

* McRae’s Battery: 

These Union Guns became the focus of some intense fighting during the battle and a morale booster for the Confederates. If either of the Union Artillery stands suffers a “ move-back”as a result of Close Combat, that stand is removed by the Confederate Player.

If the Confederate Player manages to capture both Artillery stands, 10 points are added to the Confederate Player’s Morale total.

THE HISTORY.

New Mexico is an unforgiving environment for man and beast. Even the local population were at subsistence level. Therefore everything required for a campaign had to be carried either by the men, or in waggons.

The name for this battle comes from the Spanish for “ Green Valley” so this area must have been one of the few places that was habitable.

There were native tribes in the area raiding both Union and Confederate supply trains if the opportunity arose. The weather also played its part in bringing yet more problems for the soldiers of both sides to cope with.

When the war started there was a change of personnel. Officers resigned their commissions and soldiers left their posts in order to sign up to the Confederacy. Therefore some forts became vacant. Others like fort Craig were strengthened by the remaining Union Command.

Although on the western fringe of the main theatres of conflict, New Mexico could not be neglected by either side. Both sides could use the state to make incursions into each others territories.

This is the first of four battles in what became known as the Glorieta Campaign.

THE LANCERS:

Company B of the 5th Virginia Mounted Rifles carried a lance. During the battle they charged the Colorado Volunteers thinking it was a Green Regiment that would break. That was a deadly mistake. As the Confederates thundered toward them, the Commander of the Union troops coolly ordered a firing line. As the Confederates came up. The Union troops unleashed a massive volley which ripped through men and horses alike.

The survivors of the charge turned and galloped back to their line, where they promptly threw away their useless lances and took up their pistols and carbines. Therefore:

* If the lancers are used they do not get the three points for Close Combat against Infantry on flat open ground.

* Cavalry do not get the three points for attacking Infantry in the open. ( This is because the cavalry don’t have swords and the Infantry are armed with bayonets)

* The Lancer stand cannot fire until it has been in Close Combat at least once. Having done so, the stand must move back and spend one Game-Turn with the Regiment after which it may move and fire.

CAVALRY AND FIREARMS:

These are my personal perceptions of the tactics used. Those with a deeper knowledge of events will have a better understanding.

During this era, American Cavalry fought as Dragoons, very often dismounting to fight. This is because Infantry Muskets were now rifled giving a much greater range and accuracy. Charging formed Infantry or Infantry behind cover could be deadly as proven by the actions of the Lancers..

The weapons of choice being a knife, smoothbore pistols and carbines. ( a smaller version of the musket that the infantry carried.) Swords were carried by Officers and in some Regular Union Cavalry Regiments but not very much by the Confederates.

They were more a badge of rank and very rarely used. The troopers preferred to use their pistols rather than swords.

Now. I don’t know the exact course of events during this battle. Whether the Confederates advanced on foot or used their horses, or a mix of both. There was a thin screen of trees between each of the protagonists which made it difficult for each side to see what was happening. Therefore it could be a mixture of both, so Players have leeway as to how they fight the battle

To cover both events I use mounted figures with dismounted figures and horses:

* figures can ride then dismount within the same movement phase, or vice-versa.The cannot perform this action with enemy stands in adjacent squares. Stands can mount up and ride within the same movement phase but not with enemy stands in adjacent squares.

* Stands may fire within the same Game-Turn that they dismounted.

* Stands may not claim cover from the Embankment when mounted.

* When mounted, all Firing is at PISTOL RANGE. ( one square)

* When dismounted all Firing is at CARBINE RANGE ( two squares).

CREDITS:

The figures are all 15mm and are a mix of Miniature Figurines. Peter Pig and Essex figures. The waggons and mules are from Peter Pig. Nearly all the Command Figures are Peter Pig. The flags are from Peter Pig.

The special Lancer stand is of Essex Miniatures. I cut off the swords and scabbards and added the lances from Pendraken spears. The little flag was cut from a Peter Pig flag. The Pennants were cut from sticky labels.

The trees are from various manufacturers. The hills are made of self adhesive cork tiles cover with Fine Turf from the Woodlands Scenics company. The square outline is  ( I think?) Jarvis Scenics Sand.  The river sections are thin card. The hedging strips are from Pendragon Miniatures.

The dry river sections are from a Wargame Show bring-and-buy. The Embankment is made from Panscrubbers and BlueTack. The cloth covering is from Deep Cut Studios. It’s the “ Iberian Plain” with a Custom 2” square overlay.

As always. The table is 3 feet ( 90 cm) x 2 feet ( 60cm ). The stands are 40mm x 40mm and cut from picture framing card. The 40mm round stands are from Sarissa Precision.

The Battle of Adwalton Moor: England: 30th June 1643.

This article is my personal interpretation of this battle. Any mistakes are my own.

 During 1643 and beyond, King Charles issued numerous Commissions for the raising of regiments of horse and foot. On paper the Royalists could raise some 60,000 men.

 In reality, the Royalists would be lucky to gather a third of that number,  the rest being scattered in garrisons all over the country. Regiments were no more than either company or troop strength.

However, at this time the Royalists were in the ascendancy. Parliamentary Generals could not work as a unified Command, with each County Association jealously guarding against amalgamation. The “ New Model Army” was still in the future.

Taking advantage of the confusion within the enemies ranks, Queen Henrietta, having recently returned from the Continent, left York with a large convoy of weapons and material destined for Oxford.

This convoy, also had 3,000 foot, 30 companies of horse and dragoons along with 6 cannon and two mortars. The whole being escorted by the Duke of Newcastle.

After arriving at Newark and making sure the Queen and the supplies were secure, the Earl set out with his force to find the local Parliamentary army and destroy it thereby securing the North of England for the King.

To that end, Newcastle set out toward Bradford. He didn’t know that the Parliamentary forces under Fairfax were heading toward his army also intent on battle.

At Adwalton Moor, the advance guards of both armies accidentally ran into each other and had their first clash on Wisket Hill, with the Royalists giving way. During this skirmish, the main Royalist army drew up to the South-east at Hunger Hill. As the Royalist skirmishers took up their positions with the main army, the Parliamentary forces advanced into the enclosed area to the North-west of the Royalist position. As the Royalist cannon belched out their welcome, battle was joined………

THE PARLIAMENTARY ARMY: 3,500 Infantry and 500 Cavalry.

4,000 = 4pts x 10 = 40pts.

C-in-C Ferdinando Fairfax Senior @1pt.

Thomas Fairfax  @ 1pt

John Gifford @ 1pt.

2 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1pt equals 2pts.

9 stands of  Muskets @ 2pts = 18pts.

3 stands of  Pikemen @ 3pts = 9ps.

3 stands of Clubmen @ 1pt =3 points.

2 stands of Cavalry @ 2pts = 4pts.

1 stand of Dragoons. @ 1pt.

Note: the Clubmen do not carry firearms relying instead on a wooden club or quarter-staff. I repainted some pikemen and glued a shortened cocktail stick to the illustrations.

THE ROYALIST ARMY: 10,000 = 10pts x 10 = 100 pts.

C-in-C William Cavendish, Earl of Newcastle @ 1pt.

Sir Henry Slingsby @ 1pt.

Colonel Kirton  @ 1pt.

5,000 Cavalry = 5pts x 10 = 50pts.

5.000 Infantry = 5pts x 10 = 50pts.

8 stands of Pikemen @ 3pts = 24pts.

10 stands of Muskets @ 2pts = 20pts

16 stands of Cavalry @ 3pts = 48pts.

2 stands of Dragoons @ 1pt equals 2points.

3 stands of Light Artillery @ 1pt equals 3pts.

SPECIAL RULES.

* Both sides throw dice to determine who has the Initiative Point as per the basic rules.

* Royalist Musketeers deduct 1pt from all firing die rolls.

* All musketeers on both sides deduct 1pt from each die roll when firing on a target behind a hedge.

* When a stand moves into the trench it must stop moving. It can be moved at the start of the next Game-Turn.

* Cavalry cannot jump over hedgerow.

* The Cavalry and Pikemen can only move through the face of a square not a diagonal.

* The Musketeers, Mounted and Dismounted Dragoons can move in any direction.

* Infantry can push through Hedgerow but, can only be moved one square when doing so.

* Both sides cannot move any stands over, or through the squares containing the coal pits.

* There is no mention of cannon being moved during the battle so the cannon of both sides are static.

* If Cavalry attack any enemy Infantry stands positioned in the Trench, the Cavalry do not get the three points for attacking Infantry in the open.

* Any opposed Infantry in Close Combat across the hedge: use the rules regarding”Trench”.

VICTORY CONDITIONS:

* The Game is played for eight Game-Turns.

* The Royalists win if they can push all the Parliamentary stands from the enclosures toward Wisket Hill either before/ or by, the end of Game-Turn 8.

* The Parliamentary Army wins if it can hold its position in the enclosures for the Eight Game-Turns.

THE HISTORY:

When the Parliamentary troops initially encountered the Royalist advance guard on Wisket Hill, they managed to push them back across the Moor. It was said that the Royalist musket fire was “ a bit light”

I’m assuming that either the Royalists didn’t have enough powder, not trained enough with their weapons, or had a mixture of weapons. Possibly all three. The great Royal Arsenal of Hull fell to Parliamentary forces quite early in the war.

At this time Parliamentry infantry had better access to weapons so they could maintain two Muskets to every pikemen. The Royalists struggled to maintain their armies therefore the ratio was roughly 50/50

When Fairfax Senior saw the preponderance of Royalist Cavalry, this may have been the reason he ordered a rapid advance into the enclosures.

In modern times the battlefield is being slowly encroached upon by housing estates. The commentator at the time talked of a ditch that extended across the battlefield although there is no trace of it now.

The Royalist Cavalry had a real problem trying to break into, and move around the Parliamentarian position. The fighting was very intense

The actual history of the battle is very sparse and apparently has not received much attention. The historians are not sure even if this is the actual site of the battle. However in recent times, the battle and its effects on the War are being reappraised.

CREDITS:

Once again, the figures used were the Paper Soldiers of Peter Dennis ( Trademark Peter Dennis.) sold by Helion and Co.

The village of Adwalton is foamboard with illustrations stuck on. The hedgerow is pieces of panscrubber stuck on card.

The hills were made from foamboard with thin card overlay.

The flags were homemade from cocktail sticks and labels. The cannon were also scratchbuilt using card, plastic tubing from paint brushes and buttons.

The Battle of Downham Station; Norfolk; England February 5th 1871. [ Fictional ].

 This article is a work of historical fiction and is my personal interpretation of this era. Any mistakes are my own.

In the early hours of February 5th 1871,  a thick fog had formed covering the coastal waters of the east coast of middle England.  Steaming slowly through this gloom, on patrol, was the Armoured Corvette " PALLAS".

As the  Corvette steamed slowly through the calm waters, a Duty Lookout on the bridge spotted lights in the gloom. The Captain ordered a course change to intercept  those lights that were not expected. As the Pallas drew near, French Tricolours were spotted.

On being hailed a French voice replied in broken English that "echapper ....impoundment"!! .. The Captain and his Officers decided that the ships must have escaped impoundment by the Prussians. The Fleet sailed on. A signal was sent to the Coastguard station at Great Yarmouth.

The Harbourmaster at Kings Lynn watched the ships drop anchor as the sun rose and the fog lifted. Dockworkers and civilians watched in puzzlement as boats were launched into the water and troops were seen scaling down the sides of the ships.

As the boats came to the docks people thought they were French. The troops formed up on the dockside and gutteral voices issued commands. As people turned away, shots rang out  and these same soldiers held civilians. This broke the spell, people started shouting, screaming and running from the docks.

.

The Harbourmaster immediately ran for the Telegraph Office, hundreds of civilians were streaming away from Kings Lynn.

Meanwhile, senior Prussian officers were sending engineers and men to the railway yards to commandeer a train. Companies were sent forward to find horses. At the same time, troops of the Seebattalione were being sent toward the royal estate of Sandringham.

Within the hour,  Units of the Prussian 10th Armeekorp were on the train steaming toward Cambridge. Meanwhile there was shock and consternation at London and Windsor. At first, there was disbelief.! An Invasion! By Prussians!. As realization set in orders were swiftly transmitted. All available Militia and Military personnel were to head toward Kings Lynn by any means possible and engage the enemy.!!

Soon, the troops of the Windsor Garrison were packed into trains and Goods Waggons heading North. Meanwhile, The County Militia of Norfolk were scrambling in the same direction.

Eventually word spread along the Telegraph that the enemy were heading south toward Cambridge. It was decided that the enemy should be met at Downham Station…

BRITISH HOME DIVISION [ A scratch force ].

Acting C-in-C ; General Henry Abadie  @ 1 point.

General Evelyn Barker  @ 1 point.

General Edmond Wavery  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Grenadier Guards @ 4 points.

3 stands of Regular Line Infantry @ 3 points = 9 points.

1 stand of Regular Horse Artillery @ 1 point.

1 stand of Cavalry [ 6th Dragoons ] @ 2 points.

2 stands of Militia Horse Artillery @ 1 point = 2 points.

8 stands of Militia Infantry  @ 2 points  = 16 points.

[ personal weapons include the Beaumont-Adams revolver and the Snyder-Enfield Rifle.]

PRUSSIAN 10TH ARMEEKORPS.

Commanding: General Der Infantrie, Konstantin Bernhardt Von Voights-Rhetz @ 2 points.

19th INFANTRY  DIVISION;

Generaleutnant Emil Von Schwatzkoppen. @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points = 12 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry @ 2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery  @1 point.

20th INFANTRY DIVISION:

Generalmajor Alexander Von Kraatz-Koschau @ 1 point.

4 stands of Line Infantry  @ 3 points  = 12 points.

1 stand of Hanovarian Jaegers  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Dragoon Cavalry  @  2 points.

1 stand of Light Foot Artillery.  @  1 point.

CORPS ARTILLERY; Oberst Moritz Van Der Goltz.@ 1 point.

1 stand of infantry Artillery Guard  @ 1 point.

1 stand of Heavy Foot Artillery  @ 2 points.

1 stand of Horse Artillery  @ 1 point.

[ Catchment area for the 9th and 10th Armeekorps;  Province of Hanover, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, and Dutchy of Brunswick.]

SCENARIO RULES:

* The Prussians move first on the first Game-Turn and have the Initiative Point.

* From Game-Turns 2 to 8, each side throws a 12 sided die to see who Moves first and has the Initiative Point.

* Both sides are using Rifled Muskets and Artillery.

* The game is played for 8 Game-Turns, the Winner being the player who looses the lower number of stands.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE GAME:

In 2023 The Wargames Association of Reading ran their annual “ Warfare”event at Farnborough. Their theme was the 110th Anniversary of H.G. Wells. They requested games with a Victorian theme ( like “ The battle of Dorking”)

I worked out a Participation game with the Prussians and British, along with a  basic back story. I did some historical checking, to bind into the scenario.

However, at the last minute, my buddy got a call from the hospital for some long overdue surgery. Forward to 2024 and I received an invitation from The Newbury and Reading Wargames Association to put on Participation game at “ Colours”, their event at Newbury Racecourse.

This we did and it was a brilliant day, with lots of interest and people playing. We also managed to stage the same game at Warfare 2024, thanks to the club finding us a space.

I must admit, I really enjoyed setting up this scenario. In Medieval times The Hanseatic League had traded goods at Kings Lynn therefore I assumed the Prussian High Command would have information on the harbour area. Similarly the 10th Armeekorp had their Cantonment around Bremerhaven. That’s how I chose Kings Lynn for The Prussian raid-in-force.

THE TRAIN;

This was for the most part scratchbuilt, the “ Dajeeling ” engine body came from MPRO on Etsy, a Narrow Guage engine. I filled in the gaps in the body with plastic straws and cardboard.

I then filled in the bottom with picture framing cardboard. I then glued on a set of wheels from Peter Pig. The company does sets of wheels either Half round ( for armoured trains ) or full round for railway carriages.

 

I put some American Civil War railway figures ( Peter Pig 15mm) in the Engine before I put the roof on. 

The carriages were scratch built. I used the Peter Pig Flatcar and built the body using plasticard.

The railway line was purchased from Ironclad Miniatures. The station was a 15mm model kit from Kestrel and purchased online from Amazon.

Most of the buildings that make up Downham were from Total Battles Miniatures 15mm Black Powder range. Most were purchased as painted but two were painted by myself. Three of the larger houses were purchased from a Bring and Buy and repainted. The barn next to the station is from Peter Pig.

The scenery sections including the roads were made from picture-framing cardboard and Bluetack.  The hedgerow came from Pendraken Miniatures. The fences were scratchbuilt from matchsticks. The tents are scratchbuilt from cardboard.

All the figures came from Irregular Miniatures. The flags are from Pendraken Miniatures.

THE HISTORY;

During the 19th century, authors wrote novels by way of a warning to the Government of the day. Their concern centred around the paucity of Regular Troops within Great Britain. There were only 7,000 Regulars available. The vast majority of the troops were serving in British Dominions overseas. The Government relied on the Home Fleet to protect Britain.

Because of this situation every County was issued a License to raise Militia Battalions. There appears to be some standardization of uniform, the majority being either gray with red turnbacks, cuffs and trouser seams, or, Rifle green with red or black turnbacks cuffs and seams. They carried the standard rifle.

The Yoeman cavalry came from more well off Landowners and they paid for their own horses and equipment. Obviously there were very few of this group.

The Militia Artillery were well trained. Their uniform was based on the Royal Artillery uniform with County variations.

The Regular troops which were available wore the standard British Infantry uniform with shako. However the Home Service uniform was gradually being introduced. This was still a red jacket with grey trousers, however the Prussian helmet came in, dark blue with a brass spike and trousers tucked into boots.

The Grenadier Guards still wore the bearskin.

At that time, just after the Franco-Prussian War, the Kaiser was asked by a British journalist if he would invade Britain. The Kaiser replied he would not. However British Diplomacy depended on maintaining the Balance of Power in Europe. Supporting side A against B, then supporting side B when A got too strong.

 Prior to the Franco- Prussian War, Germany had been a patchwork quilt of small states which had been manipulated by either France or Britain according to political necessity. 

Under the Kaiser and, after a brief Civil War, Germany had become a unified  country in the heart of Europe. The Prussians had previously defeated Austria in seven weeks settling the issue as to who would be the dominant force within the old Holy Roman Empire. Germany had arrived on the world stage.

This situation turned the previous Political order, which had lasted some two hundred years, upside down. With the shock defeat of France, Britain now had a new powerful political adversary to deal with…..

( note: the picture above shows the 9th and 10th Armeekorp. The 9th has quite a few Essex Miniatures figures in it. I originally did the 10th then decided to add another” corps”….as you do!..).

Table Top Battles 2nd Edition; The Addendum. 2025.

When I wrote Table Top Battles, I was quite happy with the result. As I,ve been writing the blogs, I,ve been adding extra rules either for general use or specific to a particular battle.

 I also made a couple of mistakes in that the TURN RECORD SHEET and the ROSTER SHEET could not be downloaded. The Map of ITALY had a number of inaccuracies that happened during my first attempt.

 This ADDENDUM is a round up of all the extra instructions that have appeared in the blogs, plus a rectification of those glitches. This is a free download and print out.

I,d like to stress that this IS NOT THE COMPLETE RULEBOOK.

To get the print-out, go to the HOME PAGE. On the right hand side of the screen go to the box entitled" ABOUT ME". At the bottom of that column is the prompt for the print out.

Just click on that to get the file. Obviously, the quality of the print-out depends on the printer being used ( mine is not brilliant). However all the information will be in one place.

The Battle of Kesseldorf, Saxony, 15th December 1745.

 This article is my personal interpretation of the battle. Any mistakes are my own.

The War of the Austrian Succession was not a straightforward affair. France and Spain were linked via their respective Monarchies. However, they did not always work together. France had been an enemy of the Hapsburg Monarchy for Decades. When Frederick of Prussia declared war on Austria, the French government saw a chance to humble their constant enemy by yoking themselves to the Prussian war wagon. However, Frederick was not adverse to dumping his Allies if it suited his plans.

Austria was allied to the Italian Kingdom of Piedmont in order to protect its possessions in Northern Italy. Having lost the battle of Bassignana, the Piedmontese army became besieged within its Cities by the French. There was no force capable of stopping the Spanish army from entering Milan, thereby taking Lombardy for their own. The Austrian  General Lichtenstein promptly left the Piedmontese to their fate and made some hard marching eastward to Mantua before they were cut off from the homeland.

The Austrians were annoyed with Britain. This nation was not directly involved but King George was not only King of Great Britain, he was also Elector ( ruler ) of the Kingdom of Hanover. He disliked the Prussian King intensely. The British Government wanted to stop the French from gaining total control of the political situation in Europe. ( French was the diplomatic language of Europe. Even Frederick spoke better French than his native German).Therefore Britain was bankrolling Austria.

To combat French influence, Britain signed a secret alliance with Prussia. Part of this deal was to recognise Prussia’s conquest of Silesia. To that end, Britain was now putting pressure on the Empress of Austria to accept!  Needless to say this went down like a lead balloon with the Austrian Monarchy. France was in the same situation, equally angry with the Prussian Kings duplicity!..

At this point of the war both France and Austria realising that their political situations were similar,  started sending Envoys to each other’s Court. Having been major enemies for some five hundred years, they were now Allies!..

This was a huge upset to the established  political order of the western Monarchies  and became known as the “ Diplomatic Revolution”..

The two countries recruited Saxony to the cause. They then contacted the slumbering giant to the east…. Russia.  The idea was that Austria and Russia distract the Prussian forces while Saxony invade Prussia.  King Frederick was watching events with growing alarm.He desperately wanted his conquest of Silesia to be recognised by all of Europe. He was also uneasy about the possibility of Russian troops on Prussian soil.

As Frederick set his troops in motion, the Russians reneged on an agreement to support Saxony. ( At the Russian Court, the British Ambassador had managed to cast the French ambassador in a bad light and got him expelled thereby stalling any effort from that direction). Frederick moved his forces into Saxony and started taxing the populace!..

Austria was not prepared to countenance the loss of another ally. The Empress ordered Prince Charles to move the army into Saxony. The ruler, ( another Frederick ) was not the stamp of his father so, to strengthen his resolve, 46,000 Austrian troops lumbered into the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Prussian General Prince Leopold leading 35,000 troops and King Frederick with another 25,000 were moving toward Dresden, the Saxon capital.

General Grunne,s advance guard of  10,000 Austrians managed to link up with the Saxon General Rutowski and his 28,000 men in order to defend the Saxon capital.

As these armies manoeuvred around in the bad weather trying to find each other, Prince Leopold’s Prussian troops blundered into the left flank of the Saxon army anchored on the village of Kesseldorf. After a number of attacks in difficult terrain the Prussian troops were repulsed. To get to the grips with the Saxons, the “ Old Dessaur “ ( the old warhorse) marched his army around to the front of the Saxon army positioned on the opposite ridge. Once the army was in position and only pausing to offer up a prayer, the Prince signalled the attack and the formations slipped and slithered down to the Zschoner Bach…..

THE SAXON ARMY = 28,000 = 28 pts:

13,600 Infantry = 13.6 or 14 pts r/u = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2pts.

4,896 Grenadier Infantry = 4.896 or 5 pts r/u = 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 2 pts + General Rutowski @ 1pt.

1,600 Heavy Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 pts = 1 stand of Heavy Cavalry @ 2 pts.

1,200 Dragoons = 1.2 or 1 pt = 1 stand of Dragoons @ 1 point.

1,600 Chevau-Leger = 1.6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Chevau-Leger Cavalry @ 1 point.

( Chevau-Leger were a cheap form of Light Cavalry on ponies).

1 Regiment of 24 heavy guns each with 50 gunners along with 500 engineers/ miners:

24 x 50 gunners = 1,200 + 500 = 1,700 = 1.7 or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 pts.

33 Battalion Guns = 33 x 50 gunners = 1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

AUSTRIAN ARMY 10,000 = 10 points:

4,000 Line Infantry = 4 points = 3 stands of Line Infantry @ 1 pt + 1 General ( Grunne ) @ 1 point.

864 Infantry Grenadiers = 0.864 pts = 1 point = 1 stand of Grenadier Infantry @ 1 point.

1,600 Grenz  Infantry = 1,6 or 2 pts r/u = 2 stands of Light Infantry @ 1point.

1,600 Cavalry = 1.6 or 2 points = 2 stands of Dragoons @ 1 point.

12 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 600 = 0.600 pts = 1 pt r/u = 1 stand of Light Artillery @ 1 point.

PRUSSIAN ARMY: 35,000 = 35 pts.

21,000 Line Infantry = 20 points = 7 stands of Line Infantry @ 2 points + 2 stands of Grenadier Infantry @ 3 points + 1 General ( Prince Leopold of Anhalt Dessau ).

9,000 Cavalry = 9pts = 4 stands of Cavalry @ 2 pts ( 2 stands of Dragoons + 2 stands of Heavy Cavalry ) + 1 General @ 1 point. ( General Lewaldt ).

33 Field Guns x 50 gunners =  1,650 = 1.650 pts or 2 pts r/u = 1 stand of Heavy Artillery @ 2 points.

66 Battalion Guns x 50 gunners = 3,300 = 3.3 pts or 3pts r/d = 3 stands of Light Foot Artillery @ 1point.

Fighting The Battle :

* The Prussian Army moves first on the 1st Game-Turn. All other Game-Turns are diced for as usual.

* The Prussian Army retains the Initiative Point for the entire battle.

* The Prussian Army wins any tied results.

* All Cavalry move at 2 squares only.

* Artillery move at one square only.

* Kesseldorf is regarded as a FORTRESS WALL: Therefore the Attacker will deduct 3 points from all Die rolls on top of any other deductions.( example: 2 points for attacking uphill + a further 2 points. )

* The Zschoner Bach does not impede movement but stands cannot fire while positioned in the stream.

* The Elbe cannot be crossed by any stands.

HISTORICAL ACTIONS,

* During the battle, the Saxon Grenadiers were more than holding their own within Kesseldorf. However, when the Prussians attacking the village retreated, the Genadiers left their positions to pursue them. This proved to be their undoing. Therefore:

* If any Prussian Stands are forced to “ move-back” as part of a close combat result on attacking Kesseldorf, the Saxon Grenadiers WILL BE MOVED TOWARD THEM. This action take place prior to the commencement of the next Game-Turn.

THE AUSTRIANS:

For some reason, the Austrians never moved from their position to aid the Saxons. However, players may wish to include them in the game. Therefore:

* At the start of Game- Turn 3 onward,  If the Saxon player rolls a “1”  during the roll to see who moves first he/ she may start moving the Austrians.

* The Saxon player may move EITHER the Saxons or the Austrians at the start of the Game-Turn. He/ she may not move both although ALL stands can fire and engage in Close Combat if able to do so. ( This is because there doesn’t seem to have been any cooperation between the two groups. )

MORALE.

I found that it is best to use the Morale system during this battle. The Saxon and Austrian Morale totals are kept separate.

WINNNG THE BATTLE:

* The battle will last until either:

A) one sides morale total collapses to Zero. The Austrians are Not included in this. Only the Saxons and the Prussians

B) At the end of 8 Game-Turns the side losing the most number of stands, looses the battle. ( In this situation the Saxons and Austrians Are added together.)

CREDITS:

The figures are a mix of Miniature Figurines and Peter Pig.

The trees are from various manufacturers. The represented villages are scratchbuilt. The hills are partly homemade and commercially by Brian of Essex Miniatures.

The snowfield is all cardboard as is the river. The snow effect rocks are Christmas decor from Wilkinson ( before they went bust!)

FOOTNOTE:

As stated at the start of this blog the above is my personal interpretation of this battle. However should you wish to explore this battle further there is a book available( at the time of writing). The title is:

Kesseldorf 1745 Decision In The Fight For Silesia by Alexander Querengasser available from Helion and Co.