Honours of War - Game Report 3

Honours of War Scenario - The Battle of Holtzheim1760

Introduction

This is the third game of Honour of War which we have done over Zoom. The pictures and graphics are again courtesy of Dave who organized and hosted the game. Even if myself and Paul who was in command of the French reserve may not have fought it exactly to his liking!

One of the things we have learnt from playing over Zoom is that it is important to give the remote players a sense of the scale and distances involved, and the amount of ground that troops take up. This was provided pre-game to help the remote players plan and deploy their forces.

Scenario General Situation

The scenario is inspired by the battle of Warburg 31 July 1760, and concentrates on the allied right flank attack by the Erbprinz of Brunswick. There were victory points (1 Army Point each) for the 3 stared objectives.

The French reacted to the turning movement by deploying the second line of the left wing ‘en potence’ on the Hein Berg; The Reserve infantry were in the process of being brought to the left, followed by the Dragoons.

There would be no intervention from other French or Allied forces not included in the OOB that Dave provided.

Orders of Battle

Ground

Game Turns 1 to 6

In telling the story of the battle I shall it tell it from the allied perspective as I was in command of them and know which troops were which. I have to confess I get very confused with all the different French names of the commanders and their regiments!

My overall scheme of maneuver was to place my best troops on the right to defeat the French Reserves as they deployed and try and roll up the French line from east to west. In doing so I knew I had to keep the centre covered and force the French to honour the threat. The open ground on the east was ideal cavalry country, where I knew the French cavalry would try and deploy, and that is where my own Cavalry headed.

This is looking west from the east flank of the battlefield. In the foreground are the advance guard of Beckwith's Brigade. His two grenadier battalions are advancing and giving fire to the French reserve that has arrived. Meanwhile his Highlanders which are deployed as light infantry are working their way around the French flank.

Behind you can see the Brigades of Dreves in line with Behr behind them. To the rear of Dreves are Schlottheim's two grenadier battalions in column of  lines.

The French reserves have moved much too far forward and are causing significant congestion, and nice targets for ricochets from Storch's Batterys which are posted on high ground behind Beckwith

This is the view looking from the South behind the Allied lines. The Allied Cavalry are starting to work their way around the French right flank. A large cavalry battle looks in the offing.

Game Turns 7 to 12

By the end of the game turn 12 Beckwith's Brigade have started to turn the French left. In their remorseless advance Beckwith's Grenadiers have destroyed 3 French battalions. Meanwhile Beckwith's Highlanders have continued to move around the flank providing harassing fire.

On Beckwith's left Schlottheim's two grenadier battalions in column of  lines are moving up in direct support ready to engage the left end of the French main line of battle.

Dreve's Brigade have retired under artillery fire and musketry and are now rallying and regrouping.

On the French right flank the cavalry battle is fierce. In the epic cavalry battle Colonel Eliott's British Cavalry Brigade and a Prussian Hussar Squadron have destroyed two French Dragoon units, at the expense of one of Eliott's Regiments and the Prussian Hussars. 

Although the remaining Dragoons are now match for the remaining Allied Cavalry it is going to be difficult to work around the right flank of the French Infantry.

Outcome

At the conclusion of the game the French committed to withdrawing leaving a strong rearguard to cover the retreat. The allies felt that honour had been satisfied and decided to regroup and rest for the day.

Overall a spirited and lively action. The game planning by Dave contributed to a relatively smooth and painless game. It would have been nice to move the troops, and be present, but Zoom did at least allow me to exercise command and spend time wargaming with friends. 

One big plus point for Dave was the use of movement trays (which I had recommended) for the troops which greatly speeded up the game!

Which of course is what it is all about really.