Honours of War - Game Report 6

Der Treffen bei Kutzdorf

Introduction

This is a Seven Years War battle between the Austrians and Prussians. It was fought on-line over Zoom with Dave designing the scenario, laying out the table and providing all the troops at his home in Arnside, while I was based here at home in Bournemouth. He also kindly wrote up this excellent battle report.

The rules are home grown, but are : heavily modified (but recognisably as originating from) Post of Honour; the changes include token driven alternate brigade activation and movement (similar to Bolt Action) and simultaneous shooting and close combat. The scenario length 12 was turns.

Terrain

The Austrians are on low plateau. To their left front is the hamlet of Kutzdorf, a 2xRural BUA. On the left flank behind Kutzdorf is a large farm complex, 2 single building BUAs with areas of gardens/orchards about it; these are difficult terrain. Behind their centre and right are areas of light woodland. On their right front, extending from the deployment area of the attackers, is a larger area of light woodland. The low plateau offers no combat benefit other than overhead fire to/from artillery and dead ground at rear. Objectives: the plateau centre (worth 1 VP – marked by a windmill), held by the Austrians at the start. Kutzdorf (each section of the BUA worth .5 VP). The attacking force has an approx. 200 pts advantage.

Orders Of Battle

Scenario Background Briefing

The Prussians have sent a detachment under Anhalt-Dessau to fall on the flank of an Imperial and Austrian position. The Prussian columns have been spotted by the Austrian outpost of the Creutzer Grenz under MG Beck. After a quick council of war Prince Karl von Zweibrucken decides to withdraw the Austro-Imperial forces; to cover the withdrawal Graf von Hadik is sent with orders to delay the Prussians as long as possible in scenario terms this is 12 turns. He is given the infantry of General Weid, the cavalry division of von Schallenberg, and a battery of 6lb guns.

Hadik rides ahead and finds Beck in a large farm, known as Schloss Reuben, on a plateau overlooking Kutzdorf. Beck informs Hadik that the Prussians crossed the Rosenbach stream to the north of Kutzdorf. After a brief skirmish Beck’s units were forced back the from Oak Woods and, due to the overwhelming numbers of the Prussians, Beck also vacated Kutzdorf, his Grenz battalions are now in and about the farm complex.

Hadik brought forward his battery and placed it to cover the roads from Kutzdorf and the Oak Woods; Beck’s Grenz are sent forward to support the battery’s deployment. Wied’s division is moved to the rear of the plateau; Wulffen’s brigade to the West of the farm to secure the right flank. Von Schallenberg’s cavalry, the last to arrive, is to take post on the right of the Infantry. Hadik establishes his command post at a mill on the plateau.

The Prussians advance guard of Kahlden secured the Oak Woods; artillery was placed on their right and beyond these the two remaining brigades of Forcade’s division are drawn up in two lines facing Kutzdorf. Anhalt Dessau sends his attached brigades of cavalry to cross the Rosenbach further to the East to protect the left flank of the infantry.

Deployment

Austrian Deployment

Prussian Deployment

Prussian Cavalry cross the Rosenbach; Curiassiers followed by Dragoons

Prussian centre: Bde Kahlden & Arty

Prussian right: Bdes Rohr & Brauschwieg

The Battle

While the Prussians waited for their Cavalry to cross the Rosenbach the Austrian artillery commenced firing on the Prussian batteries and Beck’s Grenz battalions descended the gentle slope towards Kutzdorf. The Prussian batteries immediately returned fire and Anhalt Dessau set his Infantry in motion; Rohr’s brigade advanced against Kutzdorf, supported by Brauschwieg in second line. FR38 advanced through the hamlet and engaged the Grenz who had occupied the southern half of the hamlet; 2/IR23 supported their attack from the west. The remainder of Rohr’s brigade pushed back the Grenz skirmishers west of Kutzdorf. The 2/IR23 were beaten back but FR38 soon gained the upper hand and, after a brief struggle, the Genz were driven from Kutzdorf and Beck’s brigade slowly retired back up the slope towards the Austrian line, which was now forming on the plateau. Kahlden’s infantry advanced through the Oak wood, on their left the Prussian cavalry deployed in two lines, Cuirassiers in the first, Dragoons forming the second. Von Schallenberg brought his cavalry forward and initially overcame the lead Prussian Cuirassier regiment, which fell back on their supports. The Austrians were slow to reorganise and were in turn forced back up the slope by a counterattack from the reformed Prussians squadrons. This was the start of long to-and-fro struggle between the Prussian and Austrian squadrons which continued without either side gaining a significant advantage.

Kahlden, perhaps uncertain about the outcome of the cavalry engagement, advanced slowly from the Oak Woods (not intentional; just kept rolling poor activation dice)

By this time the Austrians had formed their main battleline, with Lamberg’s brigade to the right of the battery and Riechlen’s in second line. Wulffen formed to the left of the battery with no reserve.

FR38 Brandes of Rohr’s Bde have cleared the Austrian Grenz from Kutzdorf. The 2/IR23 is reforming, having fallen back after their failed attack on the village. Brauschwieg’s Bde move up in support behind Kutzdorf.

On his right flank Hadik’s cavalry continued to retire, on again forced to fall back by the Prussian squadrons, now supported by the fire from Kahlden’s brigade which continued to advance very slowly. The Grenz, regaining the plateau, move back into the Schloss grounds and gardens and start to regroup into close order to resist any further Prussian advance. Rohr reorganises his brigade and pushes two battalions forward in preparation for an attack up the slope. Brauschwieg’s brigade moves clear of Kutzdorf and prepares to move to is left.

Rohr’s brigade advances quickly up the slope to attack Wulffen; Brauschwieg’s brigade starts to form to their left for a joint attack on the Austrian line. Wulffen’s Brigade, comprising 2 Bns of IR31 Haller, suffers badly; 2/IR 31 breaks as a result of devastating fire from Gren Bn von Hake. 1/IR31 is initially successful, repelling the assault of 1/IR23 Forcade. 1/IR19 Brandenberg, led by von Brauschwieg, attacks IR Rot Würzburg, which broke after a brief struggle. To the left Gren Bn v Manteuffel attacked and drove back the 2/IR51, which were contacted by the pursuing 1/19 and fall back again. 1/IR31 Haller was eventually compelled to retire by the attack of 2/IR15 Garde. The Austrian gunners, now surrounded by Prussian Infantry, and with their supporting infantry on either flank heading rapidly to the rear, abandoned their guns and fled. Gren Bn von Hake and 1/IR15, pursing Wulffen’s retreating brigade, came upon the reorganizing Grenz battalions and quickly drove them from the grounds and gardens of Schloss Reuben. Wullfen and 1/IR31, sheltering behind the Schloss, were swept away in the retreat of the Grenz. (Wulffen is removed as all units in his brigade have been lost)

The Austrian 2nd line came forward to stem the Prussian advance. Moving onto the plateau, Brauschwieg took IR/19 Brandenburg forward against the flank of Riechlen’s line. Riechlen launched a counter-attack with 2/IR47, wheeling the battalion rapidly to the right this attack defeated IR/19, which fell back preventing Riechlen’s brigade from being rolled up from the flank. Riechlen paid a heavy price for his victory, falling mortally wounded; he was carried from the field but died sometime later.

On the Austrian right the Prussian squadrons continued to successfully force von Schallenberg’s cavalry gradually back. It was now that Kahlden brought his brigade forward and sent the two battalions in his 1st line up the slope against the Austrian infantry. 1/IR18 Prince von Prussia, on the right, was beaten back by 1/IR51 Gyulay, however FR38 was more successful and, sending the 2/IR18 Marschall back toward the windmill, gained a foothold on the plateau.

It was clear to Hadik that the plateau could no longer be held and he ordered a general withdrawal. Von Schallenberg’s cavalry, still in good order and supported by Beck and the 1/Creutzer Grenz, prevented a close pursuit by the Prussian cavalry. On the Prussian side, the Brigades of Rohr and Brauschwieg needed to reorganise, having become intermingled and disordered in the latter stages of the engagement. The artillery would need to be brought forward.

Conclusion

The Austrians had failed to hold the ground and all the objectives were, or soon would be, in the control of the Prussians. Although the Austrians did not reach their breakpoint it was clear they could not stave off defeat. The Austrian left was turned, probably by the heavy volleys of Gr Bn v Hake, which routed 2/31 Haller. Had Haller stood another turn the Grenz would have regrouped and been in a better position to contest the ground. As it was, they were quickly swept aside by a spirited Prussian advance. If I played the scenario again I would modify the deployment and permit the Austrian Grenz to occupy Kutzdorf at the start; this would be more realistic and give the Prussians a harder time of it.

Victory Conditions.

When a game concludes without either side reaching its break point it is sometime unclear if who has ‘won’. This is a method whereby victory can be calculated in these circumstances.

At the conclusion of the game each side totals up:

Points for objectives held

Points for losses inflicted on the enemy

Each enemy unit lost = 1 point

Each enemy unit currently wavering = ½ point

Each enemy unit currently disordered = ¼ point

Each enemy Senior leader lost = 2 points

Each Brigade leader lost = 1 point

No points are scored for enemy units reordering.

Compare the totals:

If a side has twice as many points as its opponent it has achieved a Minor Tactical Victory

If it has three times and many points it has achieved a Major Tactical Victory

Any other results means the game is a draw

Honours of War - Game Report 5

The Clash at Kutzdorf

This is one of the scenarios in the original Honours of War Rule Book. I have to say that this is a scenario that just keeps giving fun, especially when one rolls for random performances for the Generals!! Matthew and I refought this one a few weeks ago, and it was certainly engaging. We had three “Dithering” commanders in the Austrian ranks and one “Dashing” and one “Dithering” commander in the Prussian ranks.

The Austrians decided that they were having none of the nonsense of Light Infantry coming forward to harass them and therefore took the attack to them forcing them back beyond the wood. Which lead to a swift reversal for the Prussian Light Infantry and caused them to retire to the woods.

The Austrian depth Brigade was commanded by a “Dithering” commander and decided to take as little part in the battle as it possible could! Meanwhile the Prussian Infantry advanced to engage the Austrians on the hill, ably supported by their cannons. The fire was quite lively from both the infantry and the guns on the march into battle.

On the right flank the Prussian Hussars engaged the Austrian Hussars and threw them back.

However, at this stage the Austrian Reserve Brigade started their advance and the Prussian Cavalry decided to withdraw and regroup.

After the Prussian artillery did for an Austrian battalion, it was now four Prussian battalions against two Austrians. The Prussians then decided to concentrate their attack on these two battalions and moved laterally to attack them. This allowed the Prussian to attack in depth and to allow the damaged battalions to withdraw through them and regroup.

The Austrian Cavalry continued to withdraw and disengage from the battle.

Finally, the Prussian Infantry has managed to concentrate on the sole remaining Austrian Battalion after another battalion was done for by the Prussians through concentrated fire.

Outcome

A win for the Prussians, a very enjoyable encounter.

Lessons Learnt

In rating the command performance we should have not rolled for the CinCs as this had a significant impact on the Austrian command and control.

The rules, even in this simplified form, provide a very good feel for the period.

Honours of War - Game Report 4

The Battle of Neuberg - Prussian encounter with the Austro-Imperial Corps of Prinz August von Baden

Introduction

This was to be our fourth outing with HoW. As you can probably guess we rather like the rules. They give a very good flavour for the period. In this game Paul took command of the Austro-Imperials and I took command of the Prussians.

If you have been reading other battles we fought the counters around the troops designate their cohesion points. Whilst the counters next to the commanders are to identify who the commander is!

Scenario

In this, fictional, scenario, a Prussian force under Lt Gen Retzow has been sent to attack the detached Austro-Imperial Corps of von Baden near Neuberg.

Orders of Battle

Prussian Forces under Lt Gen Retzow

Austro-Imperial Corps under Prinz August von Baden

Ground

As usual Dave had done his bang-up job on the scenery. Schloss Neuberg with its ornamental garden was a nice touch; until it was trashed by some hairy Imperial Grenadiers. 

And now for the view from the East

Initial Deployment

Austro-Imperial Corps

From the reconnaissance we conducted this is how the Austro-Imperial Force had been deployed to confront my Prussians

Although it transpired in debriefing the prisoners taken that the Austro-Imperial Chief of Staff the Prinz August had argued strongly for a different deployment and had been overruled. Moe of that later. 

Prussian Forces

In my combat appreciation I determined that I was at a disadvantage in numbers. However, I knew had better trained troops. My principle advantage was that if I could close on the enemy quickly I cold destroy them in detail before they cold react.

Consequently although I committed myself to load up my right flank to attack the Austro-Imperial left I was determined to ensure that they couldn't do the same to me. This is why I employed the Jagers and Bulow to protect my left, until such time as I could redeploy them.

Game Turns 1-7

After seven game turns we had certainly made some progress. The pictures and annotations are the work of Dave; many thanks!

My attack started, predictably, slowly on my right. Munchow's Bde did not advance as quick as I would like. However, their intimidatingly inexorable march in line forced the Austro-Imperial cavalry to retire in its face. By game Turn 7 they decided that they had had enough and the Austro-Imperial Cavalry charged Munchow's Bde. My dragoons supporting Munchow's right countercharged in support. 

In the ensuing melee my lead dragoon unit destroyed a regiment of Imperial Cuirassiers, in the pursuit they destroyed a regiment of Austrian dragoons and in doing so themselves were done for! Meanwhile Munchow's Bde stood firm and destroyed a regiment of Cuirassiers and Hussars.

On the left flank my Jagers moved forward and occupied the time of the Austo-Imperial Converged Grenadier Bde whilst they tried to extricate themselves from Neuberg Castle's formal garden.

In the centre Rohr's Bde has moved forward to conform to Munchow's left flank. To the left of Rohr, Bulow's Bde has started to move south to conform to Rohr's left flank, and to respond to the advance of the Austrian Bde.

After having no targets the 6lb battery has decided to vacate the crag and find better fields of fire elsewhere. The Howitzer Bty continued to engage the Austro-Imperial Artillery. Surprisingly most of the fuses were lit successfully, although they caused only little damage.

Game Turn 8 to 13

On the Prussian right, where my main effort was directed, Munchow's Bde contracted its line to form a supporting line to the front two battalions. This made room for the Hussars and remaining Dragoon unit to close in on the remaining Austrian cuirassier regiment. The latter sacrificed itself bravely to buy time for the remaining Austrian Hussars to withdraw to the North behind their infantry. It took all my cavalry attacking from the flank and the front to destroy them!

Once Munchow had redeployed, and Rohr's Bde was firmly protecting his left flank, Munchow launched his front line of two infantry battalions forward to close range to finish of the Austro-Imperial infantry line. And this is where it all went pear-shaped for my Prussians. 

In the fire phase the Austro-Imperial forces seized the firing initiative, and the defenders fired first, rather than, as I would have expected or hoped for, us the Prussians. Munchow's two battalions took severe casualties, but still managed to send one of the Imperial battalions to the rear in their meagre fire response. Munchow decided at that point to withdraw his lines to regroup behind the supports. 

In the centre Rohr's Bde were similarly disadvantaged by the Austro-Imperial fire and also fell back to regroup. This was fortunate for the enemy as it gave time for a much more orderly withdrawal of the Austro-Imperial forces.

On the Prussian left the intention was for Bulow's Bde to form on the left of Rohr's Bde. However as they were advancing to position the Arnberg's Austrian Bde presented their flank. A target too juicy to ignore. The rear two battalions of Bulow's Bde column of battalions smartly formed line to their left and engaged Arrnberg's right forward battalion in the flank and front destroying it with a couple of well ordered volleys.

The Jagers continued to protect the Prussian left flank and provided ample distraction for the Bde of converged Grenadiers. 

Outcome

At that point we decided that the Austro-Imperial force had been sufficiently badly mauled to withdraw. 

That evening Lt Gen Retzow dined at the Schloss Neuberg with his Brigade Commanders to plot what they would do next to pursue the Austro-Imperial Corps and how far they would pursue it! 

During the preparations for dinner one of Lt Gen Retzow's aides found this intelligence assessment prepared by Prinz August von Baden's Chief of Staff. It could have been a very different battle if he had listened to his Chief of Staff. We might have been severely mauled because he had predicted where our main effort was going to be directed at!

A few hours later the aide also discovered a partially burnt parchment with the battle plan the Chief of Staff had proposed and which was rejected by Prinz August.

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.

Honours of War - Game Report 2

The Encounter at Zoom

Introduction

Dave and I agreed following our trial game over Zoom of Honours of War (HoW) we needed to explore both what the rule system and playing by Zoom would be like in a larger encounter. Also it would give Dave the opportunity to remove his 7YW figures from their boxes and once again deploy them on the table for a game.

All credit and kudos to Dave for the scenario, troops, game and orchestrating us through the game.

Scenario

In this scenario the French have established a strong defensive position to confront the allies. The Allies have decided to give battle and need to deploy from Line of march to attack the French and drive them from the battlefield.

Orders of Battle

Ground

As usual Dave built some nice terrain for both sides to consider from their own unique tactical perspective.

Initial Deployment

Within the scenario the French were already deployed for battle, while the Allies were required to deploy from Line of March.

 

This is how I decided to deploy the Allies. A fairly typical 7YW formation with the Cavalry on the right covering off the right flank and facing of the French cavalry. My plan was to commit the Allied Infantry to attack from the high ground to the French Centre left, strongly supported by the artillery.

Mid Point

By the midpoint of the battle. My plan has already become rather broken. My infantry attack broke down badly. The French Cavalry advanced towards me and I was committed to a large cavalry battle. In the ensuing cavalry engagement both sides lost units in mutually assured destruction. Although the Allied Cavalry fared better than the French it has given time for the French Infantry to move up in support of their cavalry. I have in turn had to commit my reserve Hanoverian Guards Brigade to support my right flank.

Outcome

By the end of the battle the Allied right is starting to look increasingly fragile as it has to give ground from the fire it is receiving from the French. With the Allied left pinned by the French it is not possible to release a Brigade to support the right, as such I decided to withdraw from battle and lick my wounds and try and learn what I had done wrong!

An earlier commitment of the Allied cavalry given their success might have been a better proposition. A thought for future games.

Here is the view from the French side with the units highlighted!