Merry Christmas To All

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

BIG Battalion Schlacht Bei Leuthen

Several photos disappear when TMP readers visit this story.
I don't know why with apologies.

Date: 1 December 1757/2018
Situation: Annual BIG BAR SYW Game
Scenario: Prussian Afternoon Attack on Leuthen
Design: Adapted by Jim P. {Der Alte Fritz}
Terrain: From the Collection of Jim P.
Miniatures: Collection of Jim P. (80%), Rob O. and Keith L.
Photos from Dave G. are marked DG. Thank you Dave!
Nuance: East, Center and West Sectors successfully played at their own speed.

BAR, the main rule book. However, we consulted Quick Reference Charts

seen in the following photos 99% of the time. DG

The above was additionally in play for....

Our engaged, cheerful and companionable band of brothers.

Seated Left to Right: Morgan E., Jim H., Dan E. and Keith L.

Standing Left to Right: Yours truly Bill P., Rob O., Jim P. and Dave G.

Chow Time around noon.
Participants brought food and drink to share. Thank you.

Later we deployed birthday cake celebrating December birthdays.

Happy Birthday Jim P!

EASTERN FLANK

Magnificent Prussian Dragoon Brigade southeast of Leuthen facing north. DG

Supported by Prussian Kurassiers. DG

Overhead view.

Austrian and Prussian Hussar Screens clash near the red die.

Austrian infantry and horse are positioned at the top of the photo.

More Austrian cavalry is unseen on a Back Table. DG

View from the Austrian position. DG

Top Center: Dragoons move forward.

Center Right: Prussian Hussar Screen is defeated and pursued.

Bottom: Kurassiers right about by fours into a column. DG

Later in the afternoon Prussian heavies penetrate deeply. DG

The Austrians will eventually stabilize their situation and win the flank.

CENTER

Rot Wurzburg defends the Roman Catholic Church walls.

Before the Prussian Storm!

Here They Come.

Closer.

Closer Still.

Dangerously close.

Toward the end Prussians from the West Flank closely approached Leuthen from its west side. We reasoned this plus other losses within Leuthen would eventually cause the Austrians to retire.

WESTERN FLANK

West of Leuthen open ground afforded prodigious space for cavalry action. As an experiment Austrian and Prussian squadrons attacked by squadrons rather than en muraille (like a solid wall) by regiment.

Austrian Grenadiers (photo bottom) cover the west end of Leuthen. Meanwhile out yonder Prussian and Austrian cavalry clash.

Surviving Austrian cavalry face east at the end of the game. Just barely visible at the top are the Prussians who were here now caving in the Austrian flank in Leuthen.

Thank You For Looking In

Getting Ready For Leuthen 2018

Date: 1 December 1757/2018
Historical Date: 5 December 1757
Location: Leuthen, Silesia
Genre: Annual Seven Years' War BIG Battalion Game
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The first Saturday in December has been our traditional SYW game. For several years it was a light troop game. However, for the past two years we changed the theme. We were in India one year ago on The Plain of Sorrows. (See the story after this one.)  This year Der Alte Fritz (Jim P.) suggested we do an adaptation of Leuthen with his gorgeous winterized terrain.

Naturally I agreed without hesitation to enjoy this prime opportunity.

Here are three photos on the eve of battle hinting at the spectacle.

Main Table looking west to east.

Prussians are marching on from the right (South).

 The well-known Roman Catholic Church in Leuthen.

Leuthen Village occupied by the Austrians.

Are we doing Frederick's celebrated oblique attack? No we are not. 

We are doing the Prussian attack on Leuthen Village

during the afternoon of 5 December 1757 instead.

Jim and I plan to take many photos.

Come back next week for the story, if you please.

Respectfully,

Bill P.

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