Part 1: Minden 250th, 1st. Cavalry Wave, Action At Hahlen and Allied Reserves

Thank you for looking in. On the actual 250th anniversary, 1 August 1759/2009, our Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR} group simulated the celebrated battle of Minden. We have lots of photos. Part 1 as captioned follows. Click on photographs to enlarge them.


The first wave of 276 cavaliers viewed from the French left.
A portion of the left-hand French Grand Battery appears in the lower left. The village of Maulbeerkamp appears in the upper right. Large French artillery batteries at these two locations enfiladed Spörcken's Brigade to great effect historically and also in our simulation. Four participants contributed miniatures to compose the French cavalry.

The French viewed from the left flank of Spörcken's Brigade. Infantry losses were due to French artillery fire.

Spörcken's Brigade coolly waits to give fire, {"MAKE READY!"} as the French close in, {"AIM - FIRE!"}

Fire resolution is occurring in this photograph. We play our BAR games using just Quick Reference Charts 99% of the time.

Panoramic view from Village of Hahlen on the French left flank to Maulbeerkamp twenty-four feet away. Allied General Anhalt historically and in our game took the village. Note the units in this and the next photo. These are two-rank units from my old Tricorne Armies based on 1:20. Anhalt attacked with detachments so I thought why not use these old and veteran units in this role. BAR worked fine for them.

Anhalt pushed deeply into Hahlen causing French and Saxon reserves to come forward in addition to a portion of the nearby French Grand Battery shifting fire into the village.

On the Allied back table, Spörcken's Second Line starts forward. Huzzah lads!

While the cavalry commanded by General Sackville is idle nearby.
----------
Closing Remarks:
1. Photos of the second French cavalry wave will appear here soon.
2. Check in at Der Alte Fritz's celebrated blog for a lot more.
3. When I awakened Saturday morning I asked myself, "What bugs are there in the scenario?" I decided I could not be an automaton about player circumstances and bad dice if conditions did not closely resemble the real battle. Therefore, I told everyone I was more of a "stage director" than anything else. There were occasions when I shifted Allied units to where they needed to be and other occasions when units were allowed to recover stragglers and reorganize.
4. Simulation rules are next.
----------

SPECIAL BAR RULES FOR MINDEN 250th
----------
Our Minden commemoration was a scripted simulation. As kind of a "stage director"
I changed conditions as needed using Savory's text as my guide.

UNIT CLASSIFICATIONS
1. Elite = All Allied Units, French Gendarmes and Royal des Carabiniers in 3rd Line.
1(a) Mid way through the game all Allied officers were rated Elite.
2. Veteran = All Other Units In The French Army
3. French Artillery firing obliquely at Spörcken’s Brigade gets +3 for fire.

FIRE AT A CHARGER
4. Add +2 for units in Spörcken’s Brigade

ARTILLERY
5. Organize guns in 3-4 gun sections by poundage. No battalion guns.
Eg. 3x3Pdrs., 3x6Pdrs., 4x8Pdrs., 3x12 Pdrs.
6. Fire by section – not individual guns. Multiply result by # of guns in section
Eg. Throw 2D6/section, modify as usual for hits – then hits times # of guns
7. Do not fire individual guns unless that is all that is left.
8. Poundage:
British = 6 Pdrs., Light 12 Pdrs.
Brunswick = 3 Pdrs.
French = Heavy 4 Pdrs., 8 Pdrs. and 12 Pdrs.
Hanover = 6 Pdrs., 12 Pdr. = Brummer Class
Allied Howitzers = 7 Pdr. Howitzer Class
9. No ammunition limitations.
10. Only the Allies have limbers.

MAXIMUM MELEE ROUNDS
11. One round permissible only – not three - in cavalry versus infantry.

SEQUENCE
12. Spörcken’s Brigade must advance obliquely toward French Cavalry line.
13. French Cav. must charge Spörcken’s Brigade and never wander more than
18” wider than Spörcken’s flanks unless the latter is destroyed or enemy cavalry
come on. First mass charge may not wander at all.
14. 1st line may move to charge after Spörcken enters main table.
15. Other Fr. lines can't charge Spörcken until previous lines are out of the way.
16. Elsewhere:
Artillery may fire at will and move all game long.
Battle for Hahlen may start immediately.
French left flank infantry may advance when Spörcken enters main table.
All others may move:
AFTER three massed French cavalry charges are completed
Or turn after at least two Bns. of Spörcken’s Brigade rout or destroyed.
But Sackville brigades activate only the turn after throwing 2D6 = 12.

FRENCH CAVALRY LINES
17. 1st Line = 276, 2nd. Line = 264, 3rd Line = 216, 4th. Line = 36
18. Recycling = okay.

----------

French Cavalry Arrives On Minden Heath

The battle of Minden occurred 1 August 1759. On 1 August 2009 our group will commemorate the 250th anniversary with a partial-simulation of the great cavalry battle. Click on photographs to enlarge them.



General Beaupreau's infantry guards the left flank of the first line of cavalry.


The French are in a column of squadrons as leading regiments wheel into line.

That's Commissaire Général in the center in near-white coats.

The second regiment is beginning to wheel right into line.

Looking the other way. We don't have enough French. This is the Saxon Dragoon Regiment von Brühl. It was not classified as chevauleger. See 25 May 2009 entry here.

The von Brühl Dragoons in four squadrons. The Horse Grenadier Troop is scheduled to be painted before September. Only dragoons had horse grenadiers.

Commanding officer halts the first squadron.

More Saxons: Rutowski Chevauleger Regiment. On Saturday they will stand in for the French Gendarmes given the red coats.

Régiment Royal officers confer. To the left of the regiment you see the French Royal des Carabiniers leading the second line onto Minden Heath. Our contemporary Der Alte Fritz gave them the nom de guerre, "The Thundering Herd" because they number sixty miniatures.

Cavalry exiting Minden.

Looking back the other way again. The unit in the near foreground is Colonel Général.

Getting ready!

The French artillery line protecting the deployment you just observed behind them.
----------

Closing Remarks:

• Your thoughts/sentiments are welcome. Click on comments below. You may need to identify yourself as anonymous.
• Der Alte is bringing 120 more French horse. Randy, Brent and Andy will add more. Next week Der Alte or I will advise how many.
• "Forced perspective" was used for photos around Minden. The buildings are 15mm from Miniature Building Authority. Plus, the cavalry thereabouts are successively smaller, the last being Jack Scruby 25mms. This kind of dynamic causes the eye and mind to think distance is greater than it actually is.
• The rest of the Army is 28-30mm.
• I sense both commanders are nervous about this game. As the French CinC, I think my horsemen are going to get almost totally ruined. Jim, on the other hand is worried about his infantry doing enough damage to stop French charges.
• It is my intention to kind of interview participants about their own thinking, tensions and feelings before, during and after the game. We might get some quotes for you.
• See 13 March 2009 story here.
• Come back here next week and no doubt check in with the blog of Der Alte Fritz to see more photos and commentary.

RENDEZVOUS {ACT 2 - SCENE 2}

Rendezvous {Act 2} is the second in a series of background stories. Act 2 will be followed on a future occasion by Acts 3, 4 and so forth. In between, other stories will interrupt the sequence. Act {1} appeared 22 February 2009 and Act 2 Scene 1 was shown commencing 1 June 2009 here. We recommence the latter with Scene 2. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

As the curtain rises three masked villains are bent on malevolence. But what?

Shots continue to be fired at the end of town. One man has been struck. Outside Capitaine Malecki's residence Lady Diana Pettygree (left in blue), her particular friend Lady Cherish Masquerade (in grey and pink), Maid Catherine (turned about), Capitaine Malecki (Rgt. de la Reine) and two young women are in peril. It is the moment of decision.
Malecki: "LADIES! Turn about and take cover!"


They instantly obey. The masked men follow drawing unfired pistols from their belts. But what's this? Capitaine Malecki's personal guard has formed up near the rear of his residence. He orders:
"Prenez garde a vous!" {Attention}
"Portez vos armes" {Shoulder arms}
"Haut les armes." {Port arms}
"Appretez vos armes." {Ready your arms}
"En joue." {Aim}


Steady.


"FEU!" {FIRE!}

One villain falls while the others ride away.

One soldier is hit.
The La Reines fire again and miss.

The survivors ride for the road out of town when a body of Fusiliers de Fischer rise up from behind cover. Trapped! The Gallian commander demands their surrender.

Villain Leader: "NEVER!" Both fire another pistol.

The Fusiliers fire. A second scoundrel drops. The rogue leader attempts to jump a hedge to get away.

Too late. He realizes escape is impossible. Gallian infantrymen converge on him as a troop of mounted Dragoons de Fischer block his line of retreat.

Gallian Officer: "Surrender Sir!" He does.

Malecki: "Drop your weapons, Rogue!"

Moments later the Ladies Pettygree, Masquerade, Catherine and l'Comte de Bastille (in blue) escort an elegant young woman finely dressed in black and green from within Bastille's residence.

Bastille: "Your Highness, the plan worked. May I congratulate you?"

Tradgardland Prinzessin Alisona: "Oui Monsieur l'Intendant. A fine scheme Monsieur l'Comte. [Pause] Monsieur, when is a trap - truly - a trap?

Bastille: "When the perpetrators are themselves snared in their own net. [Pause] And now, if I may take your leave for a moment."

Alisona: "Surely, you may."

Bastille: "Take that scalawag and his wounded comrades to Frankfurt Am Main and throw them in my Bastille. We'll soon discover who has employed them."

----------**********----------

The curtain falls and quickly reascends presenting!

In green: Fusiliers and Dragoons de Fischer. (Front Rank)

The flag is made up. (Flag Dude) We know of no flags for the Legion de Fischer yet.

In white: Capitaine Malecki's guard from Rgt. de la Reine. (Redoubt)

The trio of villains. (Outpost Miniatures Highwayman Collection artfully painted and kindly on loan from the studio of l'Comte de Artois; Randy F.)

The ladies left to right:

Catherine (Suren), Cherish (John R.)and Diana (Suren)
Alisona (Front Rank)

Gallian Agents (Conquest Miniatures Alice and Cora on loan from Randy)

Now you know their mission. Names withheld, if you please.

Bastille (Suren)

Three townsfolk on the left (Front Rank)

Man in purple. That's you by the way. (Suren)
Soldiers in white (Surens)

Farmer in blue waistcoat. (RSM from Hap J.)

Farmer on horseback (Hinchliffe)

Lady with musket. (RSM) Is she another Gallian agent? I'm not talk'n.

That Old Woman (Front Rank) Don't take your eyes off of her!

Weapons rules came straight out of Batailles de l'Ancien Regime 1740-1763. Yes it is possible to use this system for easy-going and fast skirmish games. See link to Old Regime Rules.

-

If you please, I would be honoured/honored if you would post comments.

Thank you.

RENDEZVOUS {ACT 2 - SCENE 1}

Rendezvous {Act 2} is the second in a series of background stories. Act 2 will be followed on a future occasion by Acts 3, 4 and so forth. In between, other stories will interrupt the sequence. Act {1} appeared 22 February 2009 here. Meanwhile, let us recommence with Act 2 of Rendezvous. Thank you. Click on photographs to enlarge them.

Prelude
A black coach on the road to Petraville earlier today.


And now: Act 2: Scene 1

Idyllic Petraville, outside Frankfurt Am Main.


It's evening. Local townspeople are out and about. Like so many Germanian villages, homes and businesses line main roads. Petraville's cobblestone street reveals prosperity. The Gallian Army magazine at Frankfurt Am Main has been good for business.


Townsmen gather at a small inn. They are sure to discuss arrival of Tradgardland's Prinzessin Alisona. She resides at Capitaine Malecki's timber and plaster temporary summer residence next door. She awaits friends there for an entertainment.


At the other end of town Gallian Intendant l'Comte de Bastille greets two ladies we know so well; Lady Diana Pettygree (blue) and her particular friend, Lady Cherish Masquerade (pink).


Pettygree: "Bonsoir Monsieur l'Intendant."
Bastille: "Bonsoir Mademoiselles. Comment allez-vous?"
Masquerade: "Very well Sir."
Bastille: "And tonight?"
Pettygree: "We dine with Prinzessin Alisona at Capitaine Malecki's - afterwards cards, whist, I should think."
Bastille: "Then I won't hold you for a glass of Chevert here. The Capitaine's summer residence is just there - down the main street - the timber and plaster house second on the right. Welcome to Petraville. Good fortune to you."
Masquerade: "Oui Monsieur. Good fortune to us all -- and soon -- we hope!
Bastille: "Bonsoir."



The party turns up the street. At the first residence on the right an elderly woman instantly appears.
Masquerade: "Diana! I can't believe .... Look!"
Pettygree: "Oui, our mysterious benefactor, That Old Woman."


That Old Woman: "Beware Mademoiselles. Turn about lest the inscrutable black fate overtake you both and your maid Catherine too."


Catherine: "Oh my ladies. Remember to turn not nor blink. Keep your eyes upon her so she cannot vanish into thin air - again."
Pettygree: "Oui. My dear ancient benefactor. This is a safe area. The Army magazine is near as is the Army camp. Tell us exactly what we must fear."
That Old Woman: "Never be unaware. The black fate is near. It has descended."

At that precise moment a pistol fired at the other end of the village. Startled, the ladies momentarily look away when their horses shifted.


And true to form, the old woman vanished in the blink of an eye.


Catherine: "She is GONE my ladies. I fear for our safety!
Let us remove ourselves."
Pettygree: "NO! We have duties here. Honour demands we stay."
Masquerade: "Oui. Make haste then - for Capitaine Malecki's residence!"


At Capitaine Malecki's, everyone has exited the house to discover the reason for the pistol shot. The Capitaine points down the street as our ladies ride up.
Malecki: "Look ... the crossroad. Three..."
More shots are fired!


Three masked riders are turning up the street straight for the ladies. A wounded townsman has fallen - shot - outside the inn. Catherine has turned her horse about to get away. Who are these rogues? What do these villains want? Money? Mayhem? Captives? CAPTIVES! This tumultuous moment IS serious. The ladies must be protected - especially the Prinzessin.

The curtain falls.
Act 2, Scene 2 will tell the rest of the story.
----------

Saxon Cavalry per Richard Knötel

Click on photo to enlarge.
Knötel says von Brühl's designation was dragoon.
The fellow above in a fusilier-like cap may be a member of the usual mounted grenadier company found in European Dragoon Regiments. Knötel says these were added to Saxon dragoon regiments starting in 1730.

On May 9^th we played another game in the Jacobite Rebellion series that we started last year. We played this game at my house in Dekalb. The players were Keith, Bill, Jim and myself (Randy). The sides were Jim and I as the Scottish while Bill and Keith ran the British forces. The battle scenario was Price Charles intercepting the column that was sent relieve the siege of Carmudgeon Castle.

Prince Charles set up a defensive position on a long hill that connected two villages to repel the British relief column. Lord Murray (Jim) was on the left and Lord Talisker was on the right with Prince Charles watching from the center.

(Prince Charles with guard.)

The battle started with the British advancing in a line running the length of Prince Charles’ defense with a Grenadier Battalion advancing on the road on the Scottish right side into the Village. After the initial musket exchange the Scottish troops used their best weapon on the center of the battle, a charge into the British line. The initial charges brought good success opening the British Line on Lord Murray’s side of the center by routing a British Battalion off the table. On Lord Talisker’s side, the British where pushed back but the stayed on the field of Battle.

The British Grenadiers attacking the Pike men on the Scottish Right Side. The Blade and Von Bergman are having a drink together while the battle started.

The British were attacking both villages quite strongly. On Lord Murray’s side the British lined up a battalion of infantry and delivered several good volleys killing the Jacobite soldiers in the village. On Lord Talisker’s side the troops were still in the building causing trouble for the British. The British also charged a unit of Grenadiers in column down the road into village. Defending the road was a group of pikemen with the special characters “Blade” and “Von Bergman” from Tradgarland. The pikemen held through two turns of melee. On turn two “The Blade” fell. On the third turn of melee “Von Bergman” fell and the pikemen failed their morale check and routed giving the Grenadiers the road through the village. (Note: I believe Bill was being kind he gave the pikemen a lot of advantageous which is why they did so well.)

The British Artillery Battery decided to fire on the Scottish Artillery Battery. Bill delivered a fantastic dice roll destroying both guns in the Scottish Battery. (Note: Counter Battery fire is not that effective in destroying guns with these rules so this was one heck of a dice roll). Things where starting to look grim on Lord Talisker’s side and he committed his last reserve, a unit of Highlanders being accompanied with the character “The Giant”. They charged a British unit winning the melee and causing the British unit to route. They then pursued and caught the routing British unit which destroys the unit in our rules. This unit then reformed on the British edge of the table and charged the British Artillery Battery from the rear capturing the guns. At the same time as “The Giant’s” great display of heroism, another Scottish unit charged a British Infantry unit, won the melee which caused the British infantry to route. However the dice roll decided they would not pursue. This left that unit out in the open for Bill’s Horse Grenadiers to attack. The Horse Grenadiers then charged the disformed Scottish unit but the Scottish unit failed their morale check and routed before the Horse Grenadiers could make contact.

The Giant Charges with a Scottish unit.

The Giant and Troops Continue the attack versus a British Artillery Battery.

Horse Grenadiers causing trouble for the Scottish troops!

At this point all players realized the Scottish forces would be pushed of the field of battle. We did not have as much strength left as the British forces did. They good news was that the British would not have enough strength left over to push through to the besieged Carmudgeon Castle.

The British players gave a good game pushing on the Scottish forces and hurting the Scottish units with good musket fire. They delivered when they needed to.

At the end of the game we decided that all special characters that fell in the game would receive a roll to see if they where wounded or died in the game. So we used the same roll we would use for a campaign casualty recovery and both “The Blade” and “Von Bergman” were wounded not dead. The Blade is going to take four months to recover and Von Bergman is going to take 6 months.