KORBACH: 30 OCTOBER 1760/2010

TWO BAR GAMES TODAY

----------
Game #1
Charles Grant's Tabletop Teaser from Battlegames #23.
BOTH ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Cavalry only, fast-moving using 100 cavalry per side.
A 1.5 hour warm-up game before our main event.
No photos.

Almost four decades ago Don Featherstone suggested doing a cavalry only game. What if you don't have enough cavalry? If I remember correctly, Don suggested using cavalrymen from several different time periods. A very useful idea.
----------
Game #2 (Double click all images)
Der Alte (Jim P.) suggested Korbach (fought 10 July 1760) so we could have our British and French tangle in Western Germania. The table was based on the map on page 217 in my first edition of Sir Reginald Savory's, His Britannic Majesty's Army In Germany During The Seven Years War, published in 1966.

A Watch Tower anchored the southern end of the Allied line in 1760 and in 2010. 2/Auvergne advances with shouldered muskets in the upper left while 2/Languedoc and 2/Guyenne (farthest away) approach the tower area. Note Britannian infantry in the tower. Barely discernible far far away a massive cavalry battle rages.

Foreground: 2/Guyenne. Just beyond in red are resplendent Gendarmes. Some of the latter penetrated to the Allied Back Table pursuing and cutting down routing opponents.

Late in the battle, two battalions of Grenadiers de France were committed from The Reserve. The near battalion marched between two separate Gallian batteries. There was insufficient room. As was customary, portions of battalions would pause, turn inward and march behind those not bothered by blocking terrain. The grenadier (near) and picket (far) companies were the ones falling behind on this occasion.

--------------------

Closing Remarks

1. Rules Batailles de l' Ancien Régime 1740-1763 known as BAR.

2. Miniatures On Table: 1,700 approx.

3. Game Duration 11:30am to 4:30pm with a half hour lunch break. (4.5 hours)

4. Winner: Gallia

5. Tower made by H.G. Walls.

6. I did not take many photographs. Der Alte may post some he took on his blog.

7. To buy BAR and the recent edition of Savory go to the left of this blog finding the heading: Rules And Savory For Sale. To subscribe to Battlegames, click on the address at the upper left of the blog.

ALLIED KORPS

595 Infantry (Veteran)
223 Cavalry (Veteran)
52 Pds. Arty. (Veteran)
4x Ammo Wagons

Left (the cavalry flank): Todd

Center: Matt and Jim
Right: John
-----
JIM’S INFANTRY (351)
1st Foot Guards (60)
3rd Foot (60 + 9 grenadiers)
8th Foot (60)
11th Foot (60 +12 grenadiers)
23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers (30)
42nd foot (60)

BILL’S INFANTRY (244)
44th Foot (66)
46th Foot (72)
60th Foot 54
Converged Grenadiers (52) [From above battalions]
-----
JIM’S CAVALRY (168)
British. Cav. Saving Throws of 3-4-5-6
Other Cav. Saving Throws of 4-5-6
12 Horse Grenadiers
36 regt of Horse
48 Hanoverian Horse
12 3rd Dragoon Guards (not guards).
60 2nd Dragoons Prussians

BILL’S CAVALRY (55)
Hanoverian Luckner's Hussars (7)
Hanoverian Guard du Corps and Horse Gren. (12)
Hanoverian von Breidenbach Dragoons (36)
-----
ARTILLERY (52 Pds.)
British: 2x6 Pdrs. (10 crew)
British: 2x6 Pdrs. and 1x12 Pdr.
Hanoverian: 1x 4 Pdr. and 1x 12 Pdr.

FRENCH CORPS D’AMREE
600 Infantry (Veteran)
234 Cavalry (Veteran)
56 Pds. Arty. (Veteran)
4x Ammo Wagons

Left: Brent
Center: Bill and George
Right (the cavalry flank): Michael
-----
BILL’S INFANTRY (360)
1/Gren. De France (60)
2/Gren. De France (60)
1/Auvergne (60)
2/Auvergne (60)
2/Guyenne (60
2/Languedoc (60)

BRENT’S INFANTRY (240)
Gardes Francais (60)
D’Eu (60)
Buckeley (60)
Grassins (60)

BILL’S CAVALRY (234)
Comm. Général (36) (armoured)
Royals (36) (armoured)
Gendarmes (48) (unarmoured today)
Von Brühl Dragoons (50)
Von Brühl Horse Grenadiers (12)
Grenadiers a Cheval de l’Garde (12)
Lanciers de Saxe (16)
Bercheney Hussars (24)
----------

Two Topics

TOPIC #1: 28 AUGUST 2010 BAR GAME

One of the interesting features of 1762 was the change in alliance by Russia. After Czarina Elizabeth's death, Czar Peter III cancelled the alliance with Austria and joined Prussia. Interesting. The BAR game on the 28th was our first experiment with this.

I took no photos.

This game was a departure from our usual scenario design. Prussians holding rising ground on the Main Table were attacked by superior numbers. They did well holding off the French and Austrians until the Russian Corps arrived on Turn 4 to stabilize the situation. Some said the French and Austrian attackers had the edge at the game end for victory assessment. I'm not so sure.

Russian Michael M. threw two 1D6s before the game. One throw determined the turn of arrival. The second placed the Russians either on the right of left on the Back Table. They arrived on the Prussian left. A little "fog of War" there!

Points were calculated for all soldier types to be in the game. The Prussians and Russians with more than 1,300 pts. had 4.1 pts. less than their foes with a one pound advantage in artillery.

------------------------------------------------------

TOPIC #2: GARRISON SYW MINIATURES IN REVIEW
Photos enlarge when clicked upon.

Photos below show a small selection of Garrison 25mm Seven Years' War miniatures. Units are from my 1:20 collection. They may be re-based and expanded for BAR; extra miniatures ordered to do this two years ago.

Hessian Battalion Isenburg. Garrison's Prussians make nice Hessians.

Close-up of Isenburg.

The Hessian Guard Battalion.

The officer in the center I think is a Hinchliffe - not Garrison.

The officer in the front rank (upper left) is a Mini Fig.

Hanoverian Battalion von Hardenburg arrives to support the Hessians.

Close-up of von Hardenburg.

----------

Gendarme Brigade Finished

Eureka designed a range of attractive War of Austrian Succession Dutch cavalry two years ago. Mine though have been uniformed as Seven Years' War French Gendarmes. Click images to fill your screens with....

Left: Gendarmes Anglais; Miniature Figurines recovered and increased from an older disused collection.
Center: Eureka Gendarmes de la Reine.   Right: Eureka Gendarmes Dauphin.

Foreground: Gendarmes Dauphin. Miniatures are individually based and magnetized to underlying trays. No casualty records are kept this way. Remove and set aside.

Monsieur l'Brigadier, Prussian cavalry appears in the distance. There Monsieur!

Bring the brigade into line then, en muiralle, if you please, mon ami.
----------
Closing Remarks:
1. The Eurekas are elegant, anatomically correct and -- take a look at the lovely horses.
2. Three squadrons of fifteen each plus three more to command the brigade. Total: 48.
3. Mini Figs were placed on thicker stands to bring their smaller size closer to the larger Eurekas.
4. The two large standards are from GMB.
5. Comments welcome -- below.
----------

Chapter 3 of 3: Schlacht Bei Tannesberg Ended

Date: 22 June 1760/2010

Location: A Tannes Mountain Pass/Defile

Where Exactly? North Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Rebel Force Found And Engaged

Also See: June 9 and 23 entries for prior history

Sirs, if you please, click on photos 1-2 times to enlarge them

----------

Our last entry left us hanging with a just commenced cavalry versus infantry mélée.

Rebel foot give fire thinning Gallian Régiment Royale. They are part of a Gallian contingent assisting Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia quell a seditious assault on his prerogative.

And now we see the result of swordplay. The rebels pay for their sedition, lose heavily, check morale.....

and hold! The horsemen elect to rally back (off screen right). They could have remained to mélée again next turn but Lt. Colonel  l'Comte de Lichey pulled back - perhaps because a rebel regiment of heavy horse began to appear not far away (off screen left).

Indeed, that regiment of horse did come forward and then withdrew to cover the withdrawal of the rebel force. See them in the upper middle in white coats. Der Hurtshog Artur is seen riding bravely forward in front of 1/Grenadiers de France. His Brigade de Guerre moves forward consolidating.

Artur may be seen on the left. His Garde Grenadier are on the right moving through light woods. To their left is 2/Grenadiers de France. In the foreground are l'Comte de Lichey and, -- I can't say.

Artur moves forward joining the commander of 1/Grenadiers de France to watch enemy horsemen ride away seemingly on a collision course with the blue coats atop the rise.

The enemy cavalry commander salutes his opponents with his tricornered hat.

Meanwhile the blue coat battalion opened an interval to allow the horsemen to pass through them. Two of the battalions central divisions previously about faced, marched to the rear, faced and marched outwards  halting behind battalion flank divisions. All proper drill per the era. Well-done!

It's time to close the interval. The previously withdrawn divisions retrace their steps and....

Reform an ordered three rank line ready to meet Artur's advance. However....

Der Hurtshog has other ideas!

Artur: "Advance the guns!" They will deploy in the space just ahead while....

On the right the battalion gun assigned to the Garde Grenadiers also moves forward.

On the far left flank, 1/Grenadiers de France await orders from Artur. A moment later....

Artur sagt,: "FEUER!

Rebel jagers appear unconcerned. Nearby.... 

Two red coated senior officers look on. Are they Britannian advisers, paymasters, commanders or?

They are difficult to see. It matters little for the Aide de Camp clearly heard Artur say, "They did not pass!"

----------

Closing Remarks

1. This was a fun game. Hopefully it worked into Arthur's campaign. Certainly l'Comte de Bastille, the Gallian Intendant back in Frankfurt Am Main will be delighted. Super delighted if it were possible.

2. It also is the smallest BAR game, we've played, roughly 200 miniatures per side. No problem.

3. Losses were 2:1 in favor of Artur; roughly 92 for the rebels and about half that for Artur.

4. The game ended shortly after the infantry versus cavalry mélée. Photos after this were staged by yours truly to end the story and to show how it was possible to withdraw cavalry through an infantry line.

5. Thank you Arthur. Get well soon!

6. Thank you Chuck and John - the Tuesday night game crew. Well done!

7. Comments welcome next as usual -- below.

----------

Chapter 2 of 3: Der Hurtshog En Bataille

Date: 22 June 1760/2010

Location: A Tannes Mountain Pass/Defile

Where Exactly?  North Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Rebel Force Found And Engaged
Also See: June 9 entry for prior history leading to this action
Sirs, if you please, click on photos 1-2 times to enlarge them

----------

Courier: "I beg to report Your Excellency, the Rebel Force is observed and upon its march not one hour behind me. Descending the pass Sire."

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia: "Good. Goooood. My compliments to you Lt. Gen. Armentieres and if you please, clear for action!"

Armentieres doffing his tricornerd hat: "We shall make it so, Your Highness."

The Rebel Commander, John, descends the pass entering a narrowing of the defile.

Artur: Well, that's what I used to say when serving with the Rhine River Flotilla years ago. Old habits.

Armentieres: Oui. Your brigade is deploying  now.

Chuck as Armentieres moves forward toward the rebels. The Gallian Régiment Royale leads the way and...

appear to desire to charge as the first motion. Good? Perhaps. Exciting? YES! The near rebel battalion is disordered by terrain. It's the right moment....

But no! A clever ruse de l'guerre to stall the rebel march. Moments before a left about by fives was ordered and the regiment retired.

First shots from 2/Grenadiers de France assisting Artur's battle-group. The opponents are rebel jagers. In the distance the Hurtshog's Garde Grenadier advance and will soon engage more jagers.

While more rebel forces march toward the sound of battle. The defile troubles their order.

As the firefight becomes general near to far, the Royals return to charge at the gallop and....

----------

Closing Remarks

1. A small fast game.

2. Three battalions and a regiment of breastplated horse per side.

3. Game Start: 7:25pm.

4. Game Conclusion: 8:45pm. The last photo is about 40 minutes into the game.

5. Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 known as BAR.

6. Return soon for the conclusion.

7. Comments welcome below. Let's talk.

----------

Chapter 1 of 3: Gallia Assists Frankzonia

Date: 09 June 1760 (2010)

Location: Outskirts Of Frankfurt Am Main

Situation: Hurtshog Of Frankzonia Takes Command In The Field

Mission: Stop An Emboldened  Seditious Frankzonian  Rebel Force

Images Expand Amazingly When Clicked 1-2 Times

----------

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia ist zu pferde. He precedes his guard battalion outside Frankfurt Am Main. Other units follow.

 Artur, centered, is handsomely attired in a Marshall's uniform; a gift from Gallian l'Comte de Bastille l'Intendant de Frankfurt Am Main.

The Guard climbs the hill.

Two more battalions and two squadrons come into view. These are Gallian allies: Grenadiers de France and the Royal Cavalry Regiment. There appear to be three small cannon as well.

The Royal's second squadron on the left.

The Royal's first squadron observed by the regimental commander, l'Comte André Lichey on the far right. More clearly seen now are two battalions of Grenadiers de France and the Hurtshog's Guard.

Behind the scenes a Gallian officer watches the departure of the brigade. Who is he?

l'Comte de Bastille

A few hours later the Brigade marches within a forest south of Frankfurt Am Main.

The drapeau of 2/Grenadiers de France of Gallia.

Der Hurtshog Artur von Frankzonia on the white horse confers with a Gallian Lt. General.

----------

Closing Remarks

1. Arthur asked for volunteers to do three "proxy" battles for him.

2. The force you've seen is upon its march for one of these to put down Frankzonian seditious elements believed to be en-route through passes and defiles to the south.

3. Return for more as time goes by for this brigade action.

4. Manufacturers: Stadden Prussian Guard, Foundry French Hurtshog and Officer on horse near him, Garrison Grenadiers de France On Guard, Front Rank Grenadiers de France marching and David Wilson's "Willie" French Horse. The Inn is from Miniature Building Authority. (Out of production)

5. BAR rules will be used; Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763.   See: oldregimerules.com

6. The game will be undertaken in a couple of short sessions on weeknights after work.

----------