Two Battles For Colburg

Date: 7 May 1761/2011
Location: Port of Colburg, East Prussia
Situation: Port Under Attack - Relief Force Coming
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR}
For best vicarious viewing, double click photos, if you please.
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For the past few years I've hosted a "Belated Birthday Game Day" with a minimum of two games for a larger than usual cast of friends. On this occasion the table had two sections separated by a wooded ridge transition zone. Though the ridge was only about 12" wide, it separated the two sections by a half day's march. This is a convenient model railroad technique to change scenes even though visually adjacent. So when you view the two scenes, imagineer they are actually faaaaar apart.

Seated left to right: George R., Morgan E., Randy F. and Brent O. Standing left to right: Bill P., Jim H., Jim P. Der Alte Fritz, Todd P., Keith L. and Dan E.

Hours previous to this we uncorked a bottle of wine toasting ourselves as "We happy few." We are blessed to have such a companionable gamer's group. Thank you Gentlemen for being part of my belated birthday! Let's gather again in 2012.

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AT THE EAST PRUSSIAN PORT OF COLBURG

Prussians defend works on a Back Table. Off screen to the left is the Baltic Sea. To the right is more of Colburg and....

Two artistic bread ovens from the collection of Randy F. made by Ed Phillips.

Colburg was protected by fieldworks. The port is off screen upper right. The Baltic Sea is off screen at the top. A hint of the transition zone mentioned previously appears at the bottom.

Viewed from the opposite direction.... "The Russians are coming. The Russians are coming. Everybody to get from street." Anyone remember these movie lines?

Drums beating.  Flags flying.  Steady.  Resolute.  Ever forward.

Get off the beaches quickly and --- CHARGE!

Russian forces advance toward Prussian and British defenders elsewhere.

Rightmost Russians formed a column of attack. This was the preferred means to assault works in the 18th Century. This battalion on loan from John B. was my personal command today. Sometimes it worked....

Like this!  Brave Russians.

And like -- THIS!   You believe me don't you?

Routed! Well. It will make a great painting in St. Petersburg - in a basement. "But Czar Peter my battalion preoccupied many enemy units and....

More Russian success breaching the field works would also eventually fail.

While near the beach, Russians there were also repulsed. Fate.

A well-deserved victory went to the Prussians with their British allies defending Colburg field works. Congratulations to George, Keith and Dan who were very gentlemanly to the defeated Todd, Morgan and yours truly, Bill. We had a great time!

Prodigious thank yous to Michael M. who regrettably could not attend the game and allowed his Russian Army to participate in his stead.

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A HALF DAY'S MARCH AWAY

A Prussian force enters a defile blocked by French allies of the Russians besieging Colburg. More of the transition zone appears at the photo bottom.

Viewed from the opposite direction, more Prussians enter the defile.

Viewing from the transition zone again, the Prussians flood the defile.

 Der Alte Fritz (left) leans over the table.

Opposite him Randy (center) and Brent (right) respectively take care of French military activities.

 The Prussian extreme right flank.

Right center of the Prussian Army.

 Left center of the Prussian Army.

Left flank of the Prussian Army.

The Prussian mission to shove the French off The Main Table onto The Back Table with sufficient blue coats gaining The Back Table did not occur. During the last turn the massive Prussian cavalry attack in the center was repulsed, routed, and cut down by pursuing French horse.

Jim P. and Jim H. professionally commanded the Prussians whilst Randy and Brent capably officered the victorious French.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Buildings by Miniature Building Authority.

2. Field words by JR Miniatures. 15mm by the way.

3. Terrain Guy in Texas made the table covering in a custom length for us.

4. BAR rules available from oldregimerules.com

5. Remarks welcome below by anyone - especially - by our participants.

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Saxon Leibkürassiers Reformed 1761/2011

Readers may think I have always had French SYW forces. Almost true. My first units were Saxons. In the past few years I've been in a slow rebuilding program perhaps distantly similar to the actual rebuilding of the army after it capitulated to Frederick in 1756 at Pirna. You've seen the Rutowski Chevauleger and von Brühl Dragoon Regiments appear in the past three years here. May I now introduce you to the reformed Leib Squadron of the Leibküassiers? Double click images please.

Eureka's new 28mm Saxon kürassiers wearing straw waistcoats (jackets) rather than the larger white outer coat. (German spelling of kürassiers - please - bitte!)

Otto Max Grosse's 1907 inaugural dissertation entitled, Prinz Xaver von Sachsen und das sächsische Korps bei der französischen Armee 1758-1763 has been in my library since 1968ish. An amazing ninety-one page publication which ought to be translated and made available for our hobby use.

After Pirna, Prinz Karl, von Brühl's and Prinz Albrecht plus three regiments (pulks) of Polish lancers were all that remained of the Saxon Cavalry Corps. Grosse tells us on pages 46-48 that a kürassier regiment of four squadrons was reformed in 1761. 

David Morfitt in the UK generously assisted me about the mysteries and enigmatic prose of the Pengel and Hurt pamphlets to unravel a standard for my Leibkürassiers. All errors above are mine - not Davids. Saxon experts will perhaps observe the above Leibkürassier standard is from umm - the Napoleonic Wars. Ach du lieber! I surrendered to convenience and impatience only today. The square border was not there in 1755. Thank you David!

The officers are taking a keen interest in you staring at their squadron. Have a care! 

Back to Grosse. A kürassier regiment of four squadrons was available in May 1761. It consisted of two companies of Garde du Korps and two companies of unnamed kürassiers. Were the former never captured at Pirna? Grosse says on p. 13 that the Garde du Korps was present in 1758.Were the latter other escapees or what? What else made up the regiment?

The new regiment had four squadrons each of two Kompagnien. Each company was supposed to have 80 men including officers. That's 640 cavalrymen without the regimental staff of fourteen more men. It was raised from the Kreisen of Saxony, Bavaria and Salzburg.

Things may get serious in a moment.

My reformed regiment will have one squadron of Leibkürassiers above, another squadron of Garde du Korps and I don't know what else. I have enough Eurekas to almost have four squadrons of twelve miniatures each. 

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Having a regiment of varied uniforms  is appealing. I have no idea if this was the case, but if I was a Garde du Korps reiter, I think I would like to retain my status and original uniform. Creative thinking (guessing at its best).

2. As for the Leibkürassiers, well, I just like the uniform. I previously thought the new regiment was the Leibkürassiers. I guess not. So much for a memory going back over four decades!

3. What will the other two squadrons be? I don't know.

4. Does anyone know the 1761 name of the regiment? My poor translation of page 48 suggests the regiment was named after Prinz Xaver but I am not confident of this.

5. According to the English translation of Richard Knötel's Uniforms of the World, "During the imprisonment of the Saxon Army inthe Seven Years' War, after its surrender at Pirna in 1756, the cuirassiers formed themselves into grenadier companies, in French pay." Did they return to the cavalry in 1761? That's what I always thought.

6. In Christopher Duffy's, Instrument of War, the following Saxon cavalry regiments maintained by Austria were named, Prinz Albert (Albrecht), Bielack, Brühl, Hertzog Carl (Karl), Garde Carabiniers and Schiebel. There is a Knötel uniform plate showing the only squadron of the Saxon von Schill Hussars too.

7. Your remarks are welcome as always below at the word comments.

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Fun At Seven Years' War Assn. Weekend

28th Annual SYWA Weekend
Date: March 25-26, 2011
Location: South Bend, Indiana USA
News: My Three Fun Games and Professor Duffy
Double Clicking Images Super-sizes Them
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GAME #1  THE YEAR 1757: BUNGERPORE, INDIA

Judge Jürgen Olk officiated Ken Bunger's Tricorne III Rules adding many fun event cards; storms, dust, bad weapons, good news, bad news, wranglings and more.

Judge Jürgen Olk on the right.

Forces of His Britannic Majesty supported by units of the East India Company and Indian allies fought....

Forces of His Most Christian Majesty Louis XV at Bungerpore, India. In the foreground a native host was affected by a fun game event card. Its reluctant leader was suddenly assassinated and replaced by a fire-eating Prince who....

Unhesitatingly launched the entire host toward the British right flank to collapse the foe. Onward they rushed at a magnificent speed! Musketry erupted and....

Sitting within his howdah, the Prince was mortified to see the entire host beaten and thrown into confusion flying....

To the rear and off the table. The French extreme left flank had evaporated in moments.

Meanwhile, the French grand battery supported an attack on the right flank by....

A brigade of four battalions and a squadron of cavalry. The leading infantry units advanced with levelled bayonets, got in close and were routed. Only the cavalry succeeded in throwing back a body of seamen firing at them.

The thoughts of the French commander (me) were akin to something like ignominious and utter defeat. Both flanks lost. Sensing their moment had come for a coup de grace....

Two British battalions from their right flank enlivened by their easy defeat of the native host advanced with colours flying and drums beating straight at the French. The French battery shifted its fire into them. On they came. The leading French battalions opened at medium range doing terrible execution. Unflinching on they came with shouldered muskets. The French hurriedly reloaded finishing as the foe halted at point blank range. They delivered a withering blow to the French as the French simultaneously replied with less effect.

Casualties are doubled for first fire. The French lost theirs at medium range. The British held theirs till arriving at point blank range; 1". The level of casualties forced morale checks on all battalions and....

The British broke -- streaming back into their Sepoy allied units. Judge Jürgen raised my utter defeat to a draw. Whew!

The next day Jürgen set up The Battle of Bungerpore again using survivors from the earlier battle described above. It is part of an on-going SYW campaign waged across the map. I believe they have reached the year 1757. Ken Bunger is shown at left whilst Professor Christopher Duffy looks on.

Jürgen's event cards were drawn each turn. They provided unpredictable, clever, amusing and logical changes in the life of the game. The uncertainty, colorful units and different types of combatants makes this a very interesting game experience. We certainly have British and French units for our Campaigns in Germania and North America in our WI, IL, IN and MN gamer's group. These could be sent to India. Some of the native forces from The Campaigns of General Pettygree might find service south of the NW Frontier too. Perhaps not much extra would be needed to fill the menu.
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GAME #2 THE YEAR 1758: SANDERSHAUSEN, HESSE-KASSEL

Judge Dean West presides over his 15mm Battle of Sandershausen. We used Dean's The Final Argument of Kings rules. I enjoyed myself again. French forces on the right are attacking Hessian forces on the left.

My command consisted of the two battalions on the extreme right flank of the Hessian battle line plus jager and grenadiers in the woods; left center foreground. We were outnumbered. A small contribution might be made if I could dislodge the French in the woods and afterwards turn my grenadiers and jagers ninety degrees left to fire from the edge of the woods at the French marching by. They might turn a battalion or two to face me.

Good luck for my Hessians in the woods. The French were forced backwards.

 Over several turns. Four to five as I recall.

I was too late. The French bypassed me and began to assault the hill in the upper left.
 

French forces marched up the hill at my Hessians and off-screen to the left winning the day.

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GAME #3 THE YEAR 1760: KORBACH, HESSE-KASSEL
Solely from my perspective as the commander of the French cavalry.

Tricorne author, Ken Bunger, marched his Allied Army onto the field of Korbach to oppose a French Army commanded by yours truly. My command was all cavalry; my Royals and Gendarmes. Rules = Tricorne III.

My Royals in blue charged straight at the Allied Army. Behind the Prussian cavalry facing mine, as yet unseen Allied infantry were marching onto the battlefield. Some hoped to turn to their right (your left) onto hills off screen to the left. Some did.

The cavalry units used by me are from my Batailles de l'Ancien Régime collection of BAR units. They play Tricorne and BAR easily.

Three lines of my Gendarmes waited in column of squadrons/regiments awaiting developments. The Royals would be defeated, routed and pursued deep into French territory to the right. However, they did not fare well there and were driven off by Jürgen Olks French and one of my Gendarme units.

The leading Gendarmes Anglais assisted on the left side of the Royals and beat the Prussians there. Note Prussian blue-coated dragoons in the rear of the Prussian force.

Those same Prussian dragoons later fled to the rear and swirled around Prussian infantry who could not fire at pursuing French red coats. The above Prussian infantry were defeated and routed after the French crashed into them. Meanwhile, the

Queens Gendarmes dispatched the Prussian hussars in this photo. These fled across the Prussian battle line stopping the advance of their infantry.

Keep going mes amis! More French pursuits into Prussian infantry. These Prussians had incredible bad luck with morale throws and routed.

More pursuits and discombobulation. The enemy advance onto the field was disrupted.

We turn around to see the previous photograph from the Prussian baseline; the last act before the game was called. Two Gendarme units will receive Battle Honours on their standards reading Korbach March 26 1760/2011. A lucky game for me.

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PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER DUFFY

SYWA #28 Director Randy introduces the celebrated Professor Christopher Duffy, author of numerous military history titles, many related to the SYW.

The members and guests clap in anticipation and sincere appreciation as he steps forward.

Professor Duffy spoke for nearly an hour about The Jacobite Rebellion. Topics with numerous illustrative stories and insight: Bonnie Prince Charlie, The Duke of Cumberland, other personalities, troop qualities, plan of campaign, the "rubbish" of the Cumberland bayonet drill (not used), arms, tactics, maps, garments, politics, public opinion in England when it was all over and very much more.

Professor Christopher Duffy
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The Great Redoubt

Date: 29 January 2011/1761
Situation: Allies Defend The Great Redoubt
Location: Near Breslau, Silesia
Rules: Batailles de l'Ancien Régime 1740-1763 {BAR}
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Double Clicked Images Enlarge Amazingly
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The Gang Of Ten Left To Right  Prussians: Chuck, Derrick, Bill, Curt and Jim Der Alte Fritz.  Austrians/Russians: Brent, Michael, Matt, John and Todd.

We very much regret the absence of pards Randy, George and Don who needed to cancel in the past few days.

After everyone departed I went upstairs to sit with Dorothy. We discussed the day. Paraphrasing one of her remarks, she said, "You all must have had a very good time." Why I asked? "Because everyone laughed so much throughout the day." True.

This is a very companionable and polite group of gamers. We good-naturedly laughed at game misfortunes, card draws, always entertaining saving throws,  heroic stands, some amazing volleys and dashing pursuits. We shared snacks and beverages brought by all and lunched on Sloppy Joes during our version of half time.
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The Great Redoubt is in the top third of the photo shaped as a giant letter V; Russians within. The snow-covered glacis (slope) is discernible if you look carefully. Per the fictional back story, the redoubt dates from The Thirty Years' War. In the century since, it was worn down by weathering, the palisades long-gone and the ditch has filled.

In the distance is Monument Hill where players position their Victory Columns. Upon each are affixed plaques commemorating their victories back to 2005. Brigadier Peter Young in CHARGE Or How To Play Wargames advises, "Never fail to celebrate your victories ... by erecting monuments and triumphal arches in your own honour."  

Right Flank Prussians feinted here. The line battalion withdrew to a Back Table leaving the Bosnian Lancers to observe Romanov forces to their front.

Michael's Russians advanced steadily here later withdrawing to reinforce the Center.

The reason why developed quickly as Derrick's Prussians flooded the nearby open plain to attack one flank of The Great Redoubt while farther away at the top left of this image...

Prussians advanced to engage the other side of The Great Redoubt. Several blue coated battalions are closing in on Todd (left), John (right) and the glacis.

Moments later Chuck's assault column charged into contact with Russians defending the apex of the redoubt. Three twelve pounders advanced with orders to unlimber atop the works. And...

Orders arrived for the Prussian Reserve (all cavalry assigned to Bill) to advance to attack the redoubt. Given the worn down condition of the great work, cavalry were allowed to trot up the gentle glacis. Trouble, trouble, trouble for the Russians!

Four turns later however, the Prussians are not much farther ahead. They hoped to sweep all before them in a flash but for John's heroic defense. Indeed, Russian reserve infantry and cavalry poured into the Center to hopefully stabilize the situation.

As shown by the Saxon von Brühl Dragoons charging a Prussian battalion in the flank. The Prussians somehow held due to intervention of Jim's hussars just coming into view above and by amazing morale throws. 

Farther out Prussian reserve cavalry arrives  to drive through to the Back Table. We did not continue beyond this point given arrival of Russian reserves and because of events on the Prussian left flank...to which we attend next....

Curt's Prussians (foreground) advance on Matt's numerically weaker Russians.

An Austrian battery has been nearly wiped out though a 12 Pdr. crew remains whilst Saxon von Brühl Horse Grenadiers charge desperately through the gun line disorganizing themselves to crash into von Bungle's infantry. The latter were so startled they barely hurt the horsemen. In the distance a Russian dragoon regiment also charged to stop the flood of Prussians. In this case their target was the elite Prussian Jager battalion. These routed to the rear....

Allowing the dragoons to throw a pursuit die. They pursued and crashed into the Protzdam Garde Grenadiers disorganized by the jagers running through them! Would the Russians turn the tide? 

No. However, before the Prussians resumed their advance they no doubt remarked amongst themselves about the very tough Russian defense that had caused them considerable consternation all the way. The Prussians above would later cross to the Back Table to their front, turn to their right and cause the Russian Commander In Chief to withdraw from the field fearing for his line of communication.

In his favor though the loss of his Center was uncertain. Note Brent's Austrian battalion's shocking advance in the upper right of the image.

Also at the end rallied Prussian jagers crossed the frozen stream to engage foes in the Center. Emptiness at the image top was formerly filled with infantry forces of both sides. Here Austrians pushed the Prussians to the right of the image. The redoubt is off the top of the photo.

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CLOSING REMARKS

1. Prussian Right - Russian Left: Stable for both sides.

2. The Center: Undecided. Prussian slight advantage but Allies pouring in reserves.

3. Prussian Left - Russian Right: Prussians victorious, crossing to The Back Table and would eventually arrive in the rear of the Allied Center - the reason for the Allied withdrawal.

4. All Winter terrain kindly on loan from Der Alte Fritz. We really appreciate and enjoy this annual opportunity to use it. Buildings and other scenics by Herb Gundt. Terrain cloths by Terrain Guy.

5. The field was divided into two flank and one central sector. Each advanced turns at it's own speed. Thus, one flank might be on Turn 3 whilst the Center was on Turn 2. The space-time continuum did not suffer a rip.

6. Your remarks are always welcome below at the word comments.
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Battle on the Protzfeld

A squadron of Bosniaks escort King Friedrich II through the town of Protzdorf, as he attempts to define the flank of the Russian and Austrian army in Silesia.

On a cold Winter's day, somewhere in Silesia, circa 1761, advance elements of the King of Germania's army is on a reconnaissance to locate the whereabouts of the allied army of Austrians, Russians and Saxons that are on the move. They are making a bold attempt to seize Breslau, the jewel of Frederick's Silesian province.

However, Major General von Zieten's hussar screen has located the Russian contingent near the town of Protzdorf . So Zieten duly leads His Highness on a scouting trip, early in the morning, to locate the enemy flank.

"There they are!" exclaims the King from his forward position atop the Galgenberg hill. With that, he snaps his telescope closed and issues orders to get the Royal Army in motion and gain a march, and hopefully surprise, the enemy forces.

Duke of Bevern's Brigade
IR5 Alt Brauschweig
IR18 Prinz von Preussen
IR19 Margraf Karl
IR20 von Bornstedt
2 x 6lb artillery pieces

Leopold von Anhalt Dessau's Brigade
IR24 von Schwerin
IR34 Prinz Ferdinand
IR42 Margraf Friedrich fusiliers
IR12 Alt Darmstadt
2 x 6lb artillery pieces

King Friedrich's Reserve
IR6 Grenadier Garde
IR15/III Lieb Garde
(5/20) Jung Billerbeck Grenadier Btn
Jager Btn (48)
Escort Squadron - Bosniaken (1 sqd)
3 x 12 lb Brummers

Von Seydlitz's Cavalry Brigade
CR8 von Seydlitz Cuirassiers (5 sqds)
CR10 Gensdarmes Cuirassiers 5 sqds)
CR13 Garde du Corps Cuirassiers (3 sqds)
DR2 Jung Krakow Dragoons (5 sqds)
HR2 von Zieten Hussars (2 sqds)

It is a highly experienced army that King Friedrich commands today. He has chosen his best regiments to create a "flying column" to head off the allies and keep them off the road to Breslau. The action should commence early tomorrow morning. What will happen? Come back tomorrow for the answer.