Battle of Pirna (times three)

Inspired by the dynamic game I played a couple of weeks back, our group took the available forces and with a small twist on the scenario gave the Prussians one more chance to win.  Rules as always are Final Argument of Kings by Dean West (2nd edition in playtest mode), 40:1figure ratio.  Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Forces were 20 battalions of Prussians with a mix of grenadiers, fusiliers, and 1st and 2nd class musketeers.  Two regiments of cuirassiers, four of dragoons and two hussar units along with five medium and one heavy battery.  The Austrians fielded equal numbers of generally lower quality infantry, but four cuirassiers, a dragoon and three hussar regiments.  Or at least that is what the Prussians saw.

During grand-tactical movement Frederick's forces moved forward across the board, with more aggression against the Austrian left.  As soon as contact was made the Austrians got a reaction move and we settled down to combat.

The Prussian heavy cavalry struck immediately against the Austrian lights opposing them.  In one case a melee resulted between a larger Austrian unit and an armored Prussian.  Results were predictable but acceptable for us.  Meanwhile the Austrian infantry had to react to the threat by refusing the flank.

On the Austrian side of the line we pushed on the right with our grenadiers and light cavalry.  All the Austrian cuirassiers were in the center, facing off the Prussian dragoons.  On turn two a cheer went up from the Austrian cavalry working their way around the right flank as a brigade of Saxons appeared from their fortified camp to participate.  (A dice roll determined location and another the timing of their arrival.  We got lucky.)

After the cavalry clash on the Austrian left ended for a time the total initiative seemed to reside with the Austrians.  We got well "stuck in" on the right as the Saxons slowly deployed and the cavalry wondered what was over the hill.  Then the Prussian dragoons struck, catching the Austrian horse somewhat off guard and charging.

 

A series of swirling duels resulted in the lighter Prussian cavalry typically coming off on top, but were unable to break the Austrian horde.  At one point a huge hole existed between the Austrian wings but fortunately no Prussian infantry immediately exploited it.

Across the line the Prussian infantry began to move forward.  The cavalry had shot their bolt and now became spectators.  The Prussians unleashed their grenadiers which cut down many weakened Austrian battalions but did not break through.  This move was in part brought on by the flanking maneuver.  Faced with attacking or slowly being turned they chose aggression.  Stalled, the Austrian reserves moved to counter-attack.

Looking at the potential ruin of his army, Frederick called back the troops and retired.  The cavalry on both sides had suffered and the Prussian grenadiers were mangled.  So once more in the restart of the Seven Years War Saxony got off to a much better start. 

Thanks Paul, Todd and Dan for an exciting game.