Prussian and Austrian Dogfight

Following the bloody draw against the Russians, the Prussians under Frederick himself turned on the Austrians.  The latter were eager to show the prowess of their newly raised regiments and accepted battle.  Twenty Prussian battalions of grenadiers (4), fusiliers (4), musketeers (8), and Frei Korps (6), with nine Hessian and Brunswick battalions engaged the Austrians.  The Kaiserliches under Browne fielded thirty battalions of grenadiers, musketeers, jagers, pandours and Croats.  The Prussians had eight fine regiments of cuirassiers, four of dragoons, two hussar and a Frei Korps cavalry unit.  The Austrians had fewer, with only four cuirassiers, two dragoon and four hussar regiments.  Guns were about equal.

Prussian center with four infantry brigades facing the Austrians.

The Prussian left with Hessians and Brunswickers and a fine mass of heavy horse.

Looking down table at the start.

The terrain favored the Austrians but they gallantly came down off the ridge to meet the Prussians in open ground.  The Prussians were happy not to have to shoot uphill like in the Russian engagement.

Grand tactical movement in Final Argument of Kings let the Prussians close.

Grand tac is intended to allow Leuthen type maneuvers to occur.

On the right the "lesser" Prussian cavalry advances against a smaller force.

As the Austrian line advanced their brigades split left and right, to unmask a pair of cuirassier regiments looking to ride down the Prussian center.  Unfortunately for them, they were opposed by grenadiers who emptied many saddles.

The Prussian advance is stopped till the cavalry situation is resolved.

On the right the cavalry swung wide, giving their smaller opponents no real chance to stand, lest they be out-flanked.  Frei Korps bravely(?) advanced through the woods towards town.

Fields are largely cosmetic with no impact on movement.

A savage series of firefights broke out in the center with a slight edge going to the Prussians.  This is a fine army the Austrians fielded and in many places their grenadiers led the assault.

Yellow pipe cleaners indicate shaken status.  Ammo chests are remaining cannon ammo. 
A brigadier lies fallen.

To left of center the Brunswickers add their weight to the fray, pressuring the Austrians even more.  Both sides have infantry brigades unengaged, sitting in the wrong place.

Austrian dragoons attempt to stem the tide.

The Prussian cavalry on the left has mixed results despite a quality edge.

The Austrians are getting thin in the center.  Prussian grenadiers
have broken through in places.

The Ramin grenadier battalion had a very strong day.  They took an Austrian flag and repelled repeated charges by the enemy cuirassiers.  Frederick was so pleased he might even say so.

The right flank maneuvering continues as the Austrians occupy the village.

On the left the Prussian allies sought to unhinge the Austrian position by taking the village on that flank.  Apparently no one told either side to avoid taking formed troops into built up areas.  The Prussian cavalry finally began to gain the advantage on this flank.

The Frei Korps gamely advance.  Cautiously, as they should.

Some Austrian infantry moves to the center, allowing the cavalry to really press the Austrians.

The original Austrian center suddenly gave way.  The battered Prussian first line gave way to the fresh second line of infantry to press on.  Though some new Austrians had arrived they were still out-numbered.

Some Austrian clumps remain, with a new line behind.

Prussian hussars begin to creep up, seeking a spot to exploit.

On the left the Prussian cavalry managed to throw back their opponents and even hit one in the back.  The Austrian resistance had been fierce but numbers finally told. 

Cuirassiers triumphant over their lighter foes.

And so, with the front crumbling on the (Prussian) left and center, Marshal Browne called for a break-off across the front.  The skies were darkening and the smell of moisture was in the air.  Would the rains and darkness come to save the Austrian army?

Rules as usual were Final Argument of Kings by Dean West with 2nd edition modifications.  Four hours of actual play with six players brought the conclusion home.  Perhaps next time Frederick will seek out the French. 

Early Argument of Kings

Sixteen battalions of "improved" Prussian musketeers and fusiliers, along with six cuirassier regiments and two hussar regiments, with artillery support lined up to attack.  The Russians had eighteen battalions of Pandours, musketeers and grenadiers awaiting them.  About half the Russian battalions were smaller than their Prussian opponents.  Copious artillery was dispersed along the line in support.  Back, off the line were cuirassiers, horse grenadiers and hussars.  Knowing they were outclassed at every level the plan was to stand on the defensive early and counter-attack at an opportune moment.



Russian left.  Wider front but less depth than the Prussians.

Center along the ridge, which negates the Prussian shooting advantage.

Prussian infantry closes quickly, while the cavalry watches for openings.

The Russians work for an advantage but the dice favor Prussia.

Losses are heavy in the first Prussian line, but the Russians suffer too.

The Prussians refuse their left, which the Russians begin to probe.

Limited counter attacks clear out some of the Prussians.

Having lost a battery the Pandours prepare to attack.

The cavalry fought back and forth with no decisive advantage for either.

Artillery ammo runs low and the Prussian reserves approach.

Disordered horse grenadiers regroup.  Empty ammo markers pile up.

Crisis coming.  Excellent cav will sweep the hill as the infantry strikes.

The storm is coming onto the depleted center.

Having beaten grenadiers and broken a square(!) they now rout cavalry.

Russian cuirassiers to the rescue!  The Prussians are run off.

Both sides have a lot of runners and casualties.  Getting thin on the ridge.

The confused cavalry fight is slowly going in the Russian favor.

Continued hammering.  Note the order and ammo markers.

Both sides are nearing the end of their offensive capabilities.

We have a positional advantage on the right, but are exhausted.

At this point it appeared to both commanders that offensive operations were not practical.  There were some opening volleys available to both sides but the cavalry was shot for some time to come, artillery was depleted or run off, and some brigades had virtually ceased to exist. 

So we took time to gather our casualties

 

collect the routed (lots more not pictured)

 

and call it a night.  Another fine game of Final Argument of Kings by Dean West with play test additions to 1st Edition.  All in all a historically typical Prussian-Russian result.

'Remagen Me Crazy

In honor of the newly acquired Flames of War book on the bridge at Remagen (and related actions) the Fox Valley Rangers pulled out all the stops for a mega, 6500 point battle.  Seeing an opportunity to use lots of rarely seen minis, Ranger Dan set the point total for the Germans and the Ranger Paul had no trouble matching it.  I pushed lead/pewter/plastic around.



At the newly renamed and moved Adventure Games (formerly Fire for Effect Games) in Oshkosh, WI we put two of their 4x6' tables together and laid out the forces.  The Americans could start with everything or they could hold some in reserve.  No American bombardment or air power on turn one.  The Germans started dug in and gone to ground, but with only half their force.  In hindsight we should have gone higher on the starting totals.  With so many reserves to bring on the Germans started rolling with an extra dice on Turn Two.  The majority of the on-table Germans were Fearless/Trained, while all the Americans were Confident/Veteran.  Click to enlarge photos.

Looking down the length of the German side of the table.

An American tank company with a "Super Pershing"

American armored infantry with supports, the tray holds reserves, dice, etc.



With little action the first turn, the American guns and planes began to warm up the field. Taking advantage of some of the later war American rules to swiftly advance and bring stinging fire down on the Germans. Though dug in and gone to ground, little was accomplished.

"Gotcha Mr. Jadgtiger!"  "Nein, I shrug off your rockets."

Onlookers were invited to take one of our cards for the Ranger group to see about more games.

The American armored infantry began to surge across the table.  76mm gunned Shermans and Pershing in support.  The Jadgtigers claims some kills on double sixes.

On the left the Americans "only" face a pair of Sturmtigers, Pak40s and Pak43s.  Lousy shooting lets us off easy.

We close to mix it up.  With no immediate infantry support the German guns are in a difficult position.

48" range on these bad boys, always hitting top armor

German view (through some smoke) looking at the onslaught.
One tank platoon will be destroyed, but others await.

As the Jadgtiger turns to face some flanking Chaffees, the reserve platoon comes on table and lights him up. 

Said flanking Chaffees, who think they will have an easy time against the 105s

Getting thin in the middle and only a trio of Pumas has come to the German aid

Now the rolls seem to come and lots of veteran armor is pulled out (not yet deployed in the pic)

But deadly artillery and airpower eliminate most, no final photo available

 So what did we learn?  We learned that late-war Americans have a ton of inexpensive options to improve their chances.  Although the German dice were mostly rotten, I'm not sure how you beat these 1945 Americans.  Especially with the typical 1945 Trained German.  I guess more playtests are in order!  Aw.... you mean we have to play and have fun?  Can't I go mow the lawn instead?



Perhaps next time I'll pull out 6500 points of Germans and have a go.