The Battle of Kesselsdorf: Saxony, December, 1745

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Background

This game was played in my basement on May 15, 2005, between myself and Mark Waddington as the Austrians, and Ralph Morrison and Terry Dehrkoop as the Prussians.

Historically the defending troops were Saxons, but we used Austrians because ... well ... that's what I have!

The game rules were Old Dessauer. The game lasted about three hours, excluding one hour for setup. The Prussians would win if they destroyed 14 Austrian units, or drove the Austrians back behind the hill and captured Kesselsdorf.

The Prussians made a valiant efort to crush the Austrian left, but found the grenadiers plus guns entrenched in Kesselsdorf itself too tough a nut. Their right-flank cavalry fought its way across the stream, but was too weakened to resist the Austrian counter-attack (also the Prussian had some bad luck on his combat die rolls or things could have gone much differently).

In the center the Prussians attacked successfully, driving most of the Austrians back behind the hill crest, but then the Austrian reinforcements swarmed up on to the hill and took the Prussians in the left and rear. At that point we called the game.

The figures were 15mm size. The game was an Austrian victory, after 10 turns.

The Game-Table (Map Created Using GameMapr)

The Austrian Left Flank around Kesselsdorf, as the Prussian cavalry begins its assault.

The First Prussian Attack on Kesselsdorf.
The guns are within one inch of the town, so any attack on the guns must also count as an attack on the town.

Flashing Sabres! Prussian hussars and dragoons swarm Austrian cuirassiers.
The green blocks indicate disorder.

The Prussian grimly advance in the center with shouldered Muskets.
The Austrians hold the hill with a battery of light guns and two regiments of musketeers.

Bird's-Eye View of the Austrian Left and Center.
The Prussian "grand battery" has blasted a gap between Kesselsdorf and the central hill;
a Prussian musketeer regiment forges into it.

The Austrians Close in on the Prussian Left Flank

Prussian Assault in the Center.
The guns have support within one inch, so the grenadiers must also attack the defending Austrian grenadiers.