The Battle of the Camps: 1759

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Background

This game was played in my basement on June 10, 2006, between myself, Rick Ferens, and Dave Richmond as the Austro-Russians, and Matt Kachur and Ralph Morrison as the Prusso-Hanoverians.

The game rules were Old Dessauer. The game lasted about six hours, excluding one hour for setup.

The figures were 15mm size. The game was an Austro-Russian victory, after 12 turns.

Situation:
The scenario had the Russians and Austrians encamped somewhere in Poland. The two armies have joined (more or less) to meet an expected Prussian attack from the west. The two allies are divided by a river because the Russians are reluctant to commit themselves, and also because the Austrians do not want the RUssian troops near the large town where their army is encamped. The Austrians have likewise spread their Croat and hussar troopers rather far from the town.

The Prusso-Hanoverians, however, have decided to make a surprise attack on the enemy. To this end, they have made a night march across the river to the north, and come down on the Russian rear from the east. Their goal is to trap and destroy the separated Russian force before the Austrians can get organized and come to their aid.

Game Setup and Special Rules:

The Russians began the game with part of their force deployed on the South Hill (gentle slopes), but most of their men asleep. The Austrians began the game with all their men asleep and their generals in the center of the town. Rick commanded the southern Russian force, I commanded the northern Russians, and Dave took the Austrians.

The Prusso-Hanoverians began the game deployed three inches onto the west side of the game table, with the Hanoverians on the northern right flank and the Prussians in the center and left flanks. Ralph commanded the Hanoverians and Matt the Prussians.

To rouse a unit, a general needed to start the turn within six inches of the unit. The chance to wake a unit up was a die roll based on distance: 0-1 inch = 2-6, 1-2" = 3-6, 2-3" = 4-6, 3-4" = 5-6, 4"+ = 6. In retrospect this was too complicated and too generous. If I do this again I'll probably say if the general is in contact the roll is a 4-6, and if within two inches a 6.

Game Table Map (6'X5'):

The Course of the Battle:

The Hanoverians (Ralph in command) pushed forward in column to the crest of the North Hill. By this time most of the Russians on that flank (commanded by myself) had woken up, and a ragged line of battle had formed, composed on grenadiers for the most part. The Hanoverians engaged the Russians in a long firefight, with eventual victory going to the Hanoverians. Ralph also sent a unit of cuirassiers around on his northern flank, where they met and defeated (after a suprisingly tough fight) a unit of Russian musketeers. By this point, the Austrians had sent a unit of Croats to skirmish along the river, where they discovered two fords (die roll of a 6 per 1.5" of frontage). As the Russian infantry finally collapsed into shattered status, I sent my guns (never fired a shot) and my two dragoon units into headlong flight across the fords. By that point the Austrians had deployed two batteries on their side of the river to give flanking fire on Ralph's troops if he tried to swing north to trap the rest of the Russians. Ralph wisely decided to retire his troops rather than face that threat, especially after the Russian battery joined them.

In the center, Matt made several strong attacks, easily driving back the Hungarian regiments sent to that sector (veterans vs green troops). However, the Russians had two very strong batteries on South Hill sweeping the center, and Matt decided this was too much firepower to face in that narrow valley.

On the south flank, Matt's Prussians met the Russians on the South Hill, with the Hungarians sending two veteran units of hussars in support. Matt gained some ground on the far south, but made no impression on the main Russian force on the hill. Seeing that Ralph would not be able to support his attacks, he decided to call a retreat, and the Austro-Russians gained a victory after about four hours of battle.

Remarks on the Scenario:

With hindsight, I can see that I made the Austrians too strong, especially in artillery. Also, the Hungarian hussars should not been veterans; I probably let my love of these old Mike's Models figures get the better of me. However, everyone enjoyed the game and hopefully Matt will be joining us again soon for another dust-up. Maybe this time I'll let him draw up the battle!

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