Kleiner Feldzug 1757: The Battle of Gitschina

As we saw in the resolution of the May I turn, the Prussian forces of FM Kurt Christof, Count von Schwerin fell upon the Austrian army of FML Andreas Count Hadik von Futak in the vicinity of Gitschina in the course of the move.

The battle is still being resolved, but I thought I'd share the initial setup.

Hadik's army is to the top of the map, deployed on a ridge with field fortifications protecting its four units of infantry and its artillery in a strong redoubt. On the Austrian right (to the left of the map) are two brigades of Austrian cuirassiers. On their left are a brigade of Croatian grenzers in their red cloaks and a brigade of chevaux legers.

Approaching them is von Schwerin's army, all still on movement formations. On the Prussian left are a brigade of hussars (yellow) and two of their own cuirassiers. In the center are two heavy batteries (outlined in black) flanked by grenadiers (gold edged) and fusiliers (pink edge). Behind those are three brigades of musketeers, making up the reserve.

During the first turn of the battle, the Prussians advanced relentlessly, finally shifting their leading brigades of infantry into line as they passed the town. Their cavalry accelerated, deploying and hurling themselves on the Austrian cavalry, which repulsed them, counter attacked, and were repulsed in their turn.

Seeing the slow advance of the Prussian main body, Hadik launched his light troops in a dash across the front of his army, hoping to strike the Prussian cavalry in the flank. Will they succeed? Will the Austrian cavalry hold out? Look for future dispatches!

Kleiner Feldzug 1757: Results of May I turn

Here's the state of the board after the third turn.

Precis of Operations:

The Austrian forces moved eastward. Arenberg retired to Prague from Schlan. Charles moved from Prague through Brandeis to Jungbunzlau. Von Browne moved from Niemes through Jungbunzlau to Muenchengraetz. Hadik held his ground, fortifying his position as best he could.

Frederick and Winterfeldt moved northeast, marching through Komotau to Brun, ending in Teplitz. Prince Henry held position. Von Schwerin sent Keith with a brigade of dragoons over the mountains to Landeschut to guard the supply line back to Breslau while pressing southwest with the rest of his force to find and fight Hadik.

Next Steps

Feld Marshal von Schwerin has found Feld Marshal Leutnant Hadik's army and is preparing to do battle. Hadik has taken some time to prepare his position to meet the Prussian onslaught. We shall see who is successful! Once the battle has been concluded, I'll post a report.

Kleiner Fledzug 1757: Results of April II

April II Map

Here's the state of the board after the second turn.

Precis of Operations:

As you will see, the Prussians planned a lightning descent on Karlsbad. Winterfeldt marched over the mountains, and Frederick led his troops on a march almost worthy of "Stonewall" Jackson's foot cavalry, almost 100 miles in two weeks, which is blistering speed in Seven Years War terms. However, instead of returning to Karlsbad, the Duke of Arenberg had marched east to join up with Prince Charles at Schlan. But Charles, in turn, had retreated from his cavalry sortie to the safety of Prague.

Meanwhile in the east, Hadik slowly withdrew, with the Prussian FM Schwerin slowly on his heels, a roadrunner versus coyote race in slow motion. FM von Browne, having probed into Saxony and outrun his supply lines, pulled back into Bohemia as Prince Henry and the Duke of Brunswick watched but did not pursue.

Rules Changes

Having seen the rather devastating effect of attrition rolls on both armies, I decided to reduce their deadliness. For all causes, attrition rolls will now be conducted as per the rules, but all SPs targeted for elimination get a confirming saving throw, and if they get a 5 or 6 will avoid becoming a casualty.

Additionally, while both sides were getting one opportunity to raid or recon an enemy force, I was giving the Austrians an additional opportunity to target Prussian forces inside Austria proper. Given the damage capability of even a scaled-back attrition roll, I'm changing that to an additional recon (but *not* raid) roll on a Prussian force inside Austria.

Finally, while I've been allowing a small chance for dispatches sent between commanders to go astray (get lost or be captured), I'm adding a saving throw, as it were, for those as well, allowing for the possibility that extra copies of a dispatch sent by alternate routes may get through even if one is lost or waylaid.

May I Raids and Recons

The Prussians, having seen the outcome of the April II move, sought to raid the forces of the Duke of Arenberg. Arenberg's partisans proved too much for them however (raid result: unsuccessful).

Meanwhile, the Austrians attempted to raid the force of Prince Henry at Goerlitz, but were unsuccessful. Likewise, their reconnaissance of the combined armies of Frederick and Winterfeldt was turned back. The Prussian freikorps contingents were concentrating on defense this turn!

Next Steps

Now we wait for commanders to submit their May I moves...