Kleiner Feldzug: July Sees the Scene Change

March Moves

Like a flock of birds that merges in flight into a dense cloud and then, turning, spreads itself across a wide arc, the Austrian army that had concentrated under von Browne at Prague disperses.

The field marshal marches away from the capital of Bohemia, leaving several thousand infantry to stiffen the fortress troops of the citadel. He marches southwest towards the great supply depot at Pilsen, stopping at Beraum.

FML the Duke of Arenberg leads a force of cavalry away to the west of Prague then moves north, passing through Schlan and Budin and halting in Leitmeritz.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and his cavaliers ride north through Pardubitz and recapture the Austrian advanced depot at Koeniggraetz.

The Prussians, more like a solid wedge of bears than a swirling murder of crows, march stolidly out from Jungbunzlau, passing through Brandeis and arriving at Prague. They set up camp and begin digging parallels. The siege of Prague has begun.

Siege Details

The total of the additional infantry and artillery units reinforcing the garrison (2) and Prague's inherent fort number (3) is 5. There are more than 5 infantry and artillery units in Frederick's force, so the Prussian siege of Prague is established at step 1.

At the end of the NEXT turn (July II), the Prussians may assault, if they wish. On a roll of 1, they will carry the fortress. If they are unsuccessful, but their infantry and artillery still exceed the fort number + infantry and artillery of the defenders, the siege will advance to step 2, meaning that at the end of the NEXT turn (August I) they need a 1 or 2 to succeed in an assault.

Also at the end of each FULL turn of siege (that is, starting at the end of July II), the defenders may surrender due to privation (they have run out of supplies, disease has broken out, the fortress commandant has lost his nerve). That occurs on a separate d6 roll, always a 6 (it does not increase over time).

Progress Report

We have played seven of the ten turns of the scenario; it runs through the second half of August.

So far the VP tally stands as follows:

1 VP to Prussia for winning the battle of Gitschina (May I)

1 VP to Austria for winning the battle of Prague (May II)

1 VP to Prussia for having a supplied, unbesieged army at Prague at the end of a turn (July I)

So currently, the score (+1 to Prussia) means a Marginal Austrian Victory. Should the Prussians continue to accumulate victory points for holding Prague, that will tip furth in their favour (2-5 is a Marginal Prussian Victory). No one has occupied enemy supply sources (depots not included), so no one has lost points for that.

Final Note

July I ended with the Prussians laying siege to Prague, so July II begins with the Army of Inner Austria, under the command of Feldmarshall Leopold Joseph Maria, Graf von Daun, Fürst von Teano, Marchese di Rivola arriving at Bruenn. He is an Average commander (two of the three generals with him can also operate as commanders). As a subcommander, von Daun is +0 and Valorous, but he is senior to everyone but Prince Charles and FM von Browne.

We will need a player for von Daun, or I can operate him as an NPC.

Next Steps

CINCs (Frederick and Charles) may nominate raid/recon targets. All commanders may send dispatches to each other. After those actions are taken, march orders may be composed.