Tuesday 21 September 2021

Game : 93 Seven Years War, Lobositz - take 2

 This is a refight of Lobositz where Graham and myself have swapped around to play the other side.

The deployment for both sides was similar to game 1. The difference this time was that the Prussians deployed infantry into the vineyards on their left flank. This was to clear the woods of suspected Grenzers and so straighten the Prussian line and remove any hinge that was seen of game 1. Sounds easy! 

On the Prussian right flank, a similar approach was adopted. Form firing lines and firefight the village. It was to fix the Austrian left and also try to attrite them out of position with firepower. This was another tactic that sounded easy!


In the centre, the bulk of the Prussian cavalry deployed along with the Reserve infantry, the Grenadiers and a Guard battalion. These were to help the cavalry punch through the Austrian centre whilst both flanks were pinned by infantry attacks in firing lines.


In the centre, the Prussian cavalry launched itself against Austrian infantry squares and the main Austrian cavalry force. The results were some squares being broken into as some charges benefitted from artillery support fire. The Prussian cavalry outfought the Austrian cavalry but the latter did not break. The Prussian Reserve infantry is advancing to deploy to engage the Austrian infantry in the centre, most of whom are currently in square.


Some square hold, some are broken into. Some squares are broken into multiple times but still cling on.
The cavalry battle continues unabated but neither side breaks, but Austrian casualties are mounting.


The Prussian left is approaching Lobositz and most of the woods have been cleared. The Prussians deploy into firing lines and straighten the line from the kink you can see above.


Prussian Hussars launch themselves at Austrian artillery. They close but are beaten off.


The Austrians, on their right, in front of Lobositz, lose a cavalry combat but the Prussians lose an infantry battalion caught in flank by Austrian Hussars. Although suffering extensive losses, the battalion did eventually rally to the colours.


On the Prussian right, the combat at the village didn't quite go to plan. The Prussian losses mounted so the front line infantry had to be rotated out of the line. However, on the fringes of the village, Prussian artillery and infantry eventually started to force the Austrians back and sever the Austrian left from its centre.


In the centre, the Prussian reserve infantry has arrived and will deploy with cavalry support. The Austrian infantry in the centre would recoil from this attack and open up a gap between the centre and their right wing.


The Austrian launch one final counter-attack in the centre to attempt to stall the Prussian advance. It is unsuccessful. Faced with the Prussian Reserve infantry advancing still, with cavalry support, the Austrians issued orders to withdraw before any significant numbers of troops became cut off.


We forgot to take our photo outside, so this is in the pub. Graham's is a pint of Camerons whilst mine is a pint of Old Peculiar. The losses chart is below, I'll allow the readers to compare it to the first battle. 
 

Austrian Formations

Losses %

Prussian Formations

Losses%

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

Infantry

Cavalry

Artillery

BROWNE

 

 

 

FREDERICK III

 

 

 

Lucchese

 

 

 

Gessler

 

 

 

Lobkowitz

-

15

-

Katzler

-

15

 

Hedwiger

-

39

-

Kyau

-

17

 

 

 

 

 

Schwerin

-

51

 

Kollowrat

 

 

 

Katte

-

14

 

Macquire

13

-

-

 

 

 

 

Krottendorf

14

-

-

Keith

 

 

 

Wollfersdorf

10

-

-

Bevern

14

-

 

Perony

16

-

-

Kleist

25

-

 

 

 

 

 

Braunschweig

11

-

 

Radicati

 

 

 

Hirschfeldt

0

-

 

O’Donnell

-

42

-

 

 

 

 

Lowenstein

-

18

-

Independent troops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grenadiers

9

-

 

Lacy

 

 

 

Guards

6

-

 

Hadik

0

26

-

Hussars

-

14

 

Wied

13

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artillery

 

 

 

Independent troops

 

 

 

Moller

-

-

16

Grenzers

12

-

-

 

 

 

 

Grenadiers

31

-

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Artillery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuerstein

-

-

46

 

 

 

 

The next battle sees us back to Napoleonics. I've kept it as a surprise and it is a new game. Until then.