1757-04-21 - Combat of Reichenberg

In the Spring of 1757, during the general advance of the Prussian columns on Prague, the Prussian Lieutenant-General August Wilhelm Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern’s column encountered an Austrian force under Feldzeugmeister (FZM ) Count Christian Moritz Mauritius Eusebius, Königsegg-Rothenfels.

Bevern's column came upon Königsegg who was manoeuvring ahead in superior force (26,000 men). Königsegg who could field some 16,000 men. Bevern approached Reichenberg in the evening of April 20 and found his way barred and had to take camp.

 see http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1757-04-21_-_Combat_of_Reichenberg

This was my first post lockdown game with my friends Mark and John.  John is a natural defender then counter attacker.  Mark is less experienced and therefore generally likes to be part of a team.  So just to surprise me Mark opted to be the sole Austrian defender and John and I were to Prussian attackers.  This was the first of joys of playing with real people and not solo.

As the Prussians were planning on joining the Army of Silesia. I had assumed this battle was in Poland but it was actually in central Germany.

The Blackpower scenario is here for download

My SYW modifications for SYW are are for download

This was a defensive battle with entrenched Austrians along a hill line and in wood, with attacking Prussians. In the actual battle the Prussians won.

The Austrian lines

The battle started with the Prussian right wing. lead by the one cavalry brigade,  moving to and crossing the marshes. The Austrian cavalry brigades came forward to meet them.  

The battle on the Prussian right wing went well for the Prussians and the Normann Dragoon brigade was destroyed by Prussian musketry and broke fleeing the battlefield.    The remaining Katte Curassier brigade bounced off the elite Prussian Grenadier battalions.   The Prussians were poised to advance into the woods and assault the Austrian  in their woodland defences.

Meanwhile in the Prussian centre and left the brigades advanced into the cannon fire from the entrenched Austrians.  The stream down the centre of the valley did not have much impact on the advance.

As my Prussian assault advanced on the Austrian lines, I was surprised by Mark as his troops abandoned their defensive fortifications to try and flank my assault.  This resulted in a battle line running across the battlefield as my troops had to turn to face the threat.  Luckily my read was secure as John's forces on the Prussian right flank had broken the Prussian cavalry threat and the Austrian troops in the woods were trapped in their own fortifications.

It was a bit touch and go for a moment with one of the assaulting Prussian brigades breaking under the Austrian counter attack but the Prussians had the numbers and Prussian Dragoons coming up from the right flank swung the day and the Austrians were forced to concede the battlefield due to the lose of too many brigades.

An enjoyable game with tactics I'd never have used if i fought it solo.