Seven Years War: Battle near Prague

[nikharwood]

It's about time my SYW Austrians and Prussians had a run-out; this battle is an imagining of an action fought as part of the Battle of Prague in 1757: http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1757-05-06_-_Battle_of_Prague

As before, this one will get fought solo, in stages...I'll be using Black Powder for this & will keep units fairly 'standard'.

Forces:
Austrians:
General & commanders
1 x Light Infantry - Grenzer
6 x Infantry
2 x Grenadier Infantry
1 x Light Cavalry - Hussars
1 x Cavalry - Dragoons
2 x Cavalry - Cuirassiers
3 x Medium Guns

Prussians:
General & commanders
6 x Infantry
1 x Grenadier Infantry
1 x Light Cavalry - Hussars
2 x Cavalry - Dragoons
2 x Cavalry - Cuirassiers
4 x Medium Guns

Deployment

View from behind the Prussian lines:


Through the village towards the Austrians:


View to the Prussian lines:


Austrians:








Prussians:

[nikharwood]

Finally found a few minutes to start this one off!

Turn One:
The Austrians seize the initiative & begin to issue orders. On the left flank, the Hussars move to the edge of the fields bordering the village:


In the centre, the battle lines begin to be drawn with the commanders maximising their frontage; the Grenadiers push forward, anchoring their flank with the Forge:












On the right flank, the Grenzer push ahead, partially supported by Line infantry - while the cavalry brigade dawdles...


In response, the Prussian cavalry pushes towards the farmland as well but fails to cover much ground:


In the centre, the Prussians Line & Grenadiers make good progress, manhandling their guns into range & firing (to no effect) at the Austrian lines:






On the Prussian left, the cavalry gets all excited & hurtle forwards, spreading out to form a nice battleline bearing down on the advancing Austrian infantry:

[nikharwood]

Turn Two:
The Austrian cavalry on the left flank made its way cautiously into the fields by the village:


In the centre the Grenadiers and infantry advanced further to develop their firing line:


Over on the right flank, there was a surge as the Commanders managed to inspire the troops; the Grenzer tucked in behind the advancing cavalry while the musketeers began to form a firing line in anticipation of receiving the Prussian cavalry charge; musket fire to the Hussars was wildly ineffective - but then the Austrian Cuirassiers managed to charge the flank of their Prussian opposites:








The charging Cuirassiers destroyed the first unit of Prussians and swept on into the flank of the Hussars, forcing them to retreat; they then clattered the other unit of Prussian Cuirassiers and forced them back as well:


At the start of the Prussian turn, these cavalry units took the initiative: the Cuirassiers clattered headlong into the Austrian cavalry to their immediate front while the Hussars formed up to face the rampaging Cuirassiers:




Unfortunately for the Prussians, their bravery was misguided and they were routed from the field:


The Prussian Dragoons way over on the right decided to stay put...

In the centre, meanwhile, the Prussian Commanders advanced at a pace, redressing their lines in order to bring fire to bear - to little effect though:

[FierceKitty]

No beer? Not the Prague I know!

[nikharwood]

No beer? Not the Prague I know!

Don't worry...it's all off-table 

Turn Three:
The Austrian cavalry commander gets all flummoxed & sends his troops further into the village to their right:


On the Austrian right, though, their counterparts have much more success: a charge on initiative into the flank of the Prussian Hussars is accompanied with some sneaking-about-the-flanks by the Grenzer and some by-the-book infantry manoeuvering:






The Austrian Cuirassiers unsurprisingly ride down the lighter Hussars and sweep forwards towards the Prussian left flank:


In the centre, the Grenadiers and Infantry open fire to their front - causing some disorder (as well as shaking a unit of Prussian infantry):




In response, the Prussian cavalry commander on the right urges his troops forward at the gallop; ignoring the Austians in the village he spurs them past, looking to exploit the Austrian rear:


The left flank adjusts its lines a little and the artillery fires in the general direction of the threatening Austrian Cuirassiers - to no effect though. In the centre, the infantry again fire to their front - and one of the Austrian musketeer units are shaken by the fire discipline of their Prussian opposition:

[nikharwood]

No beer? Not the Prague I know!

Turn Four:
The Austrian cavalry on the left almost breaks clear of the village:




Over on the Austrian right, some excellent commanding sees the battle lines redrawn to threaten the Prussian left:




Fire!


In the centre, the bulk of the Austrian infantry again gives fire to its front - with no great impact:




On the Prussian turn, the cavalry clears the village and wheels to threaten the Austrian rear:


Over on the left flank, the commander fails to command his troops - although they do open fire...and miss the oncoming Austrians:


In the centre, the controlled fire of the Prussians drives back some Austrian infantry:


The battle is nicely poised - and very much in the balance:

[Maenoferren]

looking good Nik

[nikharwood]

Thanks M 

Turn 5:
The Austrian cavalry which until now has, quite frankly, been skulking around the village finally decides to make a bid for glory and charges into the flank of the Prussian infantry:








Meanwhile, over on the Austrian right, some good command of the troops saw them pressing the Prussians to their front and, again, the artillery firing into the massed ranks of musketeers:




Combined with some further firing from the centre, the Prussians were becoming increasingly pressurised:




The melee with the cavalry was never going to be pretty for the Prussians...and it soon left their lines dangerously exposed:


In response, the Prussians could do little more than dress their facings and fire off a hurried volley - to little effect:


Under pressure in the centre from all sides, and with the CinC overrun, the Prussians ceased firing and ceded the field to the Austrians:




Notes:
A great battle - really nice to see the SYW figures in-action: they're beautiful figures and look really impressive en masse. Again, it's a shame that with work & other commitments I find it hard to find time to fight battles in one go at times...but never mind 

A great game - and some really good command rolls benefited the Austrians in the last couple of turns - until then, it could have swung either way. I'm becoming a firm fan of the Black Powder rules - although I won't be buying any of the forthcoming supplements [unless they're really special; with the rules as they are & some careful, and sparse, use of Special rules for units I think you can do justice to any BP conflict really.

I could have fought this one for another turn, but I need to get them boxed up ready for a possible appearance at Nikfest 

[Maenoferren]

Excellent Nik, you have now got me thinking of another dino hunt right off to get it set up 

[millington]

Great battle and photos this is 10mm at its best!   Alan Millington

[nikharwood]

Great battle and photos this is 10mm at its best!   Alan Millington

Thanks Alan - appreciated 

I've been hoping to grab another battle over the festive period - and am tempted to give my ACW a run-out using Black Powder 

[Nicofig]

Very nice. Thank you Nick

[Aquahog]

Excellent report and lovely photos/miniatures! However, look what you made me do. Are you happy now? (Order for some SYW miniatures placed). 

[nikharwood]

Excellent report and lovely photos/miniatures! However, look what you made me do. Are you happy now? (Order for some SYW miniatures placed). 

Excellent - you'll love 'em Aquahog 

[Leman]

Very impressive and very inspiring Nik.
DP