Rossbach : Seven Years War Battle

Rafael brought along his beautiful collection of Seven Years War troops to the Club today for us to fight a "Mini Rossbach", all Front Rank figures I think.

We used Rafael's favourite rules for this period, "DKK", which I believe are undergoing a re-write - ask Angus Konstam in Edinburgh for details !

Here's the Prussian army at the start of the game- Frederick is having lunch in the village when he is surprised by the French & Allies

This Allied cavalry force is making its way past the village to outflank the Prussian army

Von Sachsenhausen is their commander

and Soubise is co-Commander

and here's Frederick, after his lunch

The Prussian artillery deployed at the front

Lines of Prussian musketeers ready for action

and here's the French 12pdrs deployed on the hill facing the Prussians

The Prussian commanders - Steve N and Henry

Rafael giving last minute tips to Mike and I 

The French infantry now come into view, crossing the hill

Lots of them !

The Prussians have spotted the enemy cavalry and are shifting to the other side of the battlefield to face them

in time to stop the enemy enveloping them

cavalry clash !

More Allied cavalry and infantry move up on the right flank

Frederick is busy realigning his army

The first of many cavalry melees

Frederick now looks pleased with his dispositions

The cavalry battle has become extended

Both sides desperate to win this

All the Prussian cavalry is  now out on their left flank

The French infantry begin to cross the stream as the Prussian foot prepare to fire first

French brigade commanders steady the lines

over by the village, infantry prepare to assault on two sides

Casualties begin to mount in the cavalry battle

as the melees are reinforced

by both sides

Prussian infantry emerge from the tree line to threaten the flanks of the Allied cavalry

Having crossed the stream, the French ready themselves for the charge

Both sides brigade commanders are in the thick of the cavalry fight - if a double six is thrown, they are in danger !

 A French guard unit has been destroyed by Prussian canister fire, leaving a gaping hole in the French lines

There is no way through for the Allied cavalry as more and more Prussian lines can be seen

Prussian fusiliers advance from the woods

and get charged by Allied cavalry before they can reach the enemy infantry

a Prussian commander screams the order "Assault"

Some of the French infantry have got into contact with the Prussian lines

but they fall back with casualties

French Swiss try to charge next

each charge is checked by Prussian fire

can the Grenadiers do any better ?

The Prussian lines are unbroken

both sides now have infantry involved in the "cavalry battle"

but with no way through and units crumbling away, we French & Allies concede. This despite having nearly twice their numbers but Prussians in these rules are very formidable we have found.

It was a long game - about five hours - but gave us a true flavour of the type of warfare common in this period.

Be interesting to see what the revised rules change.

Great thanks to Rafael for laying this game on and umpiring.