Historically, it is notable for two reasons:
- the Austrians took offensive action and suprised the Prussians
- the Prussian commander, the highly regarded Generalleutnant
von Winterfeldt, was wounded and died a few days after the combat.
The action began and for the most part concentrated on the area around the Jäckelsberg, who contained a prussian artillery redoubt, guarded by Grenadiers. We happily used a mixture of Malburian and SYW miniatures; "Prussians" defend the hill, "Austrians" attack it.
(Click pictures to enlarge)
The Grenadiers were having breakfast when suddenly a number
of Austrian Grenadier battalions in attack column appeared ...
of Austrian Grenadier battalions in attack column appeared ...
The guns opened fire! Austrian reinforcements
can be seen in the background.
can be seen in the background.
Light troops appear from the south - Hussars and Grenzers.
The situation looks desperate. The Lights are halting. The attack
order has not come through. All work is left to the attack columns.
order has not come through. All work is left to the attack columns.
The fighting intensifies. The Prussian Grenadiers
fight bravely but have to retreat.
fight bravely but have to retreat.
The Austrians capture the Jäckelsberg.
Prussian reinforcemnts appear.
Prussian reinforcemnts appear.
At this point, turn six of the suggested total of ten, the situation on the table looked very akward to us.
The scenario rules require the Austrian Grenadiers to retreat from the Jäckelsberg immediately after they have captured the hill. With the prussian reinforcements right beside them, with minimal losses to themselves, more fellow Austrians marching directly towards them and their own light troops in the vincinity - would they really retreat ?!
Hisorically, according to the kronoskaf website, they did not retreat. They defended the hill, supported by artillery.
We concluded that the chances for the Prussians to recapture the hill were rather slim if we would simply revoke the scenario special rule and allow the Austrian Grenadiers to stay and defend the hill.
The Austrians were too numerous.
We ended the game and used our time to discuss future plans.
Personal insights gained:
a) Scenario design is an art.
b) The scenario special rules in conjunction with what might be called a "Heat of Battle Mental Blackout" caused me to unintentionally adopt non-historical tactics.
Look at the last picture above. Prussian infantry in close proximity to the enemy marching happily along in column formation! Good god! Is it 1792 already? What was I thinking?
(Of course, there was a logical reason for this: the Austrians are no threat anymore. The scenario special rule requires them to retreat. They won't fire and won't use their guns.)
Player logic killed historical logic.
Have you experienced something similar or do you not mind at all and say "Imagination" ?
