The Action at St. Ulrich - AAR Part 1

Having rebased  three units of infantry and added a few figures, it is time for a game. The scenario is straight out of the Honours of War rulebook named „The Combat of St. Ulrich“ [click pictures to enlarge]:

At-Start Deployment

 St. Ulrich is to the right (east) of the river Blauwasser, the ruins of Muhlhausen to the left (west).

Table Size:  5' x 4'
Figures: 28mm
Rules: The War Game (2012) plus addenda from Refighting History books (Vol. 6 and Vol. 9), at 2/3 movement and ranges
Unit size: 24+5 for infantry, 6+1 for companies and squadrons. Regiment Sacher at 32+5.

Attacker: Duchy of Rodenburg (based on Prussia). CiC: Ferdinand von Sturmschuh
Defender: Reichsbund (based on Austria). CiC: Baron Goldegg

Attacker Mission:  Secure a crossing over the river Blauwasser

The Rodenburg force advances

Attacker's Plan: Infantry forms line to the right and advances. Artillery moves forward, unlimbers and opens fire. Cavalry kept back out of enemy artillery range.

Defender's Plan:  Baron von Goldegg has discussed his options with his staff (my daughter and son) what he should do if his confident „show of force“ with his back to the river should fail to deter an attacker.
His staff, after evaluating alternatives, unanimously advocated the following course of action:

(a)  Immediately withdraw behind the river. The unit next to the bridge (Regiment Sacher, 32+5) first. Cavalry last as it covers the retreat.
(b)  First regiment to cross takes up position south of the bridge (bottom of photo), the other (Plekdy-Gladz Infantry, 18+3, loose order) in front of the village.
(c) Gun section is to reposition IMMEDIATELY next to and to the north side of the bridge. (No one remembered who placed them that far from the action !)

[Game Mechanics:  The order for the infantry to withdraw is considered given at game start, i.e. Move 0. The gun section does require an order to be delivered by the ADC.]

The view from the Reichsbund gun section

Phase 1:  The attacker approach and the Light Infantry firefight

Approach and first blood

The attacker (Rodenberg) is in the process of forming line. The cacavalry is kept out of enemy artillery range. The light infantry (Freischar Dreyer) successfully engages the enemy croats (2 to1 casualties).
The defender is seen starting the withdrawl. The Reichsbund ADC, a certain Graf Kinsky, is seen on his way to the gun section to deliver the new orders to reposition.

Reichsbund Plekzy-Gladz lights („Croats“) retire !

Freischar Dreyer wins the firefight. the Croats retire. The Reichsbund gun section on the hill fired on the two enemy Dragoons squadrons with no effect. The ADC has just arrived there with new orders. The wirhdrawl makes good progress as the attacker gun section is still on the move.

The Rodenburg gun section finally unlimbers.
Freischar Dreyer now engages the withdrawing enemy.

This could hurt …

[Part 2 to follow]