18ctexan: November 2017

Battle of Trutnov - Austrian Victory- " Divide To Conquer"

December 12, 1756:

The Prussians have won 5 battles in a row and the Austrians are desperate to show at least some ability to defeat Prussians....."any Prussians"! So Daun and Lacy devised a scheme in which they would use a "divide to conquer strategy" (march divided/ fight united) in order to beat the Prussians. Since all the other Prussian armies had already retired to fortified camps in which to "winter", there was but one target.... Lt. General Bevern and his command. Bevern was marching rather leisurely towards his assigned winter quarters near Legnica, Silesia. Bevern was unaware that Austrian forces had forced march to the town of Trutnov...a town in front of the main mountain pass in this area between Bohemia to Silesia. The Austrians had also placed a combined force of cavalry and infantry to follow closely behind Bevern. So the Prussians had Austrians blocking their "escape" to Silesia and "pressuring their rear". His only hope was to drive thru the Austrians at Trutnov before he was taken in the rear!

Lt. Gen Bevern's Command:
6 infantry regts.12 bns., 8 Grenadier bns. total = 1380 figures (13800 men)
3 cavalry regts., 2 hussar, & 1 dragoon regt. = 340 figures (3400 men)
NOTE: After the battle of Trzebesch Frederick ordered 1 dragoon and the 2 Kurassier regts. detached and sent directly north to Saxony! So Bevern no longer has these "battle cavalry" to command!
8- 12 lbers guns
Total of  1752 figures or (17520 men)

Austrians:
Daun's Command: (In Pursuit of Bevern)
10 infantry regts., 20 bns., 10 Grenadier cos. total = 1680 figures (16800 men)
4 cavalry regts., 2 hussar, & 2 dragoon regt. = 256 figures (2560 men)
10- 12 lbers guns
Total of  1980 figures or (19800 men)

Lacy's Command: (Deployed in and around Trutnov)
6 infantry regts., 12 bns., 6 Grenadier cos. total = 1008 figures (10800 men)
4 Grenz regts, , 8 bns. total = 800 figures (8000 men)
3 cavalry regts.,2 hussar, & 1 dragoon regt. = 208 figures (2080 men)
6- 12 lbers guns
Total of 2016 figures (20160 men)

Grand Total = 3996 figures (39660 men)

SO AUSTRIANS OUTNUMBER PRUSSIANS: by more than 2 to 1! But remember the Austrians are split up and Daun's command will be the last to arrive on battlefield!

Below are a few shots of the battlefield:

This battle and it's result demonstrates why I prefer campaigning as opposed to re-fighting historical battles. Bevern was in this position because Frederick had issued orders to position all his armies in preparation for an "early" spring campaign in 1757. Otherwise his armies would not have been so spread out. Also, the Austrians were "wintering" in fortresses/camps where they could intercept a large Prussian concentration in Bohemia.... especially against Prague. The strategic situation forced  Frederick to be "the early aggressor" in 1757. If he didn't the Allies could coordinate their attack..... and "surrounded him" . At that point he would be outnumbered more than 3 to 1"!

I don't know of many gamers that want to fight at 3 to 1 odds! Even in a completely historical game!

Below are pictures of the initial deployment for both sides.

                              Austrian cavalry on left flank....protecting Gen. Daun's arrival.

Prussians marching on to the field. 3 Hussar battalions followed by Grenadier Brigade.

Austrian deployment...cavalry on left, infantry on right and Grenz in the town.

Austrian right flank...6 infantry regts. 6 -12 lber guns and Grenz targeting the woods.

Prussians marching in...Bevern is with the head of column.

The town of Trutnov. Grenz spread out along the "approaches"

Austrian center.. 6 infantry regts. 6 guns.

Please note that the Austrians under Lacy have a somewhat unique deployment. All their line infantry (6 regiments) are deployed on their right (Prussian left) on a set of 2 hills with all their artillery in the middle of their line. Unseen by the Prussians are 2 battalions of Grenz on the reverse sloop. The Austrians have told this chronicler that these Grenz have orders to advance into the woods to their front and harass the Prussian flank.

On the far left (Prussian right) is a large group of Austrian cavalry (3 regts) deployed on hills directly to the left of the town of Trutnov, and almost at right angles to the Austrian infantry line. This chronicler has been told that the Austrian reasoning was threefold:

1), They want the Prussians to have to deploy immediately after leaving their "march route" and then face the 2 different directions. Also Prussian deployment will be restricted and any battle line will probably not be in the usual double line!

2). In order for the Prussians to continue their march through Trutnov they will have to clear both of these flanks first!

3). Unknown to the Prussians, 1/2 of Daun's command is advancing on the road fronted by the Austrian cavalry. Only the other half is actually following Bevern on the other road. If the Austrians are successful in keeping this road open....... a sizeable force of Austrians can come in on the Prussian right flank.

Therefore, the Prussians will have Austrians on both flanks, their front and rear!

Enjoy the battle! I doubt the Prussians will!

The Prussians finally get all their infantry and guns on the field and march towards the Austrian infantry on their left.

All the Prussian cavalry is deployed on their right opposite "all" the Austrian cavalry...but the Prussian need to "dress those lines first"

The Austrian guns have "played hell" with the Prussian Grenadiers... who fail to advance (red rubber bands)

The Austrian artillery will now try to blast the Prussian guns!

The battle is now 1 1/2 hours old (6 turns). The Prussian infantry are sill trying to get into position to attack the Austrian infantry. Notice that Prussian Grenadier brigade is moving into the woods in order to rest and reform....what happens when Grenz move into woods?

Austrians (artillery actually) continue to pound Prussians.

The big cavalry charge! Notice how the Prussians were able to flank and take the Austrians in the rear. On a wargamer note!....the Prussian players actually practice such maneuvers on the table top....while eating BBQ, or Chinese /Mexican food. That may be why they are beating the Austrians so often.....so much about using cavalry...is having the "eye" for terrain, distances, and timing in the turn....changing formation, direction, etc.

Different view of cavalry charge!

Note! Prussian Grenadiers moving into the woods!

The cavalry battle is over! Or not! ... as 2 Austrian cavalry regts. passed morale.....

they rolled "snake eyes"! Unfortunately that just means they must fight another round of melee!

Grenz "finally" move into woods!

View of Prussian Grenadiers...can they reform in time to face Grenz?

Melee continues!

Prussian infantry is "finally" in position!

The Prussians won the melee but instead of following up they stopped to reform....which will take 2 turns....unless they must check morale in those 2 turns....and "fail"!

Here is a photo of routing/retreating Austrian cavalry. In 2 turns Daun's Austrians will start arriving!

This is the Prussian 2nd Dragoons..... the only "formed" body of cavalry on the field.

And the battle continues. BOY! What will happen when Daun starts "showing up"!

The Prussians start realigning their lines. Even though they are placing their "backs" to the soon arriving Daun's command!

The Prussian cavalry "appear" to be preparing for a "CHARGE"!

It will be another 3 turns before these Austrians can "try" to get into the fight!

We use the small dice to keep track of such things.

So what are these cavalry going to do??

The Austrians redeploy their "combined" Grenadier companies to cover their flank!

Daun's pursuing forces start to appear in the Prussian left rear!

Led by the 1st Hussars and 2 infantry regts.

The Prussian 2nd Dragoons and 5th Hussars charge the Austrian Combined Grenadier companies and infantry bns. stationed on the hill. The Austrians were at a disadvantage because their units were caught moving when charged and did not get a full volley off!

Also some of the infantry's fire hit their own Grenadiers!

Also note! The Prussians are feverishly marching for the "gap" between the Austrian position on the hill and the Grenz in the town.....Is that a "gap" or a "noose"?

Another close-up of the cav/inf. melee! Note Grenadiers have "yellow" rubber bands and their infantry "red". Also both Prussian cavalry regts. have "red". It appears that Prussians will be retiring as will the Austrians...but Grenadiers will... ROUT!

Now that "Noose" may well be a "Gap"! But for how long?

Daun's other command start to appear... 1 Hussar(#8) and 1 Dragoon(#3) regt. and 2 more infantry regts. Unfortunately the "defeated" Austrian cavalry "failed" another morale test and probably will not get back into the fight today!

It is now turn 16 (4 hours). And given that this battle took place in December in the Bohemian

"highlands" were are beginning to run out of daylight...probably only 4-6 more turns!

And the Austrian cavalry "still" can't rally! What a disappointment!

Daun's troops continue to advance. He doesn't appear to want to close! Instead "pushing" the Prussians ahead!

I think this photo illustrates the "why". ...troops that are "forced" into a compact area find it difficult to fight! The Prussians no longer look "organized"

Look at the Prussian artillery...they are all "down" crew, horses, etc. And are only moving at 1/4 speed...that is why all their artillery were "lost"!

More evidence of Daun's advance in the center/left flank.

What a "traffic jam"! None of these troops could deploy...if they had to!

Austrian artillery continues to pour fire into flank of the dense Prussian columns.

More Austrians continue march on...right flank.

Final shot of the battle.... the Prussians are escaping... but disordered, confused, and under constant threat... there will be many more desertions than deaths!

Butcher's Bill :

Prussian Losses:

Infantry - 587 figures (5870 men) 42% (includes stragglers)

Cavalry - 66 figures (660 men) 20% (includes stragglers)

Artillery - all their guns were loss...unable to withdraw...".due to congestion" and issues with transport

TOTAL LOSSES= 685 figures (6850 men) & 8 guns (40%)

Austrian Losses:

Infantry - 110 figures (1100 men) 4% (very few stragglers)

Cavalry - 86 figures (860 men) 19% (some stragglers)

Artillery - only 3 guns lost...with crews

TOTAL LOSSES= 208 figures (2080 men) & 3 guns (5%)

CONGRATULATIONS to Austrian Generals:

FML Count Daun C-in-C

General Lacy - Chief of Staff

General Esterhazy Cavalry commander - wounded but continued "in the saddle" leading his troops!

Special Note: The Austrian Generals have received numerous rewards as a result of this victory!

And the Allies have "promised" new aid (money, men, supplies, etc.) In particular the Russians have committed to send 100,000 Cossacks to destroy Prussia!....

Oh Lord! Please protect me from my Russian Allies!

On the Prussian "side": Frederick has informed Bevern that he is under "house arrest" until the campaign season "starts"...and that Bevern must also reimburse the "crown" for the casting of replacement cannon!

GREAT GAME! VERY CHALLENGING and QUITE DIFFERENT THAN NORM!

Spring Campaigning is but 4 months away....after I finish painting an additional 2,000+ French infantry figures........I do love the "SWISS"

"Reding Regt."

5 more Swiss regts. to paint before the" spring campaign".

The 1756 Campaigning Season was drawing to an end. Although there had been 4 battles of note....none had provided a result that satisfied either of the combatants.

The Austrians were desperate for a win that would "demonstrate" their ability to beat Frederick and the Prussians. While the Prussians had been unable to "knock" the Austrians out of the war....for now!

So the Austrians "stripped" troops from several outlying posts and brought up troops which should have still been "in training" at their depots. Drastic times require drastic measures. These unseasoned troops would not fare well in the coming struggle. With these "herculean efforts" Daun was able to raise an Army of the following troops:

Austrians: Infantry - 12 regts, 24 bns. 2016 figures (20160 men) (1/3 of force were "raw")
                 Cavalry - 8 regts. 48 sqds, 640 figures (6400 men) (1/4 of force were "raw")
                 Artillery - 24 12lb guns (48 "actual" 12lbers.), 96 "gunners" (all veterans)
                 Totals- 2752 figures (27520 men)

The Prussians had done almost nothing in the form of campaigning since their victory at Srnojedy.
Frederick & Keith remained before Prague...awaiting a siege train and additional supplies for a siege.
Prinz Henri remained in Saxony... trying to take Dresden and knock the Saxons out of the war.
Bevern had returned to a position south of Koniggratz near the small village of Trzebesch...where he could block the Austrians under General Königsegg. Who seemed content to set out the rest of the season. Bevern now had the following troops:

Prussians: Infantry - 8 regts, 20 bns.  1440 figures (14400 men) (all veterans)
                 Cavalry - 6 regts. 44 sqds,  560 figures (5600 men) (all veterans)
                 Artillery - 13 12lb guns (26 "actual" 12lbers.), 52 "gunners"
                 Totals- 2052 figures (20520 men)
                  Note: Because Generals Schwerin, von Winterfeldt, & Manteuffel had been killed 3 new generals had been assigned to Bevern's command...Hulsen, Manstein and von Kleist. Once again Bevern assigned them to very important "forward commands!
Austrian spies and the "loyal" townsfolk had passed some information about Bevern's position on to Daun. What they did not tell Daun was that Bevern had "fortified" his position with redoubts and that the position would be very difficult to "turn"! Even so with this "surprise" waiting for Daun he still would have an almost 3 to 2 advantage in numbers! And almost twice as much artillery!
At this point in the narrative it is important to point out that Daun had received the following "orders" from the court in Vienna..... Attack! The "cause" and the "Alliance" are dependent upon you attacking the Prussians wherever you can find them! We "must" show that "Austrian Arms" are not afraid to fight this minor "Protestant" King!

So on November 26, 1756 the Austrians attacked the Prussians at Trzebesch Bohemian, The narrative of that battle now begins!

                                         The initial Austrian deployment. Both flanks are covered by their
   cavalry, a village and woods!

Austrian right flank with "raw" Kurassiers deployed!

Austrian left flank with Hussars and Dragoons deployed...woods on their flank...restricting Maneuver!

Austrian "center" with their troops opposite of the Prussian redoubts and artillery.

Another view of what the Austrians were facing...in the way of Prussian defenses!

Prussian "view" of Austrian forces.

Prussian right flank cavalry... including 2 Kurassier regts. and hussars

And Prussian left flank cavalry including 2 Dragoon regts and the Reusch Hussars!

In the first few minutes of the battle being joined a very heavy artillery bombardment commenced. With the "raw" Austrian infantry already failing several morale checks...and retiring!

Almost immediately 2 Austrian batteries are "shot up" and forced to retire. Some of the Prussian artillery started their firing by "concentrating" on the guns instead of the infantry. This took these batteries out of action for most of the battle.

The Austrian left flank artillery starts to punish the Prussian defenses!

But the Prussians are taking causalities, as evidenced by the markers.

In fact 2 regts can not advance and are disordered!

STILL! The Austrian show determination and continue to advance on the Prussian positions!

Austrian left flank had more of the "veterans" and it showed in their performance!

The Prussian left flank cavalry are about to be charged by the Austrians! Seasoned, veteran Prussians against "untested" Austrians!

Austrian "raw" infantry continue to take a "beating"!

What a mess! 7 battalions temporally out of commission!

And the Austrian/Prussian cavalry "both" charge home! Now it will be about training, experience and leadership! The Prussians are led by Gen. Normann...inhaber of the 1st Dragoons and one of Fredericks best! Lets hope that Bevern doesn't get him "killed"...too!

The Reusch Hussars charge with the Dragoons but their 2nd battalion charges the Austrian infantry and fails to close. At least some of Austrians are veterans!

On the opposite flank the Austrian hussars and dragoons charge the Prussian Kurassiers! I doubt this will end well for them...as the Austrian cavalry had already been shot up by Prussian artillery prior to charging!

The Austrians rout! On both flanks!

The "Left" (notice yellow rubber bands!

The "Right" flank cavalry also rout.

Notice! Archduke Joseph Dragoons (No1, green jackets) got too close to Prussian artillery and are "destroyed"

Austrian infantry continue to get "hammered" by Prussian guns!

Austrian right wing cavalry "rout" off the field. Maybe they can now get some training!

And...the Austrian left wing also "rout" off the field!

But still Daun and the Austrian continue to advance! If I was the French and Russians I would be impressed by their resolve! But the Saxons have to wonder....where is their relief!!