Observing the Army of Observation

Quick preview of the latest solo table set-up. [Note to self, must pull finger out and acquire interweb camera(s)].

The game will be a re-hash of Hastenbeck in July 1757. The French, under D'Estrees, numbered 50,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, attacked the Army of Observation* (30,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry) under the Duke of Cumberland. The French have a big advantage in numbers and also have a tactical advantage having stolen a march on the Hanoverian flank. The Orbat is courtesy of the excellent Kronoskaf. Rules will be Twilight of the Soldier Kings. The table is 4 feet by 4 feet. Hope to get the game in some time on Sunday.

* This consisted of Hanoverian, Hessian, Brunswicker and Schaumberg-Lippe troops (in order of declining numbers of troops). The last named state contributed just the one squadron, the unusually attired Bückeburg Carabiniers.  No British at this stage of the war in Germany. As the Army of Observation is a bit of a mouthful, I'll probably just use 'Hanoverian'. Not 'German' as D'Estrees' army included German regiments (in the French army) plus contributions from the Palatinate and Austria. Likewise, I'm being a stickler about the use of 'Allies' since both sides were effectively alliances. I will refer to D'Estrees' host as 'French'. The Duke of Cumberland was the third son of George II (King of Great Britain & Ireland and Elector of Hanover). We saw 'Gus' in the Fontenoy games last month. 

French to the right (South), Army of Observation to the left (North). Hastenbeck village in the centre. The roads leading into it from the ridge are sunken roads. Columns under Chevert and Armentieres are winding their way round the Hanoverian flank (top right). Marshy stream to the front of the ridge. I missed out a stretch of embankment for the road heading left out of Hastenbeck. The town of Hamelin would be off to the bottom left if the table were bigger, across the Weser which would be were the rug is!

View from behind the centre of the French line towards Hastenbeck. Two of the redoubts can be seen on the hill on the right. A third is behind Hastenbeck. I'm using a desk and an old garden table, and conveniently the table is lower than the desk (even propped up by thick books). This gives me the first contour in roughly the right place, with two further levels towards the top right.

French columns on the right. I might need to re-check the numbers as I might have slightly underdone the number of French troops.

French infantry of the centre under Contades.

French left under Broglie. In the distance is Cumberland's right wing. Infantry to the fore and cavalry behind. Mostly Hanoverian. Hessians and Brunswick's occupied Cumberland's left, with several combined grenadier battalions from Hanover, Hesse-Kassel and Brunswick around the redoubts.