Tuesday, 5 September 2023

Some Hastenbeck resources

In preparation for my recent Hastenbeck game I read and looked at a few different resources, starting off with the book below published by Helion. If you are considering playing this battle, or just want to read up on it, I hope the links below are useful.

(1) Hastenbeck 1757: The French Army and the Opening Campaign of the Seven Years War



(2) I found this German site with photos of the battlefield:

http://www.miniatures.de/battle-of-hastenbeck-1757.html


(3) There are some interesting maps in the Royal Collections Trust:

 (a) https://militarymaps.rct.uk/search/Hastenbeck/page/2

 (b) especially this one:

https://militarymaps.rct.uk/the-seven-years-war-1756-63/battle-of-hastenbeck-1757-plan-de-la-bataille-de


(4) The inevitable page on Kronoskaf (probably the most complete single resource a SYW wargamer could hope for:

https://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1757-07-26_-_Battle_of_Hastenbeck


(5) And finally wargame of the battle, with some interesting comments on putting a game together.

http://keefsblog.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-battle-of-hastenbeck.html


11 comments:

  1. Wargaming in a history Volume #4 has a replay of this battle. I recall Vae Victis magazine having this battle in an issue several years ago. There is a VASSAL module for the game that would be useful in recreating the action.

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    1. Hi Jon. I did download Vassal but never got around to using it. Never read any issues of Vae Victis.
      Chris

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    2. Vae Victis has a number of interesting games within the mag. Many FRW and SYW battles can be found. While the mag is in French, the games, themselves, often have English translations available. Perfect resource for building your own scenario even if there is no intention to play the game.

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  2. Splendid resources and book recommendation. Thanks for collating them.
    Alan Tradgardland

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    1. Hope they’re of interest and use Alan.
      Chris

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  3. Best part of the hobby can be the research into the background of a campaign. Always a good read.

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    1. It's interesting what appeals to different people. A lot emphasise the painting or modelling more. For me, the research part is an essential part of 'getting it right' (which is a term that is a whole can of worms, and a worth whole blogpost in its own right). Research can be enjoyable in itself, when you find a perspective you haven't considered before, whether new information or new ways of looking at things. Or even just old maps to pour over. It's really enjoyable when you're reading something by a good writer (obviously thinking of the late Christopher Duffy).

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  4. Thanks Chris. It's great to see the resources used.

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    1. You're welcome Richard. Might you be looking at gaming this battle then?

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  5. Research is a big plus for me, then painting/ modelling and finally gaming, looks like good resources!
    Best Iain

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    1. Interesting that gaming is last. For me painting and modelling (whist it can be satisfying) is a means to an end.
      Chris

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