I'm using that name to distinguish it from the actual Battle of Prague in 1757. This one will be fought on the western side of Prague, around the same ridge that the White Mountain (Weißberg or Bela Hora) is on.
Charles, aided by Marshall von Browne (or 'Brovna' in the contemporary German pronunciation), concentrated their force to the west of the city, where Frederick's forces were gathering. The Ridgeline there gave them good views of the plains to the north and west. The city and the River Moldau protected their right flank, and they would also gain some protection by the streams. before and to the left-rear of the position. If the worst came to the worst, the Austrians could fall back into the city.
As things turned out, the combined armies of Frederick and Schwerin, including the previously separate forces under Bevern and Winterfeldt, outnumbered the Austrians. Also, having a superior force of hussars and dragoons, the Prussians were able to scout out the Austrian positions before deciding on their attack plan.
The respective orders of battle included:
Austrians
- Artillery: 3 brigades
- Cuirassiers: 2 brigades
- Dragoons: 2 brigades
- Hussars: 2 brigades
- Grenadiers: 1 brigade
- Musketeers: 13 brigades
- Grenzers: 1 brigade
Prussians
- Artillery: 3 brigades
- Cuirassiers: 4 brigades
- Dragoons: 3 brigades
- Hussars: 3 brigades
- Garde infantry: 1 brigade
- Grenadiers: 5 brigades
- Musketeers: 9 brigades
- Freikorps: 1 brigade
Things are set for what could be the showdown of the campaign.
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| The Prussian plan. The Moldau is impassable except at the pontoon bridge and the bridge in the city. Streams are passable, except for the blue blobs (i.e. ponds). |
The map is based on an interactive map of the present day Prague area, complete with contours. I had to strip away most of the built up area. I then added in the position of Prague as it was in the 1750s. The city is shown on the table, mostly for show, but also for where the Austrians might retreat to. I've added in the villages' German names based off a map of the Battle of White Mountain, 1620, coupled with a bit of detective/deductive work on the modern Czech names. Much of the ground is fairly flat beyond the positions where I've shown the Austrians, at least in so far as it affects the game, and especially in the open space in the west (where Vaclav Havel Airport is today!).
Here are a few snaps of the field. Including a grid on the uncovered board which helped me position the DVD boxes/hills).
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| The basic 240x120cm board (8 by 4 ft in old money) with hastily drawn 12 cm grid. Extra table top left for Schwerin's starting position. |
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| Before roads and soldiers added. The trees are just for decoration. |
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| Prague |
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| The large building on the right HAD to be included since it is a model of a building in Prague (bought on a work trip years ago). |
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| Looking from the west. Top left is Schwerin's position. I've not set-up the table to show the Moldau in that corner. |
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| From behind Winterfeld's position |
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| Austrian lines from the west |
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| Austrian lines from the Kleine Seite of Prague. |
This is going to be a mammoth game. One of, if not the, biggest I've played, since I did Prague a few years ago. Rules will be Twilight of the Soldier Kings, as ever. The two smaller battles at Königgrätz and Prosek have already been played. No news has reached the combatants west of Prague yet.
Fingers crossed that all goes well for Frederick.
ReplyDeleteThe odds are certainly in his favour!
DeleteChris
The table looks very impressive Chris...looking forward to seeing how it all goes!
ReplyDeleteCheers Keith
DeleteA game of epic proportions, fascinating. I look forward to hearing more…
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
Pop back in a couple of days Alan. Hopefully there’ll be a report up.
DeleteChris
A very impressive battlefield! The buildings are very nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteCheers MJT. They’re mostly Leven and TBM.
DeleteChris
Impressive! I confess I struggled to "read" the busy table - but it's one of the reasons I don't do 6mm / 1:300 - entirely personal thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to know - are you playing out the game to player's orders / plans as oppose to remotely? Secondly, will the players be involved when say there is an upset to their plans or will you make the necessary decisions?
Neil
Completely understand on the ‘reading’ thing. The pics are only meant to give an impression.
DeleteThe table top game is not meant to be played remotely. It wouldn’t work. It’s difficult enough with a gridded game and 25mm figures.
I’m not planning to have a break in play to take new orders should the players’ plans not work out. It’s not really viable unless I want to keep one battle running for weeks. Not much of a game at that point for the fellas, but that was never part of the brief/plan. The focus was always on the campaign moves. It could be argued that once battle started in this era there was little that the commanders could do anyway.
Chris
Interesting. I agree that once a plan was made there was little that could be done to change things; contrary to many wargames and wargames rules where a dramatic revision often takes place in response to changes in circumstances.
DeleteThat said, there was some scope for localised responses initiated by generals. It would be interesting to see how Twilight and other rules model this....
Neil
Like a lot of rules TOTSK uses a restrictive mechanism to control players’ ability to change things. Changes of formation, changes of direction and crossing of obstacles like streams are all subject to a simple dice test. Generals nearby/with the units concerned can re-roll failed attempts depending on their ‘quality’ (0, or 2 times in a turn). The rules also limit the number of generals allowed based on the total number of units. Limiting choice/chances in this way stops armies acting like a swarm of drones controlled by a hive mind, but you have a good chance of influencing the really key points.
DeleteChris
The table looks great, a real 'big battle' in prospect! Fingers crossed for our cunning plan... btw will you report on the two smaller battles too?
ReplyDeleteYes. They will also get write ups.
DeleteMuch briefer naturally.
Chris
The battlefield looks fantastic. I'm sure the game will be as epic as it looks.
ReplyDeleteCheers Richard. The game is an interesting one. The Austrians are clearly outnumbered, the Prussians have a LOT of high quality infantry and the flank, so it’s a very tough one for Charles of Lorraine.
DeleteChris
Good to see this all set up and ready to go, with the pre-battle orders a nice touch for us looking on as it were. The scenic shots work well and as always, I'm rooting for the Austrians!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a tough one for the Austrians, as mentioned above to Richard. As this is a campaign game, preserving as much of the army as possible has got to be the Austrians priority.
DeleteChris
Great looking setup Chris. It looks like it will be a tough battle for the Austrians.
ReplyDeleteCheers Ben. I think it’s a case of discretion being the better part of valour. But it’s difficult to runaway when the enemy has so much cavalry.
DeleteChris
Impressive gaming table!
ReplyDeleteThis is a 'battle' (!)
Cheers Roger! And welcome.
DeleteI played out the battle last night. Report should be up by Monday.
Chris
Great to see you back in full effect mate, battlefield looks ace. You’ve surpassed yourself this time!
ReplyDeleteCheers old chap. Played differently as a campaign game than I would as a one off.
DeleteSplendid looking table, love your version of Prague! Well I hope Frederick gets a bloody nose, but I doubt it!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Cheers Iain. I could tell you whether Old Fritz gets a bloody nose, but that would spoil the plot.
DeleteFirst up is the AAR for the smaller battle to the east of the city. Then the big one will follow.