Seven Years War - The Battle of Hohenburg (a Dinos "Honours of War" scenario) : PART ONE

 No, I haven't forgotten I still have two days of our Battle of Eckmuhl to report, but that hobby workhorse, Dinos Antoniadis, Administrator of the Honours of War Facebook group, has urged me to put my efforts on this out into the public domain as soon as I could. And why not? His book published last Autumn "Honours of War, Scenario Book One, The Seven Years War" deserves promoting and I thoroughly recommend it. Available from Caliver Books here.

"So good they played it twice!"

I try to organise a game of some sort for a few friends around my birthday in late January. This year I found it particularly difficult to muster two friends on the same day willing and able to get to this out-of-the-way peaceful Cotswold village. Ken Marshall and Richard Newcombe played Hohenburg 1 on 1st February and Paul B played Hohenburg 2 against me on 22 February. So I was a lucky boy to have two birthday treats and two Sunday lunches with friends at The Butchers Arms, Oakridge. As it turned out I'm glad I played it twice as this scenario is particuarly deceptive for both a Games Master to balance and the players to play.

The first Battle of Hohenburg in full flow

Notwithstanding a slight quirk of  "lost in translation" from the original Greek "Take these guns, by all means!" is not a friendly invitation to increase your ordnance inventory for free, but a challenge meaning "Take these guns by any means possible (and you'll be lucky!)".

The battlefield and the deployment areas I gave each side -
see the briefs for explanations

Why is it "deceptive"?

Tell the average SYW wargamer :

"You have "Dashing" quality Frederick the Great commanding a division equivalent force of 10 infantry battalions, 6 of which are Prussian Grenadiers and all have superior fire ability, backed up by four cavalry regiments, three of them large size and commanded by "Dashing" Hussar General Zieten. All you have to do is take three redoubts with field guns in, protected by a couple of ordinary Austrian battalions and some cavalry and commanded by a "Dithering" aged Austrian general.  Oh yeah - they are are on a difficult hill you have to approach over open ground, and it's thought there are a couple of reserve regiments lurking around which might surprise you".

And he would answer  - "But hey, we're Prussians and this is 1759, so what! It'll be a doddle".

Well that's what I thought when working out how to adapt this scenario (originally played by Dinos lengthways up a table with fairly restricted manoeuvring room) to my widththways, post Eckmuhl, sculpted table. So I built in a few adaptations such as an Austrian/Imperial Dithering commanding general with a bit extra capability, making the redoubts have flexible gun ports for about 270 degree coverage (at only 15 degrees fire angle per model though, not 30), some fairly indifferent subordinates rather than the "none" in the original scenario, and giving more choices of entry points for the "surprise" reserves. 

For the Prussians I may have boobed. The scenario states superior firepower for all which I thought excessive so I gave the third brigade battalion guns instead which increases the "musket" range , but not hit ability, to 30cm from 20cm. I did not give the Prussian infantry the fast change of face and formation they get under normal HoW national characteristics. In retrospect that was a mistake for this scenario where speed and manoeuvrability were critical.

I changed the Army Points to suit our 0. 5 to 5 per unit, depending on size and quality. and consequently the durability of "large" units, and the Victory Conditions where Army Points might be relevant. That did not affect the balance. I made the game last no longer than 10 Moves. If the Austrians held out, they would win.

There are some clever period details written into this by Dinos, such as Fred deciding, if he has four units "Done For", he will quit the field personally and leave the army in the tender mercy of his subordinates. Given the extreme usefulness of a Dashing C-in-C for a hard fought attack, that was not something to be approached lightly.

All the figures and terrain are from my collection.

The First Battle of Hohenburg

(no prizes for fans of this blog spotting I have reused the name from the high point in the Battle of Eckmuhl game)

Richard's deployment for the
 Prussians. Anything off table is
 concealed by mist

Ken's deployment for the
Austrian/Imperial defenders.
Cavalry in A1 were concealed at the
start by the hillcrest as was an infantry
 battalion behind the big redoubt

For full background I urge you to read the briefing documents and orders of battle I have put in the 18th Century Historical download sidebar here. There is a slightly different Austrian Brief for Hohenburg 2 as I changed the reserve entry options.

Ken had very limited choices for the Austrian /Imperial force. He had two cavalry regiments behind the crest concealed on his right flank, and one regiment visible on the left. One infantry battalion was between the redoubts and visible while one was concealed to protect the left flank and that redoubt. The Imperial camp was also at risk so Ken was aware that it probably needed protecting eventually. Initially he placed all his three gun models, (representing batteries of about 4 cannons each)  facing forward.

Austrian deployment. Most of this army is made up of French and Imagi-nation figures

Richard deduced that he had to find a way to avoid a head on attack on the guns (that 4 unit Frederick withdrawal threat at least) but the scenario committed his first line of Grenadiers to be in line where they emerged from the orchards. His second line of grendiers was in fairly close support . It gave a good impression that a conventional line attack would take place. His third line however was to be a right hook already formed in march columns facing right, to come through Apfelhof and march round the enemy left; anticipating the way would be cleared by the cavalry. Frederick was placed in Apfelhof farm where his 20cm Dashing command range could reach various of his subordinates and keep open his upgrading options. On the extreme right were his three heavy cavalry regiments with Zieten, expecting to make quick time up the hill to their front. A regiment of Hussars was on the extreme left. The Grunburg Foot Guards formed the fourth line, and as you can see from the brief, Frederick felt his reputation would be at stake if he used them, so there are severe Victory Point penalties for realisation of that presumption.

What was visible of Frederick's force at the start.
This army was made up of Prussians, Hessians, Hanoverians,
 Wurttemburgers, and "Grunburg" Imagi-nation figures
 dressed by the British! 

What was visible to both commanders at the start. Austrian guns were allowed notional ranging shots so Ken could check the ranges as he was in a fixed position. The Prussian front line is at medium range; close/canister range just on the other side of the valley floor.

Drone view from above the Austrian position.......

.......and from the guns in the great redoubt 

This is what they looked like to the Prussians ..... that's a long way march under fire!

The game gets under way, I'll try to keep it simple as there are two games to get through. The Prussians have a Plus 2 on Movement initiative each turn. However, Richard was to be plagued by consistently poor brigade initiative rolls, despite the good influence of Frederick's command stand. That meant he did not make the quick progress we had expected.

Prussian cavalry change formation and advance

Major cavalry clash with the Prussian "right hook" . Second line (Greanadiers) is in march column attempting to turn left when it gets to Apfelhof  Through Apfelhof the third line (Hessian Fusiliers and a Musketeer battalion) are beginning to make progress behind the cavalry encouraged by Frederick. Richard is heqding this brigade for the little bridge as he did realise at this point that the wheeled restriction for streams does not apply to battalion guns (my fault).

The Grunburg Dragoons met their match as the front line when their opponents held them at the halt on the high ground and added an extra Hit from firing from the saddle.  Followed by a good Melee combat roll the Grunburgers are shattered.  Not a great start for Richard

Only slow progress for the Prussian infantry - poor initiative rolls, woods to progress through, and a crowded deployment area being raked by solid shot with the occasional successful "grazing fire" from the Austrian batteries

The Wurttemburg Grenadiers zu Pferd are next up and hit the now weakened "Austrian" Dragoons who have counter charged to gain a bit of ground

Unsurprisingly they are defeated. Ken is removing them, but he has gained time and a few casualties on the mounted Grenadiers 

A moment of reflection as the Austrian cavalry breaks . HoW is very heavy on Hits when two large units of cavalry cross swords. 

As the dust settles from the current cavalry charge we can see a brave Grenadier battalion approaching the Austrian redoubt. It's trying to take advantage of the cannon being turned on those near cavalry. In the distance Ken has brought two Austrian cavalry regiments over the hill

Just as well the black Hussars are there to put them off charging up the valley. The next photo shows a severe potential risk of a flank attack

At right you can see the tail battalion of the 1st Grenadier brigade still in the orchards. In the foreground Richard has brought forward the Grunburg Foot Guards, deliberately only showing the command stand for intimidation purposes. Fred loses no prestige as long as they don't venture much nearer danger.

I don't think Richard had considered that the small redoubt, just out of this photo, could enfilade the flank of his attacking Grenadiers, that, and the canister fire from the front, was unsurprisingly devastating. Superior artillery firing at Superior infantry 

The Prussian hill assault in profile 

Unit 32 Grenadiers is "done for". That's two Prussian units gone to one Austrian 

In the nick of time Ken got a reinforcement in the form of another regiment of Dragoons, which had arrived earlier just by the camp, and now charged with a double move. They hit the Prussian Dragoons (blue and orange) which had taken the place of the Horse Grenadiers in their time of needing a breather.

The Dice Gods were smiling on Ken with what was in retrospect, a turning point in the game (photo above). He had a battalion of Grenzer light infantry lurking off table. In Move 2 I got him to decide/predict where they would arrive. He chose this bridge, now behind enemy lines. But he needed a 10, 11 or 12 on 2xD6 to get them at all  so I felt it was unlikely they would arrive early. But we are only Move 5 and here they are! Their effect will be seen......

In overview, at the far end Ken's cavalry are facing off to the Prussian Hussars while continuing to threaten the infantry. That position suits him fine. The Prussian infantry attack on the redoubt has temporarily stalled. Near flank cavalry action continues and another Imperial reserve battalion is arriving near the camp. Ken now has all the units he can get and is in a good position.

Close up of the Imperial Dragoons controntation with the Prussian ones 

Dragoons of both sides have suffered badly and forced to retreat and reform. Fusiliers have attacked musketeers near the redoubt while their battalions behind are floundering from casualties, grazing and enfilade fire and the appearance of those d****d Grenzers! At right the newly arrived "Grenadiers de France" have plugged a gap on Ken's flank to protect the camp.

Two Prussian Grenadier battalions had fallen back to the orchards to reform but now form a fire zone which the Dragoons opposite enter at their peril. Trouble is the Grenadiers are still under artillery fire there.

Ken has moved his Grenzers to an optimum position and I have indicated with the red "fence" a notional 30 cm radius which inhibits any Prussians needing to recover Hits, or worse, remain stationary to Reform (red markers) So poor Richard's now diminishing army is being squeezed from both ends with the fire from the guns in between. This side of the redoubt the infantry fight has resulted in both sides retreating through 4 Hits.

A Hessian fusilier battalion goes in to attack the redoubt with the bayonet. Grenadiers zu Pferd charge the Grenadiers de France, and in the foreground those Prussian Dragoons are desperate for a safe place to reform.

The Imperial General is able to consolidate and reform between the large redoubt and the camp

Another fusilier battalion falls back repulsed from the redoubt, while nearby the Grunburg and  Hanoverian Converged Grenadiers battalions  try to sneak past to extend Frederick's advance

This view from above shows that Fred's infantry is now split with a couple of Grenadier units stuck in the orchards for cover, and the rest edging uncertainly up the hill and round the redoubt. But those Grenzers have moved to the second bridge where their 30cm "enemy influence" range is stopping any Prussian recovery nearby. Note the Grenadiers zu Pferd now bottled up against the river as there is nowhere else to go

Lacking targets to its front Ken has brought one of the guns out of the redoubt to play on targets down the left flank slope.

Fire from the other gun breaks one of the retreating fusilier battalions - so that is the third Prussian unit "Done For". (Yellow marker)

A useful overhead shot showing the Austrians making a "comeback" between the redoubt and camp. The Prussian blue and orange dragoons are getting out to reform. Frederick's infantry line is at last looking tidier, but it's an illusion likely to be thwarted by the strong defences still ahead and those Grenzers behind them. The open space to their right along the river is testimony to their passive effectiveness - the Grenadiers zu Pferd had nowhere to run except an impassible river so were "Done For".

The word soon spread along the line back to Frederick who then got "p*****d off  and, according to the Prussian brief, must go away to see if the rest of his army needs him.......

This was the end of Move 8, and I had allowed 10, so theoretically the Prussians could have fought on but, with Frederick departed  and Ken having to leave soon, we all realised there was very little hope of the Prussians turning things around so we called a halt.   This was not about Victory Points as such, but the overall situation of defeating the Austrians before 10 Moves.  With my Army Points system the Prussians had 60.5 with a break point of 28. Only taking "Done For" units they actually lost 16 with no additions for objectives taken, nor subtractions for using the Reserve unit. By contrast the Austrian Force had only 4 Army Points lost out of 46 and a break point of 22.

The Players' Views

Richard wrote a lengthy analysis, for which I am very grateful, and I've drawn on some of it in my narrative. However, I quote verbatim from his critical summing up.
<<I determined that as well as outflanking on the right it would be necessary
to devote a brigade to a frontal assault on Ken‘s left gun. If I did not the
gun would change angle and enfilade the outflanking attack (as did happen).
In these rules canister from a superior artillery gun is pretty devastating
and I did not wish to see the cavalry  (Hussars) wiped out too early.

As it transpired the dice thwarted any coordination between the flank attack
and the frontal attack. Inevitably the appearance of Ken‘s cavalry on
my left meant I would have to leave some forces to cover them.

The untimely appearance of the grenzers in the rear of my cavalry meant that
I had to divert a brigade of infantry to cover them. All to no avail because
the cavalry were trapped between Ken‘s main force and the grenzers meaning
that rallying off became almost impossible.

In retrospect I made a mistake in keeping Frederick with the infantry, where
I expected heavy casualties and thus a need for him to assist in rallying
off. Perhaps I would’ve been better to have sent him with the cavalry and
use him in that way there.

All in all I didn’t do well but cannot recall a game in which my dice was so

consistently bad and the usual probability of the dice evening out over the

course of a battle just didn’t happen. Nevertheless, a bad workmen must

not blame his tools and Ken played a blinder in turning up at just the 

wrong moment (from my point of view) at every point.

Well done, Ken for playing so well, and well done Chris for organising such
an excellent game.>>

Ken summed it up even more succinctly:

 << Chris, you asked for feedback - I think the biggest challenge was the Prussian dice throwing. The Prussians looked to have a good plan and I think they have a reasonable chance of winning but were just let down by poor dice. And when the dice cooperated enough to let Richard assemble an attacking force on my left flank, they also allowed my grenzer to appear behind his lines (1/12 chance achieved on the second roll so a decent throw) when I needed them. Makes for a great story if you're Austrian but not necessarily a good game. 

You may want to consider rolling for their entry point rather than letting the Austrian player choose.

I don't think there was much wrong with your plan, Richard, it was pretty much what I'd have done in your place. If you'd managed to screen the left gun and got a couple of regiments of infantry to the top of that slope, you'd have punched a hole through my defence. On the day it really was a case of Frederick the Unlucky because I don't think the dice gods gave you anything. 

I think we chalk that one up to everyone has an off day occasionally>>

As I told the guys it was a super birthday treat for me even if it was one-sided. I had learned a lot and planned to play it again, so would make some tweaks. Paul B from Cheltenham was lined up to play the Austrians in Hohenburg 2. I canvased a few folks to try to get an opponent, but no one was available on the day. The more I thought about I did not actually want to inflict this tricky situation on any other friends, but challenged myself to try to do better than Richard. Couldn't be that hard could it ? - his dice luck was awful!

This post has gone on long enough - so Hohenburg Two very soon. 

The relatively passive Prussian left flank not far from the end of the game - stalemate here suited the Austrians very well indeed.