Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: DintheDin on March 15, 2020, 06:59:12 PM
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We played the battle of Bergen 1759, French vs Allies using Honours of War rules.
Units were "baptized" approximately to 1/3, according to the Orders of Battle of the wonderful Kronoskaf site
http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1759-04-13_-_Battle_of_Bergen
After the French capturing Frankfurt, Ferdinand of Brunswick decided to make a long march with the intention of cutting de Broglie's communications.
De Broglie was bivouacked near the village of Bergen. He fortified the town and his deployment was such that Ferdinand assumed that Bergen was occupied by only some 2 to 3,000 French troops and decided for a quick attack without artillery.
The French right was anchored on the village of Bergen and continued up to Frankfurt on a quite steep terrain interspersed with orchards separated by hedges.
The left was anchored on a wood along the Nidda river. Broglie placed his cavalry in 3 lines on the wings, keeping the dragoons in reserve.
He also placed 8 bns in and around the village of Bergen and 5 additional bns behind the village of Bergen, supported by 2 more bns. Then, formed in columns came 8 bns.
The left of the infantry center consisted of the Saxon regiments along with a reserve of 11 French bns deployed behind the left wing, in regimental columns.
Broglie's artillery was deployed along his front, in the middle, near a sunken road.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681292556_9bd1927882_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmfh)Bergen 1759 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmfh) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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French troops deployed behind walls and orchards, in front of Bergen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681292471_1a25f320db_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmdP)DSC06947 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmdP) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
Hanoverians and Brunswickers approaching
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681292501_3f50d2c67c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmek)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmek) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
More Hanoverians, Hessians and British cavalry
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681461497_400d0f6045_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdt4)DSC06949 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdt4) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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French troops deployed behind Bergen in columns of waiting. It must be noted that Broglie employed for the first time this form of deployment, it would be much used in the future during the Napoleonic Wars.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681461632_8ab37b28a2_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdvo)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdvo) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The French infantry reserve in the centre, in columns of waiting as well
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681461412_245a2f3e8b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdrA)DSC06951 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdrA) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The central cavalry reserve, behind the grand battery
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681292336_76965992c6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmbu)DSC06952 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNmbu) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The French grand battery, near the sunken road
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952928_97811a0c4a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBhC)DSC06953 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBhC) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The Saxon contingent to the left and some French Dragoons. Volontaires d'Alsace deployed in the woods.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952983_d06a546c7b_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBiz)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBiz) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The first clash: Ferdinand is dashing! Hanoverian grenadiers clash with battalion Auvergne at the walled gardens in front of Bergen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681461187_4604fc1cdc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdnH)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdnH) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
...while other Allied troops reaching the outskirts of Bergen have not yet deployed...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952803_0965d59672_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBft)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBft) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The first line of French columns behind Bergen, move forward
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681461077_5aeb947363_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdkP)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdkP) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952648_3758270b12_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBcN)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBcN) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
...while more Allied troops are arriving...
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952643_d02641ac5c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBcH)DSC06958 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBcH) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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Battalion Auvergne received the Hanoverian grenadiers with a good volley.
After a hard fight, the grenadiers are done for and Auvergne has to retreat to reform
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952538_9fb537d930_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBaU)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLBaU) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
As Auvergne retreats, the French draw more troops from behind to reinforce Bergen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460852_09e11b6b83_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdgW)DSC06961 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdgW) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
All the Allied infantry is marked superior for shooting.
Ferdinand decides to make a coordinated attack. Hanoverian, Hessian and Brunswickers deploy to attack Bergen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952463_e261404b24_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB9B)DSC06962 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB9B) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952423_7f2950edca_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB8V)DSC06963 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB8V) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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Allied guns open counter battery fire
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952408_5f9614cdbd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB8E)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB8E) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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While Auvergne stays behind the Bergen fortifications to recover, fresh troops take its place in the front
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291631_790ffb31b9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkYk)DSC06965 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkYk) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
An exchange of volleys in the walled gardens and orchards
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291581_c8365e683a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkXt)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkXt) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
Auvergne has fully recovered and returned to fight
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291496_252a0cd682_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkW1)DSC06967 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkW1) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The Swiss receive heavy pressure
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291461_e5ddfdb69d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkVp)DSC06968 (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkVp) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
A second line of French battalions manning Bergen fortifications
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460547_48987941f5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdbF)DSC06969 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdbF) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The French central infantry reserve occupy the sunken road
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460552_1ba22e6f9c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdbL)DSC06970 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPdbL) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The Hanoverians release telling volleys
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291241_38afa44f9f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkRB)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkRB) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The Swiss fall back to reform
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680952053_1f1f47fe0a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB2x)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLB2x) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
Hanoverian and Hessian troops pouring in the gardens and orchards
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460262_9c1fcb8e6d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd6L)DSC06973 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd6L) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The French deploy all their infantry reserves, from the sunken road till Bergen!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460232_26aa9646e1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd6f)DSC06974 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd6f) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460207_bc9c4e94cf_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd5P)DSC06975 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd5P) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460192_01039252ba_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd5y)DSC06976 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd5y) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
Some of my best pictures, I think 8)
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Although the Allies have superior fire, they don't manage to punch a hole in the steady French lines!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681460162_507261efc8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd53)DSC06977 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd53) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
One French battalion retreats, one more Allied battalion is done for!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681291056_008404f7c9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkNq)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haNkNq) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The Allies relocate all their cavalry available to their right flank
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951703_28dc0e1750_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAVv)DSC06979 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAVv) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
Meanwhile, in the woods, Jagers exchange ineffective pot shots with Volontaires d'Alsace
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459992_2089b2c97d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd27)DSC06980 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPd27) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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A bird's eye view concerning Bergen: The Allies do their best but the town is well defended
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951623_2ff49dc0f0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAU8)DSC06981 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAU8) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
The French have the luxury to replenish their lines
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951543_70223d42c7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLASK)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLASK) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
While other battalions retreat, the brave Royal Suedois remain steady!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951443_52d80f6b4d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAR2)DSC06983 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAR2) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The Allies deploy their cavalry, receiving long range shooting from the grand battery
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459752_e994834188_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWY)DSC06984 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWY) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The fight for Bergen intensified...
The French battalions overlap the Allies
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459737_765aa09752_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWH)DSC06985 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWH) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459732_c19162fbe6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWC)DSC06986 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWC) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The Allied attack between Bergen and the sunken road: A bloody fight with many casualties.
The first French battalion is done for. Their Hessian opponents take three hits.
To their left, both opponents have to retreat with four hits.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459712_13defc09f9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWh)DSC06987 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcWh) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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The French cavalry come forward, supported by their many guns
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48681459602_febbd3b762_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcUo)DSC06989 (https://flic.kr/p/2haPcUo) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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Heavy fighting at the outskirts of Bergen. The Allies cannot make their way to the town.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951203_cd2086d03a_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLALT)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLALT) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951098_f63cc6c073_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAK5)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAK5) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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A general view:
Ferdinand realizes that Bergen cannot be taken and decides to call it a day.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48680951013_9d0bc94fb0_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAHB)DSC06993 (https://flic.kr/p/2haLAHB) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/), on Flickr
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At any time the defenders of Bergen had an overwhelming numerical majority, so continuing the battle was futile.
One of the deepest reasons that the battle was stopped here, were some bugling from our wives, sounding the "retreat from action" theme... :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulQmtwY9q7I&feature=emb_logo
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The whole Flickr album is here
www.flickr.com/photos/142494696@N04/albums/72157710697901048
You can watch the battle as an automatic slideshow by pressing the boxed triangle button, upper right
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Amazing pics! Wonderful description of the battle. [...where was I ?]
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Amazing pics! Wonderful description of the battle. [...where was I ?]
Dear friend!
You present a selective randomness to be absent from our best games lol
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OUTSTANDING! That was a fine battle report brought to life in your wonderful photos. STIRRING STUFF indeed!
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OUTSTANDING! That was a fine battle report brought to life in your wonderful photos. STIRRING STUFF indeed!
Thank you!!! THIS morale boost is much appreciated!
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I thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you.
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I thoroughly enjoyed that. Thank you.
I'm glad you liked it Thanks!
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Your games are an absolute treat, so many lovely figures and a great table, a real treat for the eyes. Superb!! :)
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Your games are an absolute treat, so many lovely figures and a great table, a real treat for the eyes. Superb!! :)
Thank you! It is always a honour to receive good comments from a seasoned wargamer! Cheers!
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A great looking game and write up. We use Honours of War for SYW games too but have adopted the Post of Honour version for our larger games.
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A great looking game and write up. We use Honours of War for SYW games too but have adopted the Post of Honour version for our larger games.
Thank you! We must try Post of Honour version too I'm sure it works for large battles, but we have played some huge battles with HoW and it worked perfectly!
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SYW rules, as you demonstrate so well right here.
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SYW rules, as you demonstrate so well right here.
Indeed! Thanks!