Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: DintheDin on 17 October 2023, 03:55:54 PM
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Assault on Bork 1758
In September 1758, during the French offensive in Westphalia, Contades wanted to restore the compromised reputation of the French army. He charged Saint-Pern, who was stationed with his corps near Lünen for the control of the bridges across the Lippe, to attack the isolated Allied observation corps under the Duke of Holstein near Bork. Indeed, Holstein was posted in an advanced position some 20 km in front of Ferdinand's army.
During the night of September 28 to 29, the French made themselves master of two bridges over the Lippe at Lünen and Beedeburg (unidentified location). They then crossed the Lippe and marched during the night to approach Holstein's positions. At daybreak, favoured by the wooded nature of the terrain, the French managed to get close to the Allied camp unnoticed.
Well planned by the French, but badly executed, there is an excellent description at Kronoskaf
kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1758-09-29_-_Assault_on_Bork
It was an engagement with no map available. As no engraving of the period was found anywhere, I decided to make a tentative reconstruction of the battle map, using the modern Google maps of the area and the battle narration of Kronoskaf.
Our battle was played last June with Honours of War rules. I decided the game OOB to be 50% of the real troops, giving a slight emphasis for the Prussian cavalry, so that it could stand against the numerous French cavalry, giving a balanced game.
The Allies were surprised and start the game in some disarray (before to move they had to remove two hits bringing 5 or 6, or else, if they had to move they would have to carry them).
Friends Nick and Miltiades II (another Miltiades) participated. Nick took the French, Miltiades the Allies and I was the umpire.
The map
http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=File:1758_Assault_on_Bork.jpg
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The table setup
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022046018_0772cc2fc6_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR2d)DSC00084 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR2d) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The French made good use of the terrain to approach unspotted. The first to see them coming, were some Allied pickets on the hills in front of Bork
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563831_0433c79b0c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknFD)DSC00085 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknFD) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
The Allied camp. All troops are in disarray with two hits. Every round they have to bring a 5 or 6 to remove one hit.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948280_29717e9b57_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkY5)DSC00086 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkY5) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The French infantry approaching the hills with a quick pace. Their C-in-C, M. de Saint Pairn, according to the real battle did not seem to take some crucial decisions, so they have the handicap to be saddled with a dithering C-in-C.
All the French infantry consisted of grenadiers (!). For the scenario they would be superior for receiving fire and melee (except the Palatinal grenadiers who would be average), while all the Allied infantry had superior fire.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563926_c0eb8f841e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknHh)DSC00088 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknHh) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The Prussian cavalry try to form up to screen the Allied infantry who are intending to march towards Bork to consolidate
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563816_d389e37a4c_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknFo)DSC00090 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknFo) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
While the French infantry (all were grenadier brigades) are changing formation from march column to line, the French cavalry are rushing to meet the Prussian dragoons
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022045973_4dbd42bd97_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR1r)DSC00091 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR1r) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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While the Grenadiers de France are ready to attack some Hanoverian Jäger skirmishing on the wooded hills, the smallest of the French brigades (left - grenadiers from Navarre regiment and Palatine), make a detour through the woods, if they can to capture Bork before it to be controlled by the Allies
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726924_75ea1942b8_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdaA)DSC00092 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdaA) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickrr
The Allies force marching a Hanoverian and a Hessian brigade towards Bork
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948275_148da1fdf0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXZ)DSC00093 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXZ) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The French make use of their numerical superiority and invest the woods! The Hessian grenadier pickets and the Hanoverian Jäger retreat with casualties. But the grenadiers did not make it.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726904_eb71ef19cd_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdaf)DSC00097 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdaf) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The Prussian Dragoons arrayed in line, determined to receive the oncoming French cavalry
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979962_1fc3e26dd6_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho7W)DSC00098 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho7W) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The French are slightly delayed by the wooded terrain to deploy, but now they have occupied both hills and are bringing their guns to set them with a view at Bork
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022046088_908f274cb7_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR3q)DSC00099 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnR3q) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
At the same time, the allies are striving to take positions in and around Bork
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979952_1fe2b185e5_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho7L)DSC00100 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho7L) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
While the Allies occupy the village with one Hanoverian battalion and a battery, the Jäger run to catch up with their colleagues feeling the hot breath of the Grenadiers Royaux at their backs!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726879_6a862ae3ac_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd9P)DSC00101 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd9P) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
...now they reach safety, reforming behind the village! Another Hanoverian battalion marches to cover the allied right flank
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948240_7406b0b8be_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXo)DSC00102 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXo) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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Grenadiers Royaux assaulting Bork!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726869_2f5931936e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd9D)DSC00103 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd9D) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
French cavalry galloping against the Prussians!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948235_9373174f77_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXi)DSC00104 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkXi) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
The cavalry clash! Miltiades II brings a Hessian battalion to aid the Prussian dragoons
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563726_62a643e4f9_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknDQ)DSC00105 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknDQ) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The Grenadiers Royaux fighting with the Hanoverians defending in Bork. A fresh brigade of Grenadiers de France arrives to threaten the Allied right
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948205_0c4be3b777_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkWM)DSC00106 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkWM) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022045928_0dcb5cad0c_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQZE)DSC00107 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQZE) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979897_803a746328_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho6P)DSC00108 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho6P) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
The Grenadiers Royaux assaulting Bork receive heavy casualties from musket and canister
The Grenadiers de France and one more Hanoverian battalion (left), exchanging long range volleys
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563701_e3f13f410d_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknDp)DSC00109 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknDp) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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Carnage in the cavalry battle!
Both Prussian Dragoon regiments got 4 hits and must fall back to reform!
But also the French got more than a bloody nose!
One of their regiments is annihilated and the other must fall back to reform and only the rear supporting regiment remained intact!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022045903_298abac4a1_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQZe)DSC00111 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQZe) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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A general view of the battle:
Background left: The Prussian cavalry have retreated till the edge of the table to reform. So does one of the French cavalry regiments. Nick is sending a grenadier brigade on foot to assist the remaining French cavalry regiment.
Bork: The Allied battery survived. But the Hanoverian battalion, after repulsing the assault from the Grenadiers Royaux, had to abandon the village to fall back to reform.
Miltiades II made a strategical mistake: He sent a Hessian battalion to help for the cavalry battle, but it was enfiladed by the French guns on the hill and is now behind Bork, reforming too.
The Allied right is threatened by a mass of French battalions marching to envelop Bork.
A temporary lull. Who will have the move initiative for the next turn?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726799_72c749fb28_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd8r)DSC00112 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd8r) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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A closer view of the situation at Bork. A Hanoverian battalion is standing heroically to defend the Allied right
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979892_a8d9082ee3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho6J)DSC00113 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho6J) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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Next round: The French gain the move initiative, they take Bork!
The right allied flank receives heavy pressure by the Grenadiers de France and two more French units (out of the picture), Grenadiers Navarre and Palatinal grenadiers
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563671_db59a97dca_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknCT)DSC00114 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknCT) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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General view:
Left: The Prussian cavalry recovered and there is a new cavalry melee.
Center and right: The Allies bring whatever they can to contain the French infantry flooding from all sides
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726949_2f9f78fffc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdb2)DSC00116 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmdb2) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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A close up: The Hanoverian battery left to defend Bork is assaulted and taken. At the suburbs of Bork, the Hanoverian infantry is standing like a rock
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021948130_f1fd043f02_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkVu)DSC00117 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnkVu) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
Center of the picture: The death of the isolated Hanoverian battery
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021563651_aa744796be_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknCx)DSC00120 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMknCx) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
French extreme right: Navarre and Palatinal grenadiers marching against the Hanoverian Jäger, falling back skirmishing.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979842_fe01351352_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho5S)DSC00119 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho5S) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
Normally, the scenario plan was the Allies to try to save as many units as they can via the North road, but Miltiades II preferred to stand and fight.
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A horrible cavalry clash! The ground was trembling from the stomping of the so many hooves and the picture came out shaken :)
The Prussians brought completely unlucky dice, one Prussian regiment done for and one retreating out of table!
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53022045838_bdbfedc2fc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQY7)DSC00121 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMnQY7) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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A general view
Suddenly Miltiades II was left with his allied remaining left flank hanging in the air and decides to withdraw, while the French with formed lines are coming from three sides
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53020979832_35ec44a260_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho5G)DSC00122 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMho5G) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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The only intact Hanoverian battalion stepping backwards while Bork is now full of French troops
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726724_60e407a3df_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd79)DSC00123 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd79) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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A retreat too late for the Allies.
Stepping backwards exchanging long range volleys and with one more Hessian battalion done for, it was the end.
Nick achieved a crushing victory with the French.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53021726719_1e5502132f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd74)DSC00124 (https://flic.kr/p/2oMmd74) by Konstantinos Antoniadis (https://www.flickr.com/photos/145435897@N07/), on Flickr
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Brilliant once again! I really fancy giving that a go. Do you happen to have a copy of your conjectural map to share with us? I can probably work it out from your photos, but a map would be great.
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Don't worry, I've just found your map on the Kronoskaf page! lol
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Thank you!
Hahaaa! I was ready to post the map as a file!
On the first game picture you can see all the units participating.
I used about 50% of the real OOB mentioned at Kronoskaf.
St Pairn must be played as a "bad" general, his conduct in this particular battle did not lead the French to a decisive win.
All the French infantry were grenadiers, superior on sustaining casualties or melee, but not for shooting. The small Palatine grenadier contingent must be rated one grade lower than the French grenadiers.
Allied infantry has better fire discipline than the French.
The Duke of Holstein is rated above average.
To make the scenario playable, I made the Allied cavalry to have a 2:3 ratio vs the French cavalry, so that they can decently hold the left Allied flank.
The Allies must hold Bork for some rounds, then start retreating towards the road to the north.
Bork could hold at least one battalion and one battery.
If the above information is not sufficient, please let me know and I'll try to write the scenario in full (in the actual game I had kept it only in my mind lol )
I will be extremely happy to see you playing it! Cheers!
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Cheers Din, that's great! It'll also give me some motivation to paint the Grenadiers de France, Grenadiers-Royaux, Carabiniers and Freytag Jaeger.
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Cheers Din, that's great! It'll also give me some motivation to paint the Grenadiers de France, Grenadiers-Royaux, Carabiniers and Freytag Jaeger.
You are unbelievable! I'm sure you can make them in no time! I wish you a good continuation to your projects! Cheers!
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Oh that was a SPLENDID battle report; AND I LOVED the photos. I do admit that I enjoy the photos ever so slightly more the the text...my lips don't move when I admire pics. The little warriors are very photogenic. WELL DONE, my friend!
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Oh that was a SPLENDID battle report; AND I LOVED the photos. I do admit that I enjoy the photos ever so slightly more the the text...my lips don't move when I admire pics. The little warriors are very photogenic. WELL DONE, my friend!
A nice compliment! Thank you so much!
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Dinos , a brilliant preamble which gives us the context for the encounter. You’ve produced a lovely map , on Kronoskaf, which makes it easy to follow the narrative. I love the colourful French flags , from this period. The Jägers and Grenadiers did a great job of defending the heights and alerting their camp. A great example of Pickets in action. When the French were able to deploy and come flooding through, I reckon the position was untenable for the allies. The gunners fought to the death to defend their guns , but they should have withdrawn with the infantry. This reminds me of an old Tabletop Teaser from C.S. Grant from years ago. It’s great when you find a set of rules which you all enjoy. I think I’d like an army from the Palatinate……
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Dinos , a brilliant preamble which gives us the context for the encounter. You’ve produced a lovely map , on Kronoskaf, which makes it easy to follow the narrative. I love the colourful French flags , from this period. The Jägers and Grenadiers did a great job of defending the heights and alerting their camp. A great example of Pickets in action. When the French were able to deploy and come flooding through, I reckon the position was untenable for the allies. The gunners fought to the death to defend their guns , but they should have withdrawn with the infantry. This reminds me of an old Tabletop Teaser from C.S. Grant from years ago. It’s great when you find a set of rules which you all enjoy. I think I’d like an army from the Palatinate……
Fear friend,
Thank you so much that you took the time to read the battle narration and make such heart warming comments!
I'm very happy that I managed to give the feeling of this battle.
The Allied player was not so experienced and, despite the umpire's suggestions, preferred to stand and die fighting :)