Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Age of the Big Battalions => Topic started by: DintheDin on May 26, 2019, 11:14:18 AM
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War of Spanish Succession. Bavaria, July 1704. The Allies try to press the Elector of Bavaria to quit his alliance with France.
The Duke of Marlborough, in his effort to save Vienna from the advancing Franco-Bavarian army, joins his forces with the Margrave of Baden, leading the Austro-Dutch forces, in front of Donauwörth. July 2, takes place the Battle of Schellenberg.
A few years before, Miltiades and I had played Schellenberg with Volley and Bayonet rules in 1/72 scale.
We had played it twice, as it was Miltiades' favorite battle.
So, when last Saturday I proposed that we play it in 15mm, Miltiades promptly responded.
The Franco-Bavarian were to defend a fortified plateau, the Schellenberg heights to the northeast of Donauwörth.
These defenses included an old fort from the time of the 30 Years War, constructed by the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus.
Their right flank was also covered by the thick Boschberg Woods.
Their weakest point were the hastily made defenses between fort Augustus and the city of Donauwörth.
Here is the map and the initial game setup
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Our Donauwörth, defended by two French units and two Bavarian militia
Its garrison would not take part in the battle (as it actually did), except some gun support.
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We diced who would be who and I took Marlborough.
It is the first time I take Marlborough in my wargaming life, although I have smoked many packets in my youth (cough cough) :D
Miltiades happily accepted to take the Franco-Bavarian defenders.
This French battalion was placed to guard the hastily made defenses between the fort and the city.
The defenders would have soft cover protection, whereas all the rest of the Schellenberg height defenses and fort Augustus would be hard cover.
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One Bavarian Grenadier battalion is manning fort Augustus, scratchbuilt by Miltiades.
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The rest of the Franco-Bavarian defenses on the Schellenberg heights.
For technical reasons the heights were omitted :D
Dragoons and cavalry were kept as a reserve.
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The Margrave of Baden wanted a protracted siege of the city, but Marlborough didn't want to wait for him, he made the Franco-Bavarians believe that he would camp for the night but swiftly placed his army in battle array for an all out attack!
Here is Marlborough's army, all seasoned troops. Baden would enter the table after the 4th plus D3 turn.
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Marlborough being a Dashing Commander and a throw of 6, brings the first British wave on the attack!
The results are disastrous, the Bavarians defend well.
One battalion eliminated and the rest fall back causing disorder to the second and third line.
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The fourth line of British battalions brought a 1 and failed to close by.
With the first wave having taken a good lesson, I decided to move the second and the third line of battalions sideways to widen my front.
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Fifth turn and Baden enters the table!
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The second, third and fourth British attacks have the same fate!
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I concentrate all the Allied Cavalry in a post where they will be able to quickly jump over the hastily made breastworks when Baden's infantry will make a breach.
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Baden orders his infantry to attack
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Miltiades brings his dismounted dragoons and the battalion of Bavarian grenadiers to reinforce his weak point
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The fourth British attack, in detail
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The French brace themselves for the Dutch-Austrian attack!
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One more British attack!
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The Bavarian infantry depleting, Miltiades sends his cavalry reserve to enter the fray
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Finally, with great losses, the British put a firm foot on the Schellenberg heights...
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But also Baden's troops are invading!
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The French dragoons cannot resist the pressure and fall back disordered
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The Franco-Bavarian cavalry tries to stop the British advance, but in vain...
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The game is decided: Schellenberg has fallen.
But Miltiades insisted that we play one more turn.
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The last scenes of the battle...
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DuBordet's garrison in Donauwörth, passive onlookers.
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Many interesting comments on Schellenberg battle, really worthy to read, at our best colleague's ArisK blogspot: "The Pear at War"
https://thepearatwar.blogspot.com/search/label/WSS
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Wow!Great AAR!
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The Little Warriors look SPLENDID. Arrayed in their serried ranks, they are a stirring sight indeed. An EXCELLENT battle report AND WONDERFUL photos; VERY WELL DONE!
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Wow!Great AAR!
I'm very glad you liked it! We enjoyed the battle very much and the outcome was quite historical.
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The Little Warriors look SPLENDID. Arrayed in their serried ranks, they are a stirring sight indeed. An EXCELLENT battle report AND WONDERFUL photos; VERY WELL DONE!
Hi!
It is very encouraging to receive so enthusiastic comments from a seasoned wargamer like you! Cheers!
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A wonderful game indeed. Very exciting and easy game, with a historical result. Thanks Dinos...
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A wonderful game indeed. Very exciting and easy game, with a historical result. Thanks Dinos...
I have to thank you, because you very eagerly accepted us to see this battle and it happened to both of us not to play it as antagonists, but to try to remain in its historical tracks and to enjoy it like an experiment in development.
Sorry for my delay posting, I spent some time to insert your closeup photos between mine, I think the final result offered a full visual report of how the battle evolved.
In our game I may consider that the Allies had a Pyrrhic victory as their losses were much more higher than the historical outcome.
Maybe we will replay it one more time, putting a turn limit (dusk coming) and giving the Franco-Bavarians to retreat from the Schellenberg plateau in order, or giving some slight chances to the commander of Donauwörth to realize the situation and try to send some reinforcements.
Just a thought.
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Ah, the old Schellenberg chestnut back on the fire!
Wonderful work chaps, even in 15mm it looks delightful. Seems HoW encourages historical play as well, quite neat.
Aris K.
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Ah, the old Schellenberg chestnut back on the fire!
Wonderful work chaps, even in 15mm it looks delightful. Seems HoW encourages historical play as well, quite neat.
Aris K.
Schellenberg is an all times classic, I know how deeply you have studied this battle!
We wanted to see how it will develop in 15mm and with HoW rules it flowed smoothly, very close to the historical result.
Thank you for dropping by, pal!