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Author Topic: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War  (Read 2833 times)

Offline DintheDin

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WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« on: May 26, 2019, 11:14:18 AM »
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     



 
Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates. – Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2019, 11:18:45 AM »
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.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2019, 11:24:23 AM »
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.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2019, 11:27:15 AM »
One Bavarian Grenadier battalion is manning fort Augustus, scratchbuilt by Miltiades.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2019, 11:34:33 AM »
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. 

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2019, 11:39:48 AM »
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.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #6 on: May 26, 2019, 12:00:54 PM »
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.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #7 on: May 26, 2019, 12:34:55 PM »
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.

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2019, 12:37:10 PM »
Fifth turn and Baden enters the table!

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2019, 12:39:22 PM »
The second, third and fourth British attacks have the same fate!

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2019, 12:41:48 PM »
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.
 

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2019, 12:44:02 PM »
Baden orders his infantry to attack

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2019, 12:46:08 PM »
Miltiades brings his dismounted dragoons and the battalion of Bavarian grenadiers to reinforce his weak point

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2019, 12:51:45 PM »
The fourth British attack, in detail

Offline DintheDin

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Re: WSS Schellenberg 1704 with Honours of War
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2019, 12:54:34 PM »
The French brace themselves for the Dutch-Austrian attack!
« Last Edit: May 26, 2019, 12:59:53 PM by DintheDin »