Dettingen 1743, 28mm Tricorn, Game at NBHW

[Jabba]

Over a Friday evening and Saturday in early March the club put on a game based on the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 during the War of Austrian Succession. This battle is notable as being the last time a British monarch lead troops in person. This was the second time the club had gamed this battle this time it was on a slightly larger scale though.



The rules this time were Tricorn which is a variant on the SYW section from Shako I with some Shako II bits also thrown in.

I had command of a mixed British and Austrian division forming the second rank of infantry in the allied centre. A division of Austrians were to my front.



The allied task was to punch through the French and escape off the northern edge of the table either via the bridge over the River Main behind Dettingen or across the causeway behind the French centre.

The French were forced to start in their historical positions having crossed over the stream to advance on the allies against the orders of the Duc de Noailles.



The battle did not go well for the allies. On the left the British cavalry were outclassed by their French opposition and only the attached Hanoverian infantry and allied cavalry held this flank together, at least until French reinforcements arrived.

On the right flank the allied cavalry fared no better against superior french horsemen, once again infantry musketry saved the day against cavalry while the allied rear guard was sent to shore up this flank.



In the centre the Austrian infantry advanced to meet the French infantry for an epic to and fro of musketry, unfortunately the allies once again came second best.

To the right of centre my support brigades managed to almost punch through to the causeway and escape before King George, who after initial success against the French left wing infantry, was forced to seek terms after the allied army failed an army morale test. The French failed theirs too only not as badly.



A great game and a real slug fest of musketry in the centre and east and  massed cavalry melees in the west.

More on my blog at Jabba's Wargaming

Tony

[MaleGriffin]

Lovely action! Well done!

[jambo1]

Always a treat to see your games, quite superb.

[Norm]

Just Wow! Plus quality gaming time with friends.

[Bloggard]

blimey, you don't do things by halves. 

[duc de limbourg]

Great looking battle, thanks for sharing

[Jemima Fawr]

As I've said to you before, that is flippin' outstanding!   

And you're clearly a rules connoisseur and welcome to marry my sister any time... 

[Jemima Fawr]

Jabba, do you mind if I steal that photo to use as a link to the AAR on your site?

[Jabba]

Jabba, do you mind if I steal that photo to use as a link to the AAR on your site?

Go ahead.

[Jemima Fawr]

Go ahead.

Cheers mate!  And my sister...?

[Jabba]

Cheers mate!  And my sister...?

Objection rightly raised by my wife 

[Jemima Fawr]

Objection rightly raised by my wife 

Dammit. 

[CapnJim]

Looks like it was a grand affair.  But let me get this straight.  The French lost, but the Allies lost worse?   

[FifteensAway]

All very beautiful and I'm also wondering what Mrs. Fawr thinks of the whole sister debacle?  . Or was it merely a ploy to gain access to those lovely toys?  Methinks so. 

I'm also wondering, weren't the French a bit of a push over, more or less, during this time, especially their cavalry (much smaller units) or have I been sorely misinformed?  The latter is very possible, haven't read up on his period to any great degree and not for a few decades now.

[Jabba]

Looks like it was a grand affair.  But let me get this straight.  The French lost, but the Allies lost worse?   

French ended Demoralised but Allies Broke. So in effect yes.