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Author Topic: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762  (Read 1960 times)

Offline DintheDin

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SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« on: May 25, 2023, 07:51:44 AM »
SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762

Hi all,
We played this battle with Honours of War rules

The introduction of the battle is very well described by Kronoskaf:

http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1762-06-24_-_Battle_of_Wilhelmsthal

On June 21 1762, Ferdinand advanced to the Diemel with the main Allied army.

On June 22, Soubise and d'Estrées moved northward from Kassel, closer to the Diemel, with the French army of the Upper Rhine. The Reserve of the right wing under M. de Castries advanced towards Carlsdorf and took position with its right anchored on the wood of Reinhardswald. Meanwhile, the Comte de Stainville covered the left of the French army by taking position on the heights bordering the stream of Westuffeln. Soubise and d'Estrées thought that Ferdinand had moved closer to the Diemel to prevent the passage of French troops. They did not consider the possibility of an Allied attack. They fixed their headquarters at Wilhelmsthal and halted. The positions taken by the French army were very badly chosen: too far from the Diemel to prevent its passage by the Allies; its right flank rested on the large forest of Reinhardswald who could have been rendered absolutely secure by the occupation of the Sababurg, which commanded every road through that forest. Nevertheless, Soubise and d'Estrées allowed this important post to fall into Ferdinand's hands. Again, the occupation of the passes to the south of the Diemel would have secured their front; but here also they had allowed the Allies to be before them. Furthermore, they had stationed Castries with the Reserve of the right wing at Carlsdorf, in absolute isolation from their main body.

On June 23, Ferdinand sent all his advanced posts across the Diemel to cover the construction of bridges over the river. Meanwhile, seeing the bad dispositions of the French camp, Ferdinand saw his opportunity and, though he could bring but 50,000 men against their 70,000, resolved to strike at once. Accordingly, he recalled Luckner, posted at Sülbeck across the Weser, to pass this river at Wambeck during the night and to march to Gottsbüren, a little to the north of the Castle of Sababurg. When Ferdinand received confirmation of Luckner safe arrival at 8:00 PM, he ordered the whole army to be under arms at midnight, ready to pass the Diemel in 7 columns by 3:00 AM.

He also sent Granby’s Corps on a big round to attack the French main army from behind.

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: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2023, 07:52:56 AM »
We played this battle a couple of weeks ago.
Miltiades and Nick took the Allies and I took the French.
Designing the scenario I discovered that I could field at least 80% of the unit that took historically part in the battle plus the right nationality of the rest.
Our Orders of Battle were reduced to 1/4 of the real ones. I took one every 4 battalions and one cavalry base for every squadron. (The artillery was over-represented though   :))
In addition, for space reasons, I chose the table to represent the clash between only two out of three of the French bodies, against Ferdinand at their front and Granby at their back, as shown below


Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2023, 07:53:37 AM »
So, this was our initial table set up, as seen from the side of Ferdinand

HoW Wilhelmsthal (01) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2023, 07:55:01 AM »
This is the French deployment, all three lines looking to the side of Ferdinad's arrival, unsuspected of the appearance of Lord Granby at their back

HoW Wilhelmsthal (02) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2023, 07:56:13 AM »
The three French lines. The first is commanded by Stainville, the second and third (French main army) are commanded by Soubise.

HoW Wilhelmsthal (04) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Here is Granby, appearing at the French rear.
The second and third French line, commanded by Soubise, were surprised and lost time to change front.
According to the scenario, they would change front on a 4,5,6. So, not all of the units were ready to anticipate Granby's approach.
Soubise's Corps spent three rounds to change front in its entirety.

HoW Wilhelmsthal (03) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2023, 07:56:56 AM »
Stainville's first line, although he has some good units (Grenadiers de France and Grenadiers Royaux), is too weak to face Ferdinand's force, six columns of the Allied Army.

HoW Wilhelmsthal (05) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2023, 07:58:50 AM »
With bold pace, Granby marched quickly against Soubise

HoW Wilhelmsthal (06) Miltos a by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

His leftmost battalion had to face three French Cavalry regiments

HoW Wilhelmsthal (06) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

His quick advance, was not without losses, though...

HoW Wilhelmsthal (07) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2023, 08:00:59 AM »
On the other front, Ferdinand's British Infantry contingent (Allied 2nd Column) was the first to attack Stainville's right flank

HoW Wilhelmsthal (09) Miltos a by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

HoW Wilhelmsthal (09) Miltos b by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

HoW Wilhelmsthal (09) Miltos c by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

But they were repulsed by the Grenadiers Royaux with casualties and fell back to reform

HoW Wilhelmsthal (09) Miltos d by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr
« Last Edit: May 25, 2023, 08:20:20 AM by DintheDin »

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2023, 08:01:36 AM »
The 6th Column, the right flank of Ferdinand's Cavalry, facing Stainville's cavalry

HoW Wilhelmsthal (09) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2023, 08:04:16 AM »
View behind Staiville's line. Now it is time for the Brunswick Infantry (3d Column) to charge!
Foreground right: Soubise ordered a Swiss battalion to aid Stainville's right flank. They were too late to come, being several times unlucky throwing a 1 to move. 

HoW Wilhelmsthal (10) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Stainville tries to hold his line, as the Brusnwick and the Hessian contingents are approaching

HoW Wilhelmsthal (11) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

HoW Wilhelmsthal (12) Miltos a by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

HoW Wilhelmsthal (12) Miltos b by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Foreground: 4th Allied Column. Schaumburg-Lippe Infantry escorting Hanoverian Heavy Artillery.
 
HoW Wilhelmsthal (12) Miltos c by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The guns are ready to spread havoc to the French!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (12) Miltos d by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2023, 08:05:43 AM »
The Hanoverian heavy guns start playing their deadly song causing casualties to the Grenadiers de France

HoW Wilhelmsthal (13) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The French guns reply accordingly

HoW Wilhelmsthal (14) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2023, 08:06:47 AM »
First Stainville's left and then right battalions are annihilated by withering musket fire and canister!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (15) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

HoW Wilhelmsthal (16) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2023, 08:08:09 AM »
Returning to the main French Army of Soubise. The first French line has repulsed the British Infantry of Granby

HoW Wilhelmsthal (17) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

But still one British battalion, with superior fire, stays as a thorn vs Soubise's cavalry!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (12) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2023, 08:09:21 AM »
One more disaster for the French!
The British cavalry (1st Column) of Ferdinand's command, with a double move, falls on the flank of the Swiss sent by Soubise to cover Stainville's left!
What is worse, the unit diced to turn to face the cavalry, but failed!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (18) Miltos b by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

An overall view of the situation:
Stainville's Corps surrounded from three sides, suffering. Right, middle: The Swiss, enfiladed by the British Cavalry. Only the middle French line is intact, but they are facing to the direction of Granby's attack!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (18) Proton a by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Offline DintheDin

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Re: SYW Battle of Wilhelmsthal 1762
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2023, 08:10:17 AM »
The Allied cavalry (left) judging the proper time to charge Stainville's cavalry

HoW Wilhelmsthal (18) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Charge!

HoW Wilhelmsthal (19) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

 

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