Acoustic Shadows: SYW Scenario and Game

[DintheDin]

The Grenadiers de France (left) start crossing the Talbach

AS (08) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Looking at the other bridge. No one makes a decisive move. Long range volleys exchanged.

AS (09) Milt (18) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

The British on Talberg readying their muskets. The French are coming again...

AS (09) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

Vastan infantry was advancing towards the cemetery, leaving its flanks exposed.
Miltiades diced for the Hanoverian Hussars, allowing them a double move. Flank attack!
I advised him not to do so, as the French hussars were lurking...
Worse than that, Vastan brought a 5 (with 1,2,3 it would not turn, receiving the charge on its flank) and turn to face!
The Hanoverians suddenly found themselves on a trap!

AS (10) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

...to their fortune, they were not annihilated. They retreated back to reform. Upper right background, on the hill.
Battalion Vastan continued its march to contest the cemetery. They are facing the Hanoverian grenadiers

AS (08) Milt (17) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

The French attacking Talberg, lose time trying to manhandle their guns level with their infantry

AS (11) Milt (19) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

Contesting the cemetery. Vastan and Grenadiers de France have a firefight with the Hanoverian Grenadiers who -for the moment- control the cemetery.

AS (11) Milt (20) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

A general view of the situation. The French attacking Talberg try to bring their batteries at canister range.  

AS (11) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

...but the Allies are ready!

AS (11)a Milt (21) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

Vastan receives two hits from the Hanoverian Grenadiers, but hold their position

AS (12) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The combined fire of the Grenadiers de France and Vastan, makes the Hanoverian Grenadiers' position untenable. They retreat, abandoning the cemetery, to reform.

AS (12)a Milt (22) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

A French battery destroyed by canister fire

AS (14) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

...after this, the French battalion du Roi feels it is more prudent to stay in a distance

AS (15) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The British, bolder than ever, march to take on the second French battery! The French gunners must pull the guns back!

AS (16) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

A general view. Both enemy lines are more or less stabilized

AS Milt (23) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

The French become masters of the cemetery

AS Milt (24) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

AS Milt (25) by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

[DintheDin]

Here, we decided to let the game as a draw.
The French had gained more space, but the Allies forces were holding the hill.
The Allies had lost one unit, the French two.
The French were holding the Church and the Cemetery, worth half point each.
The French hold one bridge, the British hold the farm, worth half point each as well.

Draw.

[Jemima Fawr]

Superb once again!

And Acoustic Shadows would make a great prog-rock band name... 

The Battle of Torgau is one SYW battle where the acoustic shadows played a great part,  Zieten, attacking the Austrian ridge-position from the south, couldn't hear anything of Frederick's battle on the north side of the ridge, due to a stiff southerly breeze that was blowing the sound away from him.  Frederick by contrast, could clearly hear Zieten's artillery duel with Lacy's Austrians.  Zieten then had no idea that the King's corps had retreated from the battle, so carried on attacking regardless.  On hearing the battle continuing on the other side of the ridge, Frederick then rejoined the battle.

[DintheDin]

Superb once again!

And Acoustic Shadows would make a great prog-rock band name... 

The Battle of Torgau is one SYW battle where the acoustic shadows played a great part,  Zieten, attacking the Austrian ridge-position from the south, couldn't hear anything of Frederick's battle on the north side of the ridge, due to a stiff southerly breeze that was blowing the sound away from him.  Frederick by contrast, could clearly hear Zieten's artillery duel with Lacy's Austrians.  Zieten then had no idea that the King's corps had retreated from the battle, so carried on attacking regardless.  On hearing the battle continuing on the other side of the ridge, Frederick then rejoined the battle.

Hi!

Thank you so much for your quick reply! I really did not know this incident! It played an important role for the battle!
Seems that acoustic shadows is not a so rare phenomenon! Cheers!

[DeafNala]

I love the concept of sound distortion. I can identify; i.e., as a deaf person with a cochlear implant on the right side of my head all sounds come from that side.
The battle field & troops are as GLORIOUS as always. VERY WELL DONE!

[DintheDin]

I love the concept of sound distortion. I can identify; i.e., as a deaf person with a cochlear implant on the right side of my head all sounds come from that side.
The battle field & troops are as GLORIOUS as always. VERY WELL DONE!

It is a privilege to receive such a comment! Thank you so much!!!

[FifteensAway]

I'll have to read the rest later but my immediate thought was about the field of Antietam.  I'd read accounts about artillery not being heard on relatively nearby parts of the field that I found incredulous - until I walked the actual field and saw a very large hill intervening between two parts of the battle area that would readily explain the challenge - an acoustic shadow.  After that, I study any available topographical maps of a battle more carefully. 

Look forward to reading the full account when I have more time.

[DintheDin]

I'll have to read the rest later but my immediate thought was about the field of Antietam.  I'd read accounts about artillery not being heard on relatively nearby parts of the field that I found incredulous - until I walked the actual field and saw a very large hill intervening between two parts of the battle area that would readily explain the challenge - an acoustic shadow.  After that, I study any available topographical maps of a battle more carefully. 

Look forward to reading the full account when I have more time.

Thank you for commenting! And thank you for contributing another case of acoustic shadows! Cheers!

[CapnJim]

Another lovely game and report.  Acoustic shadows do indeed make for odd occurrences...