SYW Assault on Bork 1758

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Assault on Bork 1758

In September 1758, during the French offensive in Westphalia, Contades wanted to restore the compromised reputation of the French army. He charged Saint-Pern, who was stationed with his corps near Lünen for the control of the bridges across the Lippe, to attack the isolated Allied observation corps under the Duke of Holstein near Bork. Indeed, Holstein was posted in an advanced position some 20 km in front of Ferdinand's army.

During the night of September 28 to 29, the French made themselves master of two bridges over the Lippe at Lünen and Beedeburg (unidentified location). They then crossed the Lippe and marched during the night to approach Holstein's positions. At daybreak, favoured by the wooded nature of the terrain, the French managed to get close to the Allied camp unnoticed.

Well planned by the French, but badly executed, there is an excellent description at Kronoskaf
kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1758-09-29_-_Assault_on_Bork

It was an engagement with no map available. As no engraving of the period was found anywhere, I decided to make a tentative reconstruction of the battle map, using the modern Google maps of the area and the battle narration of Kronoskaf.

Our battle was played last June with Honours of War rules. I decided the game OOB to be 50% of the real troops, giving a slight emphasis for the Prussian cavalry, so that it could stand against the numerous French cavalry, giving a balanced game.
The Allies were surprised and start the game in some disarray (before to move they had to remove two hits bringing 5 or 6, or else, if they had to move they would have to carry them).
Friends Nick and Miltiades II (another Miltiades) participated. Nick took the French, Miltiades the Allies and I was the umpire.

The map

http://kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=File:1758_Assault_on_Bork.jpg
 

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The table setup

DSC00084 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The French made good use of the terrain to approach unspotted. The first to see them coming, were some Allied pickets on the hills in front of Bork

DSC00085 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The Allied camp. All troops are in disarray with two hits. Every round they have to bring a 5 or 6 to remove one hit.

DSC00086 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The French infantry approaching the hills with a quick pace. Their C-in-C, M. de Saint Pairn, according to the real battle did not seem to take some crucial decisions, so they have the handicap to be saddled with a dithering C-in-C.
All the French infantry consisted of grenadiers (!). For the scenario they would be superior for receiving fire and melee (except the Palatinal grenadiers who would be average), while all the Allied infantry had superior fire.

DSC00088 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The Prussian cavalry try to form up to screen the Allied infantry who are intending to march towards Bork to consolidate

DSC00090 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

While the French infantry (all were grenadier brigades) are changing formation from march column to line, the French cavalry are rushing to meet the Prussian dragoons

DSC00091 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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While the Grenadiers de France are ready to attack some Hanoverian Jäger skirmishing on the wooded hills, the smallest of the French brigades (left - grenadiers from Navarre regiment and Palatine), make a detour through the woods, if they can to capture Bork before it to be controlled by the Allies

DSC00092 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickrr

The Allies force marching a Hanoverian and a Hessian brigade towards Bork

DSC00093 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The French make use of their numerical superiority and invest the woods! The Hessian grenadier pickets and the Hanoverian Jäger retreat with casualties. But the grenadiers did not make it.

DSC00097 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The Prussian Dragoons arrayed in line, determined to receive the oncoming French cavalry

DSC00098 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The French are slightly delayed by the wooded terrain to deploy, but now they have occupied both hills and are bringing their guns to set them with a view at Bork

DSC00099 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

At the same time, the allies are striving to take positions in and around Bork

DSC00100 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

While the Allies occupy the village with one Hanoverian battalion and  a battery, the Jäger run to catch up with their colleagues feeling the hot breath of the Grenadiers Royaux at their backs!

DSC00101 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

...now they reach safety, reforming behind the village! Another Hanoverian battalion marches to cover the allied right flank

DSC00102 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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Grenadiers Royaux assaulting Bork!

DSC00103 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

French cavalry galloping against the Prussians!

DSC00104 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The cavalry clash! Miltiades II brings a Hessian battalion to aid the Prussian dragoons

DSC00105 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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The Grenadiers Royaux fighting with the Hanoverians defending in Bork. A fresh brigade of Grenadiers de France arrives to threaten the Allied right 

DSC00106 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

DSC00107 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

DSC00108 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

The Grenadiers Royaux assaulting Bork receive heavy casualties from musket and canister
The Grenadiers de France and one more Hanoverian battalion (left), exchanging long range volleys

DSC00109 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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Carnage in the cavalry battle!
Both Prussian Dragoon regiments got 4 hits and must fall back to reform!
But also the French got more than a bloody nose!
One of their regiments is annihilated and the other must fall back to reform and only the rear supporting regiment remained intact!

DSC00111 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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A general view of the battle:
Background left: The Prussian cavalry have retreated till the edge of the table to reform. So does one of the French cavalry regiments. Nick is sending a grenadier brigade on foot to assist the remaining French cavalry regiment.
Bork: The Allied battery survived. But the Hanoverian battalion, after repulsing the assault from the Grenadiers Royaux, had to abandon the village to fall back to reform.
Miltiades II made a strategical mistake: He sent a Hessian battalion to help for the cavalry battle, but it was enfiladed by the French guns on the hill and is now behind Bork, reforming too.
The Allied right is threatened by a mass of French battalions marching to envelop Bork.
A temporary lull. Who will have the move initiative for the next turn?

DSC00112 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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A closer view of the situation at Bork. A Hanoverian battalion is standing heroically to defend the Allied right

DSC00113 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr

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Next round: The French gain the move initiative, they take Bork!
The right allied flank receives heavy pressure by the Grenadiers de France and two more French units (out of the picture), Grenadiers Navarre and Palatinal grenadiers

DSC00114 by Konstantinos Antoniadis, on Flickr