Jackson Gamers' 18th Century Game Background
The Struggle for Mittle-Land III
Photo by Ed Sansing
We Played this game at HOBBYTOWN in Flowood Mississippi on October 6, 2007. Our rules were derived from a set printed in MWAN many years ago and found on MAGWEB. The Prussian army was painted by Mark Gilbert and the French army by Jay Stribling.
You can see our version of the rules that we used here at: Quick Tricorne.
The Reason for the Struggle!
The French army, led by the Marquis de Florida, has moved into Mittle-Land (roughly corresponding to the Western part of modern Germany. Their intentions were to attack, but they have apparently lost their nerve and have halted and constructed field fortifications, awaiting a Prussian attack. The army is composed of four brigades of infantry, and four of cavalry.
The Prussian army, dispatched by King Frederick, is commanded by a trusted veteran "Der Alte Hund" (The old hound dog). It is composed of four brigades of infantry and four of cavalry.
Jim Pitts remarks: "A few of us gathered at HobbyTown on the first Saturday of October to continue Jay's SYW campaign. The scenario pitted the Prussians under "Der Alte Hund" who attacked a French defended town. Although the French won on points (37 to 32), they had lost so many units that the French commander (Ed Sansing - the Marquis of Florida) gave up the field as darkness fell, retreating further down hsi line of communications."
Prussians -- Sean Pitts (Der "Nicht So" Alte Hund)
Bill Hamilton
Bill Estes (who joined us at lunch and for the rest of te
battle)
French -- Ed Sansing (the Marquis of Florida)
Jim Pitts (also game master)
Photo by Ed Sansing
The French right flank, infantry extended by cavalry.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The center of the French defense, built around the village of Nebbish
Photo by Jim Pitts
A French brigade occupies the village of Nebbish as the forces begin to deploy. With one battalion in the village, the French deployed the other four battalions to the left of the village along the anticipated Prussian line of attack. The brigade's artillery battery and a reserve battery occupied a small hill across the stream to the rear of the brigade.
Photo by Jim Pitts
On the French right, two flechettes were prepared and occupied by a brigade of three battalions, its brigade artillery battery, and a battery of reserve artillery.
Photo by Jim Pitts
A grand view of the battlefield. In the foreground is one of three French cavalry regiments guarding the French right flank. The two right flank flechettes can be see just over the stream and beyond them are the French guns on the small hill and the brigade occupying the village and its environs. Just beyond the small hill is another flechette with a battery supported by an infantry battalion. The rest of the French battle line stretches off the picture on the far side of the woods. The massed Prussian forces are in the far distance.
The Prussian commander fooled the French into thinking he was deploying all along their perimeter. But the wily Prussians marched to their right and massed against the French left flank.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The Prussian commanders and game master. Left to right, Bill Hamilton, Jim Pitts.
Photo by Ed Sansing
Looking over the French center at the oncoming Prussian infantry. Yellow rings indicate elite units.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The Prussian advance. All of the mass to the left of the stream are Prussians. You can just make out the forward line of the French defense, including a redoubt.
The Prussians staked all on a strong right wing, crushing the French left. This is pretty much how it turned out.
Photo by Jim Pitts
A closer look at the Prussian deployment, with a cavalry brigade on their left flank and two reserve batteries on the hill behind them. Two infantry brigades are beyond the cavalry and the rest of the Prussian army stretches into the distance. Der "nicht so" Alte Hund is on the hill with his reserve artillery so he can better direct the battle.
Photo by Jim Pitts
Action commences on the French left as two Prussian cavalry and two infantry brigades begin to attack the French. With only two cavalry brigades on this flank initially, the French commander (the Marquis de Florida) had to hastily call up his reserve cavalry and infantry brigades.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The fight on the French left. Started out as mainly a cavalry engagement and then the infantry took over.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The town of Nebbish. 1 brigade of French cavalry harasses the Prussian left.
Photo by Ed Sansing
The Prussian infantry slowly advances. There are fewer cavalrymen now, having mutually attrited themselves.
Photo by Ed Sansing
As the French cavalry is pushed back (or destroyed) the last French infantry deploys to try to seal the flank.
Photo by Ed Sansing
At then end of the battle very little French infantry is left in the center.
Ed Sansing's comments: "While the French still held the town and both roads it was only a matter of time before the Prussians would push through. Faced with the inevitable, the French did what the French do best, they claimed that it was to dark to continue the fight in a gentlemanly manner. They told the Prussians to go away, and then withdrew in a calm and dignified manner."
Who Won This Battle?
As both Jim Pitts and Ed Sansing agreed, the Prussians did. Although the French had more victory points, their army was shattered.
What about the Campaign?
This is our second 3-game campaign in which the French army has just not been able to stand up to their enemies. The Froggies lost both campaigns, and their influence in Mittle-Land has sunk quite low. Perhaps they can regain influence by sending in crack teams of Chefs and Hair-stylists.
Fot those among you who, like your web-master are Francofiles, let us not despair, looming in the distance is the shadow of ...Bonaparte!
You can see the first battle here Battle in Mittle-Land.
You can see the second battle here Battle in Mittle-Land II.
Go to the "Quick Tricorne" rules that we used for this game.
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