Elements of Romer's Cavalry |
To refresh memories of the scenario and the prior two battles, follow the links below:
Battle of Mollwitz Scenario
Battle of Mollwitz Game #1
Battle of Mollwitz Game #2
The battle begins as the other two; battle lines drawn up in the snow with the Prussians about a mile from the village of Mollwitz. Romer's cavalry wing is stacked on the left with the Austrian Right Wing superior to its opponent. Both cavalry wings move out through the snow after a brief delay.
Initial Deployment |
Cavalry on Austrian left move to engage |
Romer's Cavalry Wing |
Heavy casualties in initial cavalry clash |
Infantry lines begin to close the distance |
Center closes to musketry range |
Casualties mount on the Austrian First Line |
Destruction of the Austrian First Line |
Prussian right is turned! |
Caught in flank and destroyed. |
Austrian cavalry in the Prussian backfield |
Prussian center consolidating |
Prussian center forming square? |
"Circle the wagons, boys" |
The last charge of the day |
Prussians facing Mollwitz |
Inaction on the Prussian left |
The End! |
The result of Game #3 demonstrates that the Austrian Army may just have a chance at defeating the Prussians at Mollwitz. What if the Austrian right could have been more active and applied significant pressure against the Prussian left? A successful double envelopment may have paid dividends in stopping the Prussian advance. In the post-game analysis, Scott hinged his defeat upon Romer's early failed activation. If Romer could have been in position one or two turns earlier, that might have made the difference in the final outcome.
Either way, it was a fun contest to watch and well-fought by both sides. Congratulations to Kevin for the win and to Scott for a valiant effort.
Well done, Gentlemen!
Fantastic looking battle. I do enjoy a game that runs close like this one. Just always seems more enjoyable to me when it comes down to the wire like that.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy a game coming down to "the last die roll" too! Even in the role of umpire, it was a fun day of battle.
DeleteA very close game. Are you tempted to play just one more to see if the Austrians can sneak a victory?
ReplyDeleteVery close, indeed!
DeleteI can see an unlikely path to victory for the Austrians now. I am satisfied imagining that The White Menace "could" win at Mollwitz given the proper circumstances.
Really great looking great Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michal!
DeleteAn impressive looking game. Always good when the result could go either way right up to the end.
ReplyDeleteA nail-biter is a good position for which to place both players. The Austrian player managed to punch above his weight class in this one. Still lost the decision but it was a good contest.
DeleteNice armies, running the game width-ways this time around rather than long ways does bring the luxury of open flanks
ReplyDeleteHi Norm. The game table maintained the same orientation as the other games. This time, the photos were all taken from the side rather than behind one of the players since I was merely observing and adjudicating. The other games had flanks and flanks got turned in all three. For the photos, the white, snowy background really played havoc with the game photography. The figures were much too dark against the white background. Much better to have a green background for game photos than white. Something to keep in mind when the battle takes me into the winter months.
DeleteMarshall MacPhee is a very dangerous opponent in any game. He always tends to punch weight above weight class and has the unpleasant ability to confound forces much superior to his own. Beware!
ReplyDeleteHi Kevin! Yes, Scott is a dangerous foe no matter the setting. It was closely contested but you persevered and came away with victory. Well done!
DeleteYou two are very kind. This scenario is definitely a tough one for the Austrians. Jon, I am interested to see your solution!
DeleteScott, my solution would be to follow YOUR strategy! I can IMAGINE how an Austrian victory is possible but not that I could pull it off!
DeleteI think the Austrian cavalry needs to push as far into the Prussian flanks/rear before engaging as possible. The deeper they can get requires more Prussian resources to contain the double envelope and would draw troops away from any effort to blast the weak Austrian infantry to the front. I think Scott started along the right track on this perplexing problem.
DeleteIn all three of the games, the Austrian player pursued the double envelopement strategy. What was discovered in Game 1 was that a deep penetration still allowed the Prussian First Line infantry to march on Mollwitz. Once in the Prussian rear, the heavy snow prevented the Austrian cavalry from overtaking the Prussian First Line while the Prussian Second Line fought a successful rear guard action.
DeleteI guess the Austrians have to get lucky on activating their cavalry and crush both Prussians wings at the same time. This would probably halt the advance as we have seen how infantry fold up when hit in the flank by heavy cavalry. Scott would have probably beaten me if his dice were better.
DeleteNice one!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThanks for hosting another great game, Jon! Your table always looks first rate.
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to have the guys over for a game. Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteFabulous report Jonathan and such a close result always makes the game worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! A game that comes down to the wire provides a lot of drama. That is how this one ended. Great fun!
DeleteA great looking game with beautiful armies, Prussian musketry is always a rock in the storm!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Phil! The Prussian infantry tore out huge swaths of Austrians with every volley. In HoW, Inferior infantry cannot Stan toe-to-toe with the Prussians.
DeleteGood work Jonathan. Interesting 'minimalist' terrain and the 18mm figures work beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The table had the minimalist look since the Mollwitz battlefield was covered in snow. I figured most terrain elements would be hidden under the blanket of snow.
DeleteIt’s kinda cool to see the same battle over and over as the understanding of the event increases. Though as everyone figures out that the Austrians have a hard time only the truly brave will volunteer to play that side. 😀
ReplyDeleteI’d do it, but I would demand free drinks.
Gaining a bit of insight into the historical situation is fun too. That is where repeated playings prove their worth.
DeleteNo need to demand free drinks. Free food and drinks are always provided by the host!
Stew, your comments are much appreciated!
And we're back for another round! Nice to see the Austrians making a decent go of it , tough for them to get a win but good that it was so close and of course all the figures look great!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Yes, indeed! The final round of Mollwitz, for now anyway.
DeleteAustrians very nearly pulled out a victory in Game 3. Had the Austrians gained the initiative on that turn, the outcome may have been reversed.
A cracking looking game Jonathan!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thanks!
DeleteInteresting how each game played out slightly differently (while all looking superb). Scott came within a die roll of winning, whichj is better than anyone else has done with the wjite Menace. SDpeaking of white, i have similar problems with the photography of snow covered tables. They look great first hand, but the camera gets tricked by all the white making the troops overly dark.
ReplyDeleteScott came so very close to pulling out a victory. It really came down to the last die roll. I think both players returned home feeling satisfied with the outcome.
DeleteAs for photography, I better stick to non-snowy games!