Kunersdorf - BatRep 2 Pt 1

After considering the outcome of the First Battle of Kunersdorf (see BatRep: Kunersdorf), the battle was awarded an historical outcome and reset.  Fighting had been fierce in the first battle and cavalry casualties murderous.  The Russian position on the Muhlberg was collapsing but the main Russian positions remained strong.  While the Russian Observation Corps on the Muhlberg was isolated and trapped, Frederick's weakened army was in no condition to follow-up with renewed attacks.

Early positions around the Muhlberg

Even with a replication of the historical battle in miniature neither Jake (Russian) nor I (Prussian) were satisfied with the outcome.  We both counted missed opportunities in the battle.  Could different approaches to the fighting at Kunersdorf yield different results.  Determined to find out, we set to work.

Prussian cavalry negotiates the wetlands
 to break out onto the plain

While bringing the Prussian cavalry under Wurttemberg and Platen on the Prussian left proved indecisive in Game 1 and I wanted to avoid such wastage in Game 2, I fell into the same trap.  With no room to maneuver or bring the might of the Prussian left to bear against the Muhlberg, the Prussian cavalry, once again, threads its way through the lakes and marshes around Kunersdorf.  Repeating the same thing and expecting a different result is crazy, right?

Prussian cavalry taking artillery fire from the heights

As the Left-wing Prussian cavalry picks its way across the waterways, the main Prussian Army lurches into action.  While Finck works his way across the stream on the Prussian right with his large command, Hulsen's First Line of Prussian infantry advances on the waiting Russian Observation Corps entrenched upon the Muhlberg.

Prussians advance on the Muhlberg

As if on the parade ground, Wedel's Prussian infantry forms up into serried ranks of regiments and marches toward the neck of the Muhlberg position.  The noose already looks to be closing around the Russians on the Muhlberg.  Will the Observation Corps be pocketed a second time? 

Prussians envelope the Muhlberg

Casualties begin to mount straight away as the Prussians approach within musketry range.  Will any Prussians remain to carry this formidable position?  Unlike in the prior game, Prussian artillery sees some success in counter battery fire against the Russian batteries masked by their earthworks.

Initial attacks on the Muhlberg

The main Russian Army is not waiting for the Muhlberg to be overwhelmed without succor.  Perhaps uncharacteristically of the Russian lumbering behemoth, the entire Russian Army begins to flow toward the hot spot of battle.  The Observation Corps will need to buy time before any assistance can arrive.

The Russians marching to the rescue

Back on the Muhlberg, the first Prussian attacks go in.  To hinder these Prussian closing attacks, the Russians set fire to the abatis.  Still the Prussians continue, circumventing the blazing abatis where possible to close within close musketry range at several points.

Attacking the Muhlberg

On the far side of the Muhlberg, Schorlemmer's Prussian cavalry move to cut off Russian reinforcements from reaching their already beleaguered comrades.  With the Russian battery situated in the northwest point of the Mulhberg suffering casualties, the abatis is set alight as the battery limbers and withdraws.  Slowed by having to cross the stream, the advance of Schenkendorff's grenadiers is slowed even further when faced with the burning abatis. 

Prussians continue their envelopment

To fill the void left by the Russian battery, Observation Corps grenadiers step up to man the defenses.  Their defensive stand may be short-lived, though, as enemy artillery fire and musketry converge upon their position.

Russians begin to waver

Taking musketry and artillery fire from two fronts, the grenadiers quickly accumulate three hits and begin to waver.  If not for the burning abatis to their front, the grenadiers may be forced to the rear as well.  

Pressure mounts

Despite having a smoldering wall of smoke masking the enemy, the grenadiers pull back from the defenses to rally.  Their absence is immediately filled by a regiment of musketeers.  Also having suffered enough to feel the effects, the battery on the east side of the embankment limbers and withdraws. 

Getting hot on the Muhlberg!

As the envelopment of the Muhlberg continues and the defenders feel more pressure from this constriction and the possibility of reduced avenues of escape, the Prussian left negotiates the marshland and begins to fan out to form a bridgehead. 

Prussian break out onto the plain

Under continuous bombardment from the guns on the heights, the Prussian cavalry deploys to form a buffer for infantry deployment behind.  As the long lines of infantry march through the wetlands, more cavalry await their turn to cross. Thus far, the only enemy harassment has been from the artillery on the distant heights.  Perhaps the Prussian will successfully deploy south of Kunersdorf unchecked?

Bridgehead forms

Looking up from his work guiding cavalry regiments into position, Platen is shocked to see the forces deploying against his small wing.  Facing a half dozen cavalry regiments and nearly a dozen regiments of infantry, the Prussian left may be in for a hard fight.  Along the ridgeline, long lines of Russians can be seen marching towards the Muhlberg.  Will these troops arrive in time to bolster the defenders' resolve to stand?

The enemy awaits

With the noose tightening upon the defenders on the Muhlberg and the Russian right massing against a growing Prussian bridgehead, time is right for a break in the action.

While Prussian and Russian battle plans sought change from the first battle, the terrain channeled the battle plans over familiar ground.  Having attempted to restrain the Prussians from becoming engaged on the far side of the marsh, that restraint failed.  Terrain dictated strategy.  The Prussians crossed over to the plain beyond to gain some breathing room.  The situation at this point in the battle closely resembles the situation seen in Game 1.  The major difference is that neither side has yet committed the large cavalry formations to battle.  In Game 1 cavalry casualties were horrendous.  Thus far in Game 2, no cavalry has been lost in high-stakes charges and counter charges.

The Russian Observation Corps, hunkered down on the Muhlberg, seems to be bracing for assault with the expectation that help is on the way.  Can Frederick destroy the Observation Corps before reinforcements arrive?  Can the Observation Corps hold out?  Can the Observation Corps affect an orderly withdrawal to prevent encirclement?  Is a huge cavalry battle imminent on the Prussian left?

     

To be continued...