Combat of Moys, A Battle Report

Combat of Moys, 18 June 1757

Beginning as a series of emails with David (from Not by Appointment blog), in which he expressed a curiosity and interest in giving remote gaming a try, plans evolved into the recreation of a full blown, historical SYW battle.

Since I had not played Honours of War (HoW) in a few years and David was unfamiliar with the rules at all (and remote gaming), I originally suggested we step off on this new adventure with a smaller action. 

Asking for possible battles to refight, David immediately fired off a suggestion with the Combat of Moys.  Perfect, I thought.  A "Combat" is typically smaller than a "Battle" so this should fit the criteria nicely.  Digging into the OB and accounts of the battle, I quickly discovered that Moys was definitely more than what I would consider a "combat"!  With 32,000 Austrians against about 14,000 Prussians, Moys would produce a respectably sized battle. 

While most of my previous HoW battles have been fought at the scale of one infantry BMU on the table equals two field battalions, for Moys, I opted to drop the scale to one infantry BMU equals one infantry battalion.  As soon seen, this scaling produces a rather larger battle with masses of troops on the table.

Battlefield and initial army dispositions

View from behind Austrian lines

View behind Prussian lines

Austrian army arrayed in four battle lines
 with grenadiers converged on left.

Austrian army on parade.

Prussians on Der Langer Berg

Prussian grenadiers in the Jackelsberg redoubt

Prussian grenadiers in Ober-Moys.

Palffy's Austrian Grenz and hussars on the left.

View from behind Forgach's fourth Austrian line.

View of battlefield from south.

With David having a copy of Honours of War in hand and scenario details produced, we were ready to give it a try.  David chose to play the attacking Austrians.  David made a good choice since the more static and defending Prussians would provide less action on my part as I juggled GM and stage production duties.

The Austrian commander would be awarded objective points for capturing the Jackelsberg and the three parts of the village Moys.  The Prussians could slip out with a victory if they could hold Der Langer Berg for twelve turns before their army broke.  Why twelve turns?  For the first playing of the scenario, twelve turns seemed a good starting point and benchmark for later games.  Of course, if either army breaks, the battle is over. 

Prussian battle plan

As Prussian commander, Winterfeldt, my plan was to offer up a forward defense.  I hoped to contain the Austrians in the natural chokepoints between

(1) the pond and Moys (and Rothwasser) in the center.

(2) the stream and the pond on the left.

(3) the Rothwasser on the right.

If not contain the Austrians, at least slow then down to make an advance difficult.  When the situation warrants, withdraw back to Der Langer Berg and prepare for a final defense.  Unfortunately, Winterfeldt begins the game off table in Gorlitz and will not arrive to command until Turn 3.

What was the Austrian plan?  Attack more than likely!  

How did David's initial introduction to HoW and remote gaming play out?  Did the Prussian plan bring victory?  Please read on to find out.

David's view from Austrian webcam

Austrians form up smartly and ready to step off!

Prussian infantry descend from Der Langer Berg

as Austrian grenadiers prepare
to assault the Jackelsberg.

Long range artillery softens up the defenders.

Austrian grenadiers climb the Jackelsberg
and take the guns!

Bitter fighting in the redoubt
as the Austrians attack from two fronts.

Zieten's cavalry form up in the distance.

The two cavalry wings clash!

Many of the Austrian horse fall back to recover
but many of the Prussians are damaged as well.
Forgache's brigade is left in reserve.

Prussian grenadiers are ejected from the Jackelsberg!

The White Menace marches forward in the distance.

Having been ejected from the redoubt,
Bevern tries to rally his grenadiers.

Winterfeldt arrives to encourage his men.

With artillery out of range,
the Austrian commander orders the guns limbered. 
Seeing no space to deploy,
Forgach begins a long flank march. 

Overhead Austrian webcam view.

Overhead view of continuing flank march.

Prussian grenadiers attack to retake the Jackelsberg.

Austrian cavalry fall back on the right
 as Austrian infantry advances to stop pursuit.

Austrian cavalry are wearing down

while Prussian cavalry stand ready to exploit.

Prussians hold the chokepoints exactly as planned.

All quiet on the Austrian left.

My view of the action with Big Screen in background
 and grenz in the foreground
showing view from one of the webcams.

Austrian musketry is deadly.
Prussians fall back in disarray
both from the center and Jackelsberg.

Austrian heavy artillery makes it way to the front.
The Prussian line wavers.

Those guns look big!

Firefight continues at the foot of the Jackelsberg.
Prussian grenadiers are not giving up
 but not making progress either.
Progress?  The Prussians are repulsed again!

Austrian guns unlimber and pound the Prussian infantry.
The Prussians reel back.
The center is breaking.

As a last hope, Kleist sends in his grenadiers
against the Austrian right.
The Prussians are overwhelmed by musketry
and fall back.
The battle is over.

Prussian Dead Pile.

Austrian Dead Pile.

It is all over but the crying.  The Austrians force the Prussian army to break!

Well done, David! 

After about seven hours of play (with breaks) over two gaming sessions, the Austrians emerge victorious.  History repeats.

Casualties as seen from the two Dead Piles are completely lopsided.  I am at a loss for words as to how this happened.  While the Prussians lost the Jackelsberg early on, I figured the Austrian advance had been contained at the chokepoints.  Until it wasn't!  The Prussian Army remained intact for eleven turns.

Great job by David in both commanding the Austrians to victory and in tackling remote gaming.  This was another very enjoyable and rewarding battle recreation.  Great fun, actually!

Looking forward to giving Moys another try.

I may keep the SYW armies out on the gaming table for a while longer, I think.