Mollwitz, A Near Run Thing

Romer's cavalry wing

Hot on the heels of the 10 April remote battle recounted in Mollwitz, A Battle Report, the table was reset and my Austrian opponent replaced.  Rather than having Chris at the helm of the Austrian Army, David (Not by Appointment) would pick up the reins in an 11 April contest. 

Would Chris' decisive Austrian victory on the field of Mollwitz represent a harbinger of things to come or was Chris' victory a fluke?  Is an Austrian victory at Mollwitz a repeatable event or a singular outcome?  We would put both of hypotheses to the test.

As a reminder, the armies were deployed as in the photo below:

Initial deployments

With a reminder of troop attributes and victory conditions, the two armies poised for battle step off in their attempt to secure a victory.

View of battle from the south

Overhead view of battlefield from Prussian line. 

Prussian lines

Prussian lines

At the sound of the cannon, both armies lurch into motion.  With great briskness, Austrian cavalry enjoy double moves across the battlefield.  While Romer advances smartly upon the Austrian left, Berlichingen in command of the Austrian right cavalry wing crosses the stream and engages the Prussian left cavalry wing.  The Prussian infantry in the center advances toward the enemy and Mollwitz at a measured pace.  Neither dithering Prussian cavalry commander moves.  

Early maneuvers

Prussian emerge from the woods

Unable to respond in a timely fashion, enemy cavalry are upon the Prussian hussars.  Outnumbered in both quantity and quality, the hussars are sent packing back toward the village. 

Prussian hussars are driven off.

This early success prompts Berlichingen to spur his horsemen on.  They collide with the rest of the Prussian left wing.  The Left Wing is overwhelmed but not without loss to Berlichingen's command.

Collision on the Prussian left

while the Prussian infantry march slowly forward.

On the Prussian right, Romer and his large cavalry wing crashes into Schulenburg's cavalry wing.  Again, outclassed in all ways, Schulenburg and his Prussian horsemen are driven back in great disarray.

Cavalries collide!

Schulenburg is driven back.

Not aware of the Austrian cavalry success on the wings and seeing Prussian infantry bear down, Neipperg orders his infantry to retrograde back.  Forward and back.  At least they are getting some exercise before the fight!

Neipperg orders infantry back to Mollwitz

where they await the Prussians.

Situation as Prussian cavalry wings reel back.

Having dispatched the Prussian left wing, Berlichingen crosses the stream to make his way toward the Prussian soft underbelly.  In the far distance, he sees Prussian cavalry being driven back by Romer.  The battle looks well in hand!  Frederick disagrees!  The battle looks lost and he abandons his army.  Schwerin takes over in command.

Berlichingen crosses back over the stream.

Schulenburg narrowly escapes capture.

Perhaps the battle is not yet lost?

As the Austrian cavalry wings meet with encouraging success, the real strength of the Prussian army marches on.  The objective?  Mollwitz and the destruction of the Austrian infantry.  Firefights erupt as the distance between the two forces decreases.  

The Prussians close upon Mollwitz.

Long-range firefight develops.

As the distance closes, casualties mount.  Neipperg orders Harrach to skirt the village and try to get onto the Prussian flank.  The poorly trained Austrian infantry positioned in front of Mollwitz are being battered.  They begin to waver and retire.

Harrach attempts to outflank the Prussians at Mollwitz.

Prussian grenadiers storm Mollwitz.

Fighting at Mollwitz.

Seeing the Austrians being shoved out of Mollwitz, Schwerin redoubles his efforts to take the village and destroy the white coated infantry.  Austrian regiments are fleeing the battlefield by the handfuls.  Mollwitz is within grasp. 

Prussians converge upon Mollwitz.

While success looks assured at Molllwitz, the concern that Schwerin faces is that his army is nearing a breaking point.  With Prussian cavalry having abandoned the field, only token resistance faces the Austrian cavalry as they turn back to the battlefield.

The race to win the battle is on.  Can Neipperg mop up the units lingering in the Prussian rear while inflicting enough damage upon the Prussian infantry at Mollwitz before the defenders are overwhelmed?

Austrians cling to Mollwitz.

Romer threatens Prussian guns

Berlichingen threatens Prussian guns.

The answer is yes!

While David may look more relieved (in the screenshot below) than joyous, both Prussian guns are lost and another Prussian infantry regiment is scattered in the attack upon Mollwitz.   

David and his Austrians are victorious!

The Austrians just cling onto Mollwitz long enough to see the Prussian army break and claim a close victory.

As David, said, "it was a near run thing."

Another fun and exciting contest on the fields of Mollwitz.  Again, the strategy boils down to whether the Austrian cavalry can defeat the Prussian cavalry before the Prussian infantry can reach Mollwitz.  For the second game in a row, the Austrian army does just that.

Thanks, David!  

Oh, David proved that Chris' earlier victory was no fluke.

Scenario: Battle of Mollwitz, 10 April 1741

Carl Rochling's Prussian Infantry at Mollwitz 1741

Taking advantage of an Austria in a weakened state due to years of conflict, a demoralized army, and bankrupt treasury, Frederick II assembled his well-trained but untested army to make a land grab dash.  The target?  Austria's province of Silesia.  In December 1740, Frederick invaded.  Thus began the First Silesian War. 

With Great Britain weighing in on the side of Maria Theresa promising to bankroll an offensive to reclaim lost territory, FM von Neipperg took command of the newly raised Austrian Army.  Von Neipperg took to the campaign trail in March with a goal of splitting the two Prussian forces and defeating each in detail.  This wedge would be driven into an area south of Neisse.

Austrians drawn up in front of Mollwitz

Despite heavy snows and mud clogged roads, Neipperg advanced upon Breslau.  When Frederick realized the danger, he ordered his forces into a blocking position and situated his army astride the Austrian line of advance upon Breslau.  After receiving nearly two feet of snow on 9 April, the two armies arrayed for battle outside of the small hamlet of Mollwitz on the following day.  The Austrians had their backs to the village and the Prussians deployed over one mile away.  The battle opened about 1300 and was over by 1900. 

For more historical details on the campaign and battle, please visit the recommended sites below:
Obscure Battle: Mollwitz
British Battle.com: Mollwitz
Battle of Mollwitz - N. Bonaparte

Drawing inspiration from Jeff Berry's Obscure Battles (listed above) and the scenario designs of: 

• James' Battle of Mollwitz Scenario - Olicanalad's Games and
• Colin's, Battle of Mollwitz Scenario - Carry On Up the Dale

I put pencil to paper to build my own reinterpretation of young Frederick's first battle.  By the way, I encourage giving both James and Colin's Mollwitz games a look; beautiful spectacles in 28mm.

My 18mm armies arrayed for battle on 6 x 6 table

With heavy snow and the two armies more than one mile apart, closing with the enemy will take time.  In the historical battle, it took the Prussian infantry two hours to close to within musketry range of Mollwitz after having repulsed the Austrian cavalry attacks.  Given those conditions, march rates will be halved as the deep snow will be as rough ground.  The stream will, likewise, be treated as rough ground.  Grazing fire will be as "Bad Weather."  The presence of two feet of newly fallen snow will negate all charge bonuses.

Mollwitz Battle Maneuvers
Source: warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/military-history/
the-battle-of-mollwitz-opening-move-for-prussian-expansion/

Since Frederick was convinced to retire from the battle early on, there is a chance in the game that Frederick will act similarly.  To reflect this possibility, the following is in force: 

After third Prussian unit broken and every unit broken thereafter, Frederick rolls Command Test.  (-1) for each broken unit.  If he fails (Poor or worse), he must leave the field and Schwerin takes over.  Schwerin acts as Lt Gen for infantry until Frederick departs.

The above rule is directly lifted from Colin's game plan.

Austrian Cavalry

Looking at the Order of Battle, both sides face interesting challenges. The Austrians maintain more and better cavalry while the Prussians field more and better infantry.  To win, the Austrians must hold Mollwitz at the conclusion of the battle at 1900.  With a long distance to march on Mollwitz, Prussian infantry cannot wait too long before stepping off for an attack on Neipperg's infantry. 

While I wrestled with troop ratings, what I settled upon seems reasonable given the historical accounts of the battle.  Should all Prussian infantry be rated superior rather than only the grenadier formations?  Should the Austrian rabble be degraded to inferior or would standard be sufficient?  Since I wanted at least one troop grade difference between the Austrian and Prussian infantry, Inferior to a mix of Standard/Superior seems reasonable.

Prussian Cavalry

With the Austrian Left Cavalry Wing under the impetuous Romer, Austria will automatically receive Movement Initiative on the first turn.  Will Romer shred the Prussian Right Wing Cavalry at the onset of battle?  Will the superior Austrian cavalry be able to defeat the Prussians before the superior Prussian infantry can close with the inferior Austrian infantry?

Rather than having Romer deployed already on the Prussian flank as shown in the Fawkes diagram below, Romer will begin on the left flank in line with the remainder of the Austrian army.  Can Romer still pull off a crushing attack against the inferior Prussian cavalry on the Prussian right by beginning to fore rather than the flank?  I guess we will see.  

Map of the Battle of Mollwitz 10th April 1741
by John Fawkes

The above battle background and game details should provide just enough information to tantalize and prepare my opponent for this upcoming test using Honours of War.  My thanks to Colin for sharing his work on Mollwitz for HoW. 

Dashing Through The Snow - Romer’s Romp at Mollwitz

Prussians close on Mollwitz

The title for this post originates from my stalwart gaming opponent, Jake, who noted that his Austrian Left Wing cavalry commander, Romer (rated as "Dashing") is appropriately "dashing through the snow."  Was Romer leading the cavalry charge on horseback or in a "one-horse open sleigh?"  Whichever mode of transport chosen, the way Romer cut through my Prussian cavalry, I am certain he was "laughing all the way."

Initial Dispositions

To refresh memories of the Battle of Mollwitz on a both a historical and gaming basis, please turn back to Scenario: Battle of Mollwitz, 10 April 1741.

As expected, the battle opens with the stronger Austrian cavalry wings peeling off from the main battle line and advancing towards the weaker, Prussian cavalry wings. The Prussian first and second lines step off beginning their march towards Mollwitz.

Is this Cannae?

Romer sets his sights on Schulenburg on the Prussian right

while Berlichingen targets Posadowsky on the left

With snow on the ground, charges are muted but Romer pitches into Schulenburg's command.  Schulenburg counters the superior Austrian cuirassiers with his own, outclassed cuirassiers.  Both sides throw in supports. 

Romer crosses swords with Schulenburg

In an extended cavalry clash, both of the primary combatants disengage having suffered heavy casualties.  Having sustained four hits, the Austrian cuirassiers fall back through their supports.  The Prussian Leib Cuirassiers are Done For having suffered five hits.  Routing back through their inferior rated, supporting cavalry, the dragoons sustain two hits as the routing cuirassiers pass through their ranks. 

Both cuirassier formations recoil

On the Prussian left, having crossed the frozen stream, Berlichingen smashes into Posadowsky's troopers.  With snow on the ground, the effect of collision between trot and gallop is significant.  No charging bonus across this heavy ground.  Outnumbered and outclassed, this may not be a fair fight either.

Cavalry clash on the Prussian left

With one of the Austrian hussar regiments joining Berlichingen in the attack on Posadowsky, the Prussian cavalry commander is greatly disadvantaged at three formations to six.  In the cavalry melee, the Prussians lose both the hussars and cuirassiers to the Austrians' one.  Tough times on the Prussian left.  Passing close to Prussian infantry, Austrian cavalry suffers a few casualties from musketry.

Prussian Left Wing in trouble

Jumping back to the large cavalry clash on the Prussian right, Schulenburg attempts to stabilize the situation. Again, outnumbered and outclassed, the inferior Prussian dragoons are no match for the better trained and mounted Austrian troopers.  Both of Schulenburg's remaining cavalry are destroyed in the ensuing cavalry clash.

Two more Prussian cavalry are Done For

Prussian dragoons, destroyed

All of the Prussian cavalry on the right are either dead on the field or put to flight.  With only one remaining Prussian cavalry unit on the left, both flanks of Frederick's Army are vanquished.  Undaunted by the activity on the Prussian flanks, the Prussian infantry continues plodding through the snow on its steady march on Mollwitz towards the Austrian infantry lines.  

Prussian cavalry wings - Gone!

Young King Frederick has seen enough!  Schwerin convinces the King that his duty is to save himself from capture as the Austrian cavalry appears on the army's flanks.  Both flanks!  Resigned to the dire prospects for the outcome, Frederick flees the field of battle.  The dashing Schwerin takes command. 

Frederick flees the field

An hour into the battle, Austrian cavalry wings are swinging wide around the flanks of the Prussian line.  With the Prussian right devoid of cavalry, only one Prussian cavalry formation remains on the battlefield.  That sole Prussian unit is in a tight spot with Berlichingen's wing bearing down on it.  

Double envelopment continues

One quick, sharp clash and the only Prussian cavalry remaining on the field is smashed and scatters.  The Prussian line is left without cavalry support on either flank.  Can the Prussian line maintain its plodding advance towards Mollwitz and the raw Austrian infantry? 

Final cavalry vs cavalry attack on the Prussian left

Another one bites the snow

Having destroyed all Prussian cavalry resistance, von Neipperg now faces his own dilemma.  The dilemma?  The relentless advance by the Prussian infantry towards Mollwitz and the heavy snow-covered ground have put his victorious cavalry out of position.  They have penetrated too deeply into the rear of the Prussian Army.

Prussian cavalry wings vanquished

Despite the loss of his protective cavalry wings, Schwerin believes that victory can still be achieved by coming to grips with the inferior Austrian infantry deployed in front of Mollwitz.  Peeling off grenadiers to guard his vulnerable flanks and leaving his artillery behind to harass any approaching enemy cavalry, Schwerin presses on.

Austrian cavalry in the Prussian rear

Romer slowly turns his cavalry back towards the Prussian rear

while the Prussian infantry continues its advance on Mollwitz

The battle may turn into a race against the clock.  Schwerin's entire battle plan hinges on engaging and defeating the Austrian infantry before his own infantry is taken from the rear by the victorious Austrian cavalry. The heavy ground and the obstacles left behind are working in Schwerin's favor.  Austrian cavalry cannot keep pace.

Austrian cavalry have swung too deep into the rear

Now within musketry range of the Austrians at Mollwitz, Schwerin seems to win the race.  As the range closes, fire erupts from the Austrian line.  A number of Prussians drop and one regiment falls out of line with heavy casualties.

Prussian infantry taste Austrian lead

As the fire fight at Mollwitz increases in intensity, Romer's cavalry bears down on the scattered elements of the Prussian rear guard.  Will the Prussian rear guard be sacrificed to allow the Prussian infantry a chance at victory?

Romer bears down on rear guard

Gaining a double move, Romer succeeds in hitting both the rear guard grenadiers and artillery in flank.  Both Prussian units give their lives for the good of the army.  But is their sacrifice in vain? 

Flank attacks!

At this point in the battle, the Prussians have suffered eight stand losses to the Austrians' three.  Under Honours of War, Army Breakpoints are eleven for the Prussians and ten for the Austrians.  The Austrians need only to destroy three more Prussians without suffering another seven themselves.

Prussians prepare for the attack on Mollwitz

While pinning the Austrian left, the Prussians assault the Austrian right.  The inferior Austrian musketeers cannot stand up to the pressure.  First in a trickle and then in a torrent, Austrian infantry begins breaking for the rear.

Austrian right flank is turned.

Collapse of Austrian right

With his infantry melting away faster than the snow in the afternoon sun, von Neipperg orders a general withdrawal.  The battle is won by Schwerin and the might of the Prussian infantry!

Austrian line disintegrates

The end of the Austrian line

Well! That was near-run thing!  Great fun with many episodes of drama too.

While von Neipperg can be justified in his orders to leave the battlefield having lost most of his infantry since cavalry cannot hold ground, the "game" was still up for grabs.  At the time of capitulation, the Army Breakpoints count stood at P8:A9.  While the Austrians could only sustain one more loss before breaking, how difficult for von Neipperg to pick off three isolated or wavering Prussian units?  An Austrian victory is certainly not beyond belief.  Well, at least I think there is a possibility for an Austrian victory.

Again, HoW produced an exciting game that came down to the last effort.  On points, it really could have gone either way.  The game unfolded in an historical manner and produced the historical outcome.  I look forward to a rematch and trying my hand in von Neipperg's shoes.