The Combat of Pretzsch, 29th October 1759: A Scenario for ‘Tricorn’

Here’s another Seven Years War scenario for Tricorn, our Seven Years War variant of Shako rules.  This is actually two scenarios in one:  You can either play the full scenario, requiring a 6×8-foot table, or a smaller vignette scenario, requiring a 5×5-foot table.

Lewys and I actually played the smaller vignette scenario LAST January, but I still haven’t got around to posting up the report, so that will follow soon.

Like a lot of the smaller actions of the Seven Years War, the details of organisation are fragmentary and in some places contradictory, so I’ve given it my best stab.  It’s entirely possible that this scenario might be completely different to someone else’s scenario of the same battle! 🙂

Historical Background

The near-constant campaigns in Saxony remained a sideshow for much of the Seven Years War, being overshadowed by King Frederick II’s better-documented campaigns and the Prussian disaster at Maxen.  However, there are plenty of interesting (and modestly-sized) actions to be played and information is becoming increasingly available.

Following the remarkable victory by Generalmajor Johann Jakob von Wunsch’s tiny Prussian corps over a superior Austro-Imperial force at Zinna (a.k.a. the First Battle of Torgau, which we refought last year) on 8th September 1759, the Prussians in Saxony were reinforced by the corps of Generallieutenant Friedrich August von Finck.  However, this reinforcement was too late to stop the Austro-Imperial army from recapturing the Saxon capital of Dresden.

Nevertheless, on 13th September the Prussians recaptured Leipzig without a shot being fired and were soon marching to recapture the city of Meissen.  A combined Austro-Imperial army, suffering from a confused command structure, marched out to meet them, but was defeated by Finck on 21st September 1759 at the Battle of Korbitz (a.k.a Löthain).

Following the bloodbath of Korbitz, the Austrian Field Marshal Serbelloni somehow managed to shelve the blame onto General of Cavalry Andreas Hadik.  However, the widely-despised Serbelloni did not remain in command for long, as Field Marshal Daun, the victor of Kolin soon arrived to take control of the situation with yet more reinforcements.  The Prussians in the meantime, were also building up their forces and also had a change of command with the arrival of Prince Henry of Prussia.

Starting in early October, Daun began operations in Saxony, with the intention of clearing all Prussian forces from the west bank of the Elbe.  With vastly superior forces, Daun had within a few weeks forced Prince Henry’s army back into a pocket with its back to the Elbe at Torgau.  Only Rebentisch’s tiny Prussian corps remained outside the pocket on the west bank of the Elbe, but it was far too weak to do anything independently against the large Austro-Imperial forces arrayed against Prince Henry.

However, the wily Wunsch had a plan.  He would take his small corps over to the east bank of the Elbe, then march north and cross back over the west bank to link up with Rebentisch.  Their combined forces would then strike at the Duke of Arenberg’s northern arm of the encircling Austrian forces, while Finck attacked simultaneously out of the pocket, thus crushing Arenberg between two forces.  Prince Henry agreed to the plan and on 26th October, Wunsch crossed the Elbe at Torgau to begin his march.

On 27th October, Wunsch’s small force reached Wittenberg and on the following day crossed back over to the west bank of the Elbe.  In the early hours of the 29th, Wunsch and Rebentisch linked up and their combined force marched south to find Arenberg, hoping that Finck would also be marching from the south.  However, Arenberg had learned of Wunsch’s march and apparently unaware of Rebentisch’s or Finck’s movements, on the morning of the 29th received orders from Daun to march out, find Wunsch and destroy him.  O’Donell’s Austrian corps was also ordered to march to Arenberg’s aid.

In addition to countering Wunsch’s corps, Arenberg was also ordered to send light forces over to the east bank of the Elbe, in order to cut Prince Henry’s supply lines east of Torgau.  An ideal location to carry out this mission would be the bridge over the Elbe at the small town of Pretzsch.

Having observed Austrian forces moving northward to find Wunsch, Finck sent Generalmajor von Krockow out with the ‘Normann’ Dragoons and two battalions of grenadiers to maintain contact with the enemy as he brought up his main body to attack Arenberg’s rear.

Wunsch’s and Rebentisch’s combined force meanwhile, had reached the hamlet of Merkwitz, where Rebentisch’s advance guard encountered a small force of Austrian cavalry.  Swiftly deploying the ‘Jung-Platen’ Dragoons and Lieutenant Schwebs’ battery of horse artillery (which had been freshly rebuilt, following the capture of the original horse battery at Kunersdorf earlier in the year).  Schwebs quickly brought his guns into action and poured very effective fire onto the Austrian horse, who were driven back beyond Oesteritz.  By now, the ‘Württemberg’ Dragoons and Frei-Bataillon ‘Salenmon’ had also arrived to reinforce the Prussian forward position at Merkwitz.

The opening salvo by the horse artillery was heard by all the other columns marching toward the battle, including Finck and O’Donell.  Arenberg’s column meanwhile, was already deploying between Sackwitz and Ockela, while Brentano’s corps was marching on a southern route, via Schmiedberg toward Pretzsch (from ‘B’ on the map).  Gemmingen’s corps meanwhile, was on the northern route (‘A’), aiming to secure a river crossing between Buccholz and Gomlo.  O’Donell meanwhile, was still someway distant, while Finck was approaching Pretzsch from the south-east (appearing between ‘C’ & ‘D’).

As Arenberg deployed his infantry to face Wunsch and Rebentisch, a new battle suddenly erupted in the direction of Pretzsch, as Brentano’s corps encountered Finck’s Prussians.  To Arenberg’s front, the Prussian horse artillery had now deployed on the high ground recently vacated by the Austrian advance guard cavalry and was directing heavy fire onto the deploying Austrians.  Worried about the threat to his rear and overestimating the size of the Prussian forces, Arenberg ordered his own corps and that of Brentano, to retreat.  Gemmingen’s corps meanwhile, starting to deploy near Gomlo, was ordered to form the rearguard.

Brentano’s retreat went relatively smoothly and he managed to outrun Finck’s pursuit, though he suffered losses from Wunsch’s guns deployed on the high ground.  However, Arenberg’s withdrawal was nowhere near as smooth as the infantry were suffering heavy losses from artillery fire.  The cavalry attempted to cover their withdrawal, but quickly became targets for the artillery and were then charged by the Prussian cavalry.  The Austrian horse broke, causing chaos among Gemmingen’s infantry.  One of Gemmingen’s brigades, along with eight companies of grenadiers, attempted to stem the tide, but they too were soon sent packing, with Gemmingen himself being wounded and then captured by the ‘Jung-Platen’ Dragoons.

O’Donell meanwhile with nine infantry battalions, three cuirassier regiments and one dragoon regiment, having been delayed by confusion in his orders, was a short distance from the battle and could clearly hear the guns.  His force (which actually outnumbered the combined forces of Wunsch and Rebentisch) could have had a decisive impact on the battle.  However, he started encountering fugitives, who informed him of Arenberg’s defeat.  O’Donell therefore decided to reverse his march and withdraw from the threat, thus removing the last hope for Arenberg to restore the situation.

Thus the Prussians had won yet another victory against the odds, but it was still not the knock-out blow that was needed to finally kick the Austrians and their Reichsarmee allies out of Saxony.  However, with the withdrawal of the Russian army into Poland, Frederick was finally free to enter the Saxony campaign and would surely deliver that blow.  What could possibly go wrong…?

The Small Scenario

This scenario encompasses only the clash between Wunsch’s Prussian corps (with Rebentisch under command) and Arenberg’s Austrian corps (with Gemmingen under command) and uses the smaller 5’x5′ section of the map, as indicated by the inner red & black border.

Finck’s Prussian corps and Brentano’s Austrian corps are not used.

The scenario lasts for twelve turns.

Both sides are deployed as shown on the map.  All units are deployed in column with artillery limbered, except for Arenberg’s Advance Guard Cavalry, who may be deployed in line, the Prussian Frei-Bataillon ‘Salenmon’, which may be deployed in skirmish order and the Prussian Horse Battery, which always classes as unlimbered.

Gemmingen’s Corps will arrive on Turn 5 in column formation at Point A, with the two grenadier battalions at the rear of the column.  Gemmingen’s orders may be written when he arrives on table.

Victory will go to the side which breaks the opposing army.  However, if neither side has broken by the end of Turn 12, the Prussians may claim victory if they have one of their two Artillery Reserve batteries positioned on the high ground at either of the points marked ‘X’ (and is therefore assumed to be directing artillery fire onto Brentano’s corps).

The Large Scenario

This scenario encompasses the whole map and includes all the forces listed below.

Finck’s Prussian corps is classed as an entirely separate army, so has a separate Army HQ and messengers, as well as a separate set of army breakpoints.

Brentano’s Austrian corps is a part of Arenberg’s army, so comes under Arenberg’s chain of command; use the Large Scenario breakpoint chart for the Austrian army.

The scenario lasts for twelve turns.

Both sides are deployed as shown on the map.  All units are deployed in column with artillery limbered, except for Arenberg’s Advance Guard Cavalry, who may be deployed in line, the Prussian Frei-Bataillon ‘Salenmon’, which may be deployed in skirmish order and the Prussian Horse Battery, which always classes as unlimbered.

Krockow’s Advance Guard division of Finck’s Prussian corps will arrive on Turn 1 in any formation, anywhere between Points C & D.  Krockow’s orders must be written before the start of the game.

The remainder of Finck’s Prussian corps will arrive on Turn 3 in any formation, anywhere between Points C & D.  Orders may be written for each of these divisions as they arrive on table.

Brentano’s Austrian corps will arrive on Turn 1 in column formation at Point A.  Brentano’s Advance Guard division must be deployed at the front of the column, but the rest of the corps may be brought on to table in any order.  Orders must be written for each of Brentano’s divisions before the game starts.

Gemmingen’s Corps will arrive on Turn 5 in column formation at Point A, with the two grenadier battalions at the rear of the column.  Gemmingen’s orders may be written when he arrives on table.

Victory will go to the side which breaks the opposing army.  BOTH Prussian armies must be broken for the Austrians to claim victory.  However, the Austrians may claim a victory if they have broken one of the Prussian armies and have sole control of the town of Pretzsch.

Prussian Corps of Generalmajor von Wunsch

(Excellent – 2 Messengers)

Wunsch’s Corps (Infantry) – Wolfersdorff (Good)
Grenadier Battalion ‘Homboldt’ (13/26)     [5/2]
Grenadier Battalion ‘Willemy’ (4/16) (?)     [5/2]
III. Standing Grenadier Battalion ‘Beneckendorff’ (41/44)     [5/2]
I. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Hessen-Cassell’ (IR 45)     [4/1]
II. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Hessen-Cassell’ (IR 45)     [4/1]
II. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Salmuth’ (IR 48)     [4/1]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]

Wunsch’s Corps (Cavalry) – Pogrell (Excellent)
Dragoon Regiment ‘Jung-Platen’ (DR11)     [5/2 – Large Unit]
Detachment of Hussar Regiment ‘Möhring’ (HR 3) (elite)     [5/2]
Detachment of Hussar Regiment ‘Zieten’ (HR 2) (elite)     [5/2]

Rebentisch’s Corps (Infantry) – Rebentisch (Average)
I. Bn/ Musketeer Regiment ‘Rebentisch’ (IR 11) (elite)     [5/2]
II. Bn/ Musketeer Regiment ‘Rebentisch’ (IR 11) (elite)     [5/2]
Frei-Bataillon ‘Salenmon’ (F 3)     [3/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]

Rebentisch’s Corps (Cavalry) – Gersdorff (Excellent)
Dragoon Regiment ‘Württemberg’ (DR 12)     [5/2 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Hussar Regiment ‘Gersdorff’ (HR 8)     [4/1]
II. Bn/ Hussar Regiment ‘Gersdorff’ (HR 8)     [4/1]

Artillery Reserve
Heavy Foot Artillery     [3/0]
Brigade of Horse Artillery     [3/0]

Notes for Wunsch’s Corps

1.  Units marked on their label with a * (namely the Rebentisch Musketeers and the Detachments of Hussars) are classed as elite and rate one MR level higher than normal.

2.  Frei-Bataillon ‘Salenmon’ may be split into two skirmisher elements. However, this must be done before the start of the game and they may not reform.  Both skirmisher elements must be broken for them to count against formation morale.

3.  Apart from the Horse Artillery Brigade and a mention of ‘heavy guns’, the artillery composition is entirely speculative.  The Austrians seem to have been thoroughly out-gunned during this action, so in addition to the horse artillery and the usual battalion gun complement, I’ve given the Prussians a small contingent of heavy artillery.

4.  The Grenadier Battalion ‘Willemy’ is also listed as being part of Finck’s Corps.  The overall number of grenadier battalions seems to be correct, but the identity of one of these battalions is clearly wrong, as Willemy couldn’t be in two places at once.

5.  Mark the detachments of the ‘Möhring’ and ‘Zieten’ Hussar Regiments with one casualty at the start of the game, due to being very weak.

Breakpoints – Wunsch (Both Scenarios)

Division                 FMR     ⅓     ½     ¾

Wolfersdorff               31         11     16     24
Pogrell                          15         5       8      13
Rebenitsch                  15         5       8      13
Gersdorff                     13         5       7      10
Artillery Reserve         6          –       –        –

Army                       FMR     ¼     ⅓     ½

Wunsch’s Corps          80       20     27    40

Large Scenario: Additional Prussian Forces

Prussian Corps of Generallieutenant von Finck

(Average – 2 Messengers)

Advance Guard – Krockow (Good)
Dragoon Regiment ‘Normann’ (DR 1)     [5/2 – Large Unit]
Grenadier Battalion ‘Willemy’ (4/16) (?)     [5/2]
Grenadier Battalion ‘Bähr’ (9/10)     [5/2]

Cavalry (Average)
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Vasold’ (CR 6)     [6/2 – Large Unit]
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Horn’ (CR 7)     [6/2 – Large Unit]
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Bredow’ (CR 9)     [6/2 – Large Unit]

Infantry (Average)
Grenadier Battalion ‘Kleist’ (37/40)     [5/2]
I. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Münchow’ (IR 36) (elite)     [5/2]
II. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Münchow’ (IR 36) (elite)     [5/2]
I. Bn/ Musketeer Regiment ‘Linstedt’ (IR 27) (elite)     [5/2]
II. Bn/ Musketeer Regiment ‘Linstedt’ (IR 27) (elite)     [5/2]
I. Bn/ Musketeer Regiment ‘Lehwaldt’ (IR 14)     [4/1]
I. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Zastrow’ (IR 38)     [4/1]
I. Bn/ Füsilier Regiment ‘Grabow’ (IR 47)     [4/1]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]

Artillery Reserve
Heavy Foot Artillery     [3/0]
Heavy Foot Artillery     [3/0]

Notes for Finck’s Corps

1.  The Grenadier Battalion ‘Willemy’ is also listed as being part of Wunsch’s Corps.  The overall number of grenadier battalions seems to be correct, but the identity of one of these battalions is clearly wrong, as Willemy couldn’t be in two places at once.

2.  It’s not known exactly which two of Finck’s three grenadier battalions was sent with Krockow’s Advance Guard, so I’ve allocated two at random.

2.  Aside from the formation of the Advance Guard, the organisation of Finck’s Corps shown here is entirely speculative, as all that is known is the list of units.  Feel free to rearrange these units into divisions of your own design (e.g. split the infantry into two wings) as you see fit.

3.  Finck was operating entirely independently from Wunsch, so is classed as a completely separate army. Finck’s army breakpoints are listed below.  Both Prussian armies need to be broken separately.

Breakpoints – Finck (Large Scenario Only)

Division                FMR     ⅓     ½     ¾

Krockow                      15        5       8       12
Cavalry                        18        6       9       14
Infantry                       41       14      21     31
Artillery Reserve         6        –         –        –

Army                      FMR     ¼     ⅓     ½

Finck’s Corps              80       20    27    40

Austrian Corps of Feldmarschallieutenant Arenberg

(Poor – 2 Messengers)

Reserve Corps Cavalry (Average)
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Bretlach’ (C 29)     [6/2]
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Schmerzing’ (C 20)     [6/2]

Reserve Corps Advance Guard (Poor)
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Alt-Modena’ (C iii)     [6/2 – Large Unit]

Reserve Corps Infantry (Average)
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘De Ligne’ (IR 38)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘De Ligne’ (IR 38)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Wied’ (IR 28)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Wied’ (IR 28)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Hungarian Infantry Regiment ‘Gyulay’ (IR 51)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Hungarian Infantry Regiment ‘Gyulay’ (IR 51)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Harsch’ (IR 50)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Harsch’ (IR 50)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Light Foot Artillery     [3/0]

Gemmingen’s Corps (Poor)
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Botta’ (IR 12)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Botta’ (IR 12)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Marschall’ (IR 18)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Clerici’ (IR 44)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Jung-Colloredo’ (IR 40)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Jung-Colloredo’ (IR 40)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Angern’ (IR 49)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
1st Grenadier Battalion     [5/2]
2nd Grenadier Battalion     [5/2]
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Buccow’ (C ii)     [6/2 – Large Unit]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]

Notes for Arenberg’s Corps

1.  Every Austrian unit except artillery, starts the game with 1 casualty marked.  This will give them an initial disadvantage in combat, reflecting the rather lacklustre performance by Austrian units on the day.  Another method might be to drop all morale-ratings by one grade, but that might be too much of a downgrade.

2.  The ‘Schmerzing’ Cuirassiers and ‘Bretlach’ Cuirassiers have squadrons detached to Brentano’s Corps, so are not classed as Large Units.

3.  There is much disagreement between sources.  For example, Gemmingen’s corps is described as including the ‘Buccow’ Cuirassiers, though only a single squadron of the ‘Schmerzing’ Cuirassiers (probably the ‘picked’ squadron described as being with Brentano) is described as being involved in Gemmingen’s action.  Duffy also described eight companies of grenadiers under Gemmingen’s command, not mentioned elsewhere.  In the meantime, Arenberg’s column is described as including dragoons, yet the only dragoons are the ‘Saint-Ignon’ Regiment listed under Brentano’s command!

4.  The artillery composition is entirely speculative. The Austrians seem to have been thoroughly out-gunned during this action, so in addition to the usual battalion gun complement, I’ve only given them a small contingent of light artillery.

5.  Duffy’s account mentions eight grenadier companies being instrumental during the retreat of Gemmingen’s Corps.  I’ve therefore grouped these into two battalions, arbitrarily numbered 1st & 2nd, but in reality these ad hoc battalions would be known by the name of the officer appointed to command them on the day.  The grenadiers will march on to table at the rear of Gemmingen’s column.

Breakpoints (Small Scenario Only)

Division                                        FMR     ⅓     ½     ¾

Reserve Corps (Cavalry)                  12          –       6        –
Reserve Corps (Advance Guard)     6          –        –        –
Reserve Corps (Infantry)                 39        13     20     30
Gemmingen                                        44        15     22     33

Army                                              FMR     ¼     ⅓     ½
Austrian Army                                   101        26    34     51

Large Scenario: Additional Forces

Austrian Corps of Feldmarschallieutenant Brentano

Brentano’s Corps (Cavalry) (Poor)
Cuirassier Regiment ‘Serbelloni’ (C 12)     [6/2 – Large Unit]
Dragoon Regiment ‘Saint-Ignon’ (D 31)     [5/2 – Large Unit]

Brentano’s Corps (Infantry) (Average)
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Pallavicini’ (IR 15)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Pallavicini’ (IR 15)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Imperial Infantry Regiment ‘Mainz-Lamberg’     [4/1 – Large Unit]
II. Bn/ Imperial Infantry Regiment ‘Mainz-Lamberg’     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Andlau’ (IR 57)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
I. Bn/ Infantry Regiment ‘Königsegg’ (IR 16)     [4/1 – Large Unit]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Battalion Guns     [2/0]
Light Foot Battery     [3/0]

Brentano’s Corps (Advance Guard) (Good)
Picked Squadrons from Cuirassier Regiments ‘Schmerzing’, ‘Bretlach’ & ‘B. Daun’     [6/2]
Hussar Regiment ‘Jazygier-Kumanier’ or ‘Palatinal’ (H 36)     [4/1]
I. Bn/ Grenz Infantry Regiment ‘Warasdiner-Creutzer’     [3/0]
II. Bn/ Grenz Infantry Regiment ‘Warasdiner-Creutzer’     [3/0]
I. Bn/ Grenz Infantry Regiment ‘Warasdiner-St Georg’     [3/0]
II. Bn/ Grenz Infantry Regiment ‘Warasdiner-St Georg’     [3/0]

Notes for Brentano’s Corps

1.  Every Austrian unit except artillery, starts the game with 1 casualty marked.

2.  It is not clear exactly which (or both?) Warasdiner Grenzer Regiments were present, as they’re just listed as ‘2,000 Warasdiner Grenzer’.  It could have been a single regiment at full strength, consisting of two very large 1,000-man battalions, but I think it more likely that it was both Warasdiner regiments, with four 500-man battalions.  Some or all of the battalions may alternatively be deployed as skirmishers before the start of the game (split each battalion into two skirmisher elements). Each pair of skirmisher elements counts as 3 morale points.

3.  The organisation of Brentano’s Corps shown here is entirely speculative, as all that is known is the total mix of units.  Feel free to rearrange these units into divisions of your own design.

4.  Again, the artillery composition is entirely speculative.  The Austrians seem to have been thoroughly out-gunned during this action, so in addition to the usual battalion gun complement, I’ve only given them a small contingent of light artillery.

5.  Brentano’s Corps is operating under Arenberg’s command, so does not have a separate army command structure.  Therefore use the following formation breakpoints when playing the full scenario:

Breakpoints (Large Scenario Only)

Division                                         FMR     ⅓     ½     ¾

Reserve Corps (Cavalry)                    12          –       6       –
Reserve Corps (Advance Guard)      6           –        –       –
Reserve Corps (Infantry)                   39        13     20    30
Gemmingen                                          44        15     22     33
Brentano (Cavalry)                              11         4       6       –
Brentano (Infantry)                            31         11      16     24
Brentano (Advance Guard)               22         8      11      17

Army                                               FMR     ¼     ⅓     ½
Austrian Army                                    165        42    55     83

Terrain Notes

The terrain features all conform to the standard terrain rules, as per the Terrain Effects Chart on Page 2 of the Tricorn QRS (linked).

The battlefield is littered with small hamlets and villages.  These mostly consist of a single Built-Up Sector (BUS), though the villages of Schmiedberg and Pretzsch each consist of two BUSs.

Each BUS may accommodate a single infantry battalion or two skirmisher elements.

No BUSs are fortified.