This weekend we’re going to be refighting the Combat of Strehla, as per the scenario I posted last time. The rules to be used, will of course be Tricorn. I’ve finally got all the required Reichsarmee units finished, as well as some dragoons and hussars for Kleist’s Freikorps, as well as ‘Green’ Kleist himself. I’ll talk more about the game and those new units in future articles.
Speaking of Tricorn, it seems that the community of players is growing! 🙂 The New Buckenham Historical Wargamers (NBHW) recently played a truly EPIC refight of the Battle of Dettingen 1743 (pictured below). The game report can be found on Jabba’s Wargaming Blog and on the NBHW Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Jabba.
Anyway, on to the Prussian Hussars… I’ve got two new regiments to show off: the so-called Weisse Husaren (HR 4) and the Capucin Husaren (HR 6) (pictured below with HR 3, which I painted last year). These are all 18mm figures by Eureka Miniatures.
I actually painted these a few months ago, over Christmas and New Year, in preparation for our January Kolin refight. I could have cobbled together Zieten’s hussar division from the more elderly odds and sods in my collection, but decided that it would be nice to add some more units and actually match the order of battle. They were very well-travelled regiments, so will see plenty of action.
Puttkamer
Above: This regiment was for obvious reasons, commonly known unofficially as the Weisse-Husaren (‘White Hussars), though at the start of the Seven Years War the regiment had the official title ‘Puttkamer’ for its Chef (i.e. Colonel-Proprietor), Georg Ludwig von Puttkamer. Somewhat unusually, Puttkamer also served in the field as the regiment’s Oberst-Commandant. However, in 1759 and having been promoted to Generalmajor, Puttkamer was killed at the head of his hussars during the Battle of Kunersdorf and the regimental title passed to August Lavin von Dingelstädt, who was more of a traditional stay-at-home Chef. The regiment changed Chef again in 1762 to Balthasar Ernst von Bohlen.
The regiment was fourth in seniority, though regimental numbers weren’t actually used until the 1780s, being finally formalised in 1806. However, the anachronistic regimental numbers are often used in histories, as it makes regiments easier to identify when their titles kept changing. This unit is therefore commonly referred to as Husaren-Regiment Nr. 4 (HR 4).
Above: HR 4 had a number of other unofficial nicknames, including Bählämmer (‘Bleating Lambs’), due to their distinctive white pelisse jackets. It must therefore have come as relief to later be referred to as Wölfe im Schafspelz (‘Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing’) or simply Wölfe (‘Wolves’) thanks to their impressive fighting reputation.
Above: The reason these are very large 24-figure units, as opposed to my usual 12 or 16 figures, is that most Prussian hussar regiments were very large, comprising ten squadrons apiece. Each hussar squadron started the war with around 115 men, though this number was increased during the war, varying by regiment. In 1759 the Puttkamer Hussars were recorded as having around 145 men per squadron. Most hussar squadrons were around the same strength, though the squadrons of HR 5 and HR 7 attached to Ferdinand of Brunswick’s Western Allied Army were around 25% stronger. Dragoon and cuirassier squadrons were routinely around 25% stronger than hussar squadrons. Tactically, these large regiments usually operated as two five-squadron battalions which would usually be grouped together, though could operate completely independently.
Above: The uniform of HR 4 consisted of a light blue dolman jacket, decorated with mixed light blue & white lace and braid and white metal buttons. Collar and cuffs were the same colour as the dolman. Sources disagree as to whether the barrel-sash was red & white or light blue & white. Breeches were buff and were worn with light blue charivari leggings edged with mixed light blue & white lace. The pelisse was white, edged with white fur and decorated with more mixed light blue & white braid and white metal buttons. Headgear was a plain black mirliton cap, dressed with white cords and a white tassel at the end of the ‘wing’. The sabretache was white, edged light blue and with the royal ‘FR’ cypher in light blue. The carbine cross-belt was white, while the sabre-scabbard and sabretache were suspended from red leather belts. The shabraque was white, edged with light blue vandycking.
Above: Officers of HR 4 had silver buttons and lace, as well as a silver lace ‘frame’ around the breast-braiding, silver edging to the ‘wing’ of the mirliton cap, silver cap-cords, a silver barrel-sash and silver edging to the vandycking on the shabraque. Officers also had a different pattern of sabretache, being light blue with a white or silver zig-zagged edge and a white shield bearing a black eagle, with a gold crown above. Officers also had a light blue rosette on the front of the mirliton and black fur edging to the shabraque. NCOs wore much the same uniform as the rank-and-file, though with the light blue rosette and mixed black & white cords on the mirliton and silver laced edging to the cuffs. Trumpeters had lace shoulder-wings and white lace edging to the ‘wing’ of the cap, as well as a white plume (Bleckwenn shows light blue threads mixed into the white plume).
Werner
Above: HR 6, known popularly as the Capucin-Husaren for the brown colour of its uniforms, resembling the colour of the brown habits worn by Capucin monks. However, its official title at the start of the Seven Years War was ‘Wechmar’ for its Chef, Ludwig Anton Graf von Wechmar. However, the regiment passed in February 1757 to Johann Paul von Werner, who held the title until his death in 1785.
Interestingly, both Wechmar and Werner were ‘hands on’ Chefs, serving also as Oberst-Commandant in the field (this seems to have been a ‘thing’ among Hussar Chefs) and this possibly explains their outstanding battlefield performance. Werner in particular, had been a superb hussar officer in Austrian service, but was denied advancement due to his Protestant faith and therefore resigned from Austrian service to take the King of Prussia’s schilling. His superb performance during the first two years of the Seven Years War led to his promotion in 1758 to Generalmajor and in 1761 to Generallieutenant.
Above: Like most other Prussian hussar regiments, HR 6 had ten squadrons and like HR 4 was recorded in 1759 as having around 145 men per squadron. I’ve therefore represented the regiment as 24 figures, grouped tactically into two 12-figure battalions.
Above: The uniform of HR 6 comprised a brown dolman with yellow collar, cuffs, lace and braid with brass buttons, brown charivari edged yellow and a brown pelisse with white fur edging, yellow braid and brass buttons. Breeches were buff. The headgear was a plain black mirliton cap with white cords and a white tassel at the end of the wing. Belts were same as those for HR 4. The sabretache was brown with yellow lace edging and the ‘FR’ cypher in yellow.
The exact shade of brown is the source of some debate, with opinions ranging from a deep coffee-brown to mahogany, to a light fawn. I’ve gone somewhere in the middle, using Humbrol German Camouflage Red Brown (160) as the base colour, with white mixed in for the highlight.
Above: Officers of HR 6 had gold lace and braid in lieu of yellow, including a scalloped gold lace ‘frame’ around the breast-braid. Cap-cords were gold and the ‘wing’ was edged and tasselled in gold. Barrel-sash was silver. The officers’ pattern sabretache was brown with yellow vandycking around the edge and a central white shield with black eagle and gold crown above. Another version shows gold wreaths instead of the yellow vandycking. NCOs had the same uniform as the rank-and-file, though with gold lace around the cuffs of the pelisse, mixed black & white cap-cords and a yellow rosette on the front of the cap. Trumpeters had mixed white & yellow lace and braid, lace shoulder-wings, gold cap-cords, gold lace edging to the ‘wing’ and a yellow plume with black threads mixed in.
Above: When Werner was promoted to Generalmajor in 1758, he adopted a tricorn hat decorated with a black cockade and edged with gold lace and white ostrich feathers. He also adopted a red shabraque with rounded corners, silver lace edging and silver ‘scalloping’. The whole ensemble is shown on the right.
Bleckwenn also shows Werner as a general, wearing a red dolman with silver lace and braid, a tricorn hat with silver edging, pale straw breeches without charivari and black boots with silver edging and tassels. However, he’s shown wearing the brown and gold pelisse of HR 6.
Above: After painting HR 6, I vowed I would never paint another hussar… However, I have all the breaking-strain of wet tissue-paper and as mentioned above, I’ve been painting elements of Kleist’s Freikorps for tomorrow’s Strehla game, including Kleist himself and half of the Kleist Freikorps Hussar Regiment. I’ll cover these fellas in detail in a future article, but I couldn’t resist showing them off! 🙂 They were also sometimes known as the ‘Jung-Kleist’ Hussars, to avoid confusion with the regular ‘Kleist’ Hussar Regiment (HR 1), who also happened to have Kleist as their Chef!
Above: The Kleist Freikorps Hussars had possible the most GOPPING uniform of the Prussian Army, being a combination of orangey-red and yellow-green… They should certainly stand out on the table! Galloping alongside is ‘Green’ Kleist himself, who wears the two-tone green uniform of HR 1.
Anyway, it’ll be fun to see them in action tomorrow! 🙂
That’s it for now! I’ve been a bit slow this month, but I’ve still got the Brandywine refight after-action report to post, as well as a stack of new Reichsarmee units and the report for tomorrow’s game.
Oh and a Happy 5th Birthday to Jemima Fawr! 🙂
The Scenario
Terrain Notes
Deployment
Prussian Corps of Generallieutenant Johann Dietrich von Hülsen
Above: I profiled the 
Above: If you’re looking for a source of free SYW flags to print yourself, 
Above: Another Imperial auxiliary regiment to recently get a new flag is the II. Battalion of the Pfalz (i.e. the Palatinate) 
Above: This new flag comes from the superb range of uniform plates and flags designed by Frédéric Aubert of 
Above: And so to the new regiments, starting with the 
Above: After Rossbach, the Blau-Würzburg Regiment continued to serve with the Reichsarmee, consistently maintaining its reputation as a solid regiment when so many other regiments failed in their duties. In 1760 the Rot-Würzburg Regiment (along with Mainz-Lamberg) were also assigned to support the Reichsarmee and so both Würzburg regiments fought at the 
Above: The uniform of the Blau-Würzburg Regiment consisted of Austrian-style white coat and smallclothes, with dark blue lapels, cuffs, linings and shoulder-strap and no collar or lace. Buttons were white metal. Neck-stocks were red. Hats had white lace and pompoms and black cockades. Grenadiers wore bearskins with a blue bag, piped white. Officers had silver hat-lace and yellow sashes. Drummers had the same coat, though with dark blue swallows’-nests at the shoulders.
Above: I must confess that my second ‘new’ regiment, the 
Above: Saxony was very quickly knocked out of the war by Frederick’s invasion of 1756, with the Saxon Army being conscripted en masse into the Prussian Army. However, a number of regiments remained within Saxon-ruled Poland and the King of Saxony placed a number of these under Austrian command, namely the 
Above: On campaign the Carabiniersgarde typically wore a pale straw coller (also called a collet or ledercoller), being a tight-fitting buckskin coat with short tails, very much like the style of coat worn by Austrian and especially Prussian cuirassiers. A red waistcoat was worn beneath the coller. A black-enameled cuirass edged with red cloth, was worn over the coller, being secured at the back with white straps. The coller had red cuffs, pale straw shoulder-straps and a strip of red-white-red lace down the edge of both front-seams, which then continued around the edge of the otherwise pale straw turnbacks.
Following my recent flurry of Napoleonic units (namely the 
Above: I must confess that this first unit was painted quite a bit earlier than December! In June last year we were preparing to do our large refight of the 
Above: The subject of Austrian artillery uniform during the mis-18th Century is an insanely complicated subject, with sources being utterly at odds with each other, describing dark brown, light brown, grey, dark grey, ‘wolf grey’ and even white coats. The majority view however, now seems to be that the uniform was brown, being a much paler, greyish shade of brown than the darker, earth-brown shade used during the Napoleonic Wars and FAR paler than the dark coffee-brown shade used during the mid-19th Century. The shade was known as Rehrbraun or ‘Fawn Brown’. There is also some suggestion that the descriptor ‘Wolf Grey’ does actually mean a light, greyish-brown. I use Humbrol 29 Dark Earth, with quite a lot of white mixed in.
The cuffs were Feuer-rot or ‘Fire Red’, being a bright shade of red. There was no collar or lace, apart from the hat-lace, which was yellow. The shoulder-strap was fawn brown, buttons were yellow metal and the neck-stock was black. Gaiters were black and the powder-flask was suspended from a yellow-black cord worn over the left shoulder, the tassel of which often looked like a fringed epaulette on the shoulder. A triangular black primer-box with a brass plate was worn on the belly and on campaign could have a white linen cover.
Above: In January I realised that despite having painted all that artillery for the Leuthen game, I STILL didn’t have enough guns for our forthcoming Kolin refight! I therefore ordered some Austrian 3/6pdrs from Eureka and in a moment of fuckwittery, ordered some more Austrian gunners, despite still having a gigantic stash of Old Glory figures (in the meantime I’ve used my stash to provide crews for all my Reichsarmee and Schamburg-Lippe guns and I STILL have 17 figures left)! Ah well, the Eureka gunners are lovely figures.
Above: The Austrians always painted their gun-carriages a deep yellow-ochre shade that actually seems to have been more yellow than ochre. Ironwork was painted black. The standard Liechtenstein Pattern guns had polished brass barrels.
Above: My old Austrian army headquarters group was starting to show its age and most worryingly, the horses were starting to break at the ankles. I therefore needed to do a new staff group in time for the Kolin game. These fellas were therefore done at breakneck-speed on the day before the game. They’re all Eureka figures.
Above: Two staff officers discuss what type of biscuits to have in the Mess during Afternoon Tea. The troops at the back are the newly-painted Pfalz ‘Effern’ Regiment; I’ll cover them in detail in a future article.
Above: With the glue under the flock still drying, Feldmarschall Daun establishes his headquarters atop the Przerovsky Hill, during our Kolin refight. The cloaked general is an Old Glory 15s figure painted by me. The two hussar couriers are Old Glory 15s conversions painted many years ago by Gareth Beamish. The Austrian infantry are Lancashire Games figures, again painted by Gareth, with new flags by Fighting 15s, 
Above: For our Leuthen refight I needed a couple of Hungarian generals (Nádasdy and Forgách). I had some spare senior hussar officers/generals in my stash, which I think came out of the Old Glory 15s Austrian Generals pack back in the 90s, when they had 30 mounted figures per pack (nowadays you get nine figures in the pack and I think they’re a random selection from the original 30).
As I was on a roll with the reasonably obscure 
As briefly mentioned during my discussion of my 
Above: As was the case with their grand-dads during the Seven Years War, the artillery arm of the Swedish Army wore what was quite possibly the most boring uniform of the age…
Above: These are most definitely not the best models in the world, but they look the part with their distinctive Swedish round-hats, resplendent with yellow plumes and cockades! 🙂
Above: There is some disagreement regarding the colour of Swedish gun-carriages. during the 18th Century they had traditionally been painted light blue with yellow fittings (whether yellow metal or painted yellow is a matter of debate), though the fittings were painted black by the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
Above: As mentioned above, I decided to go rummaging through the AB figures Lead Dungeon for my General Stedingk. I wanted an officer in a cocked hat with a tall plume and decided to use a spare British officer figure.
I’m happier with his entourage, however. I used two 1806 Prussian cavalry figures; an officer of hussars wearing mirliton and an officer of dragoons.
It seems that the Mörner Hussar Regiment probably deployed to Germany wearing mirlitons, but then transitioned to shakos (or perhaps the mirlitons were retained for full dress?). Much the same thing happened in the infantry, with round-hats in many units apparently being replaced during the campaign by both French-style and Russian-style shakos.
Above: The third figure in the group is painted as an officer of the Skånska Carabinier Regiment. Nafziger and others list this regiment as being present in 1813 (though not at Leipzig), though other source suggest it may have been converted to hussars in 1807. To be honest, I lost the will to live by this point and given the general blue & yellow scheme, he could be an officer of the Swedish general staff (for whom I’ve never found any uniform information), so what the heck… 😉
With over 2,000 unpainted 
The new uniform was very modern in styling, being a dark green double-breasted jacket with short tails, pointed cuffs, plain shoulder-straps and closed collar, dark green long trousers, a shako with plume and cords, a curved steel sabre and scabbard suspended from a white waist-belt and white cross-belts worn over the left shoulder, supporting a black cartridge-pouch and carbine and dark green dragoon-style horse furniture with curved corners and no holster-covers. All regiments had white ‘metal’, a white full-dress plume, green cords, flounders and pompom and an orange and black cockade fixed with a white strap. Sources show both white and yellow metal chinscales. The pouch-plate and cross-belt buckles were brass.
Officers had silver buttons, shoulder-scales, crossbelt, cords, flounders, waist-sash and shabraque-cypher. They also had a black and orange base to the plume and a silver pompom with orange centre, bearing the imperial cypher in gold. As in the rest of the army from 1812 onward, officers were probably permitted to wear white camelhair sashes, cords, etc, in order to reduce personal cost. NCOs had silver lace edging to collar and cuffs, a quartered orange/white pompom and an orange tip to the plume. Trumpeters had extensive white lace decoration on the jacket, plus a red plume.
But which regiment to paint? During the Spring 1813 Campaign, George Nafziger mentions the ‘Lithuania Chasseur à Cheval Regiment’ serving in Lanskoi’s Hussar Division (Trubetzskoi’s Cavalry Reserve) at Lützen, being brigaded with three hussar regiments. At Bautzen the same regiment is listed with the same brigade (then commanded by Paradovsky) and the Tchernigov Regiment had also appeared as part of Pantschuild’s brigade (Prince Eugene of Württemberg’s Russian II Corps).
Given that the ‘Lithuania Regiment’ is listed by Nafziger as being the first to fight at Lützen and also fought at Bautzen, Katzbach and Leipzig, they would be the obvious choice for painting. However, the astute will by now have noticed that there was no Lithuania Mounted Jäger Regiment! Nafziger has clearly confused ‘Livonia’/’Livland’ with ‘Lithuania’. There was no Lithuania Dragoon Regiment, so there could not therefore have been a Lithuania Mounted Jäger Regiment. There was however a Lithuania Horse Regiment, who in 1807 became the Lithuania Uhlan Regiment, but the Lithuania Uhlans are listed elsewhere in 1813 and the Livonia Mounted Jäger Regiment is completely missing from the orders of battle.
First an apology for it being a bit quiet here this last month! I haven’t managed to do any wargaming since our 
Above: Smallwood’s Maryland Battalion was raised in January 1776 by Colonel William Smallwood as state troops. However, on 6th July of that year the regiment was attached to the Continental Army, where it was brigaded with Colonel Haslet’s Delaware Battalion. This began a long partnership between the two units, who became regarded as something of an elite corps. Both battalions were formally adopted into the Continental Army on 17th August 1776 and Smallwood’s Marylanders distinguished themselves only two weeks later during the Long Island Campaign, where they single-handedly mounted the rearguard against vastly superior numbers. However, the battalion was virtually wiped out in this heroic action and was reconstituted during September by absorbing various Maryland Independent Companies. The unit officially became the 1st Maryland Continental Regiment in January 1777.
Above: Although it seems rather incongruous to have an American Patriot dressed in red, Smallwood’s Marylanders definitely went to war in 1776 dressed in this manner; red coats with buff facings and smallclothes. However, there is good evidence to suggest that some or all of the unit might already have been wearing hunting shirts (variously described as buff or violet) by the time of their heroic action on Long Island. Uniformity probably broke down completely following and the absorption of other units in September 1776 and following the General Order of 1779 they were largely wearing blue coats with red facings, line the 2nd Maryland Continentals shown below (and in the famous painting of the 1st Maryland Continentals at Guildford Courthouse at the top of this article). Other units also wore red coats (often from captured British stocks), with Forman’s Additional Continental Regiment in 1777 having the same combination with buff facings and smallclothes, so this unit can do double-duty.
Above: Smallwood’s Marylanders are 
Above: The 2nd Maryland Continental Regiment had a far shorter history than the 1st Maryland Regiment, having been formed in January 1777 from various Maryland Independent Companies then serving with the Continental Army.
Above: The 2nd Maryland Continental Regiment seems to have worn a blue coat with red facings, white tail-turnbacks, white metal buttons and white hat-lace for much of its existence. This uniform was formalised (with white smallclothes) for all Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Virginia regiments with the General Order of 1779 (with wildly varying degrees of success). I’ve thrown a couple of red turnbacks and hunting-shirts in, along with other items of headgear and unlaced hats to represent ‘vagaries of supply’. The smallclothes were recorded as russet-brown during the regiment’s early days, though buff smallclothes also appear in paintings, as do dark brown waistcoats with blue breeches. Yet another depiction of the 2nd Maryland Regiment from 1781 shows them wearing earth-brown coats and breeches with red facings, white turnbacks, white metal buttons and white waistcoats. I’ve mainly gone with the blue and brown theme, though with a few men wearing randomly-coloured hunting shirts, ‘overhauls’ and ‘American trowsers’.
Above: The 2nd Maryland Continental Regiment is my most recently-painted American unit. I painted it last Autumn, using 
Above: Colonel John Haslet’s Delaware Battalion was raised in early 1776 and in August of that year was assigned to the Continental Army in Long Island, being brigaded with Smallwood’s Marylanders, with whom they were to have a long association. Both battalions fought well during the Battle of Long Island, though the Delawares managed to escape without the catastrophic casualties suffered by the Marylanders and were therefore still fit to fight for the rest of campaign, fighting especially well at White Plains.
Above: The Delaware Continentals are possibly unique in the annals of the Continental Army, in that they somehow managed to maintain a reasonably consistent uniform throughout the war. In 1776 they are recorded as having a blue coat with red facings, white turnbacks and white metal buttons (gold for officers), with white smallclothes. By 1778 they seem to have added yellow hat-lace to the ensemble and seem to have remained dressed much in this manner for the rest of the war, aside from some suggestion of brown breeches. The Delawares were therefore in the fortunate position of almost matching their stipulated uniform of the General Order of 1779.
Above: For the Delaware Continentals I used Perry Miniatures figures and painted the flag myself. As usual, I mixed in a few men dressed in hunting shirts and ‘overhauls’. This was actually the last Continental regiment I painted before my ‘Long Pause’ of 2009. The Perry ‘Ragged Continentals’ pack had just been released at the time, so I included a few of those figures.
Above: These were the very first AWI figures I ever painted; a single pack of eight Militia by 
Above: These fellas are classic Militia, dressed in a wide variety of civilian dress and variously armed. I’ve also added a ‘casually-dressed’ British officer figure (in the blue coat), to make the unit up to nine figures (three skirmisher stands, each of three figures).
Above: The skirmishers needed some formed supports, so I bought more militia from Wargames Foundry, along with a few Continental command figures from Perry Miniatures. This regiment doesn’t represent any particular unit, but has a very slight uniformed ‘theme’ of brown coats, faced red with white metal buttons running through it, though with most still in civilian dress.
Above: My first few units were geared toward the 
Above: Sargent’s Massachusetts Regiment was raised on 23rd April 1775 as Massachusetts state troops. On 14th June 1775 they were adopted into the Continental Army and on 1st January 1776 they were re-named as the 16th Continental Regiment. On 1st August 1779 they were finally re-named again to become the 8th Massachusetts Continental Regiment.
Above: Sargent’s Regiment are carrying a generic ‘Grand Union’ or ‘Continental’ Flag, which came into being on 3rd December 1775 and changed again to the ‘Stars & Stripes’ (with 13 stars) from 14th June 1777. These are all Wargames Foundry figures.
Above: Mollo depicted Sargent’s Regiment in 1775 as wearing this rather nice dark green uniform with black facings, white tail-turnbacks, buff smallclothes and white metal buttons. As with all Continental regiments, these uniforms didn’t last very long and they changed uniform multiple times during the course of the war, so any painted unit is only ever a very brief snapshot of that regiment at any given time.
Above: Like Sargent’s Regiment, Patterson’s Massachusetts Regiment was raised on 23rd April 1775 as state troops and on 1th June 1775 was adopted into the Continental Army. On 1st January 1776 it was re-named as the 15th Continental Regiment. However, on 1st January 1777 the regiment was amalgamated with elements of the 6th & 18th Continental Regiments to become Vose’s Regiment. On 1st August 1779 it was re-named for the last time, becoming the 1st Massachusetts Continental Regiment.
Above: Mollo depicted Patterson’s Regiment in 1775 as having blue uniforms with buff facings, white metal buttons and buff smallclothes. Again, there’s a lot of variation here, with various items of civilian dress and different colours of smallclothes, but the ‘theme’ is blue & buff.
Above: Patterson’s Regiment is again made up from Wargames Foundry figures. The flag is of a generic ‘Liberty Tree’ pattern by GMB Designs.
Above: Dubois’ New York Regiment was raised on 21st June 1776, being assigned to the Northern Department. On 26th January 1777 it was re-named as the 3rd New York Continental Regiment and in May 1779 was sent to the Main Continental Army, staying there for a year before being sent back to the Northern Department.
Above: Mollo depicted the 3rd New York Regiment as having a grey uniform with dark green facings, white metal buttons and grey smallclothes.
Above: Again, the 3rd New York Regiment is made up of Wargames Foundry figures. The flag is a rather fancy New York state flag by GMB Designs.
Above: As was standard practice in the 18th Century, the British massed all the regimental ‘flank’ companies (i.e. the Grenadier Companies and Light Companies) in America into combined elite battalions. Initially one battalion of each type was formed at Boston and fought in the Battles of Lexington-Concorde and 
Above: My 1st Grenadier Battalion was painted in 2005, mostly using 
Above: It’s been a while and I’ve been scratching my head, trying to work out which regiments the combination of facing colours represent, but I think it’s probably representative of the 1st Grenadier Battalion during the New York Campaign of 1776 (4th, 5th, 10th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 35th, 38th & 40th Regiments of Foot).
Above: My 2nd Grenadier Battalion was painted late last year and this time used Perry Miniatures figures throughout. They’re very similar sculpts to the old Foundry figures, but are slightly less ‘corn-fed’ and lack the goatskin backpacks of the Foundry grenadiers. Aside from the backpacks, they appear to be the same sculpts from the neck down. In contrast, the Perry grenadiers in charging and firing poses, as well as the command packs, are completely new sculpts, wearing ‘American trowsers’ rather than the regulation breeches, stockings and half-gaiters.
Above: My 2nd Grenadiers are based on the battalion’s composition for the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign, namely the Grenadier Companies of the 37th, 40th, 43rd, 45th, 46th, 49th, 52nd, 55th, 57th, 53rd & 64th Regiments of Foot, the 71st Highlanders and the Marines. Each battalion’s grenadier company is represented by two figures. However, the Marines formed two battalions in America, so should probably have four figures, but I’ve only given them two. The sharp-eyed will also notice that I’ve temporarily omitted the 71st Highlanders, who had two battalions in America, so I will at some point add another base of four figures for those.
Above: British combined elite battalions always lined up in order of regimental seniority, but not in the obvious way from right to left! This is a classic trap for the unwary figure-painter… The senior regiment would always stand on the right flank (so far so good), but the second-most-senior regiment would stand on the left flank of the line and then the remaining regiments would alternate by flank, working inwards, with the most junior regiments in the centre. So in the 2nd Grenadiers, the battalion was lined up from the right flank to left flank (left to right as we’re looking at them), 37th, 43rd, 46th, 52nd, 57th, 64th, Marines, 71st, 63rd, 55th, 49th, 45th, 40th.
Above: The right wing of the 2nd Grenadiers. As senior regiment, the grenadiers of the 37th Foot (yellow facings) are on the right flank, then the 43rd (white), 46th (yellow), 52nd (buff), 64th (black) and Marines (white). Note that regiments with buff facings also had buff smallclothes, belts and tail-turnbacks. Those items of dress were white for all regiments without buff facings.
Above: The left wing of the 2nd Grenadiers. The officer waving his hat wears the deep green facings of the 63rd, then the 55th (dark green), 49th (green), 45th (green) and 40th (buff).
Above: The 1st Light Infantry Battalion. I painted these in 2005, using Wargames Foundry figures and the mix of regiments was taken from the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. As mentioned above, the 1st Grenadier and 1st Light Infantry Battalions in 1777 both comprised companies from the 4th, 5th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 33rd, 35th, 38th & 44th Regiments of Foot. When lined up, these would be (from right to left) 4th (blue), 10th (yellow), 17th (grey-white), 23rd (blue), 28th (yellow), 35th (orange), 44th (yellow), 38th (yellow), 33rd (red), 27th (pale buff), 22nd (pale buff), 15th (yellow) & 5th (gosling green). Sadly however, I lined these up in slightly the wrong order when taking the photo! 🙁
Above: Light Companies wore the grenadier-style shoulder-wings, red waistcoats and black belts, along with high-fronted leather caps known as ‘Keppel’ caps. These caps were circled with black-enameled iron chains as a form of protection from overhead sword-cuts and as a consequence are often known as ‘chain-caps’. However, some light companies (such as those of the 4th, 5th, 45th & 71st Regiments) are recorded as wearing light dragoon-style helmets. Wargames Foundry actually do suitable figures for those, but I didn’t realise it at the time.
Above: Most Keppel caps were decorated with white edging and variations on the theme of a crowned ‘GR’ or ‘G III R’ cypher, often with the regimental number. However, some had ‘LI’ and a few had ‘ancient badges’, such as the lion rampant of the 4th Foot, ‘Britannia’ for the 5th, the Prince of Wales’ Feathers for the 23rd and a white castle on a blue disc for the 27th. Some also had coloured cloth ‘turbans’ and some pre-war examples had brass front-plates. As with the grenadier caps, these were expensive items that in reality were probably left in barracks and replaced with slouched hats soon after the start of the war.
Above: The 2nd Light Infantry Battalion was painted late last year, this time using the new Light Infantry figures by Perry Miniatures. These lovely figures are less ‘corn-fed’ than the Wargames Foundry figures, or indeed the earlier figures in the Perry Miniatures AWI range. The headgear is moulded separately, so each pack of six figures comes with six Keppel caps, six peaked caps with plume and six ‘butterfly caps’ or ‘cap-hats’. they’re also wearing the typical campaign ‘American trowsers’, which came in whatever colour of cloth was locally available, but I’ve done all these in white (i.e. linen).
Above: In addition to the formed 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, I also painted a dozen Light Infantry skirmishers for those times when you want to deploy them in their intended role, instead of as elite assault-infantry! I could use at least another dozen skirmishers.
Above: The Light Company of the 55th Foot. I couldn’t find any recorded examples of this regiment’s headgear, so gave them peaked caps with fairly generic white lace edging, crowned ‘GR’ cypher and regimental number ‘LV’.
Above: The Light Company of the 49th Foot. Again, I couldn’t find any recorded examples of their headgear, so went again with the peaked cap, this time with a crowned ‘LI’ inscription (matching a design recorded for the 46th Foot) and the number ’49’. I also gave them a green feather, which wasn’t official at this time, but was increasingly being used to signify light companies.
Above: The Light Company of the 40th Foot are recorded as wearing this pattern of Keppel cap; devoid of lace edging, but bearing the crowned ‘GR’ cypher and the regimental number ‘XL’.
Above: The Light Company of the 64th Foot are recorded as wearing this pattern of ‘cap-hat’ or ‘butterfly cap’, having white lace edging but no white band, bearing the crowned ‘GR’ cypher. Note that the sergeant has yellow lace; as mentioned above, this was a peculiarity recorded for the 64th Foot. His NCO status is also indicated by the crimson waist-sash with facing-coloured (i.e. black) central stripe.
Above: A Light Company of Marines. Two battalions of Marines were formed for service in America and there were probably therefore two Marine Light Companies present, though I’ve only painted a single base of two figures. Their headgear is modelled on a recorded Marine Keppel cap from before the AWI, which had a red ‘turban’ and was decorated on the front with the royal crest in white metal.
Above: the Light Company of the 63rd Foot. One recorded example of a Keppel cap belonging to the 63rd shows it to be decorated with the crowned ‘GR’ cypher and regimental number ’63’. There was no lace edging, but there was a green feather attached on the left side (sadly missing here).
Above: The 2nd Light Infantry Battalion formed up in close order. The line-up and facing colours are exactly the same as those listed for the 2nd Grenadier Battalion above. I could find recorded examples of light company headgear for the 37th, 43rd, 46th, 52nd, 57th, 63rd & 64th Regiments and the Marines, but gave random headgear to the remaining four companies. The 45th were actually recorded as wearing a light dragoon-style helmet, but that option wasn’t included, so I gave them peaked caps. As with the 2nd Grenadiers, I haven’t included the two Light Companies of the 71st Highlanders. The 71st are also recorded as wearing light dragoon-style helmets.
Above: As with their 
Above: A close-up of the right wing of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion. The 37th (yellow facings) are on the right flank, then the 43rd (white), 46th (yellow), 52nd (buff), 57th (yellow) and 64th (black).
Above: The left wing of the 2nd Light Infantry Battalion, starting with an officer of Marines (white), a horny-bloke of the 63rd (deep green, in reversed musician’s colours), the 55th (dark green), 49th (green), 45th (green) and 40th (buff).
Above: Frederick’s Prussian army has halted in column along the Kaiserstrasse, following its attempt to march around the right flank of Field Marshal Daun’s Austrian army. Having identified the village and associated hill of Krzeczor as a key objective, Frederick orders General Hülsen, at the front of the column, to capture them. To assist him in the task, he reinforces Hülsen with a brigade of grenadiers from the rear of the column. The rest of the army waits for Hülsen’s attack to go in.
Above: The village of Krzeczor has been prepared for defence by General Beck’s Grenzer. The village was actually fortified during the 17th Century by the Swedish army of Gustavus Adolphus and many of the massive ‘Swedish Works’ still represent a considerable obstacle, which the Grenzer now use to their advantage. The villages of Kutlire and Chotzemitz are also strongly held by the Grenzer and yet more Grenzer have dispersed out among the tall crops, to harass the Prussian column.
Above: In the advance guard, General Zieten’s Prussian hussars face off against Nádasdy’s Austrian hussar division. On the right of the Prussian hussars, General Krosigk’s heavy cavalry deploy to support the flank of Hülsen’s infantry.
Above: At the rear of the Prussian column, General Schönaich’s heavy cavalry deploy off the road to form the new right flank of the army. In the distance, a large formation of Austrian horse can be seen near the village of Poborz, which is believed to be the right flank of the Austrian army. To Schönaich’s rear, Pennavaire’s Cuirassier Reserve Division remains in column and waits for orders.
Above: However, Frederick’s hubris in expecting the Austrians to remain stand idly by while he outflanks them is sorely misplaced! Field Marshal Daun had already been expecting such a move during the previous evening and has been changing the orientation of his army to face north. Having possession of the high ground, he has been watching Prussian progress throughout the morning and can clearly see what Frederick intends to do.
Above: Daun’s first move was to place Andlau’s infantry division, plus a strong battery of heavy artillery on the Przerovsky Hill. This position can be clearly seen by Frederick from his observation point in the attic-room of the ‘Slate Slunce’ inn (just visible at the distant table-edge) and Frederick assumes this to be the extreme right flank of the main Austrian position.
Above: On Andlau’s left is Stampach’s cavalry division and Puebla’s infantry division. These formations had originally formed the right flank of the army, now they will become the left flank, as the entire army moves across their rear to form up on the right.
Above: With Frederick having issued his orders, the rest of the Austrian army is revealed! Frederick looks again at his issued orders and mutters something in Low German…
Above: On the Austrian right flank, to the rear of Nádasdy’s hussars, is the Saxon General Nostitz, with three regiments of Saxon Chevauxlégers and a large composite regiment of Austrian kommandierten heavy cavalry (i.e. formed from the duty detachments of every heavy cavalry regiment in the army), commanded by one General Starhemberg (not to be confused with Feldmarschallieutenant Starhemberg, who commands one of the infantry divisions).
Above: Daun orders Krzeczor Hill to be occupied by a powerful battery of heavy artillery. The guns are escorted by two composite grenadier battalions (commanded by Colonels Soro and Fiorenza) and the composite kommandierten infantry battalion. Fiorenza’s battalion is classed as a Large Unit, which meant that I needed to bump the unit up to 16 figures. However, the only individual base of ‘Austrian’ grenadier figures I could find were some Salzburg grenadiers from the Reichsarmee, who are waving a flag!
Above: The rear slope of the Przerovsky Hill is a hive of white-coated activity! The Prussians can only see Andlau’s division and the large battery on the crest, but to Andlau’s immediate rear is Starhemberg’s supporting infantry division and a large mass of reserve heavy artillery. Further to the rear is Wied’s reserve infantry division, which is already marching to occupy the Krzerczor sector, along with the leading elements of Serbelloni’s large reserve cavalry division. In the foreground are the two composite regiments of heavy cavalry elite companies under Colonels Burghausen and Panovsky. These have also been added to Serbelloni’s already-large command.
Above: On the Austrian left flank, the last infantry division, that of Sincère, has been pulled out of the former west-facing position and is marching past Puebla’s division at Poborz, to reinforce the new line that is taking shape near Krzeczor.
Above: Having already sent a few regiments ahead to take up position near Krzeczor, Serbelloni follows on with the bulk of his reserve cavalry, even borrowing a brigade from Stampach to expand his already-large command! Serbelloni now commands a whopping thirteen regiments!
Above: Another view from behind the Austrian centre. Note the MDF arrow markers. These were supplied as a special order (at no extra charge) from the fantastically-responsive 
Above: Another view of the Prussian column, with the heavy artillery reserve and Normann’s dragoon division in the foreground. Note that the majority of my Prussian army was painted and based during the 1990s and is still based on its original small 4-figure bases. That means I can put most of them in column formation without the need for markers. However, that does make them very slow to move and they can get VERY untidy on the table!
Above: The battle begins… Hülsen’s Prussian infantry start their advance by making a curious echelon manoeuvre to their right. They are immediately surprised by the battery of guns that Daun has placed on the Krzeczor Hill and the Austrians claim first blood as 12pdr balls start bouncing through the serried ranks of Prussian grenadiers.
Above: However, Nádasdy does something rather rash… Despite being outnumbered and outclassed by the Prussian hussars, he orders his hussars to advance.
Above: Nostitz is bringing up the Kommandierten cavalry and the Saxon chevauxlégers to support Nádasdy. He had rather hoped that Nádasdy would retire a short distance and combine their forces before launching a charge…
Above: On the Krzeczor Hill, the Austrian grenadiers move forward to defend the battery against the approaching Prussian infantry.
Above: Serbelloni’s leading regiments (the ‘Birkenfeld’ Cuirassiers (C23), ‘Württemberg’ Dragoons (D38) and the two elite regiments) march across the rear of the Krzeczor Hill, to reinforce the impending cavalry battle on the flank.
Above: The rest of Serbelloni’s cavalry quickly becomes snarled up in traffic behind Przerovsky Hill, as they wait for Wied’s infantry to clear out of the way. Starhemberg’s infantry division has also been delayed, having been ordered to form a second line on the right, in support of Wied.
Above: On the Austrian left, Stampach’s cavalry demonstrate toward the Prussian right flank. Their mission is to maintain a threat and keep the Prussian cavalry from adding its weight to the cavalry battle on the far flank.
Above: Speaking of which… The two hussar divisions clash near Kutlire. The Prussian ‘Puttkamer’ Hussars (HR 4) nearest the village become disordered by fire from the 2nd Banalisten Grenzer and are then repulsed by the ‘Festetics’ Hussars (H32) with heavy losses. However, this proves to be the only bright spot for the Austrians, as the rest of the first line of Austrian hussars is swept away!
Above: Between Kutlire and Krzeczor, Beck’s composite regiment of Grenz-Hussar squadrons attempts to make a stand on the line of the stream against Krosigk’s Prussian heavy cavalry. However, fire from the Grenzer lurking among the houses on each flank fails to make an impact and the combined efforts of the ‘Prinz von Preussen’ Cuirassiers (CR 2) and ‘Stechow’ Dragoons (DR 11) soon force the hussars to give ground.
Above: Hülsen’s advance continues to be subjected to a hail of heavy artillery fire from the Krzeczor Hill. At this rate the division will be whittled down long before it reaches the battery! Hülsen is soon relieved to receive new orders, directing him to wheel around the left of the village and assault the battery from Oak Wood, but he must take that village!
Above: Having defeated the first line of Austrian hussars, Ziethen takes a gamble and urges his hussars to exploit their success and push on into the second line of Austrian hussar regiments, most of whom have been disordered by their retreating comrades. The second line of Austrian hussars is thrown back just as easily as the first. Many of the routed units fail to rally and with catastrophic losses, Nádasdy’s hussar division flees the field. Beck’s Grenz-Hussars however, manage to rally behind Nostitz’s Saxon cavalry.
Above: The first line of Prussian hussars is left milling about on blown horses, but Nostitz’s Saxons are too far away to do anything about it. Krosigk however, is playing things safe and has pulled his heavy cavalry back behind the stream to rally, covered by the ‘Rochow’ Cuirassiers (CR 8). At the end of Turn 2, the Austrians have lost eight hussar units, while the Prussians have only lost a single unit. However, the day is far from over…
Above: A short time later, Nostitz arrives on the scene. He was meant to be supporting Nádasdy, but the situation has changed somewhat… Nevertheless, he has his orders and drawing his sword, he orders his regiments to charge! The Austrian Kommandierten cavalry are sent straight at Zieten’s hussars, supported by the Saxon ‘Prinz Karl’ Chevauxlégers on the left and the ‘Graf Brühl’ Chevauxlégers on the right. The ‘Prinz Albrecht’ Chevauxlégers meanwhile, are sent left with Beck’s Grenz-Hussars in support, to keep Krosigk’s heavy cavalry busy on the stream-line.
Above: Over on the Austrian left flank, Stampach starts to worry as Pennavaire’s cuirassiers join Schönaich’s division in lining up opposite the Austrian horse. The Prussians have a total of five cuirassier regiments and one dragoon regiment in this sector, whereas the Austrians have only three cuirassier regiments and three dragoon regiments.
Above: To Stampach’s rear, Puebla’s infantry march to take up reserve positions behind Andlau’s division on Przerovsky Hill.
Above: Wied’s infantry meanwhile, have reached Krzeczor Hill in the nick of time, just as the Prussians capture the village. Wied pushes his column on into the Oak Wood. Starhemberg’s infantry soon form a second line behind Wied, as Serbelloni’s cavalry stream past, heading for the rapidly-collapsing right flank.
Above: In the centre, the reserve heavy artillery batteries deploy and start to rain death on the approaching Prussian lines.
Above: With Krzeczor Church having fallen, the Slavonisch-Gradiskaner Grenzer holding the ‘Swedish Works’ suddenly find themselves outflanked! They attempt to withdraw, but are caught by the ‘Wangenheim’ Grenadiers (47/g7)! This is the last straw for Beck’s division. The surviving Grenzer are forced to flee or surrender.
Above: Nostitz’s cavalry meanwhile, are still rallying from their earlier clash, when they are caught by the ‘Zieten’ Hussars (HR 2) and ‘Wartenberg’ Hussars (HR 3). The leading brigades of Serbelloni’s cavalry reserve can only look on in horror as Nostitz’s division is completely swept away!
Above: The view from behind Zieten’s division. The ‘Szekely’ Hussars (HR 1 – in green) and ‘Puttkamer’ Hussars (HR 4 – in white) are rallying from their previous clashes, while the ‘Seydlitz’ Hussars (HR 8 – in red) await their turn to charge. Ziethen has thus far lost two of his eight units.
Above: Hülsen’s infantry have steamrollered their way through Krzeczor village, but it will take some time to re-order their lines beyond the village, before pushing on to attack the Oak Wood and Krzeczor Hill. In the foreground, Normann’s dragoon division arrives to reinforce Krosigk.
Above: The right wing of the Prussian infantry under the Duke of Braunschweig-Lüneburg, August Wilhelm von Bevern, has started rolling forward, their left flank being marked by the yellow flags of the ‘Anhalt-Dessau’ Regiment (IR 3). The Grenzer skirmishers cause only minor irritation. The huge mass of heavy artillery on the Przerovsky Hill is far more troublesome.
Above: Bevern’s division is a big one; 15 battalions in all. This is the right wing. The second battalion in from the right flank is the Leibgarde (i.e. the 1st Battalion of the Garde Regiment (IR 15)).
Above: It is suddenly a ‘target-rich environment’ for the Austrian gunners as they frantically load and fire their pieces as fast as possible at the long line of approaching Prussian infantry.
Above: Over on the Austrian left flank, messengers arrive with new orders for Stampach’s cavalry. However, the change of orders is now somewhat academic, as the Prussian cavalry are almost upon them!
Above: It’s now Turn 6 and there is something of an ‘operational pause’ on the Austrian right flank as the Prussian cavalry rally and re-order their lines following the destruction of Nádasdy, Nostitz and Beck.
Above: Opposite them, Serbelloni’s cavalry are rapidly building up their strength beyond the stream. Four regiments of dragoons, one of cuirassiers and two of massed elite companies are already in place, with a further six regiments of cuirassiers and one of dragoons on the way.
Above: Wied’s infantry have finally arrived to reinforce the very lonely Kommandierten Infantry Battalion in the Oak Wood. and not a moment too soon, as Hülsen’s Prussians are just starting to emerge from the village. The remainder of Hülsen’s infantry deploy on Krzeczor Hill (just out of shot to the left), supporting the grenadiers and heavy artillery.
Above: To Wied’s rear, Starhemberg’s infantry push into the Oak Wood, to form a second line supporting Wied.
Above: The view from the eastern end of the battlefield, as the two armies pause for breath, waiting for Round Two to begin.
Above: I couldn’t decide if I liked the previous photo best or this one taken from a slightly higher angle, so I’ve posted both. Here we also have a textbook example of the ubiquitous ‘Wargamer’s Groin’ shot.
Above: Yet another view of the great mass of Prussians around Krzeczor.
Above: Over on the opposite flank, Stampach’s outnumbered Austrian cavalry prepare to receive the Prussian charge.
Above: As Bevern’s division advances on Przerovsky Hill, the Grenzer fall back in front of them. The Prussian ‘Manteuffel’ Regiment (IR 17) pushes some of the Grenzer out of Chotzemitz, but the Grenzer are for now holding firm in the eastern half of the village.
Above: Puebla’s division finally reaches its position in support of Andlau. The approaching Prussian infantry have the qualitative advantage, but they’re only coming on in a single line. Puebla will provide Andlau with defence-in-depth.
Above: To the right of Andlau and Puebla, Sincère’s division has formed two lines and is about to advance to plug the gap between Krzeczor and Przerovsky Hills.
Above: The last of Wied’s regiments slots into position on Krzeczor Hill just as Trescow’s Prussian division passes the hamlet of Bristvi and begins to climb the slope. Part of the Prussian artillery reserve has deployed near Bristvi and is beginning to cause casualties among the Austrian gunners. Some of the ‘overs’ also cause casualties and disruption among the grenadier battalions, as well as Wied’s and Starhemberg’s troops on the rear slope.
Above: On the Austrian left flank, the combined Prussian cavalry divisions of Schönaich and Pennavaire finally launch their charge on Stampach. On the Austrian left, the ‘Hessen-Darmstädt’ Dragoons (D19) are overwhelmed by the combined efforts of the Leib-Carabiniers (CR 11) and the ‘Krockow’ Cuirassiers (CR 1), while on the right, the Austrian ‘Gelhay’ Cuirassiers (Ci) are repulsed by the ‘Driesen’ Cuirassiers (CR 7). However, in the centre the Austrian ‘Alt-Modena’ Cuirassiers (Ciii) comprehensively defeat the ‘Meinicke’ Dragoons (DR 3).
Above: Finding themselves alone among a horde of angry Prussian horsemen, the ‘Alt-Modena’ Cuirassiers wisely decide to rally back behind the line of the ‘Jung-Modena’ Dragoons (D13). However, the Prussian cuirassiers show no such caution and immediately launch themselves at the second Austrian line! On the Austrian left, the ‘Sachsen-Gotha’ Dragoons (D28), already disordered by their fleeing comrades, are defeated by the Leib-Carabiniers, though on the right the ‘O’Donnell’ Cuirassiers (C14) manage to halt the Prussian rampage and send the ‘Krockow’ Cuirassiers packing!
Above: The neat lines of cavalry have been thoroughly disordered by that brutal round of combat! The Austrians somehow manage to rally all three defeated regiments, but the Prussian ‘Meinicke’ Dragoons show no such tenacity and flee the field!
Above: In the centre, the Prussian ‘Manteuffel’ Regiment (IR 17) kicks the last of the Karlstädter-Szluiner Grenzer out of Chotzemitz. However, the Grenzer have done their job, as Bevern’s infantry have now been divided into several disconnected parts.
Above: It’s all kicking off again on the eastern flank! Serbelloni has now massed his entire reserve cavalry division in this sector and must attack in accordance with his orders. To make life difficult for the Austrians, the Prussians have managed to establish themselves along the far side of the stream, in a position where the Austrians can only attack three regiments abreast. On the right, Serbelloni considers sending a couple of regiments in column along a woodland road to outflank the Austrians, but that is a high-risk move that would be easily defeated by just a single regiment of hussars.
Above: The Austrian attack is led by the ‘Burghausen’ Elite Regiment in the centre, with the ‘Birkenfeld’ Cuirassiers (C23) on the right and ‘Württemberg’ Dragoons (D38) on the left. Facing the ‘Württemberg’ Dragoons are the ‘Rochow’ Cuirassiers, who are strongly supported on both flanks and in depth, though are slightly fatigued by earlier clashes. The stream line is defended by one of Zieten’s last uncommitted regiments; the two battalions of the ‘Wartenberg’ Hussars (HR 3). Like most of Zieten’s hussar regiments, these are classed as Elite, but have the disadvantage of being freshly-painted and ‘unblooded’… The ‘Werner’ and ‘Puttkamer’ Regiments, being similarly freshly-painted, have suffered badly in this game…
Above: A gratuitous long-shot of the battle…
Above: Thankfully the ‘Württemberg’ Dragoons don’t have to cross the stream and their opponents are not fresh, so although although defeated, the Austrian dragoons suffer only light casualties and fall back, rallying successfully behind their supporting lines. Things go better for the Austrians along the stream though, as half of the ‘Wartenberg’ Hussars are thrown back by the ‘Birkenfeld’ Cuirassiers with heavy losses and the rest of the regiment is utterly destroyed by the ‘Burghausen’ Elite Regiment. The surviving hussars manage to rally behind their supports.
Above: In the Krzeczor Oak Wood, Wied’s infantry come under increasing pressure from Hülsen’s assault. On the extreme right flank of the line, the single battalion of the Austrian ‘D’Arberg’ Regiment (IR 55) is coming under intense pressure from the ‘Münchow’ Fusiliers (IR 36) and ‘Finck’ Grenadiers (13/26).
Above: On the Kzeczor Hill, Trescow attempts to press home his attack. Here the Prussian ‘Alt-Bevern’ Musketeers (IR 7) and ‘Prinz Heinrich’ Fusiliers (IR 35) come to grips with the Austrian ‘Salm-Salm’ Regiment (IR 14).
Above: Just to the west, the heavy artillery, the two Austrian grenadier battalions and the left wing of Wied’s division have already been taking losses from two Prussian heavy batteries firing at long range (as have the Austrian battalions on the rear slope, who have been catching the ‘overs’). The crest of the hill now becomes an even more dangerous place, as three Prussian heavy batteries and several battalion guns deploy at canister range, while the ‘Hülsen’ Musketeers (IR 21) and ‘Wied’ Fusiliers (IR 41 – the Wied family got around!) close in.
Above: At Chotzemitz, Bevern consolidates his capture of the village , swinging his left wing around to push back the remaining Grenzer. However, his infantry are taking significant losses from the Austrian heavy artillery; the 3rd Battalion of the ‘Alt-Dessau’ Musketeers (IR 3) on the left flank of the line, has already been broken up by fire.
Above: Over on the western flank, as the Prussians re-order their lines, Stampach launches a limited counter-attack with two regiments (the rest of the division is busy rallying from the earlier clashes); the ‘Jung-Modena’ Dragoons (D13) charge head-on at the ‘Schönaich’ Cuirassiers (CR 6), while the ‘O’Donnel’ Cuirassiers (C14) charge on the right flank.
Above: Overwhelmed by the Austrian charge, the ‘Schönaich’ Cuirassiers are routed with heavy losses. Shocked at seeing his own regiment broken, Schönaich himself attempts to rally them, but fails. His last remaining regiment, the ‘Driesen’ Cuirassiers (CR 7), still rallying from earlier combat, are unable to intervene as the ‘O’Donnel’ Cuirassiers continue their charge to smash the Leibregiment zu Pferde (CR 3) from Pennavaire’s division. Schönaich suffers a crisis of confidence at the unfolding disaster [in game terms, Schönaich’s last remaining regiment would receive an additional -1 in combat and any retreat would immediately destroy the unit].
Above: On Przerovsky Hill, the main part of Bevern’s line closes with the Austrians, but is being pasted by Austrian guns.
Above: Serbelloni launches his second charge across the stream. This time the ‘Kolowrat-Krakowsky’ Dragoons (D37), ‘Porporati’ Dragoons (D39) and ‘Panovsky’ Elite Regiment face off against the ‘Seydlitz’ Hussars (H8), ‘Szekely’ Hussars (H1) and ‘Zieten’ Hussars (H2). The result is a complete disaster for the Prussians as all three hussar regiments are thrown back with heavy losses! The ‘Szekely’ and ‘Zieten’ Hussars fail to rally, which means that Zieten has now lost 50% of his division. Zieten’s courage is also starting to waver, just like Schönaich on the opposite flank! The Austrians at this point, briefly consider breaking through to complete the destruction of Zieten’s division, but decide to play it safe and fall back behind their supporting line.
Above: On Wied’s right flank the ‘D’Arberg’ Regiment (IR 55) is crushed by the Prussian infantry. Starhemberg had deployed the Hungarian ‘Haller’ Regiment (IR 31) in support, but they proved not to be enough.
Above: To the rear, Starhemberg is pushing another infantry regiment out to the right flank, to support the cavalry battle beyond the Oak Wood.
Above: On Krzeczor Hill, Tresckow’s Prussian infantry finally launch their charge! Despite being shredded by Austrian canister fire from the four heavy batteries and many battalion guns positioned there, the Prussians manage to close with the whitecoats, forcing the gunners t0 take shelter behind the ranks of the infantry.
Above: In the centre, the ‘Fiorenza’ Grenadier Battalion manages to halt the charge of the ‘Prinz Heinrich’ Fusiliers (IR 35) with musketry, but on their right the 1st Battalion of the ‘Salm-Salm’ Regiment (IR 14) is thrown back by the ‘Alt-Bevern’ Regiment (IR 7), along with a large group of battalion-gunners. On the left, the ‘Soro’ Grenadier Battalion, already heavily damaged by Prussian artillery fire, is completely smashed by the ‘Hülsen’ Musketeers (IR 21) and is swept away along with two of the heavy artillery batteries!
Above: At Chotzemitz, Bevern’s left wing attempts to push forward from the village, but is being hammered by the Austrian guns.
Above: The Austrian artillery is also taking a heavy toll on Bevern’s right wing. The gap in the Prussian line on the right of this picture is where the 2nd Battalions of the ‘Manteuffel’ (IR 17) and ‘Fürst Moritz’ Regiments used to be, but they’ve now been broken up by canister fire.
Above: On the western flank, the cavalry battle continues as Pennavaire launches the Leib-Carabiniers (CR 11) against the ‘Hessen-Darmstädt’ Dragoons (D19). The Austrian ‘Alt-Modena’ Cuirassiers (Ciii) attempt to intervene, but the Leib-Carabiniers have thus far won every combat and their luck holds as they defeat both Austrian regiments! Tragically for the Austrians, the routing dragoons disorder the ‘Sachsen-Gotha’ Dragoons (D28) in the second line and these too are routed by the rampaging Leib-Carabiniers. Stampach manages to rally the ‘Alt-Modena’ Cuirassiers, but the two dragoon regiments are lost.
Above: A short time later, the Austrian ‘Gelhay’ Cuirassiers (Ci) attempt to destroy the blown and over-extended Leib-Carabiniers. However, the ‘Krockow’ Cuirassiers (CR 1) intervene and save their comrades from destruction. In the distance, the rest of Stampach’s regiments have decided to continue with their destruction of Schönaich’s division. This they succeed in doing, but it may have lost Stampach the battle!
Above: On the opposite flank, Serbelloni launches his fourth charge! On Serbelloni’s left, the yellow-coated ‘Prinz von Preussen’ Cuirassiers (CR 2) manage to hold the line against Serbelloni’s own regiment of cuirassiers (C12), but on the right, the ‘Zieten’ Hussars (HR 2) are utterly destroyed by the ‘Kalckreuth’ Cuirassiers (C22). In the centre, the Saxon Carabiniergarde Regiment inevitably succumbs to the ‘Curse of the Paint’ as they are defeated by Prussian hussars. However, Prussian jubilation is short-lived as Zieten’s division completely collapses!
Above: Hülsen continues his slow but steady assault on the Oak wood. With the elimination of the ‘D’Arberg’ Regiment, the ‘Starhemberg’ Regiment (IR 24) now finds itself on the right flank of Wied’s line and assaulted by the 1st Battalion of the ‘Münchow’ Fusiliers (IR 36) and the ‘Finck’ Grenadiers (13/26). Again, the support of the Hungarian ‘Haller’ Regiment (IR 31) does little to help as Wied’s flank is utterly crushed.
Above: With Starhemberg attempting to extend the Austrian line out to the right. Hülsen responds by directing the ‘Woldow’ Grenadiers (12/39) and the 1st Battalion of the ‘Schulze’ Musketeers (IR 29) out to the left, thus extending his own line. The rest of Hülsen’s division advances into the Oak Wood and their next targets; the Hungarian ‘Haller’ Regiment (IR 31) and the Kommandierten Battalion.
Above: Following the earlier disaster on Krzeczor Hill, the Austrians are quick to restore the situation. Although disordered by the fleeing ‘Soro’ Grenadiers, the single-battalion ‘Prinz de Ligne’ Regiment (IR 38) charges up the reverse slope and retakes the grenadiers’ position, throwing the 1st Battalion of the ‘Hülsen’ Regiment back with heavy casualties. The 2nd Battalion of the ‘Hülsen’ Regiment meanwhile, is destroyed by musketry from the ‘Fiorenza’ Grenadiers. On the right, the 2nd Battalion of the ‘Salm-Salm’ Regiment (IR 14) advances into the gap left by the routed 1st Battalion and delivers a withering volley into the Prussian ‘Alt-Bevern’ and ‘Prinz Heinrich’ Regiments.
Above: As can clearly be seen from overhead, Tresckow’s Prussians have taken catastrophic losses [the white dots]. One battalion and all the battalion artillery has been destroyed outright and of the remainder, five battalions are only one hit away from destruction! However, Hülsen’s powerful division is steadily working over the Austrian right flank.
Above: The same view from behind Tresckow’s division.
Above: On the Prussian left flank, the Prussian cuirassiers and dragoons remain reasonably fresh, but only because they let the hussars do most of the fighting! However, that chicken has now come home to roost and Normann gallops his two dragoon regiments to fill the massive open space that has now appeared on their left. Normann is filled with dread at the realisation that his leading regiment is freshly-painted…
Above: In the foreground the ‘Prinz von Preussen’ Cuirassiers (CR 2) rally following their last clash. This regiment has taken the heaviest losses of Krosigk’s four regiments, though is still good for at least one more charge.
Above: Serbelloni’s cavalry come on again in the same old way… However, with the removal of the hussars, Serbelloni is now free to execute his original plan to feed some regiments through the wood and the town of Radowesnitz on his right, thus finally outflanking the Prussian line.
Above: In the centre, the Prussian heavy artillery continues to make life miserable for Wied’s left flank.
Above: However, it’s only fair, as the Austrian gunners have wrought colossal destruction on the Prussian infantry and the slaughter continues as they remove the 2nd Battalion of the ‘alt-Dessau’ Regiment (IR 3) and the remainder of the ‘Manteuffel’ Regiment (IR 17) from the Prussian order of battle.
Above: In front of the Przerovsky Hill, some of Bevern’s infantry survive the storm of shot long enough to launch a charge on Andlau’s line! On the left of the Prussian assault, the 1st Battalion of the ‘Fürst Moritz’ Regiment (IR 22) is halted by fire from the ‘Moltke’ Regiment (IR 13), while on the right the 2nd Battalion of the ‘Kreytzen’ Fusiliers (IR 40) are destroyed by fire from the 2nd Battalion of the ‘Puebla’ Regiment (IR 26). However, in the centre, the two battalions of the ‘Kalckstein’ Regiment (IR 25) manage to press home their attack and successfully eject the 1st Battalion of the ‘Puebla’ Regiment.
Above: This small victory provides Bevern’s Prussians with a crumb of comfort, but to get this far, they’ve had to lose six out of fifteen battalions!
Above: However, the finest infantry in Europe had just arrived in the first line: The Leibgarde (i.e. 1st Battalion of the Garde Regiment (IR 15))! But the Whitecoats don’t seem worried and the taunt “Come and have a go if your paint has hardened enough!” reaches Frederick’s ears… “What’s that?! They’re freshly painted, you say?!” Frederick immediately horsewhips one of his aides-de-camp…
Above: Tragically, that was where we had to leave Kolin! Twelve turns in and with events just getting VERY exciting, our mums had called us in for tea and an early bath. 🙁
Above: The inevitable propaganda photo: The Prussian Garde du Corps squadron rides over to escort the defeated King Frederick to safety.