Monday 5 December 2022

The Battle of Kuhhaus

(Deployment....). The Herzog Frederik glanced both ways along the Saxe-Jarlsberg battle line checking the deployment .... then examined the disposition of the Wittenberg army opposite him ...

King Leopold of Wittenberg issued his last orders as he looked at the Saxe-Jarlsberg army ...
both armies cavalry were well matched on one flank...
in the centre Wittenberg had an extra infantry regiment...
on the other flank the Saxe-Jarlsberg cavalry faced off against two brigades of Wittenberg cavalry ....

(Move 1...)  both sides moved forward cautiously ....

except one Wittenberg cavalry regiment which charged impetuously forward slamming into a regiment of Saxe-Jarlsberg cuirassiers... who held their charge with ease
(Move 2... ) the Wittenberg infantry closed to short musket range as both sides artillery fired to little effect..

while the Saxe-Jarlsberg cuirassiers tussled with their opponents, more cavalry joined the fray ...
The newly engaged Wittenberg cavalry had the edge pushing back their opponents...
(Move 3.....) the infantry started to exchange musket fire ....
as the cavalry melee continued on one flank...
(Move 4....). the cavalry contest started on the other flank ...
both sides traded musket fire (casualties accumulated slowly..)
on the other flank the Wittenberg cavalry were getting the upper hand ....
(Move 5.....) the Wittenberg infantry in the centre held their ground under fire but the regiments on either side backed off ...
Saxe-Jarlsberg cavalry had routed their opposition and continued on into the supporting unit...
On the other flank a Wittenberg regiment routed, but the gap was plugged ; the Saxe-Jarlsberg curassier regiment were beaten and routed also .... things hung in the balance...
Move 6..... The Wittenberg infantry recovered their nerve and charged forward into contact .... 
On Wittenberg's left flank their cavalry were hard pressed and being pushed back  ...
Move 7..... the Saxe-Jarlsberg infantry on either flank were soundly beaten and routed, running back through supporting units and taking them with them - one regiment was left standing in the centre ... 

The front Wittenberg regiment in the centre gave way and routed, but the supporting regiment held steady..
(Move 8..... )  On Wittenbergs' right flank their cavalry had beaten off the other regiments and were finishing off the last of the opposition...
one of the victorious Wittenberg horse regiments charged into the retreating Saxe-Jarlsberg infantry....
on Wittenberg's left flank the cavalry held on and beat off their attackers....
.....The Herzog with the battle lost leaves the battlefield and rides hard to Karlebach ....

A win for Wittenberg

Tuesday 29 November 2022

Hoflandt -Campaign Map Movements (3)...


Saxe-Jarslberg (defending the Hoflandt). RED

  • After their defeat at Marienstadt, the troops retired to Montberg, to join the garrison there.
  • The main body of the Duke's army (including troops from Hesse-Limburger) left Karlebach and reached Montberg. 
  • A regiment of foot and dragoons were sent to secure Zigenfeldt
  • The garrison at Dashagen was re-inforced.
  • The main body of the Duke's army left Montberg heading for Marienstadt....

Wittenberg (trying to seize the Hoflandt) GREEN

  • A small force was sent to take control of Gorhagen.
  • A flying column of two regiments of dragoons and a regiment of horse seized Videnberg.
  • The King with the main body of the army left Hof and reached Marienstadt.
  • Scouts reported the Saxe-Jarlsberg army was on the move.
  • The army started forward from Mariendstadt making for Kuhhaus.
both armies were now on a 'collision course'....

Monday 28 November 2022

On the march ...

The main part of the Saxe-Jarlsberg army has left Karlebach and is on the march towards Montberg....






....its aim to move onwards to retake Marienstadt and then onto the city of Hof.

Saturday 15 October 2022

Action at Marienstadt ...

Saxe-Jarlsberg had deployed a small force to block the road from Hof at Marienstadt. They had taken up defensible position about half a mile or so out from the town in the lee of a low hill.  Infantry were deployed in a low walled enclosure with the cavalry astride the road.


The Wittenberg forces advancing from Hof, on seeing the opposition to their front, deployed outside the small village of Donutz.....

The Wittenberg infantry start their advance ....

The Wittenberg infantry close to musket range as their cavalry charges ....


The Saxe-Jarlsberg cavalry are pushed back into their supporting unit, but fight on ....
The dragoons in the Wittenberg folorn hope are whittled away and the remnants fall back behind their infantry who step forward and open fire...
The first Saxe-Jarlsberg cavalry regiment routs but the second one fights on bravely holding back superior numbers
After exchanging volleys, the Wittenberg infantry charge forward to attack the Saxe-Jarlsberg troops behind the wall..
The Saxe-Jarlsberg infantry hold on tenaciously, but after a while some Wittenberg pikemen gain an advantage and are across the wall...
The second Saxe-Jarlsberg cavalry regiment breaks and routs, Wittenberg cavalry set of in pursuit ...
The Saxe-Jarlsberg infantry regiment holding the centre of the wall gives way after a brave fight and routs...
The rest soon follow leaving the Wittenberg troops holding the walled enclosure ...
With the Saxe-Jarlsberg troops on the run, Wittenberg can take possession of the town of Marienstadt.

A bad day for Saxe-Jarlsberg - a victory for Wittenberg

---oXo---

Notes:

1) Scenario based on Monckton Farleigh ECW 1643, as described in ECW Campaign Scenarios Vol 1 1643 for the South West, by R Giglio.

2) By pure chance the selection of units from the boxes resulted in the bulk of the figures in the Wittenberg Army being from Irregular Miniatures, with those in Saxe-Jarlsberg being from my own home-cast range (both armies numbers also include some Sash&Saber plus Romanof figures).

3) First table top battle for the Mercenary Scots regiment - started Ok, but didn't do too well.