Kolin 1757 - A Field of Battle Play Test for Tacticon 2013

Chris and I play tested a Battle of Kolin scenario using Field of Battle 2 a couple of weeks ago. As part of my wargaming new years resolution, I committed to hosting at least one battle at a local convention this year. I have decided to do three battles, in part because Mike Garland, the organizer of miniature events, indicated that players wanted more battles using 28mm figures. Kolin will be the SYW battle.

First battle outside for the year.

Here you can see the battle set up outside, during one of our sunny but comfortable April weekend days here in Denver.

The battle occurred after the Battle of Prague, when most of the Austrian army retired into the city of Prague. Some of the Austrian army, along with a corp lead by Daun from Bohemia, rallied and marched to relieve the city. Frederick the Great took 36,000 men from the siege lines and marched to confront Daun's 44,000.

The armies met at Kolin. This is the "bathtub" version from Todd Kershner's rule set, Warfare in the Age of Reason campaign book.

The Prussian army in battle array.

Historically, as Frederick was often inclined to do, the Prussians deployed and attacked without proper artillery preparation so the Prussian army does not include any artillery.

The Austrian army deployed across a couple of low hills. In front of the Austrians were four small villages, one of which was occupied by Pandors.

The Austrians were particularly well served by their artillery in this battle. So they have three batteries deployed in front of their army. The remainder of the Austrian army is deployed in roughly three lines.

Austrian army deployed. The cavalry
reserve is shown in the right rear in the
photo.

In our battle, as happened in history, the Austrians prevailed despite the initial glorious Prussian Cavalry attack on the Prussian left that saw no less than three cavalry units dispatch an Austrian Hussar and an infantry unit, and then rush around the enemy's flank and into the rear. Unfortunately, all three of the regiments met their demise in combat against the Austrian cavalry reserve stationed on a hill to the rear of the army.

The Prussian high water mark. Note the Cuirassier routing
and the Austrian Cuirassier with two hits on the hill.

By the time the Austrians finished mopping up the Prussian cavalry on the left, it was all but over. The Prussians were not strong enough to overcome the three heavy batteries in the center and the Austrians were massing overwhelming force on the Prussian right. The Prussians (yours truly) conceded.

Austrian batteries cover the approaches to the Prussian center.

Chris and I enjoyed the battle immensely. We agreed that there was too much artillery on the Austrian side. For the convention game, I will either remove one battery or reduce all the batteries to medium guns. Also, the armies will be a little more spread out because the table will be 6 x 8 ft.