Zorndorf - Battle report

This game was set up three weeks ago. Unfortunately, players had commitments and we were not able to meet until last Wednsday night. In the first session we completed three turns - here is the report.

The Prussians opened the battle with a two hour preliminary bombardment: The Prussians chose six units of Saltykov's infantry and inflicted d3 unit integrity losses on each.

But, it was the Russians who advanced first: Demiku advanced his cavalry, supported by Cossacks, and they were met in the open fields below Wilkersdorf by Schorlemer, who in turn advanced to greet them. A ding-dong, back an forth, cavalry clash is about to happen and it will last all evening.  

On the eastern flank, Manteuffel's strong line of infantry (mostly grenadiers) advanced on the many lines of Russian infantry between the Galgen-Grund and Zabern-Grunds. The Prussian artillery, lines of sight now blocked by their own infantry are made redundant. 

What is about to happen here comes as a shock to all.

The contestants exchanged several volleys of musketry. The Prussian fire was lethally accurate - the return fire was desultory in comparison. The Russian first line, which had already reinforced by their second following the artillery bombardment, began to waver and crumble. 

Seizing their chance, the Prussians advanced to contact. They had rolled even on a Move card and the Prussian grenadiers crossed bayonets with their foe.

The Russians collapse!

At the end of the first evening's play, Manteuffel's attack has (so far) been a complete success

It was aided, it has to be said, by their far superior sequence deck - integrity loss and so forth was rallied on successive Leadership cards, whilst the Russians failed to daw a single Leadership card on which to rally their crumbling lines.

Following the success of Manteuffel's attack, the second line of infantry under Kanitz moved to attack Galytsin's infantry beyond the Stein-Busch wood.

The Russians have not been wholly inactive. In support of their western cavalry advance, parts of the Observation Corps have gone forward. 

You might also note Seydlitz's four cavalry regiments emerging from behind the Stein-busch.

Looking west the disjointed (to my mind) advance of the Observation Corps can be clearly seen.

Seydlitz's cavalry which, having rolled three 'even' moves on two successive march cards, has moved from east to west (a combined move of 72") behind the Stein-Busch and deployed from columns of squadrons into lines. Historically, he actually did this but, historically much later in the day (after stabilizing the eastern sector which historically had not gone in Manteuffel's favour).

Note: Because of my big table (6' x 14' 8") I have increased rule measurements by 50%.

At the western end of the field the cavalry battle played out for most of the session. Casualties on both sides were heavy. At first, the melees went for the Russians but, yet again, the Leadership cards told: The Prussians have five in their deck, the Russians only have three and the Prussians got to turn theirs where the Russians failed to do so (two turns ending on same initiative rolls). 

The Prussian cavalry's counter strikes stabilized the situation - honours were about equal.

And that was where the session's action finished. We will meet to complete (hopefully complete) the battle next Wednesday evening. 

Another shot of Manteuffel's infantry - heroes of the hour.

As yet not fully committed, Kanitz's infantry.

From behind the same, showing the uncommitted Russians beyond. The Russians are in trouble but, this is a Piquet battle and is not done yet.