You'll see shortly that the style is in the form of a report filled by an Aide de Camp a few days after the battle. I'm really open to suggestions and would like to incorporate any into future turns. I move back to college on the twenty-eighth so I don't know if this will ever get done, but oh well I hope you enjoy what I will certainly have fun doing!
NOTE: The Scenario has this OOB:
Frederick
-Prinz von Preussen
--Bevern
--Kleist
--Ferdinand
-Kyau (Advanced Guard)
-Gessler (Cuirassiers)
-Schonaich (Dragoons)
But I will be using this:
Frederick
-Prinz v. Preussen
--Bevern (commander of battalions of Kleist and Bevern)
-Ferdinand
-Kyau
-Gessler
--Himself (Cuirassiers)
--Schwerin (Dragoons)
October 5th 1756
I, Major Alexander v. Grafendorff, honorably submit this report on behalf of His Majesty the King of Prussia, Friedrich II, of the action around the Bohemian town of Lobositz on the western side of the great Elbe river that took place last Friday, the first of October. This report is a summary of the action recorded from the accounts of His Majesty and the Crown Prince August Wilhelm and field marshal von Gessler, lieutenant-general Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, lieutenant-general Prince of Bevern, and lieutenant-general Kyau, and the principle generals in the action as well as others.
The King’s army after spending the night in the same location marched forward at dawn passing through the town of Blinka between the Lobosch (to the north) and the Homolka Mound (to the south) with the villages of Wehimitz and Radositz. His Majesty found it difficult to make out the location of the enemy through the thick fog, but felt the annoyance of the Croats on the Lobosch and observed what appeared to be an enemy rearguard along the Elbe with a battery opening a steady fire on our columns (Duffy, 249).
Eight battalions under the Prince of Brunswick advanced and took a position on the Homolka in front of Wehintiz to protect a mixed battery placed by His Majesty on the Homolka. The King sent word to the Field Marshal to bring up the Garde du Corps with the Gens d’armes and two squadron’s of the Crown Prince’s Cuirassiers and placed them under the command of GLt. Kyau. In support were the Bayreuth Dragoons under GLt. Katte (Historical commander for my purpose Kyau commands all of them)(Kronoskaf). See Map X.1.
Map X.1
(TURN 1: 7:00 am)
(Bombardment Phase)
At 7h00 the battery on the Homolka opened fire upon the Austrian artillery but the enemy’s guns were able to knock out a Prussian gun. (Initiative Phase) The Crown Prince spoke encouraging words to the men under the Prince of Brunswick who were under the heaviest fire from the Austrians (gives 2 command points; marginal… 17 men lost), while the King spoke with the men under Bevern (1 point to Kleist (see note on generals) and 1 point to the Crown Prince).
(Defer Bevern)
(Kyau Activate)
Kyau’s troopers were given orders to conduct a reconnaissance in force to determine the strength of the Austrian position. His Majesty wished to learn if the observed rearguard could be isolated and captured. The 25 sqns. rode forward and found Austrian Carabiners, Dragoons, and Hussars deployed infront of their artillery.
(Defer several commanders waiting for Hadik’s cavalry to respond)
The Regular Austrian cavalry moved forward and caught the Prince of Prussia regiment by surprise, but the Guards gave a vigorous counter charge. The quick thinking lieutenant-general Katte brought the regiment Bayreuth around to the right to attempt to envelope with enemy with only Hussars to stop him. See Map I.1
Map I.1
(Defer Schonaich, Gessler, and Kleist, Prinz v. Preussen Fails)
(Act Ferdinand, Bevern, then reactivate Kleist)
The King realizes that the action on the right is becoming quite heated and orders the army to prepare for battle. Regiment Quadt is ordered forward with Blanckensee to establish a strong Prussian battery to begin fire upon the Austrian infantry they can distinguish through the fog. The remaining Prussians are ordered forward into battle line along the foot of the Lobosch; His Majesty understood the need to clear the Croats from the hill so they would not harass our rear. The line was made up from left to right of: the Regiment Munchow, Itzenplitz, and Jung-Kleist; Jung-Billerbeck’s Grenadiers, Regiment Bevern, Manteuffel, and finally on the right Hulsen deployed behind Quadt and Blanckensee. The Grenadier Battalion Kleist advanced behind Itzenplitz and Jung-Kleist.
(NOTE: These deployments, though breaking the order of battle are shown in Christopher Duffy, The Army of Friedrick the Great. I have attempted to play this battle as historically accurately as the AI will allow me. I will Probably break from this around turn 5 or 6)
(Activate Gessler, then Schonaich)
As the King rode forward to examine the deployment of the guns he became aware that if the main Austrian army should appear his far right (the Battery at the Homolka and the Grenadier Battalion Puttkamer) would be in the air. He ordered the Main body of cavalry around to the right and they passed between the two hamlets.
Map I.2
[TURN 2: 7:15 am]
(Bombardment Phase)
By quarter after seven the artillery duel was becoming intense, but our guns, outnumbering the Austrians by now, were gaining the upperhand. The Homolka guns were directed to fire upon the enemy horse in close quarters with General Kyau. In the meantime the more southern guns of the new battery took the Homolka battery’s place by knocking out some Austrian artillery, while the northern guns began to shell the Austrian line of infantry. The Austrians were not silent and the Garde du Corp took a toll but held firm. Hans v. Blumenthal, the guards’ commander, remarked that on a day like this his troopers’ morale could never be shaken (name of commander from Duffy, 251). The King had ordered ten or so light pieces to deploy in-range infront of the main battery. Their deployment was the target of the remaining Austrian field guns, and they suffered two guns lost, but their bravery was unmatched.
(Austrian commanders activate… no major movment)
(Kyau activates)
Rallying the Prinz v. Preussen regiment, General Kyau sent them forward to attack the Mounted Grenadiers to the north while the eight sqns. of guards were ordered to hit the remaining Austrian regular horse. The first five senior Bayreuth Dragoons appeared from the high crops around the village of Sullowitz through the fog and hit the Hussars unaware who fled immediately. The remaining squadrons surged forward and formed up to charge the Austrian Artillery battery. (Act. Hadik) The Austrian commander, who, from the best estimates, was Andreas Count von Hadik ordered the remaining Austrian Hussars to counterattack. They were thrown forward onto the left flank of the Garde du Corps but stuttered before charging home and only succeeded in gaining Blumenthal’s attention (-10 mol). See Map II.1
Map II.1
(Activate Austrians etc… Activate Bevern, Defer Gessler, Austrian, Defer Ferdinand, PvP Defered, Kleist Act.)
The Regiments of the main Prussian line began to reach their deployments from the right with Regiments Hulsen and Manteuffel; and to the left the Regiments Munchow and Itzenplitz continued up the Lobosch in column. A soldier from the Itzenplitz regiment unaware of the purpose of their advanced remarked: “we thought we were now going back to camp and all danger was past. We marched cheerfully up the steep slopes of the vineyards [of which there were many on the Lobosch] and filled our hats with fine red grapes.” (Duffy, 251).
(Reactivate Gessler, then Activate Schonaich)
The Cavalry continued their move south to the right. The Cuirassiers reached their position with a forward line of ten squadrons from the regiments Rochow and Lieb Carabiners and the mainline stretching from the north with the Lieb Regiment, Markgraf Karl’s, Schonainch’s, and finally in the south with Driesen's. An impressive line of 20 squadrons. (I botched the Dragoon deployment. Oh well). Behind them came the dragoon regiments of Waldburg and Oeritzen with the Green Hussars covering the flank of the deployment. See Map II.2
(Ferdinand Failed, FR adjusted the light artillery, Prinz v.Preussen (PvP) failed. Austrians: no major movements)
Map II.2
[TURN 3: 7:30 am]
(Bombardment Phase)
At 7:30 the Austrian Artillery supporting their cavalry against General Kyau switched to canister shot and poured fire into the Garde du Corps. Colonel Blumenthal was hit in the neck with several grape shot and suffered a mortal wound (actually he was cut in the neck (Duffy, 251), but this works too) and was escorted from the field. Our guns on the Homolka continued to pound the Austrians squadrons which by now were buckling under constant pressure from Kyau. In the great artillery duel to the north, our gunners were gaining the upper hand by knocking out three of their heavy guns (leaving only three) while losing only two light pieces. We continued to rain fire upon the enemy infantry as well whom the senior officers observed becoming unsettled.
(Hadik activates, only rallies some troops, no movement)
(Defer Bevern, Austrian, Defer Frederick and Ferdinand, Austrian, Austrian, and Defer Gessler)
(Activate Kyau)
General Kyau rushed forward to the remaining guardsmen and steadied them after Blumenthal was taken to the rear. The Bayreuth Dragoons completed their envelope and began a charge on the rear of the Austrians. Undaunted by the loss of their brigade-mates the Gens d’armes surged forward, capturing the remaining Carabiners and then supported the Prinz v. Preussen regiment to the north. To the east, the remaining squadrons of the Bayreuth regiment hit the Austrian artillery in the flank and caught the gunners, busy with their murderous fire on the Guards, in the flank. Showing the same tenacity as at Hohenfriedberg, the Dragoons took revenge for Blumenthal. See Map III.1
Map III.1
The Dragoons captured four of the guns and little remained of the enemy cavalry.
(defer PvP)
(Activate Kleist)
Near the summit of the Lobosch the battalions of Munchow and Itzenplitz wheeled into line and immediately received heavy fire from the Croats. They returned it well but would need the bayonet to force the enemy from the tangle of vines.
(Activate Bevern: moved the remaining battalions into line; Activate PvP: moved forward and rallied battalions that suffered morale hits from Croats)
Map III.2
(Austrians: no major movement. Schonaich organizes his Dragoons, Gessler holds on the flank, Ferdinand Act but holds, Frederick brings the Battalions of Munchow and Itzenplitz to 100 morale. Austrians finish their turn with no major movement)
Map III.3- the Situation at 7:44
[TURN 4: 7:45]
(Bombardment Phase)
Only a few hundred Austrian mounted Grenadiers remained among General Kyau’s swirling troopers, but they were targeted by the heavy guns on the Homolka and by the light artillery ordered to support Kyau. Their morale collapsed under the shelling (reduced to 0).
It was the Bayreuth Regiment’s turn to feel the canister shot of the Austrian gunners; as the fog cleared they found more guns along a sunken road south of Lobositz. Kyau also sent word, at this time, to the King that across the swollen Morellen-Bach large numbers of Austrian infantry were deployed.
The Prussian Artillery continued to pound the enemy center causing causalities in the Grenadier battalions and among the German Fusiliers deployed there. Many of the Prussian guns were trained on the remaining Austrian cannon and by 8:00 am only a single gun could be seen in operation. The experienced gunners in brown would not go without a fight and were able to again take out two of our light pieces.
(Activate Kyau)
The remaining troopers of the Garde du Corps were ordered, against their pleadings, to retire while the Prinz von Preussen Cuirassiers with some Gens d’armes mopped up the remaining shattered Austrian Horse. Ignoring the threat of the Austrian Infanty on their right, the Dragoons surged forward against the sunken road filled with Croats. See Map IV.1
Map IV.1
(Activate several Austrians including Hadik)
The Dragoons captured the four guns, giving the Bayreuth Dragoons a total of 13 pieces!, a feat worthy of the troopers at Hohenfriedberg, but were forced back by the Croats who retired to a strong position around and in a Chapel.
(Croat commander of Lobosch activates)
To the north a steady firefight continues between the Croats and the regiment Itzenplitz.
(Defer Ferdinand, Frederick, Schonaich, and Bevern; Activate Kleist)
The Croats on the far left fled under the fire allowing the regiment Munchow to flank their comrades’ position. Fire broke out across the entire Lobosch summit with our infantry in perfect moral (all 100). The bayonet again, though, proved most effective in pushing even more Croats out of the vines. See Map IV.2
Map IV.2
(Activate PvP: rallied a unit that lost a few morale points during the assault, back to 100)
(Fail Gessler, Schonaich. Austrians do not move. Activate Bevern who holds and Ferdinand who does the same. Frederick activates but is not needed.)
Map IV.3
NOTE: Historically everything has gone almost the same as I have played it. Kyau’s “recon” stalled around the sunken road and chapel. The Prussians advanced up the Lobosch but suffered much more resistance than I’m finding (I realized I spelled resistance with an ‘e’ in Map IV.2, sorry) and Lacy’s northern most command began moving to support them. Lacy also began an attack on the area where I have the grand battery. Since Lacy isn’t moving from here on the battle is taking some a-historical turns…
(For those interested:
Image IV.4
)[TURN 5: 8:00am]
(Bombardment Phase)
With the enemy cavalry cleared from the right, the powerful battery on the Homolka opened fire on the village of Sullowitz were Croats could be seen popping out of windows and doors. The advanced light guns took careful aim at the remaining Austrian cannon and succeeded in removing it but not before losing a gun themselves. Our artillery now, not occupied in an artillery duel, began a murderous fire on the Austrian line. To the south the Austrian light guns around Lobositz had a clear field of fire on the Bayreuth Dragoons who were hit hard by canister.
(Initiative Phase)
(PvP gives two points to Kleist. FR gives two points to PvP)
(Austrians, nothing remarkable; Defer FR; Austrians; Defer Gessler, Defer Schonaich)
(Activate Kyau)
By 8:00 am the Bayreuth Dragoons’ morale had begun to sink, and their mounts were losing steam. The cuirassiers of the Crown Prince’s Regiment and the Gens d’armes were ordered forward to cover the Dragoons’ retreat. Since General Kyau main concern was only reconnaissance his force did much more than expected and retrieved valuable information. The remaining Croats were driven from the road and the Prussian Horse began their withdrawal. General Kyau sent word to The King that the Austrian left wing was now in the air; the Austrian infantry south of the Morellen-Bach looked content to remain in their positions, and did not appear anything more than static. See Map V.1
Upon returning to the Prussian line the rider found Field Marshal James Keith, His Majesty’s second-in-command. The Field Marshal informed the rider that the King was concerned with the attack up the Lobosch but he would inform him and ordered Kyau to continue to remove himself to the main line.
Map V.1
(Defer Bevern)
(Activate Kleist)
With the knowledge that their flank was turned, the Croats on the Lobosch pulled back after a steady volley. The Regiment Munchow continuing to roll from the left to the right reached a clearning on the top of the vineyard-slope.
(Activate PvP, Defer Ferdinand; Nothing from Austrian Commanders; Activate Bevern who holds. Ferdinand and Frederick fail.)
Map V.2
(Activate Gessler)
With His Majesty concerned with the assault to the north, Field Marshal Keith rode to consult with Field Marshal Gessler. Using the intelligence provided by General Kyau’s attack, they developed a plan of attack, pending the King’s approval. The forward two regiments of Rochow and Lieb Carabiners under Schonaich would move forward and screen the attack from the Austrian Infantry on the far side of the stream. From the left of the second line the Lieb Regiment and Markgraf Karl under Luderitz would vigorously strike the exposed flank of the Austrian line. The right two regiments of Driesen (Schonaich and Driesen) were to attack following Kyau’s early ride with the intention of keeping the two Austrian cuirassier regiments on the far side of the sunken road from harassing the attack. See Map V.3
Map V.3
(Activate Schonaich)
Schwerin was ordered to bring up his Dragoons to support the Prussian right should the permission be given by the King to attack with the Cuirassiers.
Map V.4
[TURN 6: 8:15 am]
(Bombardment Phase)
(Prussian guns continue the bombardment of the Austrian line… nothing new)
(Austrians including Hadik, but no major developments)
(Defer Bevern, Frederick and PvP)
(Kyau failed activation… it had to happen sometime)
In the confusion of the moment the Cuirassiers of General Kyau were ordered to hold their position near the sunken road. General Kyau never issued such an order but believes that as he was directing the Bayreuth Dragoons rearward, miscommunication ensued. Needless to say, the Prinz v. Preussen regiment took heavy canister fire and peppering from some near by Croats.
(Defer Schonaich, Kleist Failed, Reactivated PvP)
The Battalions of Munchow’s regiment continued their flanking march as the regiments of Itzenplitz and Jung-Kleist pushed from the front. The hopelessness of the Croats’ position, being nearly surrounded, gave them a fighting spirit. Finally, they were pushed back but the Prussian battalions took some significant losses. See Map VI.1
Map VI.1
(Defer Ferdinand, Austrians, Defer Gessler)
(Reactivate Bevern with no orders)
(Fail Ferdinand, and Frederick)
(Activate Gessler and Schonaich)
The Field Marshals Keith and Gessler were running out of time. There would still be a long ride between the Cuirassiers' current position and their targets. Every second wasted allowed the Austrians time to cover their flanks, yet still no word came from His Majesty; it had been upward of twenty minutes. The King never received this request from Keith. Somewhere miscommunication had to occur.
Having confidence, Keith had Gessler move his men forward to position them for an attack.
Map VI.2
[TURN 7: 8:30 am]
(Bombardment Phase)
As the troopers of Gessler’s command moved forward they were sniped at by Croats in the village of Sullowitz. Taking cover in the houses it proved difficult for the artillery to affect them.
(Activate Kyau)
General Kyau personally rode forward around 8:30 and ordered the Cuirassiers back. The brigade passed close to the advancing Cuirassier regiments and shouted encouragements although their own moral was far from stellar after nearly two hours of constant attack. See Map VII.1
Map VII.1
(Defer Frederick, Schonaich, Bevern, Ferdinand, PvP, and Gessler; Austrians remain immobile)
(Activate Kleist)
To the north a heavy volley forced the Croats back even more as the second battalion of Munchow moved to cut off the rear slope of the Lobosch. Some Croats from the Banal region took up an extremely strong position in a stone enclosure near the summit. As the first battalion of Itzenplitz moved forward they over confidently pushed upon the Croats. Unable to fire good volleys upon the enemy they advanced with the bayonet. However the Croats fought back with valor and the attack stalled momentarily. See Map VII.2
Map VII.2
(Act Bevern, PvP, then Frederick)
His Majesty around 8:30 orders the battalions to begin to form a line for a possible assult down the hill. The confusion on the Lobosch has prevented any word from reaching the King concerning the right, other than the early reports of Kyau. Misinformation led the King to believe that the Austrians across the Morellen-Bach had withdrawn and this small “action” on the Lobosch has sealed the fate of the abandoned “rearguard” infront of him. He leaves the field, sending a messenger to Keith giving him command, but gives the final order to Prince August Wilhelm to drive the Croats off the hill and surround the remaining Austrian infantry. See Map VII.3
Map VII.3
NOTE: From this point the in game general “Frederick” will actually refer to Field Marshal James Keith. I had used Frederick’s activation to not move him off the field but down to where I placed the imaginary FM Keith. He’s not so imaginary now.
(Fail Ferdinand)
(Act Gessler)
The squadrons of Gessler were finally moving into attack position at 8:40 when the messenger arrived for FM Keith from His Majesty. The plan of attack was hinging on the King’s opinion, for Keith did not know the situation to the North. He rode forward to consult with the Prince of Brunswick who, through his own spy glass and reports, understood quite well the state of things. Together the two devised a revised plan. Once the Prince of Prussia completed the clearing of the Lobosch he and General Bevern would move down and engage the Austrians. At the same time Gessler would release his Cuirassiers in their daring attack, thus striking the Austrians from all sides with their backs to the Elbe. The new plan was spread along the line. Reports indicate that at first the Prince of Prussia was angered by Keith consulting Ferdinand before himself, technically the new second-in-command, but after untangling himself from the vines realized the beauty of the plan.
(Act Schwerin)
All the while General Schwerin and his Dragoons were operating on their own. Given the task of securing the Prussian right he had sent the Green Hussars to scout what lay to the south and west of Sullowitz. As the fog began to burn off, advanced scouts reported back that a large body of Horse was deployed to the left of the main Austrian body of infantry and could possible endanger the right by crossing the Morellen-Bach via an un-swampy park south of the village. Immediately Schwerin ordered the Oeritzen (Katte) Dragoons to support the Hussars.
Map VII.4- The Situation at 8:44
[TURN 8: 8:45 am]
(Bombardment Phase)
As Field Marshal Keith rode northward he was greeted by the Prince of Prussia coming down from the Lobosch. The Prince informed Keith that the Croats, after one final push, would be driven from the hill in the hour and the battalions of Munchow, Itzenplitz, Jung-Kleist, and the Kleist Grenadiers would be awaiting his orders. Ferdinand realized that now he had not only those battalions but also the remaining regiments of Bevern’s command (Bevern, Manteuffel, Hulsen, Blanckensee, and Quadt) at hand. The plan of attack developed by Keith and Ferdinand could truly now be implemented the battalions and squadrons would be ordered forward in a half an hour at 9:20.
Not wasting time, Keith personally directed the fire of the Prussian guns, focusing fire on the Austrian Grenadiers to the right, softening them for the Cuirassier charge.
[Def Ferdinand and Schonaich]
[Kyau fails]
[Defer Frederick (Keith), Bevern and PvP)
[Activate Kleist]
The Banal Croats still held firm and the regiment Itzenplitz was assisted by the second battalion Jung-Kleist in driving them out. After a fierce and prolonged exchange of musketry two divisions of the Jung-Kleist battalion broke into the enclosure. The only remaining Croats on the Lobosch were fleeing speedily for their lives. See Map VIII.1
Map VIII.1
[Defer Gessler]
[Fail Bevern, PvP, Ferdinand, Frederick/Keith, Gessler, Schonaich]
That’s right folks! 7/8 Prussian generals fail activation, no joke.
Image VIII.2
To be continued...
