Crossing the Rotwasser part two

I played this game out over the course of the week, a few turns each day, so there aren't a huge number of photos documenting every move. Hopefully, though, you'll get the gist of things.

The Austrian Hussar brigade try to cross the bridge over the Rotwasser unsupported. This ends the way one would expect.

On the Austrian right flank the Grenzer brigade continues to engage and weaken the Prussian defences so that the Hungarian Brigade can secure the Rotberg.

The Prussian Freikorps move to help the embattled artillery in the redoubt.

Several moves later and the Austrian reinforcement s have arrived. The Grenzer Brigade has taken a beating, but the Hungarians have arrived and taken the artillery redoubt. If the rest of the brigade can secure the Rotberg, then the Prussian position in Rotbrucke will be turned. In the top left, though, can be seen the first unit of the Prussian reserve Brigade. Will it be in time?

The Austrian grenadiers attempt to storm the Rotbrucke, only to be repulsed by the Prinz Heinrich fusiliers. This regiment did a sterling job of holding the bridge for most of the game.

The fusiliers near breaking point as the fourth Austrian unit of the day attempts to storm the bridge.

The Prussian Freikorps and Garrison Regiment and  broken ground slow the Hungarian advance long enough that the Prussian reserve arrives to dispute the Rotberg.

The Prinz Heinrich fusiliers finally break - losing their colours in the process. A sad end to game for a gallant regiment. In reserve, the Rohr Fusiliers stand ready, although they have taken a pounding from the Austrian artillery across the river - and now face being flanked by a Hungarian battalion. Just behind the town, however, a fresh Prussian battery is arriving.

This is a bit blurry, but I've included it anyway, because it capture the last moment that the Austrians looked like they might take the game. Three turns later the Hungarians were broken. Prussian regiment 18 charged the Austrian artillery - twice, and the second time destroyed it. The Prussian Grenadiers then took their place in the front line and saw off the last of the Hungarian infantry.

The Rohr regiment broke, and the Austrians tried to pour across the bridge, only to be met by a hail of canister from the Prussian battery and the freshly victorious Prussians marching down the hill towards the town.

The Austrian grenadiers are destroyed and the Prussians pour steady volleys into the remaining battalion on their side of the Rotwasser. At this General von Schilcher calls it a day and the Austrians retreat, The battered Prussians have no energy to mount any sort of pursuit. 

The rules continue to evolve, and the good thing about playing solo is that when I decide to change something, I can do it mid-game and it doesn't disadvantage an opponent. A few rules clarifications have been written in to do with columns in melee and bonus dice for hand to hand combat.

Had the Hungarian brigade arrived just a couple of turns earlier, I think that the game would have gone the other way. They would have made sure that the Grenzers weren't annihilated and been able to take up excellent defensive positions on the Rotberg which the Prussians would have struggled to recapture. I don't think that Baron Nokedli will be on von Schilcher's Christmas card list, somehow.

'It was a hard fought battle, and I cannot speak highly enough of my men. Even the Freikorps put in a valiant and vital effort! I'm sure Old Fritz will be as ungrateful as ever though. The army will take some time to recover, and the loss of the colours by the Prinz Heinrich regiment will be a black mark against me. However, I am sure the Austrians are in just as bad a way, for we cut them up as they deserved, and if I should get some reinforcements I would look to advance and force their retreat. Well, I live in hope.

Yours Balthasar'

Nate