Ambush at Rotkirch

A quick game played out in the 1758 campaign. This sees a supply train for the Hungarian forces north of Colslau being ambushed by a light Prussian force.
I began to play this game with the Honours of War rules, but in the first combat I found both the Austrian and Prussian Hussars wiped each other out. The speed with which units can be destroyed is something about the rules that I haven't really liked, and so after a bit of tweaking I have gone back to my old Horse and Musket rules. With a few updates to take out removal of bases as part of the mechanisms, I've arrived at a set of rules I really enjoy. The page has been updated today.
I actually didn't play this one solo. John came around and it took about half an hour to play through, with quite a satisfactory conclusion.

The Austrian supply column winds its way along the road.

A view showing Rotkirch in the background.

 The scenario called for the Prussians to roll for when they would appear. Each turn they rolled a d6. In the first turn they needed a 6, in the second a 5 or 6 and so on. They arrived in Turn 3.

The Prussians arrive.

 The forces were:
Austria - 1 Hussar regiment, 1 Grenadier regiment and 1 Grenz battalion.
Prussia - 2 Hussar regiments and 2 Freikorps battalions.
The Austrians had four carts that they needed to get off the southern table edge. If a Prussian unit contacted a cart it would be captured.

Because I was playing a real person, I didn't end up taking photos of the whole action, but it ended with the Austrian Hadik Hussars being routed and the Austrians losing two carts to the Prussian raiders. The other two carts were safely delivered. This will affect the siege of Colslau in that a detachment of Hungarians will be sent north to garrison the road via Rotkirch, and the garrison will not have to endure heavy bombardment on Colslau itself.

The end of the battle as the Malachowsky Hussars catch the Austrian wagon just before it leaves the table.

 The Malachowsky Hussars restored their reputation after their precipitous flight at Brudenitz, earning a commendation for their role in routing their Austrian opposites and then managing to secure the second Austrian wagon.

Hunkering down in Rotkirche the Warasdiner Grenz and the Grenadier regiment keep the Prussian Freikorps at bay.

On the Austrian side the Warasdiner Grenz earned a commendation for their delaying action against the Freikorps, which saved two of the wagons.

Nate

The siege of Colslau begins

Following the skirmish at Brudenitz the survivors of Kessel's command retreated into Colslau, except for the Hussars who moved north to allow for raids on the Austrian supply lines. The Austrians are now able to set up siege lines on all sides of the city.
Here are some photos of the siege's progress:

The northern bank and the Hungarian Brigade that has been sent to blockade it. This offers the most direct line of assault, but is at the very end of the Austrian supply lines, so von Schilcher has decided to simply blockade here.

The Western suburbs over the Rotwasser are the easiest to access for the Austrians. It has been stoutly defended however,as can be seen by the Austrian casualties outside the breach. The town is on fire here.

South of the Elsa the suburb of Onszow burns. On first arriving the Austrians tried to storm the defences. The results can be seen in no-man's-land.

The Hungarian siege lines. Engineers busily go about their work.

A supply column winds its way into the Austrian lines south of the Elsa.

Inside Colslau the 47 Rohr regiment which fought at Brudenitz is held in reserve for any breaches made.

To the north, outside of the siege lines Prussian Freikorps and Austrian Grenzers eye each other over the Rotwasser.

An aerial view of the Austrian lines south of the Elsa.

Colslau under siege.

 Colslau's position is important. If the Austrian's take it they will have excellent communications with the Russians operating to the East. It won't be long before Frederick dispatches a relief expedition. The odds on favourite to command it will be General von Pritzwalk, who gave such sterling service in the last campaign on Rotwasser.

And the most recent regiment to join the Austrian army, IR 43 Platz. 

Nate

Colonial Marines and choppers

The start of the new school year has been keeping me busy, but I finally put the last touches on a set of 5 Prodos Colonial Marines for Glenn last night. This was really just a trial run to see how they would come out.

The five figures all together

 The details on them were just too fine to paint eyes on unfortunately, but the camo was relatively easy. Glenn wanted them 'kind of dark', like in the movie, so that was the effect I was going for.

After much wheeling and dealing Craig has ended up back with the Team Yankee Soviets, and I'm painting it for him. These Hinds will carry the Afgantsy into battle.

That doesn't mean that I'm not going to have any Soviets though - I've planned out a T-64 based army list, and the first elements are already on their way. This is of course, a natural extension of getting those West Germans painted. It would also explain this why I now have several boxes of Battlefront West German stuff sitting on my table ready to be put together. So much for project management and planning...

I always planned to do Team Yankee this year,honest...

The last of the Seven Years War battalions are also slowly getting done as well.

Nate