Battle Report: 14th April 1993 Late British  ~vs~  Prussian (Robert Avery ~vs~ Nog Norgren)

.

Late British Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 2inC 1 50 1st/24th Bttn 40 8x5 RegC blr+ 480 98th Highlanders 40 8x5 RegB blr+ 520 Ghurka Bttn 20 4x5 LightsB blr+ 300 17th Lancers 16 4x4 RegA s,blc,p,l 360 35th Btty RA 3 3x1 RegA medium blrb FA 405 Gatling Gun 1 1x1 RegA hmg 104 Ammo Wagon 1 50 2369

.

Prussian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1             Dresden Guards 48 4x12 RegA blr       Jaegers 48 4x12 LightsB blr       Uhlans 24 4x6 RegA s,blc,l       Artillery 3 3x1 RegA medium blrb FA       Ammo Wagon 1                         2374

.

. Late British Prussian Foot 2000 1920 Horse 320 480 Guns 8 6

Report The British were out-scouted, and set up in a line close to the edge of the field: artillery in the middle, cavalry on either wing, and the Ghurkas far forward doubling for a farmhouse that dominated the right flank. The Prussians advanced in columns, supported by artillery on a hill to their right, and screened by skirmishing Jaegers. The Prussian cavalry were far out on the right wing. As battle commenced, the Prussian infantry doubled forward, but unfortunately became disordered as they did so. They halted to reform. Meanwhile, the Prussian cavalry advanced into a position to charge the left of the British line: which refused a flank to face them. At the same time, an artillery duel had developed: which ended with the Prussians knocking out all three of the British sections for the loss of only one of their own. Whilst the Prussian infantry reformed, the Ghurkas and 17th Lancers had advanced so far forward that they now threatened the Prussian left flank. The British 24th Foot in the refused flank position, facing the Prussian Uhlans, opened fire at extreme range on their equestrian enemies. They promptly ran out of ammunition! The Prussian commander, seeing an opportunity not to be missed, charged his cavalry forward at the out-of-ammo infantry. The Prussian cavalry smashed through the first line of infantry, but the British had managed to drop back three more, properly equipped, companies who, although disordered by their fleeing colleagues, blew the Prussians away. Meanwhile, the Ghurkas and the Gatling Gun had begun to pour fire into the Jaegers, now in line, also at extreme range. The battle paused for a second, as both sides drew breath. Then, with no artillery, and having dealt with the cavalry threat to his left flank, the British commander ordered his main line to advance. On the next turn, the whole of the Highlander battalion, all the Ghurkas, and the Gatling Gun opened fire on the unfortunate Jaegers, who had begun to return fire on the Ghurkas. The Prussians seemed unaffected by this fire, so the line fired again, with the 24th Foot joining in the fun. At this point, fire slackened from the Highlanders, as it was discovered that they, too were out of ammo. However, the fire on the Jaegers had taken its toll (over 50% casualties), and they routed: their destruction completed as the British commander let loose a squadron of Lancers at their retreating backs. The rest of the Lancers tried to charge the flank of the Prussian column, but were blown away by a quickly, and immaculately, formed square. However, with only the Guards and some shaken artillery left, outgunned and outflanked, the Prussian commander accepted defeat. Casualties The British lost two squadrons of Lancers (thrown away at the end of the battle), all their artillery and the Gatling guns, plus a handful of infantry. The Prussians lost all their Jaegers (468 killed before the Lancers even arrived), three squadrons of Uhlans and one artillery piece. About 100 Guards were killed as well. Results A victory for the Late British. Analysis The appalling rolling of the British commander (consistently bad luck throughout the game) more than made up for the fact that his infantry were armed with longer-ranged guns (blr+) verses the Prussian breechloaders (blr):  a source of much grief to the Prussian commander. The British won because they were able to prevent the Prussians getting to close to them: both by the long range of their guns and also because they outflanked the Prussian advance with the Ghurkas and Lancers. It is worthwhile noting how similar the British commander’s tactics were to his last victory: an identical tactic of advancing to outflank the enemy on the flank where his artillery weren’t. Note also the way that the British Lancers were held in check until they could impact on a routing unit: no glorious, but stupid and fatal, cavalry charges!