Battle of Mollwitz in 20mm

The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession). It was the first battle of the new Prussian King Frederick II, in which both sides made numerous military blunders but the Prussian Army still managed to attain victory. This battle cemented Frederick's authority over the newly conquered territory of Silesia and gave him valuable military experience.

Nigel reports from the front lines

"As I haven't been able to make the last few zooms, I have solo refought that classic Mollwitz wargame using my 20mm Prussians and Austrians.

 

I used the order of battles as from the Battlegames refight and the original scenario between Stuart Asquith and Charles Grant. However I used ‘Die Kriegkunst’ rules.

 

The battle went the way as it seems to do; the weaker Prussian cavalry held on just long enough to hold the better quality and more numerous Austrian cavalry at bay whilst the Prussian infantry advanced and shot the Austrian infantry to pieces."

Generally the Austrian infantry in white, cavalry in blues and reds (as dragoons). the Prussian  infantry in blue, their cuirassiers in white. Figures mostly Hat and Revell.

Gordon Relief Expedition - Week 3

This week we reverted to the Nile column as they launched their second attack on Abu Hamed. This time we fought the Straight Fight scenario, which is probably the easiest for the British. Initially things looked bad for the British as they were out-flanked and forced to divided their forces.

At the critical juncture though the Mahdists command dice failed them and they got worn-down by British attacks without causing much damage to the British.   

   

Gordon Relief Expedition - week 2

 

This week we played the other part of turn 1 - the Desert Columns first battle at Korti. The Mahdists selected the "Objectives" battle meaning the British had to assault the enemy emplaced on a hill. The British formed-up to attack the centre and left of the defences.

Initially the assault made only slow progress as the Mahdists attacked and looked like they might be overrun. However a brave young ensign intervened and killed the Dervish commander of the central command, at a stroke causing half the army to run. Form there it was a victory for the British.     

Rules Updates

Terrain

1. Wadi: these count  as prepared positions when shot at. You may fire over them as they are below ground level.  

Armies

2. Cavalry may dismount as infantry one class lower. This may only occur once per game and they may not remount.

Movement

3. Formation changes are ignored, elements must move as singles

4. A square may move a single square if an officer is part of it. It cost all his PIPs

5. Cavalry may move through any. Any may move through guns, MGs and rifles. Loose 100 paces.

 

Combat

6. You may not fire through cover at units behind. All units in cover are visible.

7. You may fire over head to/from hills but there must be a 1 square gap for intervening units.

8. Elements on the corner of a square do not count as flanked in combat and do not recoil if beaten. They are not destroyed by this.

9. Additional combat factors

o   Rifles in Rough = -1 to attacker

o   Defending a hilltop in melee = +1 (not cumulative with trenches

10. If you have a viable target straight ahead you must fire at it

11. Warbands in trenches must double the enemy to beat them (not charging) 

Command

12. Roll as many dice as you have commanders and distribute as you like

13. If a commander dies then through a specific dice for their final turn, if applicable

Gordon Relief Expedition - week 1

** Revised - I got my columns mixed up **

Our newest online campaign is an adaption of DBA/HOTT for the Sudan. In this campaign the players are divided between the Nile Column or the Nile Column in a race to reach Khartoum and rescue Gordon. The other team players the Mahdists trying to thwart your progress. 

To get a large enough game for all 6 of us to play we're using a double width gridded board and two cameras so the players can scroll between different bits of the game.

In week 1 the Nile Column attacked Abu Hamed under John's command. This battle was an Ambush!, so the British were in 2 squares and attacked from 3 sides by the Mahdists.  This was a very close game but eventually the Mahdists broke both the squares and were able to claim a narrow victory as their cavalry command remained on the table after 2.5 hours play. 

  

Vermin

One of the games I've been playing during the latest lockdown is Star Saga - a scifi dungeon crawler. Its very suitable for online play as its grid-based and only uses a few figures. 

I've been busy painting some troops for the next campaign we plan to play. These chaps are Veer-men, space rats who are an oppressed underclass in the Star Saga universe.

I've gone for a an orange / green colour scheme that I hope will show up well on the cameras

There are also two new heroes - an Orc mercenary and a crystal creature.