Battle of Reichenberg, 10 April, 1757

The opening battle of the Prussian invasion of Bohemia in 1757 was fought today. The campaign starts in April 1757. The game was played as part of a campaign we are playing using Might & Reason, rules by Sam Mustafa for the War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years War.

In the opening move of the war, a Prussian army lead by Prince Henry (me) advanced from Zittau and attacked an Austrian Army commaned by General von Browne (Phil DeMara) located at Reichenberg, just over the border. The Austrian army included 6 brigades of infantry, 2 cuirassier brigades and 1 dragoon brigade and one unit of artillery. The Prussian army consisted of 6 infantry brigades, 1 brigade of cuirassiers, 1 brigade of dragoons and 2 artillery units.

The Prussians' superior leaders and advantage in maneuver and firepower combined with inept Austrian commanders and bad luck resulted in a severe defeat for the forces of the Empress.

Here is the Austrian deployment.

And the Prussian deployment.

The Prussians moved quickly to the attack and were able to mass their force against the Austrian right flank.

The Prussians were able to gain local superiority due to the lackluster performance of the commander of the Austrian center, General de Ville, who remained immobile as the Prussian infantry, led by General von Bevern, closed to the attack. Here the Prussians shake out of march columns and form up for the attack. DeVille's command, which included 4 infantry brigades, is to the right, out of view. apparently oblivious to the impending Prussian threat. (Phil's poor rolling resulted in this force being inactive in a number of pulses)

Meanwhile, the Austrian cavalry force attempted to envelop the Prussian right flank, which was held by the armies Grenadier brigades.

The Austrian cavarly managed to flank the Grenadiers while a brigade of Cuirassiers charged the Grenadiers to their front. The Grenadiers were able to repulse the attack however through the intercession of General von Winterfeldt who steadied the Prussian line.

On the other flank, the Prussian initial assault drove the Austrian's back, but they were finally able to form a line of battle when General de Ville's infantry command in the center of the line finally activated and moved up.

Utlimately however, the Prussians' superior commanders, greater firepower and bad Austrian luck allowed the Prussians to break several Austrian brigades, poking holes in the Austrian line and allowing the Prussians to force the Austrian line back on itself, with the cavalry, which had been repulsed on the Prussian right, Austrian left flank with heavy casualties taking refuge behind the Austrian infantry.

The only bright spot for the Austrians was the death of General Count Bevern, who was killed leading a charge against the Austrian line.

As night fell, the Austrians were utterly defeated and streamed from the field in disorder.

Their retreat was cut off, however, by Field Marshal von Schwerin's force at Munchengratz. Trapped between the victorious army of Prince Henry and the force of von Schwerin, the remaingin Austrians were forced to capitulate.

The troops were given parole, but General von Browne, one of the best Austrian commanders, was lead off into captivity for the duration of the war.