The Retreat to Heiligtumshugel

Now for an account of the third action in our small 'Portable Seven Years War' campaign, The Retreat to Heiligtumshugel. This occured over a week ago, but  dispatches giving intelligence of the battle were delayed, either by lame horses or excellent wayside inns ( no lockdown in 1760 ) - the messengers were somewhat unclear and slurring when questioned.
  
After its defeat ( and loss of its commander ) at Vier Arme, the Prussian forces were retiring towards their own territory, pursued by the victorious Austrians. Reaching the river at the border, von Jemander's tired units aimed to cross at two fords and re-group on the hill known as Heiligtumshugel. But their pursuers caught up just as they reached the fords, and a sharp fight developed.

The Prussians divided into two groups, with their von Kleist Freikorps  Uhlans and Foot on their right ( at the East ford ) and the two battalions of the 44th Fusiliers on the left ( West Ford ). They enjoyed one turn's head start on the Austrians, but any Prussian unit remaining North of the river at the end of Turn 2 would be judged to have been overrun and surrendered.  So, over the fords they hurried - one unit per turn, so the second unit on each flank ( Uhlans and 2nd Fusiliers ) found themselves in mid-river, facing the oncoming Austrians.

In their turn the Austrians divided more or less in two, with 1st Hussars, Grenzer foot and Rifles on their left ( East ) and 2nd Hussars and both Jager battalions on the right ( West ).  Without further ado the 1st Hussars, led in person by General Dachs, charged straight into the Uhlans at the East Ford. Seeing the disadvantage of his lancers  fighting from mid-river, von Jemanden joined them pour encourager,  so the two commanders met at the outset in close combat - and the Uhlans came off worst, losing one strength point - first blood to General Dachs.

Battle is joined - cavalry clash at East Ford (top left)

The Prussians had decided to hold off their attackers for as long as possible at the river, and hope to make an orderly withdrawal to the hill if the Austrians gained the South shore. Regarding fordable rivers, The 'Portable Napoleonic' rules specify that :

(i) a unit moves into the river on turn A and stops,then moves one grid area out of the river on turn B
(ii) units in rivers cannot fire
(iii) in close combat a unit that is in a river reduces the D6 die roll score by 1.

So getting across the ford against determined opposition would be slow and dangerous - and so it proved.

( It's also worth mentioning that I realised I had been inadvertantly playing a 'house rule' in previous games, having not noticed that 'a unit that is firing this turn reduces its movement by one grid area' - oops. With the line formations used by 7YW infantry in battle having a movement allowance of just one, this means that they may either move or fire, not both. I think that actually reflects the inflexibility of linear formations pretty well - really should have noticed it before! )

Therefore, following that brief cavalry fight, on Turn 3 Prussian units stepped back from the fords, daring the Austrians to try to cross under fire and suffer the consequences - though the Austrian Jagers got their 'first volley' in, and 2nd Fusiliers lost one SP when unable to retreat after a hit. Losses at the end of Turn 3, therefore : Austrians 0, Prussians 2 ; with exhaustion point at only 7 SP, not a good start for the Prussians.  

End of Turn 3 - 'Come on if you think...'

The Austrians felt they had no real choice but to accept the challenge - on their left, on Turn 4 the 1st Hussars splashed into East Ford and stopped, having then to fight the Uhlans at a watery disadvantage, while on the right their Jagers advanced steadily and were met by 'both barrels' from the two Prussian fusilier units. On both flanks things went in the defenders' favour this time, with 1st Hussars losing 1 SP in their amphibious  melee and the 1st Jagers suffering 1 SP loss to the Fusiliers' musketry -  that levelled the scores.  One comfort for the Austrians was that their rifle unit was able to use its superior range to harass the von Kleist infantry from across the river, forcing it to retreat on both turn 3 and 4, leaving it out of contention for now.

The battle  developed, logically enough, in two separate fights, one at each ford. At the East ford the Hussars and Uhlans fought a real ding-dong melee, with Hussars being forced back and then charging back into the ford, eventually being reduced to 1 SP. But it was an uneven fight, with the Austrians now bringing up their 2nd Hussars, and  'Grenze' infantry and Rifles sniping at the Uhlans when 1st Hussars fell back - and on turn 7 the Uhlans were destroyed. With the Von Kleist foot pulled back out of range, the East ford was open!

Not a fair fight at East Ford - Uhlans about to be destroyed

Meanwhile at West Ford, the Prussian Fusiliers kept up a steady fire and scored hits on the advancing Austrian Jagers, who tried to send one battalion across the river while the other provided covering fire. Prussian musketry/dice rolling  proved superior, taking 2 SPs from 1st Jager and forcing 2nd Jager to retreat out of the ford. But on turn 6 Austrian fire forced 1st Fusiliers to retreat in their turn, and next turn 2nd Jagers charged onto the far bank and into close combat with 2nd Fusiliers - only to be thrown  back, once again into the river, with the final indignity of another Prussian volley taking 1 SP off their strength.
At the end of Turn 7, losses were  Prussians 4 SP,  Austrians 5 SP.

West Ford - a tough crossing under fire

But with East Ford now open to the Austrians and the fresh 2nd Hussars moving to cross the river, the Prussians were in danger, and needed to pull back towards the hill or be outflanked. Von Kleist's foot having already been forced back, at least found it easy to simply step back further and take a stand on the hill. At West Ford, Prussian 1st Fusilers pulled back, bravely covered  by  2nd Fusiliers who stood their ground and fired with some effect, taking another 1 SP from 2nd Jager in Turn 8. 

Turn 9 : Prussians under pressure

By turn 9 the Austrians had 2nd Hussars, Grenze infantry and both Jager battalions across the river, with Hussars looking threatening on the left and Jagers charging Prussian Fusliers on the right, but von Kleist's Frei Korps musketry found its mark and weakened the Hussars, taking Austiran losses to 7SP - getting dangerously close to exhaustion.  Crucially the Prussians won the intiative roll on Turn 10, and their fusiliers executed a perfect fighting retreat, with the 2nd battalion pulling back while the 1st fired - and took another SP from 2nd Jagers.  The Austrians now had only 1 SP between them and exhuastion.  'All or nothing!' came the cry as 2nd Hussars galloped up onto he hill and charged into the flank of the Von Kleist foot - rolled dice for close combat,  and could not score a hit! 

Hussars charge Frei Korps in the flank - but no breakthrough!

All was not lost - General Dachs won the initiative  for Turn 11, and the Austrian Jagers fire scored 2 hits on Prussian fusiliers - 1 SP lost to 1st battalion, and 2nd battalion forced back, so the Prussians were under pressure on their left.  The Austrian Hussars disengaged and moved to lurk behind the hill, saving themselves for another flanking charge, while their supporting infantry advanced to fix the Prussians on the hill. Prussians under pressure - but their muskets saved them. Von Kleist foot's fire forced the Austrian Grenzer infantry back, while crucially 1st Fusiliers let go another volley which finally destroyed 2nd Jager.

At the end of Turn 11, losses stood at Prussians 5 SP, Austrians 9 SP.  General Dach's men had reached Exhaustion Point, and their attack ground to a halt.

Final Situation : Austrian Exaustion

All in all, a taste of bitter medicine for General Dachs after his recent sweet victory.  Looking back, was he unwise? Perhaps trying to simply charge his Hussars at the Defending Uhlans was not such a good idea.  He could  have used his infantry firepower to shoot the Prussian cavalry down, then pour his own horse accross the river and around the Prussian flank. In effect, it was the infantry shooting which finished the Uhlans anyway.  Perhaps just  'threatening' at the the other ford to keep the Prussian Fusiliers pinned there would have been preferable too, rather than making a costly assault under fire. In the end of course, the cumulative losses from the fights at the two fords put the Austrians too close to Exhaustion once they managed to get across the river, and unable to press home their final assault.  I think with my General Dachs hat on, I was a bit over-confident and didn't think things through.  
But of course, I had a lot of fun, and enjoyed the challenges and conundrums that the scenario gave to both sides. I hope you've enjoyed my account, too.  So, here's to Neil Thomas and the late, great Don Featherstone for their inspiration!
Next time, I think a little review of  where to go next with the  'Portable Seven Years War'.

Fnurban #2 Tradgardmastare's Book Challenge

The other day Alan at  Duchy of Tradgardland decided to   "share one fiction and one non fiction books that bring the past alive for me"  and challenged others to  "tell us about your two books in two sentences with photos being optional".

So, here we go: though I have cheated and included three books!

Non-fiction has to be  C.V. Wedgewood 'The Thirty Years War'.

This opened a whole new world to me as a young history enthusiast - I had no idea of the period before, but it triggered a life-long interest - hence the name of this blog!

Fiction:  in the 'military history' area, how about (a) 'The General' by  C.S. Forester. 

A fantastically thought-provoking read, managing to humanise the army leadership in the Great War, while simultaneously skewering it.  

But also (b)  'Private Angelo'  by Eric Linklater:

Lovely  picaresque , darkly comic journey through the Liberation of Italy 1943-45,  with serious points to make too -  'in order to liberate your town, we must destroy it'.    

OK that's the 'two (three) sentences' , but have to add a little more..

I've also read Forester's  'Death to the French' and 'The Ship' and found them equally fascinating, they are so clear-eyed and realistic about what war is really like, I think. I have a few of his  'Hornblower' books on the backlog pile, though  I suspect  they may be a more conventional 'adventure hero' yarns.

Eric Linklater is a favourite of mine, once best-selling but now rather overlooked, perhaps because he was sadly not really seen as 'serious literature' . Maybe his mistake was to possess a sense of humour!
He also wrote much non-fiction,  including a fair amount of military history/documentary - he even wrote  the official account of The Campaign in Italy 1943-1945.
     



    

A Fighting Retreat - by Thomas, out of Featherstone

As ever at this time, I hope everyone is keeping safe and well - at least there is no shortage of blogs to read, gamers are clearly keeping busy. A special mention to Alan 'Tradgardmastare' Gruber who seems to be posting multiple times some days - and painting, and gaming  - I do like his style!

We now venture back to the not entirely factual world of The Portable Seven Years War. The Prussian invaders having been given a bloody nose at Vier Arme, and losing their leader Eric von Kleist in the process, I decided that they would attempt to withdraw in some haste to their own territory. The Austrian General Dachs, being no slouch, will not be content to watch them go.  His troops will pursue, with a view to teaching the Prussians further lessons on the inadvisability of any further incursions.  

Always having 'time and space' constraints in mind, I looked to Neil Thomas' One Hour Wargames for a suitable scenario, and soon found something interesting;  Scenario 20, the aptly name 'Fighting Retreat'.  The premise is 'The Red army has been raiding Blue Territory. The army of the latter is in hot pursuit of the raiders, who are equally determined to make their escape by crossing the river, and consolidating their position on a dominant hill'.  Just the sort of thing I was looking for.

So, here is a view of the battlefield, where the retreating Prussians are overhauled  by their Austrian pursuers.

The river, the fords and the hill - viewed from the North

As you see, the river is crossed by twin fords. The Prussians have only four units, and  begin North of the river ( i.e the foreground ), with the Austrians' six units arriving on Turn 2. A special scenario rule says that any Prussian unit North of the river at the end of Turn 2 is automatically eliminated. The winner is the side controlling the hill at the far ( South ) end of the table at the end of the game, which is 15 turns maximum.  For consistency with my entirely imaginary  'campaign' geography, I have reversed North and South from the book scenario.

The retreating Prussian force looks like this:

Prussians : weary, battered but almost home

                 Commander : Eric von Jemanden (6 Strength Points) - hastily promoted from the
                                        Horse  Grenadiers to replace the unfortunate von Kleist.

                      Infantry :  1st and 2nd Battalions, 44th  Line Fusiliers (each 4 SP).
                                       1st Battalion, von Kleist Frei Korps (4 SP)
                                  
                      Cavalry :   Von Kleist Uhlans (3 SP)

                           Total :   21 Strength Points, with Exhaustion Level 7 SP.
                  All units rated Average, except 1st Battalion Fusiliers, who are Elite.

Old Von Kleist may be gone, but in tribute to the late Eric Knowles whose figures these were, I felt the new commander had to be Eric somebody..

And their Austrian pursuers, with their polyglot, part-mercenary,  but so far unbeaten forces :

In hot pursuit : Dachs' Grenze-heavy Austrians

                       Commander : General Dachs (6 SP)
                     
                             Infantry :  1st and 2nd Battalion 'Wildganse' Jagers (each 4 SP)
                                              Grenze foot (4 SP) - dismounted Hussars, who have taken to their
                                                                                new role with aplomb in previous battles 
                                              'Rifles'  (3SP) - more dismounted Hussars, retrained
                
                              Cavalry :   1st and 2nd Grenze Hussars (each 3 SP)              

                                   Total :   27 Strength Points, with Exhaustion Level 9 SP.
                      All units rated Average except the Rifles, who are Elite.


The scenario looks  interesting and challenging for both sides - can the Prussians hold off their pursuers at the fords, and if not, can they reach and  hang on to the sanctuary of the hill?  Can the Austrians use their numerical advantage, especially in cavalry, to force their way across the river and race for the hill?

Looking around online, I found an account of a recent game of this scenario on 'Steve's Random  Musings' blog here  - he's been working through all the 'OHW' games, this one he played as an ECW encounter.

Also,  Neil Thomas says he was inspired by acquiring a copy of Don Featherstone's Wargamer's Newsletter, no.69 from December 1967, containing an 'absolute classic' article describing a game set in the medieval period, whose setup he has borrowed and somewhat simplified. Strangely enough, the very same blog post by Steve-the-Wargamer describing his ECW game of this scenario also mentions his project to scan and upload issues of Wargamer's Newsletter, with a link to the relevant repository . And there we can find 'WN' issue 69 December 1967, and the very same original article - 'Cry God for England, Harry and St. George!' - and it is a rather nice piece of work.  As Neil says, 'an example of thoroughness, precision and concision'.  So, a double thank-you to Steve, and I heartily recommend a look at that archive of Wargamer's Newsletters. Judging by the example I examined, they are a fantastic snapshot of a time long gone in our hobby, which can however  still be inspirational.

And so, as von Jemanden's weary Prussians approach the twin fords and look for the outline on the horizon of the Heiligtumshugel,  their destination and sanctuary hill, they become aware of the dust raised by their pursuing enemy behind them..


 








 

After Vier Arme: and a rules summary

Following-on from the action of Vier Arme, let's have a little post-battle analysis, a summary of my  'Portable Seven Years War' variations on Bob Cordery's 'The Portable Napoleonic Wargame' rules, and brief  thoughts on where to go next.

First of all, I hope everyone reading is keeping well, staying home and getting through the current 'lockdown' as best we can. One of the few upsides is the increase in frequency of postings from many bloggers - thanks everyone!

Vier Arme turn 3 : in the thick of it

Post-match punditry :  I had a great time with 'Vier Arme'  ( or rather 'One-Hour Wargames' Scenario 11, Surprise Attack by Neil Thomas ). It was all  action right from the start, such that by turn 3 the defenders had been attacked from front and rear simultaneously, only for the attackers to be immediately hit from behind themselves!  The advantage kept on swinging from one to another, and despite what looked like a very precarious position for the Austrians, in terms of rank and file  casualties it was exactly even.  But of course, the decisive factor was the death of the Prussian commander, poor old Eric Von Kleist. Disaster for the Prussians!
  
It's also worth point out that not for the first time, the dash and impetuosity of the cavalry was a problem - the Prussian Horse Grenadiers' last charge at the depleted Austrian cavalry led to a tangle with two Austrian infantry units, resulting in the near-destruction of the Horse Grenadiers,  and pushing their army past its Exhaustion Point. If the Prussian cavalry had been content to hover menacingly on the flank, and allow their comrades in four  battalions of infantry to pour musketry at the Austrians, things might have been very different.

Sources close to Pundit von Lineker's post-action intelligence report tell us that once again, the Austrian 'Grenzer' foot unit was their outstanding performer, having taken no less than 8 Strength Points off the Prussians - and in only 3 rounds of shooting - it was of course their firing that killed Von Kliest! On the Prussian side the 1st Battalion 44th Fusiliers put up a good show, their musketry scored 6 hits in 6 volleys. Only 1 SP loss to the Austrians as a result, but no less than 5 forced retreats. Just a pity that Von Kleist, while with them, stopped two of the bullets coming back the other way. That was a lovely example of a complete change of narrative, utterly unexpected but entirely plausible, dealt out by Fortune in the shape of 2D6.  Just like life, really..


Portable Seven Years War rules modifications : a quick reminder

I've tried to make only a few changes to Bob's Napoleonic 'Brigade Level' rules, but catch something of the spirit of 18th Century warfare. So, in summary, here's the current version:

(i) Infantry  Square formation  is not allowed.

(ii) Infantry in  column may not move into contact with enemy units. Column is for marching, not attacking.

(iii) Horse Artillery  is not allowed.

(iv) I removed the modifier ( +1 or +2 ) for cavalry initiating  close combat against infantry in Line - and did  not use the 'infantry in line vs. Cavalry' hit resolution table.  Infantry in line should be able to repel cavalry with their disciplined volleys of musketry.

(v) BUT Infantry in line,  in their second round of close combat against cavalry, where the infantry suffered a hit in the first round and the cavalry did not suffer a hit : decrease the D6 die roll score by 2 . The infantry formation is assumed to have been 'broken into' and disordered by the cavalry.

(vi) Musket-armed infantry firing at long range (3 grid areas):  decrease the D6 die roll score by 2

(vii) Musket or rifle-armed infantry firing their first volley in the game:  increase the D6 die roll score by 1.

And that's it. Having only actually played two games so far, the rule about cavalry breaking into an infantry formation has not been used yet, but it seems fairly sensible - cavalry get no initial advantage in attacking infantry in line, as the disciplined musketry of line infantry is assumed to be capable of giving the cavalry pause for thought, but if the horse manage to make contact and get lucky in the first close combat round, they should then gain some advantage. I'm hoping this encourages cavalry to try for flank or rear attacks on infantry, rather than risking frontal attack in the teeth of that musketry.

Turn 8: Prussian High Tide,  Horse Grenadiers try for the kill..

I had a couple of moments of uncertainty with the rules in the Vier Arme battle which are worth noting :

(a) When a unit found itself in close combat with multiple enemy units, should there be any disadvantage to that unit?
I couldn't find anything in Bob's rules , and wondered about that.

I wasn't sure if an attacking unit contacting two enemy units had to fight them both - but I had not spotted footnote 20 on page 17 of Bob's book, which specifies that when a unit enters a grid area adjacent to two or more enemy units, it can choose which enemy unit it must turn and face.  So the attacking unit can choose which enemy to attack. Luckily I had made that assumption during my game.

For a unit which is attacked by multiple enemy units, I thought 'shouldn't they have  a 'minus' on the die roll in close combat?'  But of course, as Bob pointed out, just by being forced to fight two close combat rounds in succession, they run more risk of suffering hits, so there is already a built-in disadvantage - and the attacker gets to choose which of his units attacks first.  I think that's a really nice, elegant example of keeping things simple.

(b) When the Prussian Horse Grenadiers charged the Austrian Gunners from behind, I thought 'those gunners will take a beating now',and noted that the cavalry added 'plus 2'  to their close combat die roll. But I was slightly puzzled that the  artillery unit only suffered a 'minus 1' on their die roll, for being attacked from flank or rear. So the cavalry were very unlikely to take a hit, but the artillery only slightly more likely to suffer. They needed a 4,5 or 6 to survive unscathed, and duly rolled a 4.  I was intrigued by that, and couldn't resist querying with Bob - should the gunners have had more of a disadvantage in that melee?  His answer was very interesting, and I will quote it here:

"Cavalry attacking guns is a problem on the battlefield (think of the Charge of the Light Brigade, for example) … and something that they would only do in extremis. That said, when it did happen, the gunners usually waited until the last minute, and then either ran or hid under their guns where the cavalry could not get to them. This is what happened when the French cavalry charged the British artillery at Waterloo, with many gunners literally throwing themselves under the muskets of nearby infantry squares to get away from the French cavalry". 

I'm happy to admit, I hadn't thought of that!  Very interesting, and perfectly explains why Bob's close combat die roll modifiers are set up that way. Thanks Bob!

Lastly on the rules, as a result of Von Kleist's sufferings,  I did wonder if a wounded or dead commander should result in a reduction in the die roll for Initiative?  Well at first glance, maybe yes.. And then again?  Think of turn 3 - the Prussians won initiative and their cavalry thundered into the attack from the Austrians rear.. but then the Austrians, moving second, received their reinforcements and were able to turn the tables completely with an attack on the rear of the Prussian cavalry! Is it always advantageous to take the initiative and move first?  Maybe I'm not so sure. 

The End: von Keist is down,  his troops withdraw

Finally, where next?  With one drawn battle and one outright defeat which cost them their commander, the Prussians incursion into Austrian territory has pretty much failed, and they are keen to extricate themselves,  slink back to their bases, and give old Eric 'full military honours' . But will General Dachs let them get away?  I think some sort of pursuit or rearguard action is in order.

And R.I.P. Eric von Kliest.  I had fondly imagined a long relationhip between Dachs and von Kleist, as they  took on distinct personas in the course of many battles - only for old Eric to 'bite the dust' second time out!  But that's part of the fun, you never know what the dice will serve up.   One thing for sure, the Prussians need a new commander, someone has to step up and take charge. In honour of their original recruiter, I think the name 'Eric' needs to live on.

One suggestion is for the acting Prussian leader to be the one and only Eric Diehalbebiene...  

We'll see, next time!  Keep well and safe, everyone.

The Combat at Vier Arme

Having set up our second engagement in the campaign of 'The Portable Seven Years War',  here's how events played out.

I used a couple of new rule variations on Bob Cordery's Portable Napoleonics, as discussed before. I gave a 'plus 1' on the dice for 'first volley' musket  fire, but a 'minus 2' for muskets firing at maximum range. Also a boost for Cavalry in second round of melee with infantry, if they had inflicted a hit but not suffered one - thus  deemed to have 'broken into' the infantry formation.

As Eric von Kleist's Prussian advanced  column hurried up the approach to the crossroads of Vier Arme, they emerged from the morning mist to find themselves faced by an equally surprised Austrian outpost. General Dachs' first Jager battalion and a supporting field gun had postioned themselves astride the road, with woodland and a lake protecting their flanks.

Rapidly assessing the position, von Kleist sent his leading unit of Horse Grenadiers off to his right, aiming to circle round the lake and take the defenders in flank or rear, while pushing his line  infantry battalions up the central road. The Prussian Rifle unit moved left, aiming to infiltrate through the woods on that flank.

Turn 1: Prussians deploy

Outnumbered three to one and worried about their flanks, the Austrian outpost troops could do only one thing - fire!
The gun took first blood, scoring a hit on the Riflemen and removing one Strength Point. The Jagers' musket volleys did great execution, taking two SPs from the leading battalion of Von Kleist Frei Korps. But the Frei Korps were not to be stopped, charging the Jagers on Turn 2, and taking one SP off them in the resulting melee.  If the Austrians had time to look over their shoulders, they would have been worried indeed, as the Prussian Cavalry cantered around the lake behind them..

Turn 2: they're behind you!

On Turn 3, the situation intensified. The Austrian gunners loaded canister and hit again,  taking 1 SP from the oncoming Prussian Fusiliers 1st Battalion; but the Prussians won the initiative die roll, and their Horse Grenadiers charged the gun - from behind! At the same time, their second Frei Korps battalion joined the melee against the Austrian Jagers.

Surrounded!

With their infantry fighting one against two, and their gun attacked from behind, things looked bleak for the surrounded Austrians. But it seems fortune ( in the form of 'D6' ) was with them - the Jagers fought off their attackers, forcing both Frei Korps units to retreat, albeit at the cost of losing 1 SP themselves. The gunners, by the skin of their teeth, survived the cavalry charge unscathed.

Having just held on, The Austrians now had initiatve - and reinforcements. General Dachs himself, with his Hussars and the  'Grenzer'  battalion arrived from the North road.  The Hussars charged immediately - straight into the rear of the Prussian Horse Grenadiers!

Hussars turn the tables on Horse Grenadiers..

Despite the Hussars advantage, neither side scored a hit, but the Austrian Gunners were mightily relieved!  Meanwhile the undaunted Austrian Jagers levelled their muskets and fired again, taking 1 SP from the 2nd Fusilier Battalion. At the end of turn 3 the Prussians had lost 4 SP to the Austrians 2.

But next turn Prussian pressure stepped up and their numbers and musketry told - all four infantry battalions gave fire, to great effect.  No less than 3 Austrian SPs were lost, one from the guns and two from the brave Jagers - who were destroyed, leaving the gunners alone and very exposed.  The Prussian Horse Grenadiers now turned around to fight the Austrian Hussars, and their melee continued. Losses now - Austrians 5, Prussians 4.

Turn 4: one gun vs. four battalions - and note rifles in the woods too

Now  a sort of hiatus - the cavalry melee in centre continued, with neither side scoring hits, and Prussian foot advanced, slow but steady, their musketry forcing the Austrian gun to retreat. The Rifles having taken possession of the wood, now began to annoy the Austrians with their fire, also forcing the Grenzers back.  No further SPs were lost by either side, but the Austrians gained further strength on Turn 6 as their second gun and 2nd Jager batalion arrived from the Western road. Now with five units on the field  to von Kleist's six, General Dachs ( himself embroiled in the cavalry fight) may have felt that the darkest time had passed.

Turn 7 saw both Austrian guns in action - good for morale, though to little actual effect. The cavalry fight broke up, with Prussian Horse Grenadiers forced back and Austrian Hussars electing not to follow-up - too many enemy infantry close by. The Austrian Grenzer foot opened fire on 1st Prussian Fusilier battalion, scored a hit, took 1 SP: von Kliest himself being attached to the fusiliers, 2 dice were rolled for him.  Result Eleven - von Kleist is wounded !   Two further SPs, a heavy blow. Prussian Losses now 7 to Austrian  5.

Turn 7 : Austrians at bay, but stronger, and von Kleist wounded!

Next turn, despite his wounds von Kleist took the intiative ( should there be a reduction on a wounded general's intiative dice roll? ) . His infantry kept up their fire, and emptied many Hussar saddles - a loss of 2 SPs - before the Horse Grenadiers charged again to finish the job. The Hussars were forced back , but still in the fight. The Horse Grenadiers rather rashly followed up, contacting not only the Hussars but also both Austrian infantry units - Grenzers and 2nd Jagers. In the resulting melee, the Prussian horsemen came off very much second best - they too lost 2 SPs. So, both sides' cavalry sorely damaged  in a single turn, but more important, total losses at the end of Turn 8 : Austrians 7, Prussians 9, and von Kleist's men had reached Exhaustion Point. The Prussian attack is over, now their wounded commander must extricate them from the situation, under a cannonade.

The rash attack of the Horse Grenadiers - which lost them 2 SP and exhausted the Prussians

Turn 9 : well, as to the cannonade, both guns missed.. Von Kleist still active,  took the initiative, ordering his cavalry and Frei Korps to retire, covered by the continued fire of the Fusiliers and Rifles. Both Fusiliers scored hits on the Austrian Hussars, and the second hit removed the final SP, destroying the Hussars, and crucially also bringing Dachs' Austrians to exhaustion at the end of the turn.

Knowing this was his last opportunity to take aggressive action, Dachs ordered his infantry forward, giving fire as they advanced. The Grenzers scored a hit on 1st Fusiliers, von Kleist still with them, roll two dice for him - a twelve - von Kleist is dead!

The death of Eric von Kleist

 And there it ended. Both sides  exhausted, but Dachs and his Austrians holding the crossroads, and Prussians bearing away the lifeless body of their commander.   The final score : Austrians lost 8 SP,  Prussians 14 SP. A clear - if lucky -  victory for Dachs' improvised  defence, over von Kleist's hasty attack.