The Battle of Hohenfriedberg, 4 June 1745


 

Army: Austro-Saxon.

CinC: Prince Charles.

Command

Units

Bases

Description

Grade

Formation Strength

Left Wing

1

4

Saxon Cuirassier

E

 

 

1

4

Saxon Dragoon

C

 

 

1

4

Saxon Foot Guard

V

 

 

2

8

Saxon Foot

C

 

 

2

8

Saxon Foot

I

 

 

2

2

Medium Artillery

 

172

Centre

1

4

Austrian Cuirassier

E

 

 

2

8

Austrian Foot

C

 

 

1

4

Austrian Foot

I

 

 

2

2

Medium Artillery

 

 

 

1

1

Light Artillery

 

102

Right Wing

2

8

Austrian Cuirassier

E

 

 

1

4

Austrian Dragoon

C

 

 

1

4

Austrian Grenadier

E

 

 

5

20

Austrian Foot

C

 

 

3

12

Austrian Foot

I

 

 

2

2

Medium Artillery

 

292

Army Morale:

6


Army: Prussian.

CinC: King Frederick.

Command

Units

Bases

Description

Grade

Formation Strength

Advanced Guard

2

8

Prussian Grenadier

V

 

 

1

4

Prussian Foot

E

 

 

1

4

Prussian Hussar

C

 

 

1

1

Heavy Artillery

 

130

Prince Leopold

1

4

Life Guard

G

 

 

1

4

Prussian Cuirassier

E

 

 

1

4

Prussian Dragoon

C

 

 

2

8

Prussian Grenadier

V

 

 

2

8

Prussian Foot

E

 

 

2

8

Prussian Foot

C

 

 

2

2

Heavy Artillery

 

 

 

2

2

Light Artillery

 

296

King Frederick

1

4

Prussian Cuirassier

E

 

 

1

4

Prussian Dragoon

C

 

 

1

4

Bayreuth Dragoon

E

 

 

1

4

Prussian Hussar

C

 

 

1

4

Prussian Foot Guard

G

 

 

1

4

Prussian Grenadier

V

 

 

3

12

Prussian Foot

E

 

 

4

16

Prussian Foot

C

392

Army Morale:

9

Scale:
Grand.

Background
In an attempt to drive the Prussians from Silesia, the Austrian and Saxon armies joined forces to oust the Prussians. With large numbers of irregular troops disrupting communications and lines of supply the Austrians hoped to force the Prussians to withdraw. However, Frederick got wind of these plans and moved to attack his opponents head on in open ground, away from the difficult terrain that favoured the irregular forces of his opponents.

Deployment
Both sides must deploy within their own deployment areas. Prince Leopold’s force will only arrive on the table when the Prussian advanced guard has moved out of its own deployment area. Frederick’s force will only arrive when Prince Leopold’s has crossed the river. The Saxon artillery of the centre and right wing commands starts the battle in march-column on the controlling players own rear table edge.

Special Rules
The river immediately in front of the Prussian arrival area can automatically be crossed; other sections must be diced for in the usual way. The Prussians take the first turn.

Outcome
The battle opened with the Prussian’s advance guard attack on the Spitzberg heights, the Saxon force holding this position were quickly driven off which allowed the Prussian’s to deploy their artillery to cover their advance on Pilgramshain. Saxon and Austrian cavalry deployed around Pilgramshain contested this advance but were also driven off. Further down the line Prince Leopold’s force was crossing the Striegauer-wasser and advancing towards the Saxon infantry. Despite suffering heavy casualties from the Saxon guns the Prussians held their fire until close enough to deliver a shattering volley that drove the Saxon line back. Having dealt with the Saxons, there was still the large body of Austrian troops deployed around Gunthersdorf and Thomaswaldau. Frederick ordered the remainder of his force to deal with this threat. The Austrian cavalry failed to charge in the face of persistent infantry fire and eventually routed. This allowed the Prussian foot to advance on the remaining Austrians. A ferocious fire-fight developed which was dramatically resolved by the charge of the Bayreuth Dragoons which managed to rout many of the Austrian units.

BACK TO MAIN PAGE