Slitherine

Round 1 is the Battle of Soor on the 30th September 1745

The Prussians are attempting to capture the Heights from the Austrians who outnumber them but are rather spread out.

The Prussian player will set up the battle, use the password "soor"

Prussian player first;

Doyley50 plays W_Michael
Gribol plays awesum4
SMJohnso77 plays LinkinBrick
PeterthePainter plays Dilly
Ironclad plays Ciberpincho

My Austrians have been pushed back by smjhohnso77's Prussians.

The Prussian position was precarious at the end, in a way, the greater part of the Austrian forces just starting to join the fight, but the Prussians ultimately captured both positions before there was a chance for it to matter.

It should be noted that the Saxon units did very well when actually able to charge, though all but one of the units had to hold back to defend the second strategic position, after the Koppe proper had already fallen.

It should also be noted that Wurmbrandt's regiment managed an impressive pirouette in the face of the enemy, choosing to offer their backs to Prussian infantry to chase routed dragoons.

The Prussians, using finesse Roman tactics (massive frontal attack), drove the Austrians from the hills near Soor.
There's nothing more interesting to say here. The plan was crude, but it worked.

Well played by Master Gribol, a sustained, aggressive and disciplined Prussian advance with no regards to their own losses simply overwhelmed the Austrians before they could bring their numbers to bear.

Dragoons transitioned from mounted infantry to medium cavalry some time in the 18th century. Which were they during the Battle of Soor (or were they a mix)?

My Austrians defeated Doyley50's Prussians.

I withdrew my left flank infantry so that they could form a line from the woods to the troops defending the rightmost flag. This discouraged the Prussian cavalry from outflanking there. Only a token force defended the leftmost flag as a delaying action. Of course, the Austrian far right flank immediately marched to the sound of gun fire. The Austrians slowly cleared the village and the Prussians on my left flank had taken enough casualties that my refused flank advanced and recaptured the lost flag. At the end, the Prussian central attack on the rightmost flag broke and fled.

w_michael wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:00 am Dragoons transitioned from mounted infantry to medium cavalry some time in the 18th century. Which were they during the Battle of Soor (or were they a mix)?

From what I know, already in the times of Friedrich Wilhelm I, dragoons operated practically only as typical cavalry.

Austrian defeat.
The fast and well-positioned Prussians have taken the hills before the arrival of the bulk of the Austrian army.
Congratulations to Frederick-Nigel.

Prussian victory. Thanks for a good and rapid game.

gribol wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 4:33 am

w_michael wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:00 am Dragoons transitioned from mounted infantry to medium cavalry some time in the 18th century. Which were they during the Battle of Soor (or were they a mix)?

From what I know, already in the times of Friedrich Wilhelm I, dragoons operated practically only as typical cavalry.

From what I can tell dragoons in 1745 were mainly cavalry without armour (cuirass), but may still have carried a carbine. Perhaps Late Unarmoured Horse (Carbine) from the French 1691-1698 army list would be more appropriate.

w_michael wrote: ↑Thu Jan 25, 2024 4:06 am

gribol wrote: ↑Tue Jan 23, 2024 4:33 am

w_michael wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:00 am Dragoons transitioned from mounted infantry to medium cavalry some time in the 18th century. Which were they during the Battle of Soor (or were they a mix)?

From what I know, already in the times of Friedrich Wilhelm I, dragoons operated practically only as typical cavalry.

From what I can tell dragoons in 1745 were mainly cavalry without armour (cuirass), but may still have carried a carbine. Perhaps Late Unarmoured Horse (Carbine) from the French 1691-1698 army list would be more appropriate.

They had rifles and used them mostly on guard duty, and the role of the dismounted cavalry in emergencies was taken over by the Hussars.

I realise Awesum4 considers this a battle that can be won by either side but I am still to be convinced, it appears it is a tough task for the Austrians. In this case the Austrians decided a winter break was what they needed, however I could have told them from my recollections of the days when I used to grace a workplace with my presence, the problems are all still there when you come back from holiday.

The Graner – Koppe fell to the Prussians on turn 9 with 36% of the Austrian army and 11% of the Prussian army routed.

Well played to my opponent who fought well in a difficult situation.

Peter

So a massive victory 4 to 1 to the Prussians.....but its early days yet...