Reject Richard's - The Battle of Stoliboz, 1 October 1756 P5

 An Alternative Seven Years War Remote Wargame

The Battle of Stoliboz, 1 October 1756

A Guest Blog

Part 5 – Battle Phase 4, Southern Flank warms up

This has been a phase in the battle where the French have been able to control the initiative more effectively.  For those interested, the tabletop rules I use to execute the written orders is Koenig Krieg (not the latest version).  As grand tactical rules, I find that they work well, give a period feel to the battles and are entirely suitable for this sort of distance/virtual gaming.

If you have just joined this then you may want to catch up by looking at some of the previous posts on this battle.

1. Introduction and details - (link)

2. Phase 1 – deployment in the fog - (link)

3. Phase 2 - First Clashes and Jockeying for Position - (link)

4. Phase 3 – Probing the Flanks - Position - (link)

These blogs go out after the commanders on both sides have submitted their orders for the next phase.  Not all orders may get through. (Yeh Thanks Rich!) RR

As we pick up the story this is the situation at around 11.45am.  

Ray has sent fresh orders to his Liccaner Grenzers who find themselves increasingly in the centre of a skirmisher storm.  But have those orders got through?  The firefight certainly continues with the Grenzers showing the French chasseurs the meaning of accuracy.

Are the Austrians stopping for an early lunch?  Even the French seem puzzled about what the 12th Hussars are doing on top of the hill… or not doing in this case.

The French artillery of Surjit’s 3rd Brigade start with an ineffectual counter-battery fire, which the Austrians ignore as they pour hot metal into the French 1st Grenadiers whose confidence is certainly shaken.

Whilst on the relatively quiet southern flank things are moving.  An aggressive General John throws his hussars across the stream to engage Ian’s Austrian dragoons.   In response the Germanic horsemen counter charge in order to catch the French as they lose some of their coherence negotiating the banks.

The heavier weight of cavalry combined with the Austrian prowess in the saddle prove formidable as they hurl both French hussar regiments back in disorder after taking substantial losses… The Bercheny Hussars more so!

However, the Austrian brigadier felt the sharp edge of French steel.  Fortunately, he was able to brush it off as merely a flesh wound.

And so, the situation as it stands at noon.  General Lee’s columns are slowly creeping into the line.

Eschewing counter battery fire, the Austrian 1st Brigade gunners unleash a hail of canister at the French 1st Grenadiers – whose thinning lines briefly hesitate in their advance.

But Surjit continues to insist on targeting the Austrian battery, with an aggressive push into canister range.

…and his perseverance is finally rewarded!  Much to Austrian Ray’s chagrin, and Surjit’s schadenfreude!

And now the situation at around a quarter past noon.  I thought that you may be interested to see each general’s command on the map.

Plus, a view down the line looking from south towards the north.  Both sides have established their fronts and we can see the artillery opening up all along it.

And all the while those skirmishers are still at it just north of Stoliboz.

The troops around Stoliboz have certainly moved into musket range, and the air is growing full of black powder smoke and hot lead.  The southern flank appears to be about to develop a greater sense of urgency.  

What about those picnicking Austrian hussars, have they settled down for the afternoon?

Will the grenzers extricate themselves?

Until next time…