MILITARY MODELLING – MAY 1979

Playtest of "The Hasty Defence and Relief of a Town" Teaser...

C.S. Grant and friends

play last month's scenario
This month, with the kind permission of the Editor, it is my intention to relate the actions which
took place at Dover when the coven assembled to fight Teaser eight. This battle took place
within twenty four hours of an even more ghastly affray — my sister's wedding, no less. I hasten
to add that my presence in Dover (despite malicious rumours) was primarily for the afore-
mentioned event and not to fight a wargame. However, while there it would have been folly to
waste the opportunity . . . But I digress. Suffice to say that the after effects of the previous
day's revels had left several of the participants more than a little jaded. Despite the celebrations
this Teaser required no small amount of preparation on my behalf. On taking stock of our balsa
wood buildings a couple of days before the game, it transpired that I required to build at
least ten thatched cottages and a windmill in

Periods 1 to 6
The attack is launched. The left
pincer is at grips with the west
redoubt and the outhouses are
by passed. Meanwhile, the right
pincer outflanks the farm. French
reinforcements are already
arriving and the Chasseurs de
Fischer are breaking out of the
town.

order to lay out the table to

my satisfaction. This task I
set to with some co-opted
assistance from my long
suffering wife. Come the
night of the battle the result
of this construction was
shown on map 1 with the
thatched houses outside the
old town walls.
The first three players to arrive were presented with the table as shown in last month's issue, the
attacking troops dispositioned as at 8 o'clock in the evening and the three commanders assembled
at the windmill. Each had a map of the table, his own units only, being marked on it and the X-Y
line beyond which there was to be no forward movement during the night. These three
commanders fielded Prussian armies of the Seven Year's War as follows:-

Ma p Un it Commander These, then, were the three Prussian

ref.
A Kronstadt Dragoons
B Knyphausen Infantry
C Raczinski Infantry
D 1 battery of guns
E Bosniak Uhlan
F Putzenkammer
Grenadiers
G Vastmanland Infantry
H 1 battery of howitzers(2)
J Alefeldt Cuirassier
K Pfalzsonderheim Infantry
L Ismailovski Grenadiers
M 1 battery of guns
contingents which were to resume
the battle the next morning. (Lest the
David Matthews purists should scream aloud that the
names appear more Russian than
Prussian the forces used were 'those
of the notional but once powerful
Vereinigte Freie Stadte (VFS) who
Andrew Green would have taken grave exception
to being called anything other than
their proper names). The three
commanders were now given ten
minutes in which to discuss the last
Ian Osborn light situation before retiring to
separate corners of the room to
write orders for the night activity

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 MILITARY MODELLING – MAY 1979
Playtest of "The Hasty Defence and Relief of a Town" Teaser...

and the next day's action. Their brief, given verbally by myself, was the same as that given
in the description of the Teaser last month. A tremendous amount was covered in this ten
minute period and it was very interesting to hear these three experienced table top generals
confer. In brief, they immediately decided that there should be an overall commander and
Andrew Green was nominated by virtue of his central location on the battlefield. The next
point considered was the farm and outhouses which they decided to bypass to avoid
becoming bogged down. Night movement they decided would be minimised to local
redeployment to prevent confusion. They quickly appreciated the requirement for speed of
action before the town was reinforced and their plan reflected this. The plan was for the two
flanking forces to form a pincer movement on the town. The left flank would by-pass the
outbuilding, take the west redoubt and strike the west suburbs. The right pincer would by-
pass the farm and wood, out-flank the east redoubt and take the town from the east
rendering the redoubt untenable. With the defenders stretched thin in the centre and the
redoubts lost, the centre would advance striking through the south of the town and through
into the inner town. So much for the plan — more of it anon.

Once separated, the three commanders wrote their orders and plotted the night movement
on the maps and handed them to myself and the other umpire, Charles Grant. We now
consulted the maps to determine what confusion if any would occur during the night
movement, and then we placed the troops as we saw fit at dawn. David Matthews had
moved a little further east
without problems. In the centre we deemed that Andrew Green's movements would go
unhindered and placed his troops according to his map. However, it was we the umpires
who had misread his map; quite unintentionally we confused his somewhat unintelligible
scrawl and moved his infantry instead of his howitzers as he had intended. This entirely
genuine error resulted in howls of protest. On the west there was a genuine possibility of
confusion. The map showed the Pfalzsonderheim infantry (K) and the Alefeldt Cuirassiers
(J) passing within a couple of inches of each other in the night. It was decided that a die
would be thrown for each unit, coinciding numbers resulting in collision. Two sixes were
thrown. What would the result of such a collision be? A further throw now produced a
double five (what throwing!) and it was decided that the two units, hopelessly intermingled,
would halt until dawn. The upshot of this was the Prussian positions shown on map 1.

Let us now leave the Prussians poised to attack and turn our thoughts to the French
defenders. The garrison in situ and distributed in accordance with last month's instructions
was as follows:-

Map ref. Unit The next wargamer to arrive after the

1. Grenadier de attackers, Rob Waldron, was given
France command of the town with Ray McGarry
2. Normandie infantry Rob Waldron and Peter Sheppard to command the re-
3. 1 battalion of guns enforcements as they arrived.
4. 1 militia unit
The commanders were briefed and then dice
were thrown for the arrival of the re-enforcements. The defenders therefore knew when to expect re-
enforcements but not what units would be arriving.

In fact, the result of this throwing was:-

Map ref. No. of dice Total Unit ref. This produced a very
thrown (arrival satisfactory balance with
period) the troops arriving very
5. 1 4 Chasseur de Fischer (light cavalry) much as one would
6. 2 5 Cuirassiers du Roi (heavy cavalry) expect. The Prussians, of
7. 2 6 Soissonais infantry course, had no idea of the
8. 3 7 Royal Corse infantry times of arrival and the
9. 2 11 1 battery of guns nature of the enemy's re-
enforcements.
10. 3 14 1 battery of guns
11. 4 . 14 Grenadiers du Penthievre
We were now almost
ready to start the action. One final detail; you will remember that the houses outside the town wall
were thatched and indeed were painted as such. The defenders were quick to consider the

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 MILITARY MODELLING – MAY 1979
Playtest of "The Hasty Defence and Relief of a Town" Teaser...

possibility of firing them but the same thought, triggered by howitzer fire, did now occur to the
Prussians. We had, however, thought of the wind direction and speed and the observant wargamer
would be quick to notice that the windmill faced east, thus indicating the wind was coming from that
direction. (This cunning indication was almost lost when the first wargamer to arrive picked up the
aforementioned article and after saying "What a nice windmill. Have you just made it?" put it down
facing north. A careful slight of hand replaced it facing east once more).
So the scene was set as shown in map 1 — unhappy commanders Green and Osborn wondering
what had gone wrong with their night moves and a plethora of underemployed and noisy French
generals awaiting their re-enforcements. First light brought the commencement of hostilities with the
Prussians keen to make headway with their plans before the French garrison could be re-enforced.
In the west, the Alefeldt Cuirassiers (J) and Pfalzsonderheim infantry (K) set about untangling
themselves from the night's confusion while the Ismailovski Grenadiers (L) launched themselves
apparently at the houses to their front in column. The Prussians, amid much swearing at incompetent
ADCs and Colonels who could not read or follow orders, did little to get the howitzers (H) where the
infantry (F) were and vice-versa. The eastern pincer, uncomplicated by night movement troubles,
began to move forward to the east of the farm, supported by fire from the battery (D) on the hill.
This was the prelude to the considerable artillery fire which raged throughout the battle.
The defenders were quick to respond, their case shot finding the enemy, in particular the
Ismailovski (L).
It quickly became clear that the Prussians intended to by-pass the farm to the east and, as
their round shot ploughed into the houses, the detached company of Normandie infantry (2) fell
back, suffering casualties, to the side of the wood, but continued to fire with some effect on
the Knyphausen column (B). By the fourth period the Ismailovski were suffering quite heavily
from both artillery and musket fire. This same period brought the arrival of the first re-
enforcements, the Chasseur de Fischer (5) to the north east. They were followed in the fifth
period by the Cuirassier du Roi. At this stage the Prussian howitzers, having completed their
peregrinations at last appeared to have arrived at their destination. The Ismailovski were
now clearly by-passing the outbuildings and heading towards the west redoubt but not without
further losses.
By the sixth period the
situation was well
advanced as can be seen
by the dotted progress
arrows in map 1. The
Soissonais infantry (7) had
arrived as the first French

Map 2. Period 7 to 10. The

Ismailovski break and run as
the melee ensues around the
west redoubt, the Chasseur
de Fischer and a company of
Grenadier de France seeing
off the Pfalzsonderheim
infantry.

infantry re-enforcements
but they still had some
distance to cover before
they could add their
weight to the battle. Both French redoubts were taking casualties from the Prussian artillery
and the Pfalzsonderheim infantry (K) had charged the west redoubt in column. They were
causing dreadful damage to the detachment of the Grenadier de France, finally causing them
to break and run back to the .shelter of the town leaving a few foolish but brave gunners to
defend both gun and redoubt. The Pfalzsonderheim were supported by the Ismailovski to
their left by-passing the redoubt; they had, however, lost several officers and their
unfortunate colonel. Somewhat to everybody's surprise, the Chasseur de Fischer, having
galloped furiously through the town, wer*j now emerging by the south gate onto the plain.
Both pincers of the Prussian attack were now progressing well and it seemed that the arrival
of the Royal Corse infantry (8) in the distance would not alleviate the French problems. The
west redoubt was all but taken and the gunners in the eastern redoubt were rapidly spiking
their gun and withdrawing back to the town with their company of Normandie infantry before
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 MILITARY MODELLING – MAY 1979
Playtest of "The Hasty Defence and Relief of a Town" Teaser...

they could be outflanked. The French, however, with inspired bravado now launched the
Chasseur de Fischer (5) out of the town and round the west redoubt taking the
Pfalzsonderheim (K) in the flank as the latter were in process of entering the almost
abandoned redoubt. Great credit must go to the gunners in the redoubt who had fought on
gallantly against overwhelming odds. At this stage the French bravado was accompanied by
a stroke of luck. The latest volley from the town on the Ismailovski (L) had not only taken
its normal toll of the rank and file but had killed two further officers. The regiment faltered,
halted and then turned and ran. (Map 2).
The first impact of the melee between the Chasseur de Fischer and the Pfalzsonderheim
infantry resulted in roughly equal honours. In the second stage of the fighting, aid came
to the Fischer in the shape of a bold company of Grenadier de France who sallied forth from
the town, charged into the west redoubt and increased the pressure on the Pfalzsonderheim
infantry. The result of this overall combat after two periods was the retiral of the brave
Chasseurs, blown after their charge and fighting; the successful re-occupation of the redoubt by
the Grenadier company and the defeat and retreat of the Pfalzsonderheim infantry. The
bold Sheppard leading the Chasseurs in person was very full of himself (as ever) and loudly
proclaimed his success in the hand-to-hand fighting. Thus, by the end of the 9th period, the
Prussian left hand attack which had looked so promising was spent and the defenders were
more or less restored.
We can now turn our
attention to the eastern
pincer movement to see how
it had fared. We have
already noted the by-
passing of the farm to the
east and the turning of the
redoubt leading to its
abandonment. It was on
this flank that the French
re-enforcements could
most quickly be deployed
and while the Raczinski
(C) were approaching the
outer edge of the town, the

Map 3. Period 11 to 15 . The

left flanking attack beaten,
the right flank beginning to
break up, the Prussian centre
is unable to make any headway.

Knyphausen (B) had been forced to deploy along the river line. This latter unit was already
suffering considerably from fire from the Soissonais infantry (7) deployed in th e line no rt h
o f t he f oo t b rid ge . Wit h both redoubts devoid of artillery, the Prussian centre was now
launched forward. The Vastmanland (G) and the Putzenkammer (F) making good progress
with few losses (map 2).
As the attack in the centre grew closer, the newly arrived battery of French guns (period
11) made for the hill on the north bank which would afford them a good field of fire to the
south west. The Raczinski were by now fighting into the suburbs on the south east side of
the town meeting strong opposition from the Normandie. The unfortunate Raczinski (C)
were, however, unsupported and their flank exposed by the withdrawal of the Knyphausen
infantry (B) who were falling back leaving more than half their number dead or dying as a
result of their exchange with the Soissonais (map 3). Back in the centre, the
Putzenkammer (F) had reached the suburbs on the south face of the town and were
fighting for the outbuildings against elements of both the Normandie and the Grenadier de
France. To the left rear, and Vastmanland (G) were advancing in column past the west
redoubt, which had again been abandoned, and would be on the town's defenders in
another two periods. This more or less co-ordinated attack was regretably short of artillery
suppott. The Prussian howitzer commander, after 3 misfires and a threatened court-
martial, had at last achieved a hit — regretfully in an area devoid of enemy.
The Raczinski, as well as being engaged in fierce street fighting were being hit in the rear

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 MILITARY MODELLING – MAY 1979
Playtest of "The Hasty Defence and Relief of a Town" Teaser...

by fire from the Soissonais and in the flank by fire from the inner town militia. It is worth
mentioning at this juncture that the Grant rules used in this game permit three as opposed
to the normal two periods of fighting if units are engaged in defiles and built-up areas.
Despite this additional period the Raczinski could make little headway and finally fell back
out of the town exhausted with little to show for their efforts. The unfortunate Raczinski
suffered cruelly from enfilade fire from the Soissonais as they withdrew. The Normandie
had also suffered considerably and leaving the houses manned, the remainder fell back
into the inner town.
The right flanking pincer having met a similar fate to that of its counter-part, it remained
only to see how the centre fared. The Pfalzsonderheim had recovered their composure and
were advancing somewhat reluctantly and too far away to be of immediate assistance. The
Grenadier de France had stood well the Putzenkammer onslaught. The latter had managed
to get a few men into the houses but were also nearing exhaustion. The support from the
Vastmanland would take the suburbs in the south but it was apparent that there was no
hope of holding them. The militia lined the inner wall ready to pour fire on any would-be
assailant while the now recovered Chasseurs de Fischer stood poised to the North West
ready to sweep through the streets against enemy infantry. The colours of the Royal Corse
could be seen on the main bridge moving over the river onto the south bank. By period 15
the French battery (9) was ready to sweep the south and east approaches if a new attack
should materialise. As if to emphasise the hopelessness of the Prussian task, the
Grenadier du Penthiere (11) and a further battery of guns (10) had just appeared on the
north east horizon.
The Prussians appreciated the chance was lost and began to withdraw from the town in
good order, the still fresh Vastermanland covering the exhausted Putzenkammer. The town
had stood against the Prussian efforts and all three commanders agreed to leave the field
to the victorious French.

Conclusions

Without making any lengthy deductions it is worth drawing a few points from what I hope
the reader has appreciated by now was a fast, furious and exciting game.

Starting with the Prussians, they undoubtedly got off to a good start by nominating an
overall commander. They went on to make a good appreciation of the situation and quite
rightly, in my opinion, chose to bypass the farm and the outbuildings. The reluctance to
undertake considerable troop movement at night probably stems from previous
experiences, not entirely happy, in other games at Dover. Having decided to remain largely
immobile overnight, the Prussians were committed to launching an attack the next day
from their original positions. Thus, the lack of overnight redistribution precluded a massing
on one flank and a concentrated attack at dawn. Having thus committed themselves, the
Prussian plan of attack, hitting both flanks of the town, drawing the French out and then
driving through the centre appeared to be a good one. What went wrong? Well, as we have
seen, the Prussian attack fell into three distinct phases, left, right and centre. If these
attacks had been co-ordinated they would surely have had more of a chance of success.
This would entail the left flank waiting two periods while the right began to outflank the
farm. Of course this would bring the French reinforcements two periods nearer.
Nevertheless, I think that this would have been advantageous as it would have brought
more pressure over a wider front and would have had considerably greater chance of
success.

Lastly, despite all my efforts on the thatched houses and the deliberate inertia of the two
howitzers on the Prussian side, no attempt was made to fire them. A fire in one of the
south eastern houses may well have driven the French out, produced a considerable
smoke screen and spread to the other houses to the west, thus aiding the Prussian
advance and creating disorder among the French.

Could the Prussians have won? I believe they could if their execution had come up to the
standard of their planning. The game was well balanced, great fun and certainly one that
we will refight again in the future. Have you fought it yet?

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